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pumibel
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Posts posted by pumibel
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I believe that "self medicating" is part of symptomology, so if anything, it may bolster your claim. Others in here with more knowledge will surely give you some more information, but don't worry too much. It sounds like you were honest and gave the examiner the full picture of your condition.
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Best of luck to you Navy4life! Maybe the new exams won't change your rating if you have documentation that refutes it. The doctor who wrote the final exam report for my mom when she went for SSDI recommended that she not get it. He was known for this, and he based his decision on a lot of BS, but since my mom's medical records consistently stated that she could not work because of X,Y,Z, Social Sec granted her disability and threw out the last doctor's recommendation. I know VA is not SSA, but they have a similar process. If the C&P exam is not consistent with your records, then it should be suspect. Not that I know a lot about it, but I hope my reasoning is correct.
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1 hour ago, green said:
pumibel, congrats on the win. Regarding the arthritis, if it's osteoarthritis it seems as though any issues that cause undue wear could be connected as secondary, rheumatoid arthritis would probably be more difficult with no records in-service.
Thanks Green! It is most likely osteoarthritis as I do not have any compelling RA symptoms. I was a "desk jockey" for all my AD, and I was in at least 2 car accidents while AD. They have it connected as "lumbosacral strain and sacroiliac degenerative joint disease".
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3 minutes ago, Navy4life said:
Do you have a primary doctor? If so secure message to get an appointment to come in for a referral for your issues. I have a primary and several other doctors (specialty) that I now see and I am so glad for it! The medial help is wonderful!!!
Yes, I just established care with a new PC provider in Dec, and he was very thorough about noting all of my diagnoses. I will def make new appointment. I have to anyway because I am losing function in my right wrist. Thanks for the advice and support! I hope your claims are resolved soon too! You have been through a lot with your process, and I think I had it easy by comparison. Now I wish somewhat that I had not waited so long, but I bet the process would have been longer and more aggravating if I had started before the FDC program came along.
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4 minutes ago, Navy4life said:
The nice thing about the deferral is at least they went ahead and rated you for what they could right now so you can get the compensation and medical while you are waiting for the other deferred contentions
Yes that is a great relief, really. If I need any type of PT or surgery, I can do it without worrying about the loss of income from not working. I want to work still- I am completing a degree right now! But there is no way I can work full time and be a reliable employee because of my MH issues and the recurring migraines and bouts of inflammation. I'm limited to freelance projects now.
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Sounds reasonable. You know, the main thing that brings me relief right now is that someone finally diagnosed my arthritis. Because I have hyper-mobility, my ROM is good enough that docs would not DX arthritis. Finally they had to do x-rays and see that my joints have degenerated. This was an issue YEARS ago, but it took this claim to finally get someone to do a damn x-ray! That is why I m so antsy for the C&P results. I want to get PT.
I had claimed the migraines s secondary to PTSD/anx but the doc I saw for the general C&P said that he was rating it as a claim on its own, and I see that is what happened.
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23 minutes ago, Navy4life said:
Woot Woot! that is awesome! Congrats! What is still deferred?
Happy DANCE!!!!!!
Neck pain and both calves are still deferred. None of my C&P exams focused on the calves, but my record has entries about the varicose veins. I did have a procedure on one leg in 1999 or 2000, and I know I had seen the docs at my last duty station about the pain. In fact, they referred me to a vascular surgeon, but I could never get a consult appointment! I had forgotten about it until now. The Last C&P took X-rays of my neck with everything else, but I guess they need more info? I may have more appointments coming. Is that how they do the deferral?
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1 minute ago, Navy4life said:
I figured that....
Like you, there was evidence in my STR that my TMD was already evident when I left AD. But maybe now I can afford dental care. I feel very blessed right now!
- TALON II FE, flores97 and Navy4life
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And NO- my dental was not service connected either. I am not surprised by that.
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19 minutes ago, Navy4life said:
Oh OMG...I am still in PFD...Seems like this is going to be it and NO the C&P exams are not with your packet. I got mine by going to my local VA hospital and going to the BVA office and requested them and got copies on the spot. They were C&P exams from a QTC facility....
