Buck52

Years ago I was diagnosed with arthritics in both knees from a VA PCP and been taking pain meds for it for years.. that PCP retired. one day I ask a new PCP if my arthritics could have been caused from when I fell off a Duce & Half truck onto cement while I was in the military bruised up both knees for weeks.....the PCP said not likely....(but it can cause it I ask a private Dr one time) anyway I went got my medical records a day later and read what that Dr said in his report... Veteran ask if his arthritics is caused from falling off a truck when he was in the military years ago I knew what his veteran was trying to do and file a claim for it I stated to this veteran its not likely.....and some more BS but tthis told me never trust a VA doc to help you with your claim..and besides I never mention to this PCP I wanted to file a claim she just assumed I wanted to or was. I wish that new VA Secretary Bob McDonald would get rid of these type Dr's

I'm not sure about this issue, but he can contact the VA about all this, I read some where when Veteran that has a home LOAN via the VA & sees that he can not make payments anymore for whatever reason its best to contact the VA & advise them about it....not sure what they wil or can do about it but if you contact them they can say what to do or what is best.

Wouldn't a Military ID card work? I have one for commissary privilege and it has DAVPRM Expration date INDEF or maybe its just for commissary?

Why do ''some VA PCP seems to get upset when a veteran ask them to render there opinion about his service related condition and in his/her opinion should I seek Compensation? Most VA Dr's don't want to help out a veteran I just don't see why they won't help out like that. Some VA if ask this Will state there opinion in a different context not to be favorable. They make a veteran think they will but say other wise in there report.

I Think you did a outstanding job Ms T Navigation is pretty simple Although it took me a while to find the View New Content ,hovering my cursor over the box &turen RED ''Veiw New Content'' but I figured it out......ain't I smart...LoL I been having a problem cut & paste on post? maybe I'm not doing it right? but when I am on a post and have a link to post that I saved to my favorites(usually the ''CFR's'' ) I cut & paste it to the post I am in and it won't post it? Some window opens up and says not available or an error? Maybe its just me because others can do it. Thank you for making this site eazier for the Veteran to Navigate in and all the great information!

I agree with Gastone good advise! When I had my DRO Hearing it was not bad I was nervous at first but after we got going it was not bad at all This is your chance to tell them in person about yourself and present your evidence and anything favorable to your claim Remember to Thank the DRO for allowing you to be there and state your case/issues. Always be well Mannerd I was also luckly and got a great understanding DRO and a Rating Specialist at my Hearing. Also remember a DRO can make his/her decision then and expedite your claim. DRO hearings are usually good. Hang in there buddy you will do fine! Good Luck

I am not sure why they want another C&P? if three VA Docs stated your condition was service related. If you had another VA Doc stating (it is less likely) service related then they want to know why he gave his/her explanation as to why he thinks its not? unfortunate there are some ''non veteran friendly VA Doc's in the VA System. Just another way VA holds up a veterans claim. I'd say do as they ask because they ( VA wants in Details from this Dr why he believes that?) but if you wanted to you can request another Dr or Bring it to the attention to the AMC Remand Board! Other elder hadit members can chime in When the VA Stops believing their own Dr's its a crying shame! Good Luck Buddy

I think you ask the Audologist about what you hear in your head? some sounds are different, but its all called tinnitus , I have sounds that sound like crickets chrupin on a creek bank and a hum but to me its mostly sounds like crickets & that's what I ask my audiologist and she said it was tinnitus usually tinnitus is secondary to hearing loss. We will always have it but it can be masked I never have found anything that masked mine and it is driving me crazy. especially at bedtime!

That's better than not knowing anything, maybe your claim will start rolling now...I hope so good luck buddy.

Thanks Philip ,GatorNavy & Chuck 75...& Everyone!

