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Andyman73
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Posts posted by Andyman73
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Erin,
Welcome to our world. Your husband served, but now isn't being served. C&P refers to Compensation and Pension, which is what the exams are for. While I have been in the system only since 1998, the longest I had to wait for anything, to this date, is 18 months. But you will meet some Vets on here who've been waiting before they had kids, who've since graduated high school, and they still wait. Granted that is on the extreme end of things...however, in light of the scandals that have been exposed, your husband may not have to wait years. Hurry up and wait is their mantra. So, be prepared for the long haul, that way if it comes sooner than later, you'll be surprised. Wish you all the best, and welcome to the Hadit family.
Semper Fi.
Andy
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Buck52,
I understand it to be that the AO Nam Vet's kids don't have to be Vets themselves to file a claim, just that the VA is the one who handles it. When I first self-identified to the Enviro Health rep, she didn't assume I was a Vet, then I told her, and she was a bit surprised at that.
As for the ebenefits thing, when those claims were listed as denied, I had received a rating letter that showed what was denied and what was accepted. That was matching what was on ebenefits. But I sure hope it is as Chuck75 is surmising, that the AO SB claim triggered an automatic appeal/review of my other claims.
Will keep youse guys updated.
Semper Fi.
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Me, again.
Something curious going on...I checked my ebenefits to see if there was any movement on my most recent claim, for my knees, which I had the C&P on the first. Here's the strangeness...I clicked the link for my disabilities and it showed my newest claims as received and in reviewing evidence status, as well as my AO/spina bifida claim, also in reviewing evidence status??? But wait...there's more! All the denied cliams are back in reviewing evidence as well!!! I hadn't filed any NOD or appeals, yet. Just yesterday they were showing denied. Opinions or best guesses anyone?
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Me again,
Just checked my eBenefits account, and pulled up the list of my current disabilities...very VERY STRANGE(!!!) happenings. Where it had previously listed claims denied, now says reviewing evidence. Even though I hadn't filed any NOD or appeals. As of yesterday the denied claims were still listed as denied. Maybe God poked the system for me???
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Hope that MRI shows them the error of their ways!!!
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Berta,
Should I try to file a claim myself, since I did sit with the benefits counselor at Lebenon VAMC. How do I get around their smoke screen?
Andy
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PR & GP,
I did file the claim, that's how I learned about the paternal link being questioned. It came back from the office that handles this type of claim. But, since you said that, I will call the E.H. office and question the issue about not needing Dad's AO cliam first. I did give them a copy of Dad's DD-214 that clearly showed Nam service.
Andy
PS;
The forms I submitted were my and his DD-214's which has him listed as my next of kin, and his shows RVN service. And a page of my original VA rating letter stating that their X-ray showed spina bifida...Their own X-Ray!!!
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Steph,
Perhaps you can sit down with him and go over his SMR and look at what injuries or issues he had and see if anything isn't being addressed. I am finding out that you have to claim everything separately, like sciatica, because they won't automatically give it just because your disc is blown out and pressing against your spinal column.
iceturkee,
Comparing notes is how I learned about claiming the sciatica as a stand alone SCD claim. Strength in numbers!
Icurle,
Have you tried requesting an MRI? I don't know if that's something we can do, with the claims process, or not.
Semper Fi
Andy
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U deserve only the best! Congratulations!!!
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Iceturkee,
I'm not exactly sure. I have a copy of the C&P Doc's report, but it only has her notes. I will have to look at them when I get off work, today, and see what she noted from the MRI. The MRI made all the difference, tho. I will have to get a copy of the MRI notes as well, and then post them here. Will take me a few days, since I can only get to the VA on Monday's normally, since I'm off work on Mondays.
Semper Fi.
Andy
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Andyman73 are you referring to me? Sorry not sure but if so YES...It is quite sad! His S/C for lumbar is at a max of 20%! Unbelievable! He lives with this pain daily.....
