Boats

Figures they would farm out my claim to another RO as bad as they are...LOL

Still working that is why it is not 100% I am pretty sure, oh well gonna try to keep working for a little longer was just hoping I could cut back to part time. Guess I will just have to be a thorn in there side until they see all the medical evidence.. Boats

Received my partial decisons yesterday from the RO in St Pete Fl, looks like I was farmed out did not even know in Virginia. As usual lowballed on all decisions with all Medical evidence spoon fed to them well at least went to 90% from 60%. MI went from 10 to 60 Tinutis approved to 10 bi lateral hearing still at 0 headaches still at 10 Cervical DDD 10 to 20 (they took away right shoulder radiculopathy and said there was no history of radiculopathy even though have been rated for it since 1997) Oh well sending letter out today for copy of the C&P and see what it says Another 2 issues have been defered for another C&P Gerd and Sinuitis, because they did not do it on the Feb one. Also the Lumbar Sprain that was supposed to be infered from the C&P was not mentioned, think I should file for it? or wait and see if they do in the next month or so, and see what the C&P says? Boats

Morning all, Called the 1 800 yesterday and told my claim was back at Rating Board and had been there since 7/3. But for the last two weeks when calling it has been at the Post Detrmination team since 7/9. Any ideas why it would be back at the Rating board, with a date of 7/3 the claim originaly went to the board on 5/29? There is 13 items on the claim, 3 that was inferred from my C&P. 10 items were already SC Thanks Boats

Ricky, Here is a Job Description from a current job posting on the usajobsite for a GS 9 Rating Veterans Service Representative MAJOR DUTIES: The Rating Veterans Service Representative (VSR) serves as a specialist and decision-maker for claims for veterans benefits involving rating decisions. The Rating VSR analyzes claims to determine: 1) if diseases and injuries were incurred or aggravated by military service in the line of duty for purposes of compensation, hospital and outpatient treatment, prosthetic appliances, vocational training, and related employment and compensation benefits; and 2) a need for a specific type of examination or re-examination. The Rating VSR applies the VA Schedule of Rating Disabilities which contains 15 body systems, innumerable disabilities and a percentage of evaluation for a disability to accurately rate claims. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: To qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements below: You must have one-year of SPECIALIZED experience which is equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service for the GS-9 level position and one-year of SPECIALIZED experience which is equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service for the GS-10 level position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. This specialized experience can be gained in several occupations where assessments are regularly made on claims associated with medical, surgical or psychiatric issues. These occupations include: attorneys who handle medical malpractice and personal injury cases or nurses who have acted as an expert witness in medical malpractice and personal injury cases; registered nurses who assess medical claims of illness/injury, perform utilization reviews, or participate in quality assurance activities; or an individual who has held a position where he/she authorized and rated claims for benefits with an insurance company, disability program, or other federal agencies engaged in determining claims for benefits such as, Social Security Administration or the Department of Labor. Respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and mental health care workers may also have the specialized experience required for this position. EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as LL.B. or J.D.) for the GS-9 level and 2 ½ full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree (such as LL.M. ) which provided you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must be related to the position being filled. COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: You can meet total qualifications for this job by combining specialized experience and appropriate education according to the following formula: (a) your total months of full time specialized experience as a percentage of a 12 month total; PLUS (;) your total number of qualifying graduate semester or quarter hours as a percentage of two years of graduate study leading to a master’s or equivalent graduate degree for the GS-9 and 2 ½ years of graduate study leading to a Ph.D. for the GS-10. The total of the two percentages must equal at least 100 percent. All applicants must: All males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the Selective Service

Thanks thats where I sent it to local VAMC the department listed on form. Was just wondering if they notified you when it was approved or disapproved.

