jbasser

That is sad.

I have seen it first hand. These folks get on a Power trip and they think they are god. They forget that we now know as much or more than they do. You and your hubby will succeed. You will look back on this one day and then put it into perspective when you are helping another poor Vet who is going through the same thing. Do not let up on them. Keep the pressure on, or as I used to tell Berta, Keep throwing punches. Eventually they will fall down. When they do fall, Start kicking. J

The RO has to follow the M21 and apply the rating schedule for each disability. Their interpetation is also based on the M21 and the rating has to proximate the severity of the disability. Now many RO's like to add their own input and rate as they want it to be. I can post the regs if you need them. J

www.ssa.gov Apply on line. It is faster. J

Carlie, we are not telling her to file a CUE claim. We are telling her to inform the VARO that their actions as of right now is a CUE in the making and asking the RO to call a cue on itself. John

They do it if you have more than one nerve effected in the same body part to most likely avoid pyramiding. J

Purple those numbers are what they did find. The only problem is this is only 1 days worth. miltiply that number by 220 and you will get an estimate. J

Is this the only Doctor your husband has seen. After studying the claim and the SSOC I feel that the VA is stuck onthe 50 Gaf score and are oblivious to anything else. The Doctor did state he was 70 to 100 percent in his opinion. I engourage you to write a letter by hand to the VARO DIrector and Service center manager. Ask them to cue themselves on the basis that the person who wrote the SSOC is no medical professional and he cannot diagnose or evaluate the severity of an issue. Only a Licensed medical professional can do that. All he can do is apply the rating schedule to the issue and according to the doctor, the rater is not correctly applying the rating schedule to your husbands claim. Again, this is cue. If you can get your hands onthe fax number fax it to them tommorrow. ALso keep on the opriginal path. Fill out the form 9. I dont like going to the BVA as I think it is only Remand central whwere the BVA and RO play catch with a claim as it takes way too long to decide. But the bottom line is this. We all have to do what we must. Our survival is our number one priority. Keep the faith. It will happen. John

CHF is not a good thing to have. Keep the fluid off of your body and you will feel better. Stay away from salt. You may want to search and print the heart patients diet and stick to it. J

You did good. Resend the docs opinion about the meds. You can enclose it all again and ask them to rate the claim as you have no additional information or evidence at this time. If you have insurance you can get an opinion from a Gastroenterologist. He would be the mac daddy as no one can dispute his opinion. Good work. J

Belle since your congressman has been involved and has called you to keep you informed on your claim issues I would continue to keep him involved. I see what the Ro is trying to do. Ricky is correct. You need to get this thing to the BVA where it can be decided. It is most likely going to take a couple of years anyhway.

SouthernBelle, the way the RO is treating you and your husband really buries the needle on my stupid crap-o-meter. They seen incoherent. It appears they dont understand or they are doing this on purpose. Can you give me some pertinent information about your husband. When was he discharged from the military and did he get out on a medical? Now for the claim: it is imparative at this time you answer the ssoc within 60 days. You have the option of selecting a DRO review or a traditional appeal. Go ahead and select the DRO and also fill out the form 9. Write another statement that reiterates your displeasure with the process as the RO did not take the Medical opinion into consideration. Show them the regs, your husbands current condition and where that condition is among the rating schedule. Ask them to produce the docs opinion and if they shredded it. Then apply the docs opinion to the rating scheule. Tell them you will accept the schedular requirements for his condition and no less and you are prepared to go to the CAVC of necessary. Send a copy of the same thing to your congressman and say that in light of the VA shredding scandal you are asking him to get personally involved. I am sorry this has to happen but it does seem to be SOP VA. J

Good Job in posting this BT2. J

It is not set in stone that a Veteran is guaranteed a job with the FED. OPM has Veteran guidelines that give Veterans preference but the agency still can select whoever they want. I have seen Vets passed over for the Buddy system. ( Someones child or relationhips) You can complain to the cows come home but in the end they do what they want. Concerning degrees, A lot of folks have degrees on this site. We have some with Masters, one graduated in 07 from American Military University. I am happy we have this diverse group of educated folks to assist the membership in the claims process. We can see it in the way they present their replies on this board. Some members are very well spoken and their literary skills are superb. Keep up the good work and may the success stories forum be overloaded with heartwarming tales of lives being enhanced and the daily pain and suffering be eased, and to allow us to cherish the victory. J

I am rated for Cervical Traumatic arthritis post fusion c6/c6 with radiculopathy to the median nerve. they use the results of an EMG NCS to determine the nerve involved. If both median and ulnar are effected then they will use a nerve group. Hope this helps. J

Episodes of chf should be rated at 100 percent. Also claim the ulcer as secondary to meds. You must be rated for IVDS. If you have had fusion surgury then it should be rated as traumaic arthritis with the nerve issues secondary. It is still based on the ROM. 7007 Hypertensive heart disease: Chronic congestive heart failure, or; workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent 100 J

I have one of those caskets with a sensor that turns on when someone walks by. It screams and a skeleton pops out. I had 1 kid 's daddy stop him about 300 feet away from the house after he saw it. We had a blast, My son was Harry Potter. Aint Haloween fun. J

If you signed up for direc deposit than it will be quicker than reg mail. It should not be too long. 6+ years makes for a good retro check. Enjoy and congrats on the win. Now press for IU if they wont give you 100 % schedular. J

It all depends on the status of the RO your dealing with. Some are busier than others. It would be hard to guess when but when they start to adjudicate the claim, they will most likely request a C and P exam. In the meantime, You Know that the Prostrate cancer is a Presumptive condition. Here is the Nehmer information. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-...254&idno=38 Good luck. Hope all is OK. J

I did not mean anything by posting it. I agree we need more info. I think I have it figured out. He is getting his SMC minus a Life insurance premium. Peace. J

I read somewhwere where a Veteran caught a VBA employee shredding his documents and he go denied, He proved it to the BVA and was granted SC. I will find it and post it here. I know people who work ar the regional offices. The majority of them are fine people. Isnt it amazing how a group of bad apples can make the whole bushel smell rotton. J

That is the key to survival. Keep on keeping busy. My Ex boss asked me the other day if I was able to come back to work. I told him I would love to but I had too many things keeping me from it like being a stay at home dad and fishing any time I wanted to. Not that I dont miss working, But I have adjusted too well to retirement. J

Shane, Look at what I found. http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1MR.html#3ii Are you enjoying your early retirement. Wait til I come down and take you smallmouth fishing. John

at 60 percent you should draw $1012.00 provided you are single with no dependants.Are you paying life insurance premiums? or some other deduction? Your numbers dont add up. If you are not paying extra file the cue for it is what it is. John