vmo

Pete is right about the possibility of a co-pay with the VAMC and they do, do cataract surgery. However, if he is retired Nat.Guard he should be drawing retired pay(?). Also, if military retiree--probably has TriCare thru military retired system. If he has Tricare in addition to Medicare, I would think the two should pretty much cover the cost of cataract surgery at private hospital.

Sorry to hear you had problem. Sounds like you were under sedated. I've had it done twice, never any problem--never awake, no soreness. Same for my brother who just had one. Regardless, even if some one suffers some minor discomfort--the doc can sure tell a lot by looking thru that scope. In addition, take any needed biopsy's. My physician informed me of any complications, of which there were none for me. Oh well, the best thing to do is talk it over with the doc and get his/her opinion if test is needed.

I don't know if any of you had "endoscopy" (internal scope exam of the throat)to rule out cancer. Precursor to throat cancer is a condition "Barrett's Esophagitis"----where stomach acid leaves the stomach, traveling up into the lower esophagis. This causing irritation to the cell lining of the throat. This could be in addition to any hiatal hernia. *Because I suffer from GERD and slight hernia, my gastroenterology doc has scoped my throat every 5 yrs. There is nothing to this exam and I highly recommend you consider it.

I evidently told them when I ordered last year. I unexpectedly got the book today. Give Lexis-Nexis a call at Customer Support (800)833-9844. Hours 8am-8pm EST, Mon-Friday. NVLSP Veterans Benefit Manual 2009 EDITION

My VBM arrived today. I must be a continuing subscriber. Not a cheap book, but neither is an attorneys representation or physician's IME/IMO's. I feel like this book helps recharge my battery for the continuing battle with VARO/BVA. Time to study!!

I'm s/c for both knee's. They look at lateral instability, arthritis, pain, torn meniscus(not just torn but flaps ,clicks, or separated), excessive or restrictive fore and aft movement(ligament damage). An MRI and xrays showing any or all of the above sure helps.

Great reference. Got my first one last year. I'll order my second one in just a few minutes. Thanks for the update that it is now available.

I recently had same problems with AMVET service officer. I used them as POA thru a long lengthy appeal---which really they did very little for me. At my BVA hearing he made a short opening statement, the other 95% was me. I separated active duty in 1971. During the past 38 years I used and dumped the DAV, Legion, and VFW prior to selecting the AMVET's. Considering past experiences and from other posts I've read---from here on out if I need help, I'm "shooting a loner" (going it alone) and/or hiring attorney. Christmas cards, note pads, address labels, and calendars sent to me from the above organizations will help my wood burner in the basement heat my home this winter.

I just got finished reading the bull concerning people posting about politics and religion which I have no interest in reading about on Hadit. *Then you came thru with your offer to help this vet serving in Iraq (bronco's son)----which restores my faith in why we need more people like you on-board Hadit. Thanks for helping make sure this young vet---did not get "left behind on a desert trail".

I for one have no, none, zilch problem with any or all of my posts being squashed by a moderator. Organization, structure, and rules----I accept that. I agree to abide as best as possible. Heck, I am just on here for help and to help if needed. Never really wanted to argue politics or religion. I signed on with Hadit because of my interest in VA bene's and VA medical care....cause there are some very knowledgeable people on board. All the experts in politics and religion, I can talk to any time at my local VFW. I'm just a refried Republican trying to be a good Christian.......Whoooops!!Gotta watch that.

Mine was direct deposit on Aug. 31st. Got a letter a few years back from VA telling me that I "did not" have to reapply each year. So far it has worked pretty good. It is about the only thing I get from the VA with out much hassle.

Good point on the retro. Even though VARO had all documentation of my four dependents-----award letter covering rating decision only paid me as single vet. Being this involved BVA decision going back about six years---When my dependents were added, it was a real nice second retro check. Guess what, they still are not paying correct amount. I'm working on it.

Point and counter point. The good, the bad, and the ugly. County Veterans Service Officers, Service Organizations VSO's, yada, yada, and more yada. There are good dedicated service officers in all of the above. The "problem" is finding a good dedicated one to stick with you for the entire claim. However, the worthless lazy CVSO's and VSO's are far more plentiful, which is a fault of the organization they are employed by. Lack of leadership in the organization, (sound familiar??). Attorney's are a great resource/recourse if needed---but some of them are good, bad, and ugly with the representation they provide. Also, some attorney's are great. **What this all boils down to: 1. The chances of finding a good service officer are very slim, sometimes impossible. 2. As someone prior mentioned. Purchase a copy of NVLSP's "VETERANS BENEFITS MANUAL". I'm not sure when the new edition 2009 comes out, but some one on Hadit will, I'm sure. When you get a copy, read-read-read. Keep in touch on Hadit as there are some great people here waiting/wanting to help. You may then choose to go it alone with some help from above. 3. When denied and all else fails, you are still confused, just get an attorney. Attorney or not, keep reading Hadit posts and hopefully your new copy of the VETERANS BENEFITS MANUAL. In closing, be careful of any time limits mentioned on any VA correspondence you receive.

I too, used internet articles along with articles from the NEJM-New England Journal of Medicine,etc. and was granted service connection by the BVA. What was interesting was/is the BVA nor the following Rating Decision (pertaining to the BVA's decision) made any mention of nor did not discuss/mention any of them. The VA did mention IMO(Bash), private medical physician statements, VAMC records and exams. As you noted: I've seen them recognized in some appeals,---- but (also) ignored or down-played in others. In addition (as you mentioned) "specific to the veteran's disability" is what is needed.