Stillhere Here is how they rate from the CFR 38 for most Heart Conditions 7006 Myocardial infarction: During and for three months following myocardial infarction, documented by laboratory tests 100 Thereafter: With history of documented myocardial infarction, resulting in: Chronic congestive heart failure, or; workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent 100 More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or; workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent 60 Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray 30 Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; continuous medication required 10

StillHere They did the same with me had stents put in Jan 2007 36 days later had letter from QTC saying that I had a stress test scheduled, told them that I just had stents placed then they gave me a bunch of bull stating if I did not show VA would be notified and that I would lose the 10% rating I had for my last MI in 2003. So I went could only get up to 1 Mets, Blood pressure was going nuts and was way out of breath, fatigued, and about ran off the back of the treadmill...lol Waiting to see how they are going to rate it because my LF was 48% before the stent placement by a cardolite scan. Plus 2 ekg's after the stent placement show right aorta enlargement. Good luck on your exam and take care. Boats

Just got this Iris the left hand and right sure don't know what they are doing.... Your claim is at the rating board for a decision. Depending on the caseload at the board, they may take up to 90 days or so to make their decision, but usually it does not take that long. If you have not received a decision within 90 days from today, get back in touch with us for an update in the status of your claim This was an Iris on 6/11/2007 Your claim has been reviewed by the rating board, which has determined they can make a decision on your case. Your claim is set for final review by the board as soon as possible. This may take around 2-4 weeks, depending on the caseload. When the board releases your case, it will go to a processing unit to complete and notify you of the board's decision. This may take another 2-6 weeks, depending on the workload. Get back in touch with us if you do not receive the decision within six weeks.

How do you know if your Clothing Allowance has been approved? By it being direct depostited int your account? or doe's the local vamc send you a copy of your app approved? also how do you know if they made it recurring and not have to resubmit each year, know if they send you an apprioved copy back it has the check box on the bottom of it. Called the 1-800 number but they said it was somthing that thaey could not check on. Thanks Boats

I am glad that tricare hasn't started that yet. They put two coated stents in Jan, at Navy Hospital Doc says have to take plavix forever now. Have been taking plavix since 2003 when they put the first two steel ones in after heart attack. Boats

Here is an link to info from DFAS on Retro CDRP and CRSC http://www.dfas.mil/retiredpay/VARetroarticle.pdf Boats

Cowgirl if your claim was submitted after 1/1/2004 it should go back to what award letter date ie March, 1, 2006 your CDRP should be calculated retro to that date. Just try to get them to do it though that is the trick...lol

Ya if DFAS is involved in getting your retro backpay thay withheld from your military retired pay don't hold your breath...lol. I'm still waiting on mine from 2004 to 2005 about 8K, just finished drafting a letter to my senator to open a formal inquiry to DFAS to see if that will get them moving problay not. Boats

Nice job better then working... or haze gray and underway...lol Boats

Tamara Taking small dosage 25 mg x4 daily for PN, just said that they are doing regular liver checks when they do labwork for lipids. Boats

And you have a IMO making the Nexus for it almost forgot that...

