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Top 10 VA Disability Claims Articles

Andyman73

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Posts posted by Andyman73

    So Confused Of Whats Going On And It Started With Nod And Visit To Ro

    in Appealing Your Veterans Compensation Disability Claims NOD, DRO, BVA, USCAVC

    Posted

    I hope he understands that the paperwork that goes nowhere is the VA's fault, and not yours.

    My wife complains to me all the time, when ever I am going through my SMR and trying to get my next claim in order. I can't do it while the kids are up, since it takes time away from them. So that leaves me with precious little time to work my claims. I told her how I thought it was funny that she don't complain on the 1st of the month.

    I've done all my own work, even tho the DAV is supposed to be my POA. I haven't seen one thing from them, in the 3 months since, despite the fact that I asked them for help.

    I hope to get somewhere with my MH, soon. I have my 2nd meet with them on Aug 3rd. I have lots of markers in my SMR to certainly file a claim for PTSD or MDD.

    C&p Exam For Foot

    in Veterans Compensation & Pension Exams

    Posted

    I believe, with the new rules, if you start a new claim before your last claim is finished, i.e., money in the bank, they will combine the two. So your claim that is just about done, would be thrown in with the new claim.

    I would wait until the current one is done.

    Thats me,

    Hamslice

    That's kinda what I was thinking, Hamslice. Just wait and see how it goes.

    What do you think about the nerve damage done as a result of the VA injection?

    Andy

    Obstructive Sleep Apnea Secondary To Sinusitis

    in IMO Independent Medical Opinion

    Posted

    Calgon,

    I did not mention any sleep problems while in the service because I thought it was normal. To be honest I didn't even know what sleep apnea was until a few years ago. I currently have a doctor reviewing all of my records in hopes that he will write a nexus letter for me. This is really the only chance I have to get it SC.

    Best of luck,

    Matt

    bolt_vet23,

    I, too, am like you. I never gave much thought to sleep issues, while in. I did mention it once or twice, while at the medical clinic, I know, since I have seen it in my SMR. I mentioned problems sleeping and drinking to help sleep.

    C&p Exam For Foot

    in Veterans Compensation & Pension Exams

    Posted

    Hamslice,

    I have sent off all info I already had(SMR and VAMR treatment records) when I first made the claim. According to eBenefits, my claim was initiated on 18 May, and they received my unsolicited materials on 21 May.

    My EMG was mostly normal and inconclusive, doc only had one spot where she couldn't get a reading that satisfied her. That was lots of "fun"! She did say that sometimes the EMGs don't show anything...and that is normal...but does not rule out issues related to nerve damage. She also said, after reviewing my recent back MRI, which she had ordered for a previous C&P, that she believes my issues most likely stem from my back anyway.

    She did ask and I did tell her that I have problems with my right foot, and described the pain and such for R foot, to her. She asked when that started, I says it began a few years after the L foot. And I mentioned that I have a few entries in my SMR regarding pain and numbness/tingling in both feet.

    I am quite anxiouis about this upcoming C&P exam, since it's been 20 yrs in the making. And I did develope some nerve damage in L foot after VA gave me an injection of Cortizone for bone spurs.

    Now, back to R foot claim, should I file it now, or wait until L foot claim plays out?

    Thanks.

    Andy

    0 Percent Rating Illegal?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    My 2 cents worth(less),

    I had a 0% for hearing loss, for 7yrs, then, mysteriously it bumped to 10%. I was fitted for hearing aids while on AD, and once again a few yrs later by VA. Wore it for a while, but had to keep taking it out cuz job required wearing hearing protection. Several of the VA reps I asked about it had no inkling as to why it was increased. Nothing in my file they looked at, showed the reasoning behind it.

    I'm not complaining, tho!

    C&p Exam For Foot

    in Veterans Compensation & Pension Exams

    Posted

    Just got my notice for upcoming exam on Friday the 17th, for my left foot condition to include plantaar fasciitis. When I first filed the claim, back in the beginning of May, I mailed off copies of all SMR and VAMR treatment records. During my VA treatment, some years ago, I received an injection in my foot, to ease the pain from plantaar fasciitis caused bone spurs. Soon there after, I developed burning sensation alternating with pins and needles. This is one of the known side effects of said injections. This is mentioned in my VAMR. What do I say about that? This is something the VA caused, while treating me, for an injury that while occured on AD, hasn't been SC'd yet.

    I need some of you more experienced Vets, and or Berta to give me some feedback/guidance on how to go through this C&P exam. This is my first one since I found/joined Hadit.

    Also, I do have some issues with my R foot, and did also go get checked out while on AD. It has gotten worse since the decline of my L foot. Should I request the examiner to do a DBQ for R ft condition secondary to L foot condition? I want to do this the right way, since I have known knee, back, and neck issues as well. I would like to be able to claim the neck as secondary, also, to the lower extremity conditions. I feel that 20 yrs of limping, and of my knees giving out, causing me to lose my balance, has caused pain in my neck.

    ON a side note, on Monday, the 13th, I go for EMG for my L foot, as ordered by VA Podiatrist, due to my concern of early onset dropfoot. How can I add that into my C&P?