Thanks- I will do that. I have an appt on Friday.
look at this pic I attached! I have 80% total, and there are a few things still deferred.
Here is copy/paste of some details- I have sweaty palms, and that never happens to me!
-other specified trauma/stress related disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, nervousness)70 %
-migraines 30%Service Connected
-lumbosacral strain and sacroiliac degenerative joint disease (claimed as low back condition arthritis and muscle pain)10%
70%
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It seems like she should have provided a written rationale for this. I am not in any way professionally qualified to answer your question, but I do know from experience that VA docs write up a lot of paperwork when they make changes to patient's treatments or medications/dosages, etc. Are you able to get his Dr. notes from the VA HealtheVet system? There may be more information in there.
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29 minutes ago, ArNG11 said:
Nerves are shot, anxiety levels are high, in the short we all won't know anything until we get the decisions, thats the crappy part of the process. But as a smart man once reminded me "you can't shoot what you cannot see" It's agonizing I know, but patience. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Poof. Good fortune to all of us.
I agree- very wise words from you and the "smart man" you have quoted. Thank you!
Buck52, Navy4Life, and Flores97,
I just called the number on my C&P paperwork to request copies of my C&P exam results (1-800-827-1000). Juan was kind enough to give me the fax number and mailing address for the Evidence Intake Center in GA.
Fax: 844-531-7818
Department of Veterans Affairs
Evidence Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Newman GA, 30271-0020
He told me to write them a letter to request the exam reports/test results and include my full name, SSN or claim number, and the dates and places,(or any other info) for my exams. Be sure to sign it, and then ax or email it.
So anyone who has appointments through VES or QTC will need to do that to get the results from the C&P exams and tests.
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3 hours ago, flores97 said:
Pumibel, I apologize I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I hope your next c&p exam goes great, please keep us updated!
As I told Talon, I don't mind people hijacking my thread. It's only natural for people to have conversations branch off, and we are all going through the same things so it is more sharing information than hijacking anyway. Thanks for your attention here, and don't worry about posting in my thread.
I just got back from my last C&P where they did an echo-cardiogram and a ton of X-rays. I am tired and rather sore now!
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Thanks for posting the pic Navy4Life- I see now that VES packages are different. although the phone number to the VA is the same on mine, there is nothing saying that I will get any results in the mail, so I will have to request all of my records by calling that number. No big deal!
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4 hours ago, Buck52 said:
pumibel &Navy4life
You guys may want to read over your C&P packett you got in the mail if QTC &VES are about the samy type contractors
mine letter says on the ''Notification of Appointment''
at the bottom
What is the next step in my claims process following the exam?
It says:
Following the QTC Exam all completed reports will be delivered to the VA as the official custodian of your medical records.
However,copies of all diagnostic test results will also be mailed to you (following your appointment(s)
or to Inquiry about your claims process or to obtain a ''copy of your examinations reports you can call
1-800-827-1000
Actually I just now read that. eh!
..........Buck
I saw that too Buck, but I have not called the number yet as I want to wait until all my appointments are over. I guess that means that I will get interpretations of my x-rays and echo then (maybe?). Oh wait, my statement on the VES paperwork is a little different and does not say anything about receiving the DX testing results. I think my PC doctor will want to have that information, so I will definitely call them after my appointment tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me!
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5 hours ago, TALON II FE said:
I agree with you both. I am sorry, I think I am always hijacking threads, there is a little more to this story, I did not let it rest there. If your not interested, this is the time to move on, lol.
A few years ago, I would have confronted him; but, with my PTSD "getting loose", I am explosive and there is a very solid chance of violence in those situations, so I simply left. It was not my Doctor but I am pretty sure it related specifically to me and he did not realize my Doctor had left the door open. It was when they first started putting Botox into the mix with the nerve blocks to try and control my migraines. About 5 minutes before the incident, my Doc left the room to "consult" on the possibility of adding Botox to my treatment. 3 minutes later he popped back in to say he was ordering my injections and left the door to the hall cracked. The 'other' Doctor, in a dark office across the hall with only a desk lamp on, was running his mouth to another employee, as I said above. It was not just a comment, it was a monologue. A very, very spiteful monologue. So I took care of it 'unofficially', lets say.
