lfredrick123

You my friend are my hero for waiting and pursuing for this long. 50 years is a very long time. We have been waiting on my husbands since 2009 and we are right now awaiting a DRO Review and Hearing. Such a struggle.

I just got word from my attorney, that IU was granted from 2002, to 2004 from the BVA.  I dont know any more, and wont until probably the middle of next week when the decision arrives.  
What a relief!  Fifteen years later, I get awarded TDIU!  YES, I recommend Julie Glover, of Glover Luck in Dallas Texas.  
http://gloverluck.com/

Unfortunately,  the portions of the  exam  you posted does not say anything about your caluza elements, and you need those for Service connection for any of these disorders.  Look for these 3 things for service connection:
1.  Current diagnosis.  
2.  In service event or aggravation.
3.  Nexus, or docs statement that your (diagnosis) is "at least as likely as not due to (in service event) while in military service".  
After you get the caluza elements, you can look at "symptoms" to try to determine a rating.  
     These elements may well be in your Cfile.  You need to order a copy of your cfile to see if you have the above documented.     To get your "lung mass" or "kidney disorder" service connected you need the above.  Exception:  Secondary conditions.  If the doc says your "lung mass" or kidney disorder is a result of an already service connected ;condition, you wont need to AGAIN fulfill requirement number 2 above.  That is, if a condition is secondary to a SC condition, you dont need to again document an in service event or aggravation.  

We are all heroes my friend. We were lucky enough to survive. I applied back in 1997 when I was homeless and received a letter stating I had just received a Social Security Disability award. The letter stated from VA was that I was not entitled to a VA Disability Pension because they were both government programs and that I couldn't collect both at the same time. Fast forward 20 years later and it worked out for me. I got lucky. My Examiner was contracted with VA I believe only one day a week. Fridays. She was a good listener. And I had quite a lifetime story to tell. Plus a lot of proof of my medical issues since Vietnam. I just wish it had happened decades ago. Life would have been much easier for me. But i am not through yet. Hoping to catch Mom who passed on at 91.

After 50 years I received a 100% disability rating. At 73 years of age I was awarded it about a month ago. Prior to then I received a letter from the Treasury Department stating they didn't have my banking info available if I was awarded a pension. Turns out they did. I had to call the number given to verify it. The gentleman I talked to told me how it can take 6 to 8 years for an appeal. WOW! That was depressing. He said the Washington office alone had 4 or 5 staffers and handled 30,000 claims. I wrote to Senator John McCain telling him what I had learned. With no reply necessary. I turned on CSPAN 2 weeks later to see what was going on with our committee hearings and I hear various Senators pushing bill  H.R.2288 - Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. It passed the House and was headed for the Senate. It was to shorten the time period of between 5 and 10 years to one year for appeals. 470,000 appeals waiting for approval. I wrote back to Senator McCain and thanked him today. No reply necessary.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2288?q={"search"%3A["congressId%3A115+AND+billStatus%3A\"Introduced\""]}&r=1

That is Great News!!!!!! Persistence and the right evidence will always Prevail!~
All we have to do Jfrie- is to live long enough to see that happen.
I knew this would turn out OK..but then again I am never sure what VA will do ..I am glad I lived long enough to read this post.
"separated my TBI PTSD and  Chronic AD"  Good  !!!!
TBI is a physical injury to the brain,
PTSD is an emotional response to trauma.
They don't have the same Diagnostic and they are not the same thing at all....
100% P & T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW . when you can- let us see the decision, we can tell if they did the EED stuff right.Meantime take a restful break and enjoy this Victory!!!!!!
I will eat a goodie to celebrate your victory and do my "FU VA  dance" .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
 

Second appeal never left they RO they were preparing the SOC and changed their mind...Im now Permanent and Total paid at 100% with the first  appeal at the BVA with ahardship at the VLJ and another intial FDC claim which I just finished my DBQ the doctor separated my TBI PTSD and  Chronic AD. It's been a long 7 years but now some rest thank you All from this website I owe my whole claim to the answers I've gotten..!

Is there a database of MOSs and likely exposures?  I've searched and found something similar for noise exposure, but I'm wondering if there's a resource for chemical exposures?  Or if there's a way to link an MOS with types of lubricants.  The one I'm looking for specifically is MC-3000 or TW25b.

Just the fact that he had Hypertension in the service that never resolved is a big jump to get SC. Have you had an MD opine that it more than likely was caused by the pesticides and/or carbon dioxide poisoning in service?
Proof that pesticides were used and proof that he was exposed to them are 2 different issues. He must give a lay statement that it happened, and it would be very smart if you had more than one statement from buddies that had been exposed in the same fashion. If you were with him back then, did he tell you about this?  If so, you should also provide a lay statement as to what and when he told you about the exposure (and did you smell it on his uniform, etc...)
Did he have any spine related problems in service?  Back pain or lumbar strain must be documented in SMR or its a real battle to get SC.

