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Andyman73

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Posts posted by Andyman73

    C-file sent to someone else

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Buck,

    Yep, us honest ones help keep the system from total collapse.  The director told me that he himself is a Veteran, and one of his children is currently serving on Active Duty.  So he has some scratch in the game too.

    On a side note, I did get my c-file.  I spent 3 hours grazing through it and found notes from late 1999 or early 2000 from a knee exam.  The doc was looking at an MRI I had done and noted cysts in one of my knees.  She mulled that they mostly likely were the result of trauma(I fell down the stairs during boot camp). And that they might be the cause of my joint pain.  Also said she wouldn't be amiss to suggest surgery to remove said cysts to alleviate the pain in that knee.  I never  knew that.  So, now I think that is cause for a secondary contention claim, as it seems that at least one VA doc thought the cyst was caused by the trauma.

    Anyway, thanks again for your support.

    Andy

     

    C-file sent to someone else

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Thanks, guys, for your words.  Yesterday I got a call from the director of the St. Louis records center, Mr. Richmond Laisure (sp?). He told me that Ms. Allison had emailed him Saturday evening.  He personally apologized and said that he knows who the offending employee is and that corrective measures have been taken.  He said that the Vet who did receive my C-file called them ASAP when he got it, and mailed it back ASAP as well.  I will be monitoring my credit very closely.  The VA offered me 1 year credit monitoring service for free, through an authorized provider.  I will be signing up for that.

    I showed the letter to my MH doc, and told him that it set the tone for my whole weekend.  He noted it in my file. 

    Semper Fi.

    Andy

    C-file sent to someone else

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Hello all,

    Hope this isn't a repeat, I thought I wrote this yesterday evening, but now can't find it. 

    Yesterday's mail brought a most interesting letter from the VA.  It was from the director of the records depot in St. Louis.  Apparently "they" sent my C-file to another Veteran.  That Vet's lawyer contacted the records office to inform them of their error.  I am still feeling quite beside myself about this.  Strangely enough, they didn't bother to send me my C-file with this letter.  So I still don't have it, but I have a letter saying someone else got it.

    Lucky for me, they are offering me a free 1yr paid premium subscription to a credit monitoring service. 

    I got a MH apt on Monday, not sure how that's gonna go, now, because of this. 

    Any thoughts on what I should do now?  Thanks in advance.

    Semper Fi.

    Andy

    C&P Exam Today Concerns....

    in Veterans Compensation & Pension Exams

    Posted

    I recently had a C&P for my knees, the examiner took no measurements at all.  He had new X-rays, which showed deterioration since old x-rays.  And he DX'd me with crepidus(grinding in the joints, I think). In the end it came back unchanged.  And he marked "No" for locking up and giving out, which is mentioned in my SMR. And I did tell him same, as well.  Will have to remedy this situation, ASAP!

     

    Andy

    Members Opinion Needed!

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Buck,

    Sorry been a few days. Work blocked posting privileges to all social media. So I can look but not touch.

    My night sweats have increased in frequency since I first saw the MH doc. I had been having them 1 or 2 times a month, but now it's once every 6 or 7 days.  I keep having visions or images of me in a hospital bed gripped in a nightmare, looking like I'm either in intense pain or fever. And the MSGT is standing at the side of the bed yelling at me to get my uniforms squared away. But sometimes no one is there at all.

    I don't know if this is my nightmare when I'm having my night sweats. I usually get these visions when I'm awake.  I remember when I first told my PCP about the night sweats, a few years ago, I been having them for over 10 years. And that it was 3 to 4 times a week.  I asked if it was caused by HBP, he said no. And he wasn't concerned in the slightest. 

    I see the MH doc in a few weeks. He wanted me to start writing down my thoughts and feelings when I'm feeling anything. Or when I notice my ears burning.  Not too keen on that, though.

