mcarter985

I sometimes think I'm lucky in that the claims I've had (or most of them) came back in my favor (with tinnitus being one of them).  At my C & P exam for the tinnitus, I told the audiologist I was a combat medic in the Army so because I was exposed to gunfire he wrote it up so there was no mistake about it along with my description of the noise (a single tone in both ears).  I got my 10%.  I would think being around aircraft would be a no-brainer for tinnitus.

This should be a fairly fast claim.  I had a heart attack, found 100% blockage in one of my arteries in the emergency room and had a single stent put in.  Ended up spending 4 days in the hospital.  Found out about AO when doing research why this happened to me...no one in my family has ever had heart problems.  Went to the VA with my medical record, proof of "on the ground" in Vietnam, submitted my claim, had a C & P about a month later and then was awarded 60%,  Whole thing lasted 3-4 months...fast in the VA world.   If memory serves, I got 100% for a single month and then it adjusted to 60% thereafter going back to the day I submitted the claim.
I second the recommendation to get on e-Benefits so you can stalk your claim and find out quickly what your award is by printing out the letters after your claim is complete.

I normally use Chrome when I do anything on e-Benefits but lately I've been getting errors also when attempting to log in.  After a few days of frustration I tried Internet Explorer (IE) and that works fine.  If you're already using IE then I'm not sure what the problem is.  Whoever wrote the code for e-Benefits could get a job with the CIA and teach agents how to torture their subjects!

Hi Godelocs...just happened to drive by here and found your post that Georgiapapa answered. I filed my FDC soon after my heart attack and just included my Discharge Summary Report with the claim. The VA scheduled me for a C&P within a couple of months and then the decision was made soon after (60% based on a METS of 3-5). Very fast process at least in my case.

In your buddy's case...Tinnitis is a no-brainer for a claim if he was exposed to firefights. Only good for 10% but every little bit helps and he may also have a drastic hearing loss. That was another real quick claim. In talking to my PCP after my heart attack he told me it was probably caused by a combination of both Agent Orange and stress caused by PTSD (I was a medic in Viet Nam 1969-1970). So, I also submitted a claim for PTSD and have been going to the Vet Center once a week since. That claim is still in process.

Your buddy may be hesitant to start the PTSD claim so you'll probably have to push him out the door. Personally, I wasn't too thrilled with sharing my experiences over there but the Vet Center guys are great and non-judgemental. In my case, I went to the VA for the diagnosis and then the Vet Center for help.

HADIT is my "go to" site for all things VA and it has been a great source of information. I think you're great to help a fellow vet start his journey in dealing with the VA and getting the benefits he earned and deserves.

I have a C&P for PTSD this week and not too worried about it but do have a question. If I do get a rating can I also claim Insomnia as Secondary to PTSD? I'm currently involved with a sleep study with the VA...both the doctor and myself don't think I have OSD but a result of PTSD. Unsure if this would be considered another mental disorder (remembering you can only claim one) or if it can be considered another type. Any thoughts?

That should mean the Jacksonville VA Regional Office. Good luck!

I sent Allison an email a few months ago at 2200 my time (Pacific time) and she immediately answered. That would make it 0100 her time. I was beyond impressed! It wasn't an email about a claim (I was between claims at that time) but just a quick acknowledgement that the Veterans she represents (at least on this board) appreciate her hard work. Some on the board call her "Superwoman" and I can't think of a better title. I do hope the Veterans she is able to help send her a quick email to thank her...we all need to be stroked and appreciated. She has a long way to go to fix the Compensation side of the VA but she'll need the help of Congress to make it happen. When I hear of Veterans having to wait 10 years (or more) to get the benefits they deserve I find it inexcusable.

When a President calls for a new war (or continue an old one) who is going to answer the call to serve if we don't take care of the Veterans who already did?

I think the scariest thing is that once this avenue is over, it will go back to business as usual. I debated contacting Undersecretary Hickey. I could have waited a few more months to see if the RO processed the BVA decision eventually. But looking back, I saw how it took them several years to pay the $300 for my husband's burial. It over two years (and Congressional intervention) to finally get them to return the $225 month of death payment they had taken from my bank account in error after my husband died. Every time I contacted them they informed me they were forwarded my concern to whomever was supposed to handle it. These were simple matters that should not have taken years to resolve. And then there is the certified appeal they refused to acknowledge, despite the fact I sent them an IRIS when I mailed it telling them the certified receipt number and what I was appealing, and despite the fact I had a signed return receipt from them. Luckily, Shreddergate opened the door back up where they had to processed the resubmitted appeals. And so much more....

So my fear was if I didn't move now when I had the chance, I could be stuck in limbo for several more years. My husband died eight years ago. I think I have been patient.

Gentlemen this is wasted energy. In the whole if going the way of emailing top VA officials is the way to get progress then so be it. This is really trivial and we can't let our differences get in the way of our true mission here. We are here to help everyone on their road of the maze that is the VA. While we can stay on the same path or choose another that makes no difference the goal gentlemen is the key. Just compensation for just service that is all. If people don't like people's opinion then so be it, you don't have to follow it, but don't discredit your knowledge and experiences by getting into a pissing contest.

My apologies if I offend anyone but that is JMHO. We are in this together to help each other.

Hi Godelocs...just happened to drive by here and found your post that Georgiapapa answered. I filed my FDC soon after my heart attack and just included my Discharge Summary Report with the claim. The VA scheduled me for a C&P within a couple of months and then the decision was made soon after (60% based on a METS of 3-5). Very fast process at least in my case.

In your buddy's case...Tinnitis is a no-brainer for a claim if he was exposed to firefights. Only good for 10% but every little bit helps and he may also have a drastic hearing loss. That was another real quick claim. In talking to my PCP after my heart attack he told me it was probably caused by a combination of both Agent Orange and stress caused by PTSD (I was a medic in Viet Nam 1969-1970). So, I also submitted a claim for PTSD and have been going to the Vet Center once a week since. That claim is still in process.

Your buddy may be hesitant to start the PTSD claim so you'll probably have to push him out the door. Personally, I wasn't too thrilled with sharing my experiences over there but the Vet Center guys are great and non-judgemental. In my case, I went to the VA for the diagnosis and then the Vet Center for help.

HADIT is my "go to" site for all things VA and it has been a great source of information. I think you're great to help a fellow vet start his journey in dealing with the VA and getting the benefits he earned and deserves.

Thank you all for the responses especially to GeorgiaPapa. Your story about Doc Ray was both sad and inspiring at the same time. Kind of makes you wonder what he could have accomplished if his life hadn't been cut short. Thanks for sharing that story and keeping the memories alive of young men like that.