    Thanks in advance.

    Semper Fi.

    Andy

    If It All Starts With The C-File, Then How The Heck Do We Get It?

    in Eligibility - Veterans Compensation Benefit Claims

    Posted

    ihateliver,

    I went 15 years, and stumbled on this site while looking into AO and spina bifida in Nam Vet kids. That was this past late winter/early spring. I did accidently manage to get bumped to 60% just before finding Hadit. I so wish I had stumbled upon this here glorious website all those 15 years ago! I've been waiting on my C-file for 2 months now, ebennies shows "in review" status.

    S/c For Knee And Seconday Back/hip Issues?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Spearhead91,

    You stuck between a rock and a hard place, a catch-22, danged if you do and danged if you don't, can't win for losing type of situation. I feel that pain, every day! I can't get a different job, cuz it will pay less, and won't have nearly as good benefits. Got mouths to feed, bills to pay, and my body is just gonna wear out. I too gave up many physical activities I loved, bcuz I can't do them and work. One or the other, body won't handle both. Since leisure activities usually don't pay, or even cost $, they had to go. Hamster wheel is spinning so fast the bearing is glowing red hot!

    C&p Exam And Suicide Talk

    in Entitlement - Veterans Compensation Benefits Claims

    Posted

    I'm not exactly sure if this would be the qualifying event, but at that time my squadron was prepping for a Commanding General's Inspection(CGI). I was tasked to participate in the "Junk on the Bunk" portion, which involves inspecting your complete uniform issue, and such. All of which would be laid out on your bunk in a precise and orderly(pre-determined) fashion. All items not on the bunk would be staged in the same fashion in your closet. You will be grilled on general common USMC knowledge while being inspected.

    Seems pretty easy, however the MSGT who was tasked with running this part was quite the unbending micro-manager! Any free time to be had was his to take. Even on the weekends. He made it seem as if I had to have perfect uniforms, so I bought a complete replacement set of my cammo uniforms(4 sets!) He implied anything less would fail you! I was drinking most nights, to get to sleep, and stay asleep, and this seemed to be the straw that broke this camel's back.

    During this same time frame, I was dealing with a lot of pain from my knees. I hadn't heard from my GF in over a month. And regular work was moving along at brisk pace on top of all this. After I had spent nearly a full month's take home pay, I found out I did not have to do that. The regulations state that uniforms must be serviceable, not pristine never worn. That pushed me over the edge, and that's when I was caught with the utility knife almost in my arm, in my work space.

    During the actual CGI, the full bird Colonel asked me how long I had been in, and then asked Y my cammies looked like they were fresh from Cash Sales. I told him that I was 18 mos in, and the cammies were new. He asked to see my regular ones, so I dug them out and showed him. He said that they were perfectly serviceable and would have passed his muster. And he wanted to know why I bought new ones, I said bcuz the MSGT implied that I would fail with out the new ones. Needless to say the inspector was not happy, and I was emotionally crushed.

    I spoke with my section chief and the base Chaplain, but that was the full extent of the "official" interest in my suicide attempt. No follow up, and no MH eval. I do have a SMR record where I went to sick call for gastro-intestinal issues and it mentions the undue stress of the CGI, out of touch GF, and a large part of my unit being deployed to Africa.

    Would this be my "nexus event"?

    Andy

    Ptsd Process For New Claim

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    USMC_Vet,

    Welp....first things first, I own no firearms, I do hold two, one for each of my kids, rifles their Pap, who left us last year, left for them. 2ndly, my wife(the boss) handles the finances, and our credit score is in the mid to upper 700 range.

    My suicide attempts or near attempts all happened while on AD. Once I nearly cut my wrists, the long way, fellow Marine interrupted me. A few times I drank myself unconscious. Once I was out for 3 days.

    I initiated the contact with my local VAMC MH department by calling "Peggy" and she put me through to the hot line. My PCP signed a waiver to have me seen by MH without him seeing me first. Thanks doc for that one.

    I told the MH doc that I get these brain fires, where it feels like my head is cooking from the inside out. He told me that, while not very common, he does have experience in his 30 yrs, of dealing with Vets with that. Said it's usually with the long tempered types, who bottle it up for years and years, then explode like a dormant volcano waking up.

    Biggest thing was, I thought I was alone in this, since I don't have a Nexus event, I'm not combat experienced, or combat arms for that matter. And had no personal trauma. I figured I was not eligible for treatment.

    Bl Foot Claim

    in Eligibility - Veterans Compensation Benefit Claims

    Posted

    I filed for "foot condition to include plantar fasciitis back in the beginning of May. I mailed off a pack of "evidence" from VA podiatrist treatment. Their own records state I have 4-5 different medical conditions in my L foot alone. I developed plantar fasciitis during the last 12 months of my 6 yr enlistment. I got a call from the Philla VARO, in the beginning of June, they said they will bump my claim to my local VAMC for C&P scheduling....been 4 weeks and no appointment yet. However the Podiatrist did schedule me for an EMG on Monday the 13th.

    I feel your pain!

    Semper Fi,

    Andy

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