    Oh, he did say that its possible that my mind is blocking what ever is going on during my night sweat episodes.  The mind blocks memories to protect us from the effects of them.  Yay me.

    Andy

    Inferred Contention?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Now that I have finally figured out the new layout.   

    Back issues are SC'd,  as are feet.  But the radiculapathy has developed overtime. Sounds like secondary to me.  I don't recall if it was noted in my strs, but I did note it on 2 separate health surveys while I was still on AD.

    Secondary Condition; Can I?

    in Eligibility - Veterans Compensation Benefit Claims

    Posted

    Punisher,

     

    I am with you on that thought.  I'm not looking for IU rather just to be fairly rated and compensated for the issues I do have.  I was recently asked "why now after 15 years, are you seeking increases and new claims?"  Because all those years I never thought I could. And the VA made sure I didn't know what I was missing.

    I don't have the luxury of looking for a non-physical job.  Ironically enough, I'm a Federal Government employee. I need every cent of my total benefit/salary package to support my family. As for pay the most I ever grossed was 50Gs, literally! I was 50.00 over the fifty grand mark. Had a lot of overtime that year. Then came the furlough of 2013.  Totally drained my meager savings covering the lost hours.  Still trying to come back from that.

    But now my body is betraying me, it's getting so much harder to do the normal physical things. Mowing the lawn, washing cars,  worst of all...playing with my kids...can't do that for very long anymore.

     

    Secondary Condition; Can I?

    in Eligibility - Veterans Compensation Benefit Claims

    Posted

    Here's my 2 cents worth,

    I am currently rated at 40% for low back strain/pain. I have neural foramina narrowing from mild to severe at several different spots. I have central disc bulge L5-S1 where the narrowing is listed as moderate to severe, bilaterally, and could possibly impinge upon the nerve root there. I have had vary types of radiculapathy for 20 years, pain, burning, electric shock, hot wet sensation, pins and needles, numbness, and most recently a buzzing type sensation. Nowhere in my back rating letter is there any mention of any of this towards the back rating.

    I do intend to claim radiculapathy for both lower extremities ASAP.

    Andy

    Members Opinion Needed!

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    I go see my MH doc again in a few weeks, so I will ask him what his opinion is, at this early stage. I will be taking my Myhealthevet PTSD questionaire results along to give him. He is a psychotherapist. Wants me to talk my way to a better me. Hmm, guess that will resolve the night sweats and poor sleeping(CPAP only helps a little).

    Sorry to hear about your wife, I can't imagine how that is.

    Inferred Contention?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I work with a Marine who has two separate ratings for his back and bilateral radiculapathy. So I know that the VA gives then their own rate. My back rating doesn't cover my sciatica, it isn't listed in the award letter.

    And it isn't covered in the award letter for my feet, either.

    My thought is that would the degenerative disc disease be the be the cause of the sciatica? That is listed in my treatment records at the VA, and is even DX'd in my back C&P as what should have been the correct DX from day 1. And same exam doc states that the ddd was seen in x-ray film whilst I was still on AD, which would make it service connected. I would think.

    Inferred Contention?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    First things first, I went back to the report, where the doc mentioned the previous MRI. In the report she just mentioned the MRI, but when she was speaking to me, she actually said she feels it is most likely due to the narrow neural foramina. So, I was mistaken about that part.

    Anyway, i do have a 40% for low back strain, however nothing addresses the ddd or sciatica type pain and suffering that i enjoy on a daily basis. I mentioned the burning and electrical shock like feelings in my feet, during my C&P for my feet. No mention of it in the decision letter.

    During my back C&P the examiner skipped over the radiculapathy section, putting no for the answers.

    I currently have no rating for any nerve related condition. I do have a new award for pes cavus, claw foot. which is 30%. However no consideration was given to the burning sensations or pins and needles, tingling, bolts of lighting sensations either.