Good Advice from A.O.Wife
you can also request to your hubbys  PCP and other specialty Clinics Dr's to use layman terms when speaking in medical terms  so you can understand all this .
Always have pen and pad handy when speaking to the Dr's &  take notes.
get back home get on the old computer and do google research   that's the best way to learn
And when you do file a claim you need to have all this documented from a medical Dr  your lay statements is not enough , it has to be said by a medical Dr  as to this condition or condition's is likely as not caused by this veterans military service..to get this service connected.
once  service connected  then they go by the severity of symptoms as to the ratings % 
you may have your hubby to file a ITF (Intent to File)  you have a year to file the claim for all these conditions  the ITF starts his EARLY EFFECTIVE DATE...During the year you gather up all your medical evidence and any material  related favorable to your hubby claim. & request your hubby C-File  ASAP as broncovet mention  the Big 3  Diagnoses ,In service event, nexus letter from a qualified Dr.

Hello there - I'm a newbie on hadit and just read your post. My husband is service-connected for A/O CAD and more. I was reading your CT report. I am NOT an expert but I see some key words in the CT report. Bear with me, and know that my advice is worth what ya paid for it:).
If this was my scan, first off I would look for synonyms for every word and phrase that sounds medical: a good search might be "medical definition dilated pulmonary arteries" then you can see what that really means in plain English. I mean who the heck knows what spondylosis is? That way you can translate what the CT report says and correlate the symptoms.
It seems that the VA laws don't speak the same language as the doctors. Knowledge is key for example the phrase "enlarged heart" could/could not be known as dilated or hypertrophic etc and that might/might not be part of a CAD claim. Same with cardiomegaly (if it's heart).
I see key words reflective of potential CAD issues and broncovet noted pulmonary issues.
Since the claim is already underway, the next most important step is to make a list of the items reported, and questions to ask the doctor about what each item means. Ask about possible medications which should be prescribed. Ask about procedures. Ask about the overall picture of all the items combined. Ask about prognosis.
Be a nice, polite, firm squeaky wheel as an advocate for your husband's health. If possible, getting a non-va second opinion is also a good idea. I would certainly ask the va PCP to refer to specialists - pulmonologist and interventional-cardiologist. I always attend every doctor appointment at the va because I want to make sure my husband gets the best health care he can to keep him healthy. I hear different phrases than he does, and I ask different questions. The doctors are very respectful and I have been told that they appreciate my time because we are working together as a team to keep him healthy.
 

This report is both good and bad.  
Your diagnosis of "Minor Abnormality" is not that great.  Keep your focus on the Big 3:  Current diagnosis, in service event, and nexus.  "Minor Abnormality" sounds like there is something "abnormal" but its non specific and would likely have to be rated in analgous ratings.  
However, the term used above, "recurrent" is good.  The VA does not like us to have an "event in service" where we have no problems with it for 20 years, then we apply for benefits for that and begin treatment when we need money.  (This is their view, not mine).  
To give us benefits they want "continuity of symptoms", that is, a problem in service that resolved itself and we have no symptoms wont be getting us benefits.  
This report does not address whether your pulmonary "minor abnormality" is related to herbacide expousure, but it does identify its a "recurrent problem".  
My adivice is that you can apply, but, on the bases of THIS REPORT ALONE you wont likely be compensated over zero percent.  However, if you do have some pulmonary symptoms documented elsewhere, this would supplement your claim.  
If you are seeking benefits for this, keep your eye on the big 3 criteria.  This means you MAY need an IMO/IME to document some things for the big 3 unless you already have that documentation in your records.  The only way to find out is to get your whole medical file and read it over.  

Vets:
I think I'm going to take Asknod's Advice and write directly to the VA Secretary to see if I could get my C-File. He's a busy man and I usually resolve issues at the lowest level..but I really need that C-File..to do my NOD..
Rootbeer22

Dr Ellis did my husbands as well, I sent him the medical records, hospital summaries, consults, discharge reports, and proof of exposures as well. We got our IMO back in about 2 weeks time and it was very thorough. We sent it on to VA but remains to be seen if they will ever review it. They are very slow in dealing with anything.

Dr Ellis did my husbands as well, I sent him the medical records, hospital summaries, consults, discharge reports, and proof of exposures as well. We got our IMO back in about 2 weeks time and it was very thorough. We sent it on to VA but remains to be seen if they will ever review it. They are very slow in dealing with anything.

