stillhere

I know you have to have at least one rate of 60% and a minimum combind of 70% but if you file for an increase is there a possibility the VA might say heck he has all this going on lets just make him TDIU? I really do not want to quit my job and feel I would go batty without working at this stage of my life but my condition is getting worse and my working is obviously contributing to it. Oh well starting to babble. Please let me know what all you guys/girls think. Good luck with your claims! Stillhere

If you are already diagnosed with hypertension but it is controlled by medication and rated noncomprensable will the VA go back to the original date and give me 10% or will I have to wait for them to add it to the list? This is kind of confussing to say the least. Stillhere

I had a C&P exam by the contractor QTC at a dr's office. I went to the VAMC local about a month or so later and asked for a copy of it and they told me I would have to get it from the VARO. But I have noticed a number of post of people getting their's from the VAMC which is it? Also I have a claim in for increase since April 07 C&P July 07 should I contact the VARO for a copy? The last I checked by 800# my claim is at the infamous rater!! Good luck on all your claims! Stillhere

I was told it is at the RO in your c-file NOT at the VAMC. Stillhere

When I had my last couple of C&P's by QTC the first one asked all kinds of questions not just the DB2 exam and also put me in for hypertension secondary to DB2 the last one I had pointed out a couple of other things that could be connected to my heart. Still waiting to see if the rater agreed or not. If I had to rate the last doc though I would give her a 6 she really did not seem to listen to much as to what I had to say. I took some records with me and she did take those for the record. Strange thing is I got a call from them about 3 weeks after the exam asking me questions that should have been addressed at the appt. Just my two cents. Good Luck with your claim. Stillhere

I was not rated 0% the decision said: Evaluation of DB2 with hypertension, which is currently 10 percent disabling, is increased to 20% effective March 05. The examiner diagnosed hpertension secondary to DB2. A noncompensable evaluation for hypertension is assigned unless diastolicpressure is predominantly 100 or more; or unless pressure is predominantly 160 or more; or unless the veteran has a history od diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continous medication for control. Hypertension is evaluated with your SC DB2 because the evidence shows this disability to be noncompensable. My point is this was done in March of 05 and the regs changed in I believe 06. Should I send in a claim to have the hypertension rated on its own? I am on 2 meds now to control my blood pressure. Is there a CUE here? Thanks for all the help. Good luck on your claims! Stillhere

I was diagnosed with hypertension sec to DB2 in March of 05 but rated as non-compresensable. Does that mean 0% Also I filed a NOD for my heart condition and was granted 60% in 06 but they still did not break out the hypertension for a rate. Did I have to ask for that? Thanks, Stillhere

Update on this claim for increase I started on April 2nd 07 just got this email response back after waiting 10 days for a reply: Your claim is at the rating board for a decision. We anticipate the board should make its determination within 60 days. If you wish an update in the status of your case, send us another e-mail about your claim after 12/13/07. Now they (the VA) is telling us not to bother them I guess! Good luck on all your claims. Stillhere By the way as you can see I was told by the person on the 800 call in August the 10th that it was at the rater. What are they doing playing basketball with it

I have had only 3 c&P and they were all with QTC I am not to fond of them and have not been able to get the reports as of yet. BUT do not miss the exam if at all possible. Good luck! Stillhere

Yes take the dr's treatment records with you to the exam and give them to the dr but make sure you keep a copy of what you give them. They may look at them and may not but they are required to put any information you give them in your C file. Goodluck, Stillhere

I have had 3 exams by QTC over the years and they are by and large OK. I don't think the gov gets thier money's worth though. By all means do go because if you don't it is the kiss of death. Good luck, Stillhere

Hey Larry, I did my sleep study at home, the VA contracted out to a company called Sleep Solutions. They sent me thier machine and I used it for 3 nights in my own bed, sent the machine back and they came up with diagnoses of sleep apena. Then they sent me a machine called and ipap I think to check and see what level air I needed. I used that for 2-3 nights. Just picked up my cpap machine from VA last week and getting used to it. good luck, Stillhere

