stillhere

Another point I was seeing a VA shrink and Vet counselor before I ever had a C&P by QTC sounds to me like normal situation. Do you already have a DX by the VA medical team?

Not sure why you are worried about QTC? They have actually done a better job on my claims than I can imagine the VAHC could do. The local hospital I go to is hit or miss on any kind of care you get except dental. But even dental they kind of hold back! If you need or want an implant it will take a year to go through the process! But it went OK and I didn't get charged! Stillhere

Very true John! By the way there was some action yesterday at the veterans subcommittee talking about the lousy system the VA has for appeals!

Honesty is always the best way! If you are getting a windfall of money and you notified the VA I am sure they would consider the fact that you reported the fact in their determination. Also If I had been that women if Florida then why even worry about getting any other bennies because you are not qualified at that point. But again notify whoever SS, Va or Railroad anybody were there is a penalty for not reporting and you will be ok! Don't and you will pay a penalty or jail time simple as that.

hmm yeah and I will sell you a bridge in Arizona! As the song goes! What a bunch of liars just to save their necks!!

Hi Berta and thanks! The cut in paste thing and scanning doesn't sound to appealing to be but if I have to I will. I was thinking about typing the appeal info in a word doc and then when I have all that I need start to fill out the form and go in and copy and paste and then print the whole thing. I guess then I would have to scan or copy to have a copy ^^^^this is a pain isn't it oh whole? Not sure on the Cue but if you said the CUE you can do anytime but does it always go quicker as your did. I guess my doing the reconsideration all I did was waste 6 months as John said it would. Amazing how the VA when faced with the facts the way they are they will not touch it if you don't call it the right animal that they want to see?! The facts are the same so why not go a head and adjudicate it? No they want me to either file a NOD or CUE and then they will process it!!! And that person who runs the VA can sit there and lie to our congressmen and senators like she does about the backlog when in truth it is the VA system of pigeon holing everything that is the contributing problem! Well that is my rant for today but thanks for your reply my PTSD is acting up just spent 2 hours at the VAMC for a 10 o'clock appt! I was there at 9:30 and did not get seen till 11:40 and I blew up and left and went straight to the PA!! I will not be treated like that and I wish every veteran that is would do the same! Stillhere (but not waiting)

In the past I have just sent in a letter telling the VA why I was appealing and sending in evidence to support my appeal later. Is this still the case? Reason I ask is this new form I* have reviewed seems to want every right then and there when you fill it out, and because we can not save it with the info and come back and look at it and finish later I am a little per perplexed as my PTSD and overall ability to get everything done at once is bugging me. Anyone know if I can just send in as always telling them why on this form and then later just send in my evidence to support? Stillhere

Wow you folks in GA put up with a lot of crap! While my PCP appt. are now taking up to like 30 days. I can usually get a specialist consult in about the same time except for audio appt. which can run 60 days or worse. Hearing lose is like the number one problem in most vets! I have actually just had emergency ear surgery and was in after only 2 weeks because of the problem. I am like John in a lot of ways though and use the VA MC after I check to see A) who the doctor is I am seeing and B) I check to see how they are rated on the web. The ENT I just saw is one of the top ones in the private sector! So I went to have him do the evaluation. While the actual surgery on my ear was preformed by the head resident the doctor was right there. Now if it had been my heart I would not even think about going VA a I have had a private cardio doc for years! We as patients must do what we are comfortable doing and check out people (doctors) to use and make smart decisions. I have compared and checked doctors all my life. If I had VA as my only insurance I still would do it and if something seemed flat out sub premium care I would bring it up with the PA and demand another doc! Stillhere

Again anyone know where I can get this form? Wasn't connected to my last decision letter like usual. Never mind I Found it. Stillhere

I use mine quite often around here (Northen VA) traffic is real bad here and parking is almost as bad. I have had mine for a few years and while I will use other spots that are close I will not park in the boonies! I have PTSD at 50% but I also have heart condition at 100% and PN pain. I would love to be able to walk some but I only do what I can do and don't push myself at all. Per my cardio docs advise. Here in VA I have a disabled vet tag which is good for Hp parking, and my other car I have a hanging placard either one is good here. I would question if a PTSD at 100% would get one. But I have seen a lot of folks around here that have them and get looks! Hell I get looks all the time but I have my card if anyone questions me, and if I feel like showing it! Stillhere

I don't have the answer for you but I will bump this up so maybe someone that does will give it a look. Or you could repost with a different tag line and that my help. Stillhere

His c file should show the reason and how they adjudicated it. I had a claim in 84 that was denied for hearing loss and my letter only denied not service related. When I got my c file it had all the stuff they had used to deny including the audio test and the reason why i was denied. Check the c file there should be something there! Stillhere

They also are actually saving a few bucks in travel pay! Someone in fee basis is on the ball!