Yeah, well its hard to til who to get?...>usually they all say things like that its them doing it that matters, I will do a few free evaluation with a couple of SSDI Law Firms Before I decide. like Philip mention some won't do it if they think its no interest to them or think you may not win and get paralegals up front to screen/weed out the ones that they have slam-dunks with! Coats & Todd sounds fairly good to there active members with nosscr and specialize in SSDl Law & They Also do Veterans Claims. The only thing if any of the Law Firms want there $ up front then I'am SOL. Back in the summer just took out a major loan at the Bank for replacement of our HAVAC Sytem. A/C & Heating..around 14.000.00 grand

Yes I found a few that's how I found Coats & Todd in Richardson Tx. http://www.getdisability.org/ They say they have over 40 years experience in SSD Law...and also do Veteran's Claims...there active members with ''nosscr'' I understand about the screening that's not right to do a person like that but if they think they can win and get more $$ That's basicly what its all about...I am still looking I want to find a Attorney that only specialize in SSD Law or that's all they do. This may take a while...I just want to be sure I got me a good ''Rainmaker'' ...as asknod puts it. I can't afford to pay up front so they have to take my case knowing if I don't win they don't get paid. Another thing to consider is I'm running out of time on this claim! When find one I Like I 'll let you know phililp so you can give me your advice /opinion? Coats & Todd obviously have other law firms besides the SSD Law Firm. Thanks Brother Veteran!

I think I may have found a good SSD Law firm, Coats & Todd....They also do Veteran's claim's, I'll research them, there not to far from us.

VA sent me a Handbook about 4 months ago its called ''Veterans Health Benefits Handbook'' Letter says We are pleased to present you your personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbook. It has my rating and priority group & most all health benefits...Maybe they sent it to All veterans. I can't get a Choice Card my VAMC is 23 miles away but that don't mean I get excellent care.. If I had a choice I'd like he choice card!

Oh ok Thanks georgiapapa! Maybe an Indenpendent with years of SSD Law.& Filing SSDI /SSD Claims. with good results!

Well I don't blame you I would have too even if it is a area with lot of ice/snow a place of business is suppose to clear the way for there customers or non-customers its there property! that's what Insurance is for. I agree with ya buddy! Do you think I should start this online or get an appointment and go talk to SSA Office? and take what evidence I have and the denial's? or check around for attorney's first? and can I use the old evidence from VA? I have most of that in my possession the IMO from ENT Dr, audiologist reports rehab reports and statements from family/friends, beings hearing impairment does not get better only worse...there's surgery one can have with installing C-implants but they cut your ears off and I sure ain't having that done. what about that SS letterhead I sign ...''I am not disable''? the SS clerk said that is on all the SSI/SSR it basicly Means your not applying for SSD...I thought WTF? Maybe that's why I need to get an Attorney? There's some fairly good decent ones here in Dallas Binder & Binder are good from what I been told?

Philip, I understand what your saying...I have my old evidence from when I won my VA claim, letters from IMO from an ENT Speicalist from 2003 letter from VA Rehab counsler that states this veteran is not feasible to retrain...and notorized statements from family and friends & test from audiologist with bad discrimation word test in my favor, that is the evidence the VA used to make there decision .I could not do my job trained to do because of this disability therefore I could not have gainful employment. could I use that has my evidence? I submitted that to SSA & was denied. I think 2 times can't remember? just got fed up with SSA. I can't understand most people unless they talk very loud even with the best hearing aids on the market (SSA don't understand that) my VAMC probably don't have those records? there in my c-file! and SSA don't have access to my c-file correct? I go to my VAMC for 6month check ups and its just the normal medical jargan when I go for my pain meds and other medical problems probably none that would render me disable...other than what the already am. My VA PCP can see on the computer that I am 100&TDIU P/T for noise induced hearing loss. to see me in person you can't see that I am disable other that my arthritics acting up then I walk with a limp and my speech is not good stutter and mumble at times.,,,The DRO noticed that. Also when I went to the SSA office in Aug of 2014 I was there every bit of 5 minutes prior I had I filled online for the SSR and got an appointment 30 days later & wife and I went to the SSA office in Aug , they called my number and my spouse told the girl why we were there she got up came back with these papers and told me the drill about how much my benefit was and if I worked and made over so much the SSA would deduct a dollar for ever so much I went over, I ask my wife what she was saying? my wife told me, I told the girl I could not work I am a disable veteran, she said oh that's ok I just have to tell you this.....anyway she had some papers for me to sign ...she said this is just giving SS my permission to put the $$ in my back account ect,,ect,, as I kept reading the paper it ask a few normal questions & one thing I read in one line it read ''I am not disable'' I ask the girl about that? that I was disabled she said oh well that just means your not applying for SSDI OR SSD..(I never fully understood her answer) I sign the paper then she said that's all have a nice day. now I may have a hard time finding a lawyer because of that? but I trust what most people tell me and get confused real bad because of the communication problem I have. I would say I have Mental problem and been depressed a long time taking meds for that. Anyway I don't truly know what to do? I may check around for a lawyer I just get so tired of having to go for medical test and things...if I can't use what evidence I have,,IDK? I will look for the denials from SSA there in the attic some where in a tote! I have a SSA file and a VA file up there. Thanks for helping me and giving me your advise its greatly appreciated.