Do you get champus for the wife and education benefits for them? If you do then you sure seem to be P&T If you don't then something mire to try and go after. On the tax issue in the state of Virgina they are the other way, they don't give hardly nothing to 100% P&T except a life time fishing license for 10$ :) My wife's aunt who is disabled (heart) and retired gets the 100% exception. Good luck! Stillhere

Question is there an avenue where the VA says one thing and you get a second opinion from outside. Isn't there someone to go to at the VA and say OK I have this from outside now what do you say? I mean like the patient advocate or someone? Stillhere

thanks for the suggestions and I might give it a shot but I want to wait untill my claim for increase is decided and then get a copy of my c file and service medical records. The thing that gets me if they had me sign a waiver then it is documented that it occured while I was in service just that I was stupid/naive enough to sign and let them off the hook. Regardless on what I was doing after service the damage was done BEFORE I got out. Stillhere quote name='sixthscents' date='Oct 2 2007, 03:51 PM' post='63316'] Age will be a factor, but you can win this bexause I have several times. I am assuming the "whisper" test is the audiology spoken word test ... where the said words and asked you to repeat them. In any case, while loss of hearing is a compensable factor... it is hard to get. You have to be clear that you have not been working in a noise risk occupations, or if so you have consistently complied with OSHA regulations, (a letter from the employer if possible is a good thing).... The Va's atetement that hearing was not service connected... probably meant that YOUR hearing claim was not service connected... i.e. you did not provide a "nexus" or cause for the hearing loss. I would get a new hering test done, and resubmit the claim with the new test, as new and material evidence along with details about your service history that could have caused this hearing loss. For example working on jets, or working in a shop with loud air exchangers - use of constuction equipment, operation of tanks etc.... Remember you must first 1. Provide a diagnosis of the injury or illness 2. show a service coinnection or nexus 3. file for the correct injury

When I got out of the service at my muster pysical I flunked the whisper test and they wanted to keep me a couple more days so they could run some test OR I could sign a waiver (not sure what it said) but I signed it cause I was 22 years old and just wanted to go home. Anyhow my hearing really started going south and in 83 I filed a claim at the VA just looking to get some help of some kind aid or something. Well the VA denied the claim in one line saying hearing is not service connected. I am service connected now at 70% and get my aids and all from the VA BUT I am still not service connected, should I even try to see if they will look at this again? Stillhere

Hey Paul, That is a very long flight as you know from your neck of the woods. Hope you can hadle it OK and good luck with the doc. Stillhere

Nomad, did you ever file for your sleep apnea? If so what nexus were you able to use. I have just been dx for sleep apnea moderate and issued a cpap machine and looking to claim it. I am sc for db2 and hypertension and heart disease. Thanks for your help, Stillhere

Test, sounds like you are doing preety good and they should keep you on the Plavix as long as you can. I had another stent (metal) right side in March and like you have others with smaller blockages on the other side of the heart. They have said my next stop would be bypass but trying to put that off for about 5 years. My blood numbers looked good also last time except for anemia showing up. Now taking B12 shots once a week for a month then they will decide what to do. I put in for an increase for the heart, PN and the anemia BS last April and still waiting to hear anything. Apologize for hi jacking thread! Stillhere

hey testvet do you have only stents or do you have stents and bypass or just bypass? Reason i ask the formulory for VA states if you have had stents metal ones then you can stay on Plavis if bypass then you only get it for 90 days. I would talk to an outside cardio doc and get his recommendation. You are right though Costco has the best price for most drugs. I have to take Coreg and VA has never covered that so I pay for it my self. Whew! Stillhere

John999 Yes and no, i suffer from PN and diabetes2 I have pains and then I don't have pains, I know real confusing. But to answer your question better agina was present and I had been popping the nitro and counting never got to the 3rd one and call 911 but I did take a couple a few times. my problem my doc says is I don't react to pain properly. what ever that means. Stillhere

If you die of a SC condition yes if you get hit by a truck NO. Congrats and good luck. Stillhere

I agree sure sounds like this guy is just being a dick. Makes you wonder what other claims he drops on the BVA to do his job. Stillhere

You might want to let the outside cardio dr decide if you need a cath or not. After I had a cardio stress test I was schedueled for one and they found a 90% block so more than likely saved my life! Stillhere

What a DICK! Stillhere