Dr Ellis did my husbands as well, I sent him the medical records, hospital summaries, consults, discharge reports, and proof of exposures as well. We got our IMO back in about 2 weeks time and it was very thorough. We sent it on to VA but remains to be seen if they will ever review it. They are very slow in dealing with anything.

I finally took the time to go through some records
and found a blank Waiver of RO Consideration to post.
We've had some scuttle-butt about it in the past but
I don't remember it ever being posted.

This Waiver is for use at the BVA/AMC level.

Hope this helps a vet/va claimant.
carlie

We used Dr John Ellis MD
WHERE ARE THEY: Oklahoma City OK
NAME: Dr John Ellis
WHAT IS THEIR SPECIALTY (or what you were seen for):- He does Medical Lar and Forensic Medicine, he is an expert in Occupational Medicine, and he teaches other medical progessionals about Forensic medicine , His Curriculum Vitae is extensinve. He is Board Certified, and his practice is primarily Occupational Medicine.
COST:$650
CONTACT:
 5100 N Brookline Ave # 465, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
(405) 917-5336 
REVIEW (keep the Yes or No, based on whats correct)
Did they review your entire file (YES) (NO)  -- Yes
Did they provide a well written DBQ/IMO/IME (YES) (NO)  - Yes                                                                                                                                                          Were they familiar with VA Claims (38 cfr, M21, etc) ? (YES) (NO) -- Yes
Would you classify them as "Vet Friendly" (YES) (NO) -- Yes very
Would you recommend them to other veterans? (YES) (NO) -- Yes
 
Comments: (Be Brief)

We used Dr John Ellis MD
WHERE ARE THEY: Oklahoma City OK
NAME: Dr John Ellis
WHAT IS THEIR SPECIALTY (or what you were seen for):- He does Medical Lar and Forensic Medicine, he is an expert in Occupational Medicine, and he teaches other medical progessionals about Forensic medicine , His Curriculum Vitae is extensinve. He is Board Certified, and his practice is primarily Occupational Medicine.
COST:$650
CONTACT:
 5100 N Brookline Ave # 465, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
(405) 917-5336 
REVIEW (keep the Yes or No, based on whats correct)
Did they review your entire file (YES) (NO)  -- Yes
Did they provide a well written DBQ/IMO/IME (YES) (NO)  - Yes                                                                                                                                                          Were they familiar with VA Claims (38 cfr, M21, etc) ? (YES) (NO) -- Yes
Would you classify them as "Vet Friendly" (YES) (NO) -- Yes very
Would you recommend them to other veterans? (YES) (NO) -- Yes
 
Comments: (Be Brief)

Also just want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Years. And if your not Chrisitan, then a Holiday of your choosing that is bright, loving and fullfilled from our hearts to yours,

Also just want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Years. And if your not Chrisitan, then a Holiday of your choosing that is bright, loving and fullfilled from our hearts to yours,

We used Dr John Ellis MD
WHERE ARE THEY: Oklahoma City OK
NAME: Dr John Ellis
WHAT IS THEIR SPECIALTY (or what you were seen for):- He does Medical Lar and Forensic Medicine, he is an expert in Occupational Medicine, and he teaches other medical progessionals about Forensic medicine , His Curriculum Vitae is extensinve. He is Board Certified, and his practice is primarily Occupational Medicine.
COST:$650
CONTACT:
 5100 N Brookline Ave # 465, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
(405) 917-5336 
REVIEW (keep the Yes or No, based on whats correct)
Did they review your entire file (YES) (NO)  -- Yes
Did they provide a well written DBQ/IMO/IME (YES) (NO)  - Yes                                                                                                                                                          Were they familiar with VA Claims (38 cfr, M21, etc) ? (YES) (NO) -- Yes
Would you classify them as "Vet Friendly" (YES) (NO) -- Yes very
Would you recommend them to other veterans? (YES) (NO) -- Yes
 
Comments: (Be Brief)

Also just want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Years. And if your not Chrisitan, then a Holiday of your choosing that is bright, loving and fullfilled from our hearts to yours,

Good morning brothers / sisters,

I've got my appt. on Sept. 1. I will be flying out of Jacksonville Florida to Oklahoma. The lady that called my from The Ellis clinic seemed very nice, and professional. I will keep you all posted on the results of the appointment, and claim.

God Bless you all

Ole Crusty Drill Sergeant , Iraqi Police Advisor, Paratrooper, and a lil bit of Commo Sergeant. "Airborne all the Way"

Start by searching the court of veterans appeal decisions with fort knox or
Baumholder. Also see if Ft. Knox is on the EPA list of super sites, find a list
of all the chemicals that you hubby used in his day to day maint on the job,
there might be a way in there also.
I take it you havn't filed a claim yet?
You might want to start with a good veterans Disb. Attorney also.
Good luck,
RickH