Anybody happen to know Glen Johnson Phone # or office email? Glen is with ChampVA

Thank you benanna, I am undecided as what to do? I'll be 66 in 4 years and if there is not that much different in the pay??...I may as well just stay where I am. I'm on SSI. or I call it SS Retirement they based that on the years I did work from 1966 to 1995 before becoming disabled. It's up to 968 starting next year 2015 with the 1.7%increase, not sure what the SSDI would be?...I have not worked since 1995 Altho I did odd jobs mow grass and clean yards stuff like that my wife kept working and it made me feel like crap I completely stopped working in 1999..so I don't have a work record with SSD Dated back to 1995 my VA award was God send.

Oh ok, Yeah I doubt I could win it without a lawyer....I may just forget it then..I been reading the SSA web site ... the thing that may hurt me is my work record but I know some that never worked and on SSDI....Oh well guess that pops my bubble. Thanks Philip

I filed for SS Retirement back in Aug 2014 I turn 62 in July 2014...approved for SSR.....Can I file online for SSDI and have them to change it over from SSR to SSD? or SSDI...although I don't show a work record with SSA since 1995... I won VA claim back in Dec 2002 TDIU P/T disability is of nature and no future exams scheduled. I did filed for SSDI IN 2003 was ''DENIED''3 Times So I just waited until age 62 to file for SSR...what are my chances of getting approved and have thrm change it over from SSR TO SSD OR SSDI? And is it better to file online? the SSA office here is always busy and full no where to sit when you get there! Thanks...anybody?

FHL Dad This being the Christmas Holidays it maybe a while before anyone can help you they maybe with Family's? ect..ect.. just hang in there buddy! NOD or Appeal the decision!'' Remember a diagnoses does not mean they will approve a decision they usually need a Dr stating '' its likely to as not'' cause from his military service and render him totally disable. The only thing about the sleep apnea IS he went a long time 11 years before the sleep study was done that maybe why they denied? and never looked at the other evidence? Maybe a CUE is due? others will chimm in Ms Berta ? Asknod, georgiapapa? N Kelly? Gastone?. Phillip Rogers, Ms Carlie, broncovet, Chuck75?? John999 anyone?

I wonder if we could cue the VA for mixing up our records? eh! I'm getting afraid to go see my c-file no telling what they have in it.....I seen it once back when I was doing my claim at my RO and they looked like I came to rob them or something...

That's so sad :( I hope I never have to go to a nursing home...I seen how they live and cared for and its crying shame! not sure how the veterans nursing home is or how there treated & cared for? but I can only imagine its not the best of care either.

I had VSO at one of my hearings and when the hearing started up the DRO look at me said Introduced himself & ask ''HOW MAY I HELP YOU TODAY'' and then he looked at the VSO VSO said nothing then the DRO look over at me...it was my first time at a DRO hearing...All I knew to do was speak up I had presented all my evidence and thank the DRO for giving me the time to state my case in person and I told him my story...That VSO was useless but maybe later he may have helped expidite my claim? IDK? I think sometimes a veteran can get a bad VSO & maybe sometimes he can get a good one that knows the system and veteran friendly.... just my opinion. Maybe the veterans should train the VSO...I mean if we have to work our claim and gather all the evidence/time limits and use proper VA Language we may as well get our self's educated in VA Law. Time to get shed of a VSO if he /she don't seem to be helping with your claim or have your interest at heart like not returning calls or messing up things he/she knows nothing about. If the VSO are there to serve the VA&not the Veteran Well without the veterans there would not be a VA! The best VSO&Advice a veteran can have in my opinion are some of these fine folks right here on hadit they know who they are! Merry Christmas Everyone!!!