Steph,
Not sure, I looked back through the posts to see which one mentioned the 20%, but didn't see it. Has your BF tried for other back related claims? I recently was awarded an increase from 10 to 40% for "Low back strain". I would have thought that the DDD would have been more serious...and that's been there since the beginning. And I just found out that I have to claim sciatica( for both legs) separately even though they are caused by the DDD in my S-1. I also have some kind of sharp piercing pain about mid-way along my spine whenever I move a certain way. Guess the muscle pain doesn't matter either.
Semper Fi!
USMC(Dept. of Navy)
Andy
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Hey, it's me, again. I have some update info to share. According to the Enviromental Health rep at Leb. VA, she said that the AO office contacted her, and then she contacted me. You can not file a claim as a Child of AO 'Nam Vet, without the said named Nam Vet having first filed their own AO claim. So...my claim has been sent back down to the farm leagues to get more experience. I called my Dad to let him know. So....that's that.
Berta,
I asked him if he would be willing to let me post his claims and denials on here, to see what ya'll think, without any PII(HIPPA), and he said he'll have to think about it .
Semper Fi.
Andy
- georgiapapa and rwskitch
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Well,
Let me tell you something!(hear Fire Marshall Bill from In living color tv show). My folks are the legal adopted parents of one of my brother's 2 kids. They get SSI allotment for them, cuz they are minors and my folks are retired. But Dad gets the VA bump for them as well. That's here in PA.
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GP,
I will post progress reports as things move along. Thanks for your support.
Semper Fi
Berta,
I will be checking out those links you posted. The first time that I can recall ever hearing SB in reference to me was on my I initial rating letter from May of 1999. When I asked about it, I was told it's congenital and we(VA) don't cover that.
He retired in 1992, after 24 years in the Army. I think he only made one claim, his initial one with everything in it. And it came back with yays and nays in '93. He was awarded 70%, mostly due to being on a twin engine bulldozer that was hit by a VC rocket. Around the same time the concurrent receipt issues was being worked on, VA contacted him said oops we screwed up and knocked 10% off is rating.
His father passed 4 yrs after he came home from Nam. Dad was only 26. Grandpa was in WWII, and Grandma lived it as a teen growing up in Bremen, Germany. Dad couldn't talk to his Mom about it, and never really had much time to talk with his Father. Growing up we NEVER talked about Nam. He would only give short answers when asked. I read hundreds books about Nam, growing up. Just to try to understand why my Dad was different than other kids' Dads were.
As for health issues, I know he has hypertension. Also has had some skin cancer issues. He has nerve damage and most likely arthritis from the aforementioned bulldozer experience. I know he has back problems, it was his reason he couldn't play ball or roughhouse with his 3 sons.
When I spoke with him, the other day, about filing his own AO claim, and claims for all else, he quickly warned me to back off. Said he will think about it. But I will ask him if he would be willing to let me post some info on here to see what the Hadit family says.
I can still hear the change in his voice, when I told him over the phone, that I have SB. It was like he knew it was from AO through him. I appreciate your encouragement Berta, I think this going to be a long journey for my Dad and I.
Semper Fi,
Andy
- rwskitch and georgiapapa
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Ok, guys, thanks for your guidance. Now, should I send them all in one mailing, or separate them out?
Of course I will be using the certified and return receipt from USPS.
Semper Fi
Andy
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Yes!!!! Hope it keeps getting better and better for you!
Semper Fi.
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Well, I done gone and did it. I was at Leb. VA for C&P for knee increase. While killing time I spoke with the Enviro. Health rep. Gave her a copy of my DD-214 and my father's. Also a copy of the page of my original VA rating letter that stated spina bifida of S-1. She is excited because I am her very first Child of AO. I also spoke with the Bennies counselor, who put in my AO claim, and officially stamped it as received. I am his first as well. Guess I'm #1, huh? I pointed out to him that my proof is the VA's own X-ray and rating letter!!! He said that the regional office for this type of claim is in FL. And he's got no idea what kinda time line we're looking at, here. She was talking to the other person in the Enviro health office, about medical workups and said that I shouldn't need the same kind that a non-Vet Child of AO would need, since I'm already in the VA's system. I'm nervous and excited to see how this will play out. I hope and pray that the burden of proof has already been met, with their own X-ray, and they accept and qualify my claim.
