vmo

Good post rentalguy. I agree with you. Marginal employment is not "gainful" employment. In addition, I just have to believe that working and drawing TDIU is an accident waiting to happen. It is kind of like sticking a finger in each ear and wiggling your hands and sticking your tongue out at the VA. My grandpa used to say: "never scratch a lion on the butt with a corn cobb, because he will come and get you!"

I just checked the web cite "jessejames" listed prior,--basically it states VA will waive premiums for total disability from "any" condition prior to 65th birthday. See VA Pamphlet 29-9 Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance RH Information and Premium Rates. (It does not specify just serv.con.)?? May be I should try anonymous phone call to VA Insurance Center, I just don't trust them. Again, my point/question is, if only evidence the VARO has is the same VA Insurance has on waiver of premiums---may be vet is under rated at 30%?

I was thinking likewise, but vet's only disability are (3)ortho/neuro conditions, 30%. When vet applied for waiver of premiums, it was approved in weeks. They even called vet from the VA ins center. The only evidence submitted was on sc conditions.(??) Not trying to baffle anyone, I just don't understand. However, 30% is pending denovo review, but not yet decided. *That is why I am wondering possibly vet should be 100% TDIU or extra scheduler? VARO has same evidence as VA Insurance Center. Hmmmmm.

Concerning TDIU. I believe the vet must be rated least 60% for a single disability or at least 70% combined rating (one of which is at least a 40%). What about extra scheduler or appealing/re-opening the claim(s)?

When a veteran is granted disability waiver of premiums on his/her VA(RH)Insurance policy....is this not good additional evidence to use when applying for TDIU/IU (??)...Or how about extra schedular rating? If veteran's only disability's are what he/she is service connected for? In other words, if they are granting the vet waiver of premiums strictly for their service connected disability(s), why then is xtra sched/tdiu/iu, so difficult to obtain later on?

Tuff one. How to get a live VA body on the phone?? If the VARO just had: "leave your name and number, we'll call you back." You will certainly die of old age waiting. Another idea: fax/email the local VARO with this statement, "I've been overpaid $_______., and I would like to return this money to the VA." Your phone will ring off the hook!! Just kidding. I recently used email thru the VA web page with a question on status of pending DRO review. VA response said it would take up to 5(business) days to reply. Received VARO response in 6 days. I thought I would try email as I am sick of all the robotic instruction by telephone. Then of course after 5 minutes of responding to the robot's instruction,....the inadvertent (intentional??) disconnect by phone happens. Frustrated? Sometimes. Pessimist? Often. Give up? Never!!

Lamintino. Never give up --never lose faith. The tougher the VA can make it, they will. They (VA) will use tactics such as: delay, deny, lose your claim, multiple exams, request more of the same evidence, and of course if all else fails--there is always the dreaded "shredder". I seldom post, but many times all or part of my question/or interest is answered in someone else's post. Sometimes difficult questions involve a lot of research and thought to provide a good/accurate answer. Please believe me, everyone on here is interested in helping someone. We all have been frustrated at some point in dealing with our/others claim's. Read, read, read, and ask. Sometimes it will take time, sometimes (maybe) no one knows, and possibly sometimes the answer is not what we want to hear. One thing for sure: we are all in this battle together. Never turn your anger or frustration at others---keep it directed towards the VA. Win or lose, we must all stick together. I've been fighting the VA for 37 years, I'm not done yet. *My last claim will be my Bronze (headstone) Marker, it better be shiny, neat, and nice, or I'm coming back after them!!

Slithering along the edge of a straight razor.....whooooops, I fall off one side & the DRO can't find my C-file, I slither a little more.....whooooops, I fell off into the shredder,.....I'm done. May be we Vets are on the wrong side of the razor? I like the term "slither" as it is a good depiction on the speed of most VARO's.

Now that VARO's have put all shredding on hold, this would be a good time to do preventative maintenance on the shredding machines. This would help prevent future break downs of the shredding machines. We wouldn't want the VA to miss any original military medical records or claims. I would hate to see them fall behind in the shredding. This could also give them more time to haggle over some cut and dried presumptive Agent Orange cancer they could possibly cheat some dying vet or widow out of. I used to believe the fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis was an accident...Naaaah! They wouldn't do that, would they??

My question is this: what if anything can the VARO legally shred from a Vet's claim file?? Nothing!! Surely all correspondence from Vet to VARO is maintained in C-file? I would think that if the VARO can shred anything, it would be duplicate copies of their own correspondence. Therefor, why was not the "WHISTLE" tooted sooner?? I wonder what a VA unit chief thought in the past when they walked past the shredder with original applications/documents/C-files laying around?? I have to believe more higher up(s) than just the "shredder" knew what was (is?) going on. Heads should roll, people need to go to jail, get fired, not just ride off into the sunset with a happy retirement. My Congressman found out 5 minutes ago how I feel.

After your surgery, go to hospital records release section and obtain a copy of admitting, surgery, and discharge records from the hospital. Then obtain (surgeon 's office) a written statement on your surgeon's letterhead concerning the surgery and have him/her state the time period from date of surgery to day you can return to work. Keep copies of all this for your records. *If you have a good service officer in your area, check with him. If you want to go it alone, you need to obtain VA Form 21-4138 "Statement in Support of Claim". This is a blank form. You will need to print or type in (I suggest): "I request to reopen my claim for my back condition requesting a higher compensable rating. Also, I am requesting 100% convalescent rating due to back surgery which prevented me from returning to work." ##Many people on "Hadit" are well able to do their own claim. However, not everyone can or should. Again, try to find a good service officer, not easily found. Likewise, there are alot of good people on board here to help if needed. (*Make sure your VA claim number is on every page of every record or statement you submit to the VA Regional Office). **Rentalguy has posted prior spine info that is helpful.

