Buck52

I agree ArNG11, My reason posting this is because as veterans we get caught up in our claims so much and stress out about the whole process as we wait for a decision...and we tend to let our health go, of course this is all voluntary but its just something we never think about getting done until were older and that maybe to late. ...................Buck

jOHN999, Be sure and save your phone bill with those Gov Numbers you called as proof you called them it may come in handy! Good Luck on your protest. use a sign that is not to heavy but stays strong use bright color letters in neon! and take your umbrella & lots of bottle water maybe a small ice chest! Good Luck! .................................................Buck

correction on the time served (read your letter) they obviously change that in Sept 1980 to serve at least 24 months for VA health care eligibility. It use to be just after you were sworn in or was hurt in basic training and was medically discharged. ..........................Buck

Just a reminder to the younger veterans & the older ones too >. go get a Colonoscopy test, don't wait until its to late, you never know what's happening with your insides, get your VA Doc to order the test, if they don't do them at your VAMC they will order outside private care to do it. the test is very simply and no pain so please don't wait until you get older or until your over 50. I use to think it was a horrible test but its not, the only dreaded part is the night before you go to your appointment you have to drink a eight ounce glass 1'/2 Gal of this solution every 15 minutes until its all gone (it cleans you out) Its just something we never think about until we get older, However This test could save and prolong your life. ........................................Buck

you just need to go to your local VAMC and go to admissions. take id and DD214 ................Buck

The Dallas VAMC Dental is rated pretty high as for as quality work they have a nice waiting area and the dentist are all nice, I 've seen probably about 6 to 8 dentist there, including the head hacho They filled all my cavity's ...my problem is the partials just don't stat tight for some reason...they tighten them but after a week or so eating they get lose, my front teeth are all good and I have them cleaned every 6 months. It just takes a long time to get an appointment. I think with implants you need all your existing teeth extracted to get implants? I am skeptical about implants once they are in there there in there for good...what if you don't like them? the anchor for the implants are pretty rough from what I been told? stitched inside your upper and lower jawbone they don't come out. and there supposed to be just like your regular teeth when you put the dentures in &you never have to take them out at night like regular set dentures or partials. I am just afraid I won't like them. ......................Buck ..........Buck

Iam not sure it was sc or not ? just bad teeth to big cavity's to fill so they pulled them. had two root canals done and they ended up pulling those too...this was back when the VAMC had some private Dentist come in and help with the back-log to help speed up the process of veterans in pain and having to wait. back around 2008 09 Navy4life, The VA made me some partials but they don't fit good I been back several times for them to fix that problem but the only thing is when I do they fit better and stay tight but when I eat with them for about a week they start to get lose again and they have made me two pair, and they still don't fit right..I just got tired of going to them they seem to think there's nothing wrong with them and said I just have to get use to them...I've tried and tried and they still get lose when I eat ...so I don't wear them anymore. If I had private Insurance I's sure go see one of them dentist. Don't get me wrong the VAMC is a nice dentistry &it could just be that particular Dentist...its the only one at my VAMC that does that specialty. They seem to have nice new medical equipment up to date ect,,ect,,....its just hard to fit partials when your a snaggle tooth eh! I wish you the best and I hope you get to use the VA Dentist, they are good Dentist...most of them anyway. ............Buck

I was taking gabapentin and it was not helping, my doc switch to sertraline, said it was the generic & same as Lyrica so for seems to be working better. .................Buck

OIC...Okay good luck to you. ............Buck

I'm not sure what the Nursing Home care cost. but it use to be civilians pay what there SS checks are less 50.00 and that $$ goes to the patient for necessities like tooth paste, shaveing, personal needs. .........Buck

This might be some help? http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/on-the-record.html ..................Buck

My spouse has filed for SSD but not yet been approved. She use to get her medical care at the VA and the specialty clinics but they closed the clinics to her. so we ask ChampVA if they could suggest a good and reasonable supplement Insurance. They recommended (Sellman Insurance) 50.00 deductible. I had to join American Military Retires Assc (AMRA ) (25.00 membership a year) to get the insurance with Sellman Insurance, it covers the other 25% what ChampVA Don't cover. its about 74.00 monthly. but they have a 6 month waiting period for pre existing conditions but covers any new ones. To join the American Military Retired Association you need to be 100%SC P&T.. & They have other benefits as well. .........................Buck

My DRO Hearing went kinda like Gastone. That was back in 2002 ...................Buck

63SIERRA, What RO was this?

AndyMan. you should file a NOD on all your SC disability's and what the Doc said about them getting worse a lot worse, you could possibly get 100% P&T. Get new medical evidence to support your claim and what that Dr mention. If you can't work they can award you TDIU P&T With no future exams and your disability's are of Nature Or static. ...................Buck

Well the VA extracted all of my ''posterior'' teeth.& One Aterior tooth (front) Nothing was said about service connection % or anything.?? However I'm rated 100% TDIU P&T ..................Buck

Well when they release you they give a report as to why they released you from voc-rehab and my counselor stated it was not feasible to retrain this veteran because of his service connected disability's, I actually did not ask them to write a letter they just did and sent me a copy, I used it at my DRO Hearing as supporting evidence. IF you use voc-rehab to go back to school or find you some type work you can do then yes its hard to win your claim if you go back to work or currently working especially TDIU They didn't have Ebenefits when I did my claim ...................Buck

That's good, I wish you the best and you get what you ask for. Hang In There!!! ............Buck

your probably going to get the cue denied if you file for wrong diagnosis They can correct that, and your disability kinda falls under the next rating code for the appropriate rating..if your current disability don't have a code number or wrong code? you should file for your other disability's with new claim if you have new medical evidence, or you can file NOD on the current issues your having...not so much a wrong diagnosis but for your Back & the Radiculopathy if you already have a claim with these disability's? then file for an increase if they have worsen. but you need medical evidence to support your claim. ............................Buck

OIC Thank You broncovet! I'm learning! :) .........................Buck

I never cared for the W.W.P, when people make a big profit USEING wounded veterans to benefit them self , I have no use for a charity like that. I think I read some where? from the'' wwp'' donations that they spend 80% on them self(executive salaries) and 20% on the veterans ......................Buck

okay got it! Thanks Everyone! Ms Berta Pete Phillip. ...........Buck

I'd take it with me to the DRO Hearing! that way you make sure he gets it! DRO usually look over your records and an evidence they have, he should ask you if you want or have any new medical evidence to present to help support your claim. I find DRO's are nice guys and want to help us . .............Buck

If a veteran can't make it through Voc ReHab and can't do the work he use to do. unable to work because of his/her SC Disability's or find substantial gainful employment. Usually the Voc- Rehab counselor will write a favorable letter for the veteran to help get TDIU, However medical evidence is the key that unlocks the door to 100% TDIU. You can always call the Voc- Rehab and ask them to do you a big favor and write a letter for you. Voc-Rehabs must be different across the country but mostly I think its just the people. jmo .................Buck

Unless things have changed since I was in VOC=REHAB...that is BS. My counselor was glad to write me a letter stating it is not feasible to retrain this veteran because of his SC Disability's I was in Voc Rehab & ILP. BUT THAT WAS WAY BACK IN 2000 ................Buck