Well welcome to Hadit young troop and thank you for your service! You troops are and did a bang up job in the "dustbowl of civilation"! That said, sounds like you did not got through your unit for help when filing for your disabilities and that more than likely has you where you are today. I am pretty up on the audio end so I will be sure to look back after you post your decision. Question do you have a copy of ALL YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS? If you do do not let that get out of your hands! Stick around Hadit here and some good people will be along to help real soon! Stillhere

Here is an appeal from the BVA that puts it all in: A rating of 60 percent may be assigned for muscular weakness, mental disturbance, and weight gain. A rating of 100 percent may be assigned for cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement, mental disturbance, brachycardia (less than 60 beats per minute), and sleepiness. The Board found, in its September 2005 decision, that the veteran's hypothyroidism was manifested by muscle weakness and mental disturbance. The Board remanded the case for VA medical examination to determine whether the other criteria for a 100 percent rating (cold intolerance, sleepiness, cardiovascular involvement, and brachycardia) were shown. The veteran had a VA medical examination in April 2006 during which the examiner noted the veteran as having complicating factors including sleepiness and cold intolerance. However, the examiner noted the veteran's pulse as 77, and made no notation of any cardiovascular disorder. Thus, the veteran is shown to have four of the six symptoms that the rating schedule associates with the higher (100 percent) rating. He is not shown to have brachycardia or a cardiovascular disorder associated with hypothyroidism. The Board notes that in view of the number of atypical situations it is not expected, especially with the more fully developed grades of disabilities, that all cases will show all the findings specified; however, findings sufficiently characterized to identify the disease and the resulting disability, and above all coordination of rating with impairment of function, are expected in all instances. 38 C.F.R. § 4.21. Further, symptoms listed in the rating criteria are simply examples of the type and degree of the symptoms, or their effects, that would justify a particular rating; analysis should not be limited solely to whether the claimant exhibited the symptoms listed in the rating scheme. Mauerhan v. Principi, 16 Vet. App. 436, 442 (2002). The Board finds in this situation that the veteran's symptoms more closely approximate the criteria for the higher (100 percent) rating. The Board notes that the VA examiner stated that the veteran had ceased working in July 2005 because of fatigue associated with thyroid disease; the fatigue was such that the veteran was unable to drive for fear of falling asleep behind the wheel. The Board accordingly finds that the criteria for the higher (100 percent) rating for hypothyroidism are met. ORDER An increased rating of 100 percent for the service-connected hypothyroidism is granted, subject to the law and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

Hmm if you have been DX'ed by the VA then they surely will see it and go from there in a perfect world. Have you looked at the ratings for your hypro does it state anything if depression is one of the ratings factors? The reason I ask in having my heart SC there are a number of different levels. I don't have the time right now but I might take a look later. Good Luck Stillhere

Vietnam Men vets should read this! http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/1888/20130513/agent-orange-exposure-risk-factor-lethal-prostate-cancer-study.htm Stillhere

Well since you got your IU everything is great! But you did have a question on VRE while they can say you can not be retrained most of VRE has to do with your education and what you did before. If you were a PHD in biology you more than likely could find a position doing research or such. I would think your SSDI journey should be short and approved on your first try. Enjoy your benefits hope they help! Stillhere

If you had the test at the medical center. Go to the ROI office and get a copy and see what it says. Also do you wear hearing aids? Anything else is anyones guess maybe the machine wasn't plugged in. Don't laugh happened to me once! Stillhere

You don't say wether you are taking lithium now or not but I assume you are. J is right though a condition that you are wavied to serve with will ONLY be granted an evaluation if you can prove agravation and by what amount. In other words if it was say 30% when you went in and lets say in got 60& worse you would be comed at 30%. Stillhere

If you get your outside doc to write they will have to write also why and tell VA no substitute. I agree with you though their formula for adding and deleting drugs is ODD!, They give me EBREL for my back at something like 17.000 a year but would not give me celebrex when I asked a few years ago. Stillhere

I am not aware of a form but if there is someone will jump on this to help. If it where me I would send a letter marked at the top with veterans social and type claim in the case THIS IS A REQUEST FOR: hopefully the VA will get it in attached it to the claim. I sent information on one of my claims long ago and I got my award letter but noticed in the what we used to decide your claim it wasn't there? I called and they said that they did get the info but didn't know what it was for $%^%^! Stillhere

Indy, Damn shame to be caught in this type of situation. Because either way it looks like the VA is taking their time. If it were me I would look at my numbers if I have enough dough to wait another 9 months I would send it in about the increase and I would wait and see how it goes when the award happens. If they included it or not somewhere along the way you might have to appeal anyhow. Sorry for your pain! Good luck, Stillhere

This will piss of all veterans! http://www.stripes.com/news/six-md-veterans-plead-guilty-to-agent-orange-benefits-fraud-1.219332

Another thought when I file this CUE should I include all of the rules or cue item I feel they did not correctly imply in 83/84? T do feel that other rules were not applied correctly at the RO at that denial. Berta I have like zero luck getting my scanner to cooperate with posting my 83 decision I will try again later. Was hoping to get this going very soon? Stillhere Thanks for the good luck offers!