I kind of wish someone, maybe a fellow vet, who works in the VA federal payroll center might have an accident and possibly bleep the federal payroll for VARO Detroit---all the payroll checks end up direct deposit(?)in Guam, nope, that would be FDIC, we're still screwed. *Don't do this, just kidding, as there are still some very dedicated federal employees. Thank you, to the "Whistle Blowers" who finally tooted on the VARO shredders. Obviously, the problems do not just involve VA medical care. It is time for Congress to bulldoze the entire VA claims management system and rebuild.

I am from Ohio. You guessed it. My claim was originally adjudicated thru VARO Detroit and denied. Now I know what they used in the men's room during the last paper shortage.

Just an update on current time span of VARO: I requested DRO/DeNovo review without a personal hearing. As of Nov. 8th, it will be 7-months and not a word. I'll give them 8. Then back to attack mode with drawn saber!! (*Also, at my BVA hearing I did 98% of the presentation, with AMVETS S.O. present and won). BVA service connected the conditions sending file back to VARO which of course then screwed me on the Rating %. Wishing/hoping for more favorable DRO-on rating %. And yes--my file got mixed with another vet's, which the VA admitted to by phone, but not in writing.

Way to go Googy!! Is it not just amazing how well documented many vet's claims are--and still get denied resulting in DRO/denovo review, BVA, etc.? **VARO's could sure diminish this backlog of claims by simply looking for the reasons to "approve" the claim, instead of automatically looking for "any" reason or loophole for a denial. Look for the basic reasons for approval, instead the VA almost always goes negative. Regardless of many times very positive evidence.

Only VARO listed for Ohio is Cleveland. Cincinnati lists a "benefits office" with the proverbial toll free number. Also, which may be helpful to introduce you to what VA services are available in your area is a Cincinnati Vet Center @ (513)763-3500, which may have some useful numbers/contacts.

I've said it before, it is not the organization but the "individual" VSO. There are some excellent VSO girls/guys who are very dedicated to the vets they represent and the claims they help to submit. Then again, we have all met the ego/horses---, who should be reprimanded or fired from the organization employed by. When a Vet goes into a VSO office with a problem needing help, the last thing she/he needs is a problem with the VSO. *I think all VSO's could benefit by looking up the words "empathy" and "apathy" in the dictionary. Also, there is a poem/quotation titled "The Other Side of the Desk" which I will post if I can obtain a copy. Any one out there familiar with it or have it??

Thanks for input. Talked to widow earlier today. She is going Monday morning to County Vets Office to telephone in "informal claim" to establish date of claim as Sept. 29. Original DIC application to soon follow. Vet had 3 years peacetime service 1959-61. Died of ALS-Lou Gehrig's Disease in 1993 (not '05). How time fly's. I sure hope this claim floats as the widow's only income is Soc.Security.

Amyotropic lateral sclerosis. VA Secretary cites association between military service and later development of "ALS" News release: Sept. 23, 2008. **Does any one know or have you heard anything on dates/time limits, etc.? Does it only pertain to Gulf War vets or any vet?? Widows, etc.? I have a friend who passed away with ALS in 2005 with two years active duty Army back in the 50's, widow could sure use VA DIC if available. I'll refer her to file DIC application, regardless. **Would appreciate any help or input/update.

May be this was asked earlier on a prior post. How much of a staff does Dr. Bash employ to assist him with his IME/IMO?? I find alot of vets are waiting longer for the IMO's than originally anticipated. I wonder--does he employ claims developers/processors to do the IMO's with final review/ revise by him, then his signature? Does he have an office with staff to work out of? How much can he still actually physically do? I would assume with his MS that he does need to employ some assistants. I noticed some vets very satisfied with Dr. Bash's services, and some not so. *It is great that "hadit" forum is available to help each vet think it over before obtaining his services.

Good for you Don!! As you found out there are a few great people waiting to help--hats off to all who posted to help Don. Also, a snappy salute to Dr. Bash for his beneficial IMO's to help Don. Sometimes the system "does" work. Obviously, with all you dedicated people involved---I believe it is going to work for many more.

Thanks for the posts and update on availability of VETERANS BENEFIT MANUAL from Nexis Lexis (2008). I think it is the best book available for those working on their own claim or trying to help others. It is expensive, but great book. I ordered mine last night. Again, thanks to all on posting the 2008 copy is now available-I did not know.

In the past 37 years I've used all 4 of the "major" service organizations. My experience has been is- that it is the person (service officer) more than it is the organization's fault. However, I usually found the DAV the least responsible about returning calls. Also, the DAV's ego was, well, never mind.

With me the VA examiner (Ortho)opinion that the knee aggravated the DDD/IVDS/Spondy., then VA ortho examiner on his own requested VA neuro consult,VA neuro then consulted VA radiologist. VA ortho said yes to secondary aggravation, VA neuro/radio., said "No" secondary aggravation, that condition was "congenital"-claim denied. Long lengthy appeal with BVA ruling in my favor. Did VA ortho examiner follow IVDS/DDD training letter(?) evidently not. Did he have authority to referr me for additional exams-I don't know. This is when additional IMO/IME were beneficial. Dr. Bash and many others were obtained from multiple medical specialties outside the VAMC system.

Tried niacin with similar flush problems, none bad. However, Dr. stopped my Lipitor two weeks ago (after 4 yrs) because I started to develop severe muscle cramps in hands and upper-lower legs. Especially the hands. I have had multiple blood tests trying to find cause of abnormalities in blood chemistry. Any other vets had similar problems with Lipitor for cholesterol?? In the mean time I may try the niacin combined with the Omega 3 fish oils until the good Dr. recommends something better for cholesterol.