Holllie Greene

NO, please do not do the major check out and call it quits. That is never, ever the answer. Call the WH hotline...that is the answer. Take good care. H

Hi Tomnyhats, I agree with Berta about "relax"; very good idea just to carve out some time to relax, reflect, and renew. 30 months is one heckuva long time to have dealt with the situation so perhaps enjoy some time to relax is just the ticket. Protect that neurogenic bladder 60%. H

Hi Sgt. Wilky, That sounds like a horrible experience. I wonder how these people are hired. Anyway, when all is said and done, perhaps meeting with your VSO and exploring the possibility of a NOD. Just my thoughts. H

Hi, I agree with Broncovet...file a NOD to dispute the denial. You have come to the best place for help and the place is Hadit.com

Thank you for this information. H

Berta, I admire your strength and perseverance. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband at the hands of the VA. You are strong and an example for all of us. H

Thank you for all you do to help us Berta. You are great at putting things in perspective. H

Greetings, I am eligible for Chapter 35 DEA benefits however my husband had earned his Bachelor of Science before we met; I asked my beloved if he desired to earn a Masters degree to which he declined as he was employed full-time. Our soon to be 25 years of wedded bliss produced no children. Thank you all again for your information. Have a good Thursday. H

Hi Tbird, Asknod, and Oceanbound, I hit the trifecta tonight with you all. Thank you for the information. I consider this excellent information an early 25th Anniversary gift. 25 years next week. ...the rep from the VARO confirmed I have had the chapter 35 DEA benefits for over 10 years. Again, thank you for your time and effort, I appreciate it very much. H

I am confused. A few days ago I spoke to a person at a VARO who said if I die from something other than service-connected my husband gets zero, zilch, squat. Hmmmmmm, it seems the rules change willy-nilly...I have been rated 100% P & T for over 10 years, MS is static, and I am 56 years of age. Can a fellow Veteran shed a light on this? Thank you.

Hi Vync, this morning I was searching through my paperwork from the VA and I found a statement with words to the effect I am housebound, which is true. I apologize for the long wait for the answer to your question. H

Hi, On military.com there is an article about VA choice expansion and PRE 911 caregivers program being authorized. I really hope the powers that be will do the right thing for Pre-911 caregivers and pass the legislation.. I guess we will see. Have a nice weekend. H

Hi Pwrslm, ...makes me wonder how the rating people get their jobs in the first place. Thank you for your response. H

Hi, Thank you all for your advice, insight, encouragement, and understanding. I very much appreciate it. Vync, the county VSO said I had SMC S but I can't find it anywhere. Carlie Cash was so correct in her statement to you. Broncovet, I am 100% P & T since 2003 with a static disability (f*&^$%ing MS only gets worse---remember Anneta Funicello? She was splashed all over National Enquier in her final days---I am not in that condition as she had primary progressive MS and I have gone from relapsing remitting to secondary progressive MS plus the docs say every MS case is different. As tired and frustrated as I am by the current situation it may be time to look for a lawyer. Again, I appreciate you all's support my fellow Veterans. Enjoy the rest of the day. H

Hi, I am considering not appealing. Why? I do not trust the raters, I do not think they understand MS (multiple sclerosis) and I do not want to go through anymore time wasting. In hindsight I should have left things alone, requesting an increase created more issues/problems plus the county VSO's appear like they could care less. I know I have "NEVER GIVING UP" in my profile but in this instance perhaps I should. This VA runaround has me feeling defeated already. You can't fight city hall or the VA. H

Congratulations!!!

Hi Vync, oh I totally agree with the trust but verify way of thinking. My husband is willing to write a buddy letter with all the details. He accompanies me to every appointment and despite this, there are still inaccuracies when I check the treatment/appointment notes. Can these folks ever get it right? He will keep the letter objective for sure, just the facts. Yes, the exam was about one year ago and he will be on this site to learn how a good letter is composed. Hadit is the best site for sure. Well, have a good rest of the weekend Vync and thank you again for your help.

Hi Vync, I can't thank you enough for your help. The time, effort, explanations, and research is very much appreciated. Thank you. After studying the letter three times, I found the rater(s) have in the letter that my neurogenic bladder shows improvement. Really? Stop the presses...alert the world that MS related hypotonic bladder can improve. This is untrue. I also found the frequency and changing of absorbent materials information (the frequency and changing part) to be incorrect on VA's part. VA also got it wrong with the voiding dysfunction...my bladder is of the urgency type not the stress incontinence type. Mega shout out to my husband who buys the pads at the commissary each week. Vync, you have been a terrific help, I am very grateful to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know what I have to do now. Happy Friday and have a good weekend. H

Yes, thank you for the information.

Hi Vync, Thanks for responding to my question. Here is the background: approx. 2.5 years ago I had a C&P done by a neurologist (I was at 40% for neurogenic bladder), the decision came back with a 60% bladder. Please note I have been 100% P & T for more than 10 years and MS is static...will only get worse. Last May I had a major exacerbation (still lingers and I am still using a walker), my husband quit his job to take care of me and all the household duties, and I put in for an increase. At the C & P I saw a neurologist (D.O.) and a psychologist. The results were/are the 60% was reduced to 40% (say what...major shocker) and the adjustment disorder was increased to 50% from 30%. To my lay person's mind it looks like they played with the numbers to keep me at 100%. But I could be wrong... Meanwhile, my bladder controls my life. The VA urologist seems ok and he told me and wrote on a piece of paper I have a hypotonic, flaccid bladder. He prescribed a mild bladder drug (Trospium) but made the point this is not the drug for me, there are no drugs for my bladder. Per him, I am only to use the Trospium if I have to leave the house for appt.s. Thanks for reading this Vync. H

Hi, I went dark for awhile (cold/flu, appointments, general nonsense) but I am back now. Perhaps I have new evidence: per a VA urologist no bladder control medication is appropriate for my Hypotonic bladder. Those bladder meds we all see on TV are for Hypertonic bladders. So, in light of this information would it be worth it to put in a NOD? Have a good day my fellow Veterans. H

Hi Kevin T., I don't know what the IE is but as far as living in your car, that is dangerous. A friend of mine had no choice but to do that when he ETS'd and he was attacked by a group of people and he (inside the car) was almost pushed off a cliff. Thankfully he managed to get out of the car. It is dangerous out there, be careful and practice situational awareness at all times. Please take Buck's advice and let the VA know your situation. Also, if I am not mistaken, you can have mail sent to a post office General Delivery where the Post Office holds your mail until you pick it up. Stay safe. H

I had a problem with the county VSO, he is buds with the acting director, dislikes women, treats no one with respect...I could go on. He yells also (unless you are a colonel or above), I rue the day I went there. There is a DAV rep connected to the SCID (Spinal Cord Injury/Disease) clinic. So I will see how that goes. Good day everyone. H.

Hi Sarah, Welcome to Hadit. This is the best site for all things related to Veteran's issues. I am sorry to hear that uterine fibroids have caused problems with your life. As Broncovet stated, a doctor must write the nexus letter and those words "at least as likely as not" are very important to have the doctor write in the letter. At some point, a visit to a VSO is needed to open a claim. Stay strong and stay the course and also try to stay well. Again, welcome to Hadit. Holli

I'm not sure if it's a good thing either, sounds invasive and creepy to me.