    The EMG was only performed on the lower portions of my legs, to see if the issues stemmed from nerve impingment at that point. Since it was mostly normal, then, the issues must stem from higher up the line. I have the most severe of my spinal issues at the L5-S1 area. This is where the doc had opined that the narrowing can cause issues with the nerve root there, bilaterally.

    More thoughts?

    Andy

    How Is Tinnitus Tested By The Va For Compensation Purposes?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    ArmyVet,

    I"m kinda confused. if you have an award that proves combat exposure, or rather, the noise of combat. that should certainly be enough. if not, your MOS would suffice. For me being an aircraft maintainer was enough, 5.5 yrs of aircraft engine noise exposure sure did a number on me.

    What was your MOS? Did you inform them at the time of your hearing test? Surprisingly enough, I've learned on here that many Vets have problems getting tinnitus SC'd.

    Inferred Contention?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Gastone,

    I have been dealing with sciatica since the mid-90s, and is mentioned more than once in my SMRs. A recent MRI for my back shows degenerative disc disease(which was first noted on an X-ray from my AD days). It also shows narrowing of neural foramins from mild to moderate and moderate to severe at several spots. One in particular, the L5-S1 is the most severe, which is also the site of a bulging disc, and is noted on MRI report to be very likely to interfere with the nerve root, bilaterally.

    I have issues with my feet, for which I was recently given a 30% SC award. I had an EMG performed(what fun!) and the doc opined that the nerve issues do not stem from within the lower extremities themselves, but, she believes, from the back. In the reasons and basis section of my award letter, no mention was made of the burning or pins/needles, or numbness that I had mentioned to the C&P examiner, during my foot C&P.

    I am interested in a claim for sciatica(radiculapathy) due to the fact that, 1) it was mentioned in my SMRs 20yrs ago. 2) It has progressively gotten worse. 3) The DDD which is a known cause of sciatica, was first evidenced while on AD, and recent MRIs have shown damage in my lower back that can definetely cause sciatica. 4) And the doc opined that the burning and such is most likely caused by my back.

    As a side note, I am now experiencing pain in my L calf region where the EMG test was done. When the doc stuck a pin in my leg, to listen to the natural nerve signals, she tapped the nerve itself and caused excrutiating pain. Like an instant Charlie Horse....no fun if you've ever had them.

    Your thoughts?

    Semper Fi.

    Andy

    Secondary Claims

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Icurle,

    I was denied Vocational rehab, when I first got out. It was denied due to no SCDs!!! But it was completed before my actual ETS! And I was awarded 30% dated to my ETS! But I never knew what to do with that, such as apealing or reopening that VR claim. That was back in late 1998.

    Members Opinion Needed!

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Buck,

    I do have the stressors in my STRs, (alcohol abuse, stress related sleep issues, stress related gastro intestinal issues, and constant sinus infections, and TMJ that lasted for 4 years straight!). And I have suicidal thoughts going back to my attempt while at work, on AD. So I think that would certainly point towards non-traumatic ptsd.

    How long where you being treated by that MH doc before they asked if you were going to file a claim?

    Andy

    Inferred Contention?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Ok, me again, hope to not be such a bothersome nuisiance...but here goes...

    I had an MRI done in conjunction with back C&P. MRI report states moderate to severe narrowing of neural foramina, bilateral, of L5-S1.

    I had EMG done, a few months later, to check on neural transmission in my lower extremities. The doc said in her report that some of my foot issues could possibly be related to the back issues that the MRI revealed.

    Is this enough to file a claim for radiculapathy? Please advise, all ye who have knowledge.

    Thanks,

    Andy

    Members Opinion Needed!

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Buck,

    Glad you're getting that ball rolling. I still feel like I've been shown what goes on behind the green curtain. After nearly 2 decades of "ignoring the man behind the green curtain"..ala Wiz of Oz. Now I see what the VA has been hiding from me,(us) all these years.

    Buck, it would be too awesome if our claims cleared and were awarded at the same time! Lol!

    Semper Fi.

    Andy

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