I am no one special, no more special then anyone else, but I did serve in SOF, my PTSD 'battle buddy' was an ex-enlisted Ranger, now medical admin Officer still on AD. It helped that he was familiar with my mission, since most are not. He has a very unique story that is extremely inspirational, but that is his story, not mine. His story is relevant in that it is what put him in a position as Aide to the General in charge of the hospital. I called him, explained what happened and he took it from there; no more issues at Neuro, though it is still uncomfortable to go there. I would have to say they seem more uncomfortable than I do. My job isn't on the line.
Talon,
Don't ever worry about hijacking my threads! I am fine with that because it encourages conversations and helps more people who are maybe looking for some information but do not want to post. I know it is a "nettiquette" thing, but I am officially waiving this rule for my threads, lol.
That said, I hope that butt-hole neuro enjoyed his "unofficial" slashed tires! (I know you wouldn't do that) God Bless you and your Battle Buddy.
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4 hours ago, Buck52 said:
Yeah I am sure its just a mix up but I did what I was told to do...so today I'll call california and see what they say?,,my QTC said for me to take it to my VAMC After they date stamped it so that's what I did..I still don't know what to heck to do.
I think the QTC use to get you to sign the travel pay voucher and then fax it in but I guess they changed that?
I don't know about QTC, but it makes more sense for the clinic to fax it, IMO, because the fact that you are handing it to them proves that you made the trip! It is certainly more convenient, but maybe some of the medical facilities were understaffed and wanted to cut back on some of the paperwork duties, who knows?
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14 hours ago, TALON II FE said:
That is awful! My mother lives with me now, she has both Rheumatoid Arthritis AND Lupus together, so I know what you are going thru and they are 'supposed' to be professionals! I was at BAMMC at a neuro appt in the spring and overheard a AD neurologist belittling vets, retirees, etc. He was complaining about wasting time and resources on us. It would have hurt less if he kicked me in the stomach, it was terrible. I served, was so close to the tip of the spear that I cut by it and this a-hole doc (not many neurologists going on missions with us, I'll leave it at that) is complaining that they are wasting resources on me? It was a complete betrayal and it took all that I had to walk out of there without spilling blood. "Where O' where, do they find these pretty, high horses to ride..?"
This made me want to cry (I would be sobbing but for my MH meds, for realz!). It sounds to me like this neuro is in favor of euthanasia (a la "Logan's Run") if he thinks treating ANY patient is a waste of resources. He is saying that some lives are worth more than others. Furthermore, the fact you are in his office means that he is getting paid and increasing his practice and potential salary. He my be AD now, but that has to change sometime, and that will make him a vet, a retiree, or both. AD patients take priority at the VAMFs, so his argument is Null/VOID.
- Andyman73, TALON II FE and flores97
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25 minutes ago, flores97 said:
Yes, Pumibel, your RO will be Winston Salem since you reside in NC. Dont worry, you were there when the examiner was dictating his opinions, i think you will definitely be service connected. Winston Salem seems to be pretty adequate at rating, i havent heard of too many vets getting lowballed from that RO, unlike Waco, St Petersburg, and a few others that spring to mind. Remember, actually getting the service connection is usually the biggest hurdle, and i am glad that you had some good examiners, i have usually been fortunate as well, i think you will be fine.
Thanks- that is so reassuring. And I hope you have not had to go back to the clinic you mentioned in your other post. Medical personnel should show more professionalism than that, and I would expect less judgement too. I think their attitudes reflect the state of their own disillusionment rather than anything you did or said. I mean, sick folks are often a little "out of it" and slurry.
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Jeez Talon, that had to be disappointing, but it is good to have some compensation while you work on your appeals.
It's a relief to get these appointments over, but I can't shake the feeling that I will be denied across the board. Maybe it's just my anxiety talking, but I need to keep myself busy now to
Flores97, would my RO be at Winston Salem as well?
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Tomorrow is my PTSD C& P NERVOUS!
in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims
Posted
Thanks so much Andyman! I'm very blessed to have received my decision so quickly, and I wish you the best in your struggles with the VA!