Jump to content
VA Disability Community via Hadit.com

VA Disability Claims Articles

Ask Your VA Claims Question | Current Forum Posts Search | Rules | View All Forums
VA Disability Articles | Chats and Other Events | Donate | Blogs | New Users

vmo

Chief Petty Officers
  • Posts

    324
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by vmo

  1. Don't forget---as a fulltime or part time student, VocRehab will be paying your tuition/books. In addition, you will receive a monthly subsistance allowance (plus additional $ for dependents) from the VA---and--you still draw your 40% VA Comp. Not a bad deal. Sure, having a family and going to school is not easy. Many aboard Hadit have done this. Still could involve you/spouse working some--part/fulltime, just depends on your financial status. Good luck!!
  2. I am SC for both knees. Left knee (primary) diagnostic code is 5257. Right knee was service connected many years later as secondary with a diagnostic code of 5003, which I believe pertains to aggravation of arthritis.
  3. vmo

    Is Dic Automatic If You Are T&p

    If you are just filing for "DIC"---you do not need to fill in the income and net worth section of VA Form 21-534. The income and net worth pertain to VA Widow's/widower Death Pension (which is a "needs" based type benefit). Gross income is counted. Many widows are not eligible for VA Widow Death Pension because of the amount Social Security or other private retirement income (it depends on "How much?"). However, when applying for DIC for service connected death, other income does not effect it. There use to (may still be) be an offset between DIC and SBP---others may know more about this.
  4. With in the past two weeks had two interviews thru VocRehab. Already college grad. Near 62. Still not really sure what the ILS program does or does not do/provide. Own my own home. Wife employed. I can not work. 70% sc. TDIU pending. Voc Rehab is pushing me towards ILS which I just do not understand. Has any one out there benefited from this? Whats up?
  5. Sorry to hear about your pug. My (our) pug is 8 and her name is "Ruby". She likes to wrestle with our cat "Jasper". Wife works away from home each day. All 3 children gone away college/2-graduated. All day long and some nights, just Ruby and I. What great company. On my worst days dealing with depression-----I feel her warm head upon my knee. She likes what I eat, we watch the same movies, never argue, and nap together. My wife says, "Ruby is the other woman in my life". I am sure another pet will sooth your soul. Good luck with your decision.
  6. vmo

    Aortic Aneurysm

    RDT, did you first have calcium deposits in the aorta before the aneurysm?? Before the CAD was diagnosed? Just curious how yours developed. (See my earlier post, 10th February). Would appreciate any input. Thanks, VMO.
  7. Thanks Bergie. Also, found good information/explanation from "Circulation" JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. http://circ.ahajournals.org
  8. Had Lumbar xrays recently of L1 thru L5. Radiologist noted the usual spondylosis (arthritis). However, he also noted: "...Vascular calcifications of the abdominal aorta and iliac vessels." My questions is--Has any one out there ran into this diagnosis before and possibly is this a preliminary to IHD?
  9. I believe in July, 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein, or rh BMP-2, for certain types of spine fusion surgery. It (BMP) is a genetically engineered version of a naturally occuring protein that helps to stimulate bone growth. You need no bone harvest from the hip, therefor you do not suffer the additional pain,etc., from hip bone graft incision. In this technique the surgeon removed the remnants of the damaged disc and insert two metal cages into the space between the vertebrae. The BMP (powder) is mixed with sterile water and then placed on a collagen sponge, which is inserted into the cages, where it helps to create new bone. The fusion occurs in around 6 months with BMP, where a bone graft fusion is near 12 months. **In Feb. 2004, I had my L5-S1 fused using the above mentioned "BMP". My problem is the radiculopathy (nerve damage) because I waited too long. My quality of life is a 100% better because of the surgery. However, I am still retired and seeking additional disability compensation. The surgery helped with a lot of the pain. Just don't wait too long and suffer permanent nerve damage like I did. Good luck.
  10. vmo