went from needing glasses 20/200 back to not 20/20 Boats

Berta Here you go Diabetes and Looking After Your Eyes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHY YOUR EYES NEED TO BE CHECKED People with diabetes have the same chance of developing eye problems unconnected to their diabetes as anyone else. However, diabetes can cause some additional eye problems. TEMPORARY CHANGES IN YOUR EYE SIGHT You may have noticed changes in your sight around the time you found out you had diabetes. Your sight may have become blurred at times due to higher than normal blood sugar levels affecting the lenses in your eyes. However These changes settle once your treatment is established and your blood sugar levels return to near normal values. You should wait for 2 to 3 months after diagnosis of diabetes before you visit your optician for a sight test and/or a change of glasses. If your diabetes treatment is altered you may notice slight changes again as your blood sugar levels are lowered especially if they were quite high to start with. These will settle as you adjust to your new treatment. Any sudden change in vision should be reported to your doctor immediately. Yearly eye tests by an optician are free for people with diabetes. OTHER EYE CHANGES All people with diabetes have an additional risk of developing damage to their eyes as a result of poor blood glucose and blood pressure control. This is called DIABETIC RETINOPATHY. Diabetic retinopathy is the major cause of blindness in the 30-65 age group in the UK at the present time. Development or progression of diabetic retinopathy can be prevented by good blood sugar control, and the detection and management of high blood pressure. In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy does not cause any symptoms such as pain or loss of sight. Once symptoms are present , it may be more difficult or even impossible to treat the condition. Treatment is usually most successful before patients develop symptoms. Regular eye screening checks are VITAL and should be done ONCE A YEAR. Children with diabetes should start to have regular eye examinations at age 12 or, if developing diabetes after puberty, 3 years after diagnosis. WHERE IS EYE SCREENING CARRIED OUT? In Tayside: If you live in Dundee or Broughty Ferry your eye screening will be carried out at a fixed clinic currently situated at the Diabetes Centre in Ninewells Hospital. If you live in Perthshire, Angus, Tayport or Newport on Tay, there are two mobile eye vans that travel round GP surgeries in these areas. Wherever you are screened, you will be sent an appointment for this. WHAT HAPPENS AT EYE SCREENING? Your eyesight is tested first; remember to bring your distance glasses with you! Photographs are then taken of the back of your eyes, to check for any diabetic retinopathy. This is done in a darkened room to allow the pupils of the eye to enlarge and enable a good photograph of the back of the eye to be obtained. Most people will NOT require to have drops applied to their eyes. However, for a small percentage of people, the pupils will not dilate sufficiently. In this case, eye drops will then be used to make your pupils wider. We may need to give you a separate appointment for this. The drops may sting at first. They also affect your sight for a few hours. You will not be able to drive until your vision returns to normal and may need someone to take you home. You may want to take sunglasses with you, as your eyes will be sensitive to light for a few hours following the eye drops. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EYE SCREENING? These photographs are examined by an expert and are kept from year to year for comparison. You will be informed of the result by post in approximately 1 month. If the eye photograph is abnormal or if there is uncertainty, you may be invited to attend a specialist eye clinic in Tayside and be seen by an Ophthalmologist. If any changes due to diabetes are found in your eyes, early treatment in most cases will protect your sight. The photographs form part of your Computer Diabetes Record, and you will be able to see these by asking your GP or Practice Nurse. WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? In addition to your yearly eye screening visit, you are entitled to a free sight check at your optician every year. Inform your optician that you have diabetes. Give your optician the name of your family doctor and details of where you receive your diabetes care. People with diabetes can wear contact lenses including some disposable types. However, the disposable lenses that are only worn for 24 hours and then thrown away are not recommended because they do not allow your eyes to get as much oxygen as they need. If your eyes need further treatment, you should be referred to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) without delay.

Must of been a Deck Ape also...lol was one for 22 years lol red lead had to love it...:P then the VA says the Navy had nothing to do with your sinus problem ya right. Boats

Ron, Put in for evrey lttle thing you went to medical for. I wish that some of the stuff like lower back, gerd, sinus, carpal tunnel even though in service medical record it has been 9 years since I retired now I am fighting some 19 year old RO that says he cannot service connect them. Just claim it however small you think it may be will save you a lot of problems down the road. The key one I did get though when I first filed was for blood pressure, this one even if 0 is key to alot of other ones. Boats

I have been taking Topamax for about 2 months now, for PN and Migraines works good for the PN so so for the Migraines.

Good luck Hope all goes well!!!

You should get CDRP on a Temp 100. I did for 18 months for a TIA. Sort of still waiting on DFAS to pay the Retro on it...lol

Ed Did she say what kind cardolite, regular,? I had a cardolite then a nuke scan after last July it found a couple blockages, scarring from an MI in 2003, and a reduced ejection fraction. They did it after I was admitted for chest pains. This was in a Private Local Hospital DR discharged said I was fine, said ok. still having chest pains short of brath about 2 monts later went to the Naval Hospit to see my new Cardiolgist he looked at the scan results and blew his top admitted me right then and they put another 2 stents in. Filed for an increase with VA they want to do anther stress test on me 18 days after I have the stents put in. Think they wanted to kill me...lol went to it any way got to 1 Met and had to quit Norm