When we quote/refer to law such as CFR/USC---the VARO does not attack our credibility or challenge us for not being "Attorneys" ---Why?? When we quoted medical records, refer to medical physician's statements, mental health or hospital records.---The VA does love to circumvent and support their denial by informing us we are not physicians(?) How many times have you noticed a valid medical research article from a respected source (submitted by a vet as evidence)---down-played by the VA as an "internet article"?? The VA does not want to look at the article if the Vet submits it, but will if a "physician" submits or refers to it. +Just food for thought.

I think you definitely need to sit down with someone (with VA claim's knowledge) to review what you have/have not done, and just where the case is(?)whats pending? Some states have County Veterans Service Officers (some good and some not.). Also, usually located at your VA Medical Center or VA Regional Office are veterans service officers employed by the DAV, AMVETS, VFW, American Legion and other veterans service organizations. Some of these service officers can be very helpful and(sorry) some are worthless. In addition, there are Attorneys who will represent/assist you with any appeals with the Board Of Veterans Appeals. Try to find at least one of the above that takes interest in assisting you with your claim. Don't go it alone. Also, you mentioned "We did talk to a VA guy a month ago...". Did this "VA guy" actually work for the VA or did he work for one of the service organizations above?? In closing, if you get no where with any of the above---may be get back on here with your most recent VA letter and try to explain or post as close as possible just what the VA is asking for or saying. *Be careful of any time periods to reply to VA correspondence to you. Did you (or VA guy) submit a request to the VARO requesting 100%TDIU, because of TBI-traumatic brain injury? Have you filed or did "VA guy" file a NOD-Notice of Disagreement with any or all of the percentages already awarded? **Please understand the volunteer people here on Hadit want to help.

BBird: Maybe "if" it is noticed that RO screwed things up, they get it back(?). On second thought---Maybe AMC takes care of it when it just needs further development/updated, like current med exam, etc. I'm just wondering cause they never tell ya.

The gross amount of Social Security Disability or regular Social Retirement is deducted from any VA Pension rate. Therefore, if your gross monthly SSD is less than your monthly VA Pension, you get the difference between the two. Sometimes the monthly benefit of Social Security Disability is not high enough to knock you off VA Pension, but the retroactive back payment of SocSecurity Disability is enough knock you off. Supplemental Security Income(SSI) does not count against VA Pension as income. However, they get you the other way---meaning SSI will count VA Pension as income against any SSI eligibility/payment. The VA does not look at SSI as income, but they(VA) do count SSD as income, dollar for dollar.

I suspect the VARO will try to use the old: "were sorry your claim is taking so long, but because of the recent court decision concerning---"due process"---"we are still working on your claim to assure we act in the veterans best interest" or we are "reviewing the review of the reconsideration of the appeal of the most recent denial of the request of the de novo review of the last rating decision resulting from the Board of Veterans Appeals grant of service connection." Huh?? *I think the due process will initially slow down the claims process---then it will speed up processing as the VA fails to find loop holes to use or rocks to hide under. We all just went through "shredder gate"--now the VA can't get away with that. Dang!! Now we even expect them to follow and grant us "due process"? Per chance may be way-way back this is what some honest men have written into our Constitution?? If all these years we have been denied due process, we sure as hell have not been given the "benefit of doubt", EITHER. Some times I get the feeling that I'm hanging on the edge of a cliff by my finger tips and the VA is looking down at me, smiling, (just before they "stomp").

Kinda like football. Never take points off the board. Take the money and...."run Forest, Run!!"

I made a mistake years back of confiding in my wife--some things concerning my Vietnam service. Big mistake. Months later, during a heated argument, she lambasted me with some of the things I told her. Never again, no way will I ever tell/talk or confide in someone about Nam. *I've been in limbo of filing for sc for PTSD or depression due to recurrent pain of physical disability(s). Not sure which way would compensate me better. One thing for sure: I would think long and hard before I would take anyone in with me during a PTSD exam. Sure it is good to talk to people about problems related to PTSD---but may be it should be restricted to "professionals". I realize that in some cases, someone accompanying you to PTSD exam could be beneficial. My point is, be careful in "who" you confide in. I got burned and it still hurts.

I filed NOD requesting DRO DeNovo review, no hearing. I believe these are done at the AMC for denovo review, not sure. Been waiting some 18 months.

He should pee over the Moon right on top of that VA urologist's empty head.

The border of my county in Ohio is bordered by both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The County Veterans Service Officer in our county will service any other county in our state as well as the two border states. It is not the state or county----it is the DD-214 they look at. Naturally, the CVSO would probably prefer you seek assistance from your home state or county CVSO---As most carry quite a heavy caseload because of the VARO 2-year (and growing) backlog.

In my county in Ohio---the County Vet.Service Officer (office) keeps a copy of everything submitted to the VA on my behalf. They maintain an office file on each vet's claim for many years. These copies maintained by the county office have saved many vets time and again. Granted, this takes up a lot of office space to maintain such a large and growing filing storage system. However, it is considered a "service" to our Vets. Case in point: A widow had filed a DIC claim pertaining to her husbands death from cancer. He suffered radiation exposure at Camp Desert Rock at atom bomb test "Plumbob"(I believe) and one other. This is where the GI's dug fox holes-trenches in the desert and our government then set off a nuclear explosion on their own troops---the result later is they dropped like flys 30-40 years later from cancer. VARO Cleveland then sent her complete-concise claim to VA Central Office Wash,DC for opinion/ruling. They lost everything, every thing. Thankfully, the County Veterans Officer-office had a complete copy of every item submitted and return letters from the VARO. This all transpired over a number of years. The end result was the widow received a nice fat (real fat) DIC check. Their are some very good county VSO's and offices out there---and unfortunately some bad ones.+