    Peripheral Neuropathy

    Service connecting PN due to Agent Orange Exp---nearly impossible any more. The law provides an easy out for the VA. Just like the "bed rest" requirement pertaining to IVDS-inter-vertebrae-disc-syndrome. Bed rest is just about never prescribed long term by physicians---but, it is a requirement in the rating schedule---another easy out for VARO. Sorry, I tend to ramble on some times. My point is the VA puts the carrot in front of the horse, then they shoot the horse---the horse "ain't" never gonna get it. **So when the general public sees in the newspaper about benefits for veteran's, they don't realize the battle most vets fight to get them. Thanks for the input and will consider getting an IMO.
  11. Service connected for left leg radiculopathy due to spinal fusion, stenosis, degener, spondylolithesis, arthritis, yada-yada. *During EMG exam at VAMC to ascertain if increase in rating was warranted for leg radiculopathy, EMG physician now identifies "polyneuropathy" of the leg in addition to radiculopathy. **Has any one ran into this or read about this before. I am sure the VARO will use this nonservice connected diagnosis of polyneuropathy to deny an increase. I don't quite understand how they differentiate between the two, like which one is predominent? EMG diagnosed both conditions. The radiculopathy is from my sc spine, the polyneuropathy cause (etiology)is unknown. I am not diabetic or alcoholic. The only thing I can figure etiology wise is near 20 months on the ground in Vietnam--Agent Orange Exposure(?). Ironic, I believe "neuropathy" is (I think) the only remaining Agent Orange condition with a time limit. (Unless type II diabetic.).
  12. Strykergrunt. The best of the above suggestions--- is referring you to a Vet Center. Most on board here want to help, but some take offense easily. Some times the offense is taken both ways. Unfortunately, it happens. The main thing to keep in focus is: (1)identify what the vet (you) need currently (medical/counseling?), (2)direction/development of the VA claim. *Please give the Vet Centers a chance--it can take more than one visit. All of us, which includes those asking for and those giving advice, are Vets (dependents), too. Remember, there are friendly's out there, try not to get them in the line of fire (or in theirs'). Don't give up, stick with your treatment. The VA system often presents a brick wall. The good people on board here(and the Vet Center) will try and help you get around it---or over it.
  13. Bring it to the attention of the DRO. If you put that in your Notice of Disagreement, the DRO will see it. Also, did you request a Hearing with the DRO? First, if you did not request a Hearing--the DRO hopefully will see it when he/she does a complete impartial (?) review of your claim. Secondly, if you did request a Hearing with the DRO--bring it to their attention then.
  14. * Is it not interesting that when the veteran submits internet research or quotes medical articles, the VA discredits/downplays them by reminding us we are not physicians?? However, they use them when they are not. The only luck I ever had with quoting or using internet articles, etc., is when I obtained physician's opinion referencing them.
  15. Xray evidence of arthritis (with painful motion) of knee DC 5003 Knee Ligament laxity-instability DC 5257 Cartilage/meniscus tear, symptomatic, or corrective surgery: DC 5258 **It is possible to be rated separate for all three (multiple rating same knee), where a single rating does not adequately reflect the actual level of impairment resulting from multiple problems. However, the rule regarding pyramiding (38CFR 4.14) I believe still applies. VA may not rate the same symptom/manifestation under more than one diagnostic code. Don't forget the bilateral rating if both knees and/or secondary aggravation if not yet serv connected for second knee. Hope this helps. Look up VA General Counsel Opinion 23-97, I believe it pertains to multiple knee ratings, which may be of help. Also, VA General Counsel Opinion 9-98.
  16. You are correct, my grandfather (World War I) has old old C-number--not service number. Same with my WW-II father, who has old C-number issued soon after WW-II. I am Vietnam Vet, with C-number assigned in 1971. VARO did not use service numbers with claims. However, they can many times locate info on Vet or even sometimes locate a lost file by using the service number--which still at times can be helpful.
  17. Oldman: In 2004, I had lumbar fusion with hardware, etc. It was no cup of tea. I would never, repeat, NEVER of let the VA do the surgery. Hopefully, you have insurance. With a private surgeon, you have a say in who does the surgery and chances are he/she will be available for months/years after (with the VA, the Doc's are here today--gone tomorrow). Sure, the VAMC contracts with some of the private hospitals/surgeons---which means you possibly could get a good surgeon----which means (also) you might get a "surgery resident" left unattended doing your surgery!!! **The only way the VAMC have any chance of cutting on me is "if" I have no insurance and "if" there is no (NO!) alternative to having the surgery. Spinal fusion can be very serious, shop as much as possible for the best qualified surgeon available. Just my opinion and experience. Good Luck!!
  18. Great!! YipppeeeeKyyyYaaaaaaaaaaaaayeeeeee!! Cowgirl! Git dem youngins an edgeUkayshun.
  19. Welcome home?? It is almost time to say "Good bye". I am over 60. Besides, the beer is probably warm by now--- after 40 years. Just glad to be home---so sad for those who never got the chance to come home.
  20. Gman. Great post concerning "ptsdhelp2000". **Contained within is excellent information written/compiled by "Patience H.C. Mason". I downloaded quite a lot of information on PTSD. I suffer some very painful ortho problems which I am s/c for. In addition, depression (and even more confusing--PTSD)not yet filed for. I believe VARO will only grant one (mental) condition as s/c. I don't know if others suffer this same problem: I just have not been able to admit the illness. My primary care at the VA Community based clinic has tried to refer me to mental health, I refused. Regardless, enough about me. ##Thanks again for the help, it, your post, has really helped me.
  21. Remands! Remands! We don't need no stinking remands. *If the VA examiner woould just answer all, yes all questions on their pre-prepared exam sheets. There would be no stinking remands. But I am not saying any thing.......except "we don't need no stinking remands"!!
  22. "Medics" with Marines are actually US Navy "Corpsman"(not called medics). Navy and Marines can be awarded the CAR-Combat Action Ribbon, regardless of MOS. If you are a cook, truck driver, engineer, supply, corpsman, mechanic, or any MOS....If you are in a firefight with the enemy, you earned it. *Most all Marines hold their Navy Corpsman in very high regards.
  23. Sum-a-na-gun! Congrat's!! "May your water flow up hill, may the light of a billion fireflys light your path, may the painful gas be just gas-oline, and lastly--may the Great Swamee (VA) and a thousand virgins"...........sorry, I get carried away sometimes. Stop, stretch, relax and enjoy yourself. The best to you and your's!!!!
  24. Two of the neurologists (used 5) I used--their names were spelled with just two different letters. One was Sirian descent, the other from Bosnia. The VA sure had fun scrambling their names/records like: scrambled eggs in my Statement of the Case. Also, they referred to our much discussed "Dr. Bash" as Dr. Nash. Really, there is a Dr. Nash that practices not far from me. You bet, I am not even going to attempt using a statement from him. ***Negative C & P Exam reports?? The VA neurologist stated my spinal condition as "congenital". The VARO ignored my 5-neurologists statements that it was not congenital. The BVA read the neurology reports I submitted that the VARO ignored------and granted service connection.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use