I wonder if this will then stand as proof for secondary SCD I may be dealing with. I welcome any and all comments. My Dad, on the other hand, is not sure if he wants to put in his own AO claim. Or any of the laundry list of SC and denied SC claims. When I spoke to him, he seemed like maybe he didn't want to face this giant one more time(VA). I think I may have opened a box that has been sealed and hidden in the farthest region of his mind. Just writing this now is making me feel horrible, what kind of son am I, to release that Dog of War in his mind?
Dang...
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They told me they do not do MRIs at my va.....wtf I keep reporting ankle pain and twisting my ankle which should be a sc based on SMR. When I asked my pcp about it he keeps sending me for X-rays. X-rays do not show the ligament and tendon damage like and MRI. Now with my back getting jacked up more and more I wonder if he will do anything. Do I need to talk to patient advocate at the va?? Email mr. McDonald?? The rhetoric is now starting to take a told on my personal health and now my family financial situation since I cannot work.
Ok I think I get it now. Let's see if my pcp will play ball and make an attempt at fixing me.
That's interesting, I recently went through a C&P for increase on my back. The Doc mentioned an MRI, saying if it was her, she would want to. So I went for it, and ended up with increase from 10 to 40% for "lower back strain" inspite of obvious DDD and more at the L5-S1 area. Now I'm looking into whether or not it qualifies as CUE from 17 years ago. The original rating letter from VA stated DDD and disc narrowing, and spina bifida of the S-1.
I am learning, mostly due to this site, and encouragement from a young Marine at my job, that I(we) gotta fight...for the right...to(party) receive our due from uncle sam and the VA.
Semper Fi.
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GP,
The evidence is in my SMR, which I do have a complete copy of, and the VA has a digital copy of. And also treatment records from the VA itself. As far as the MRI, it was done at Camp Lejeuene back in 94. I'm not sure how I would go about getting a copy of that.
Andy
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If I submit a FDC, and all the evidence is already in the VA's system, and/or in my SMR. Do I need to send copies of those reports as evidence? What about an MRI done while on Active Duty? Would they have access to that as well?
Semper Fi.
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I am not sure, but I think the bilateral factor is added to your total knee % as 10% of that amount. For me it was 3.4 added to 34. But they hosed me big time. I fell down a flight of stairs on day 5 of Boot Camp. Developed a cyst behind R knee 2 yrs later. Had MRI done @ Camp Lejeuene in 94 which confirms that suspicion. It flares up several times a year, like right now. And then about 18 months after I got out they finally gave me 10%. That only came after X-ray @Philly VA showed fracture scar on R kneecap.
I have a C&P this Friday and I believe it is for my knees. Letter just said what apps I have, but not what for. I recently aped for increase and knees were not scheduled previously. My current knee rating is 10% for pellatela-femoral syndrome (bilateral). Nothing for pain or limited motion or giving out or locking up. Or the feeling of being on fire when the cyst flares up.
I am rather appalled at how much I've been screwed over, these past 17 years. I thank God He lead me to Habit.com.
As a side note, after my apps are zone I am going to speak to the Environmental Health rep about a claim for being a child of Nam Vet exposed to AO, with spins bifida.
Gathering Of Evidence Development Letter
in Entitlement - Veterans Compensation Benefits Claims
Posted
Shannon,
Welcome to the Hadit.com family. I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. I have a male friend who was drugged and raped during his MOS school. He was so badly injured that he spent a few months in the hospital and required a few surgeries to rebuild the damaged area. Fortunately for him, the perp left "DNA" that was used to id him, and convict as well.
I guess you have learned, since you said you've been reading the posts for a while, that the VA catagorically(sp?) dinies 85% of all claims. Most of us have received those letters and/or variations of same, over the years. You will probably even get a letter or two saying "we are working hard on your claim, but we are very busy, and can't really say how long this may take". Which is their way of saying "your call is very important to us, please continue to hold".
Don't be discouraged, remember this, You have more courage speaking out, than the one who will not be named. If you haven't already, perhaps you may want to speak to legal representative.
Semper Fi.
Andy