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By the way Buck52, thanks for all that you do.

Buck52, my veteran has been out of the Army since 1980 and no one bothered to help him. It's a shame

Oh Berta, you made me cry. Like you, I feel terrible when I hear about stories like this. My cousin has been spinning his wheels for years. He has a veteran brother-in-law who has done quite well with his claims, but hasn't cared enough to help out. Actually, my cousin is my cousin by marriage, but to me it doesn't matter. He's been very kind to me since I got to know him a few years ago. He's a veteran who has many disabilities and there's no way I can turn my back on him. I'll do whatever I can to help with the little inowlege I have. He thanks me over and over for helping him receive 10%, but I'm very disappointed. It's a beginning though. Even though I spend as much time as I possibly can helping, I still don't think he's getting the help he deserves. When he jumped off the 2 1/2ton truck after the truck ran over his friend, he messed his back up, but there's nothing in his record to prove it. He also has a skin disease that he developed in Panama referred to as "jungle rot", but doesn't have enough proof in his active duty records. He's practically deaf (he was an 11B), but can't hear instructions at has C&P. The examiners refer to him as "uncooperative". He's been denied twice. I have my own challenges. This is my husband's 5th bout with larynx/lung cancer in the last few years. In a couple of hours we have to head back to Charleston for 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. I'm so tired, but I'll continue to help my veteran when and as much as I can. i know you're busy and I don't know if you read this, but it sure felt good to get this stuff off my chest. Thank-you so much for your kind heart Berta.

Berta, he didn't realize he was diagnosed with a mental disorder in 2006 until yesterday when I told him. He didn't file a claim for PTSD until 5/19/2015 and was denied. He filed again for PTSD in 08/2016 and was awarded 10%. A NOD was filed due to the low rating. His VA record reflects that he reported suicidal thoughts, lack of sleep, withdrawal from friends and family, nightmares, continuous thoughts of a friend who was run over by a 2 1/2ton while he was in the back of the truck and continuous thoughtsabout his best friend who died in an accident. The 10% rating he has is for PTSD. He's not computer savy. In fact he doesn't own a computer. Is the 2006 diagnosis a mute point at this time?

Berta, he didn't realize he was diagnosed with a mental disorder in 2006 until yesterday when I told him. He didn't file a claim for PTSD until 5/19/2015 and was denied. He filed again for PTSD in 08/2016 and was awarded 10%. A NOD was filed due to the low rating. His VA record reflects that he reported suicidal thoughts, lack of sleep, withdrawal from friends and family, nightmares, continuous thoughts of a friend who was run over by a 2 1/2ton while he was in the back of the truck and continuous thought about his best friend who died in an accident. The 10% rating he has is for PTSD. He's not computer savy. In fact he doesn't own a computer. Is the 2006 diagnosis a mute point at this time?

I just read my cousin's VA medical records and discovered that in 2006, during a consultation, the clinical psychologist wrote, "...one could make a case for PTSD, but I was struck by his severe major depression. He reports vague hallucinations, which may be part of a schizoaffective disorder, but could be associated solely with a severe major depression with psychotic features." He also wrote, "While in the military, he did experience a trauma in seeing a fellow soldier underneath the tires of a truck, although this individual did apparently recover. He noted continued bad dreams about this." Prior to the psychologist's assessment, under symptoms/diagnosis, PTSD is checked. After the assessment, depression and PTSD are both checked with a question mark beside PTSD. 05/19/2015, he filed a claim for "service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, to include depression" and was denied "because the medical evidence of record fails to show that this disability has been clinically diagnosed." Also, "During your VA examination, no diagnosis of PTSD was made. Also, we have not found that you experienced a stressful event in service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity." Around August 2016, he applied again and noted trauma from seeing his friend injured under a 2 1/2T and also from having his hometown best friend, who my cousin talked into entering the military with him, die after his truck went over a bridge. He received 10%. A NOD has since been filed. I found the psychologist's 2006 diagnosis after the NOD. Can anything be done about oversight of the 2006 diagnosis of PTSD and severe mental depression at this late date?

Thanks to everyone who responded. I chose to appeal the onset date and am now waiting for an answer. While researching my case, I just happened to look at my Social Security account online and found that my SSDI was approved. I will receive my first check November 12th, 2014, which will come in handy to help my disabled sister until she receives hers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the retro though. Thanks again!

Barbamatt, are you saying that the onset date is sometimes just an arbitrary date that they select? I haven't worked in over 4 years with hardly any changes to my health. Jbasser, I received 100% VA disability effective October, 2010. How would it help to get an earlier date? Thanks to both of you for responding.

Yesterday, I received a letter from Social Security. Topic: Supplemental Security Income Notice. It states, "We have found that you meet the medical requirements for disability benefits. An explanation of our finding is attached.....We have not yet mad a decision about whether you meet the non-medical requirements...." While overjoyed that my case has come this far and so fast, the part that I'm concerned about is the onset date. My application states that I stopped working March 3rd, 2010, which would be my alleged onset date. I received 100% total and permanent disability from VA in October, 2010. Conditions listed on the Social Security Administration Explanation of Determination are: Anxiety Depression Memory loss Ankles problems Diabetes Intervertebral disc syndrome Paralysis of the sciatic nerve Pes planus Plantar fasciitis Urinary incontinence It then reads, "While you may have experienced symptoms related to these as early as 03/04/10, you did not meet the SSA disability requirements at that time. Based on the evidence in your file, the earliest date that you met the requirements for disability was 04/04/14. Prior to that time, the limitation by condition would not have prevented you from returning to doing all types of work. Therefore we have established an onset date for your disability as of 04/04/14." From 03/03/10 until present, my condition hasn't changed except for being down graded from 50% to 30% for depression in 2010, prior to receiving 100% from VA in Oct, 2010. I know that if I appeal, my case can be reviewed and I could be denied SSDI. Does anyone have any idea why my onset date would be 04/04/2014? The only thing significant about that date for me is that it's birthday. So far, I haven't used a lawyer. Should I be concerned that the subject of the notice reads, "Supplemental Security Income", instead of, "Supplemental Security Disability Income"? Thanks for your help.

Thank-you for the information Berta.

My husband was diagnosed with Stage 1b lung cancer last week after resection of his left upper lobe. He spent one month in Vietnam sometime in the mid 1960's, but returned to the states early due to a family emergency. His DD 214 doesn't reflect the short amount of time he spent in Korea. Is my best course of action to request copies of his PCS orders to Vietnam from the NARA? From my research the only rating code I've found close to lung cancer is 6819 - neoplasms, malignant and 6820 - neoplasms, benign. According to CFR 38, veterans approved for benefits from the presumptive list of diseases for Agent Orange, receive benefits at the 100% rate for 6 months after surgery, etc. I'm having trouble finding a rating code that covers the residuals of lung cancer so that I can estimae what his rating will be. Will it count against him that he was an habitual smoker until about 8 years ago? Also, is there a recent Fast Track System list for Agent Orange presumptives that includes lung cancer? Since he's in no shape to make a VA visit, I'm looking for a way to establish his claim date as soon as possible. The only Fast Track System list that I could find doesn't list lung cancer. Please help. Thank-you

I forgot to add, PT also!

I thought this day would never come! I'm finally 100% scheduler! Paying off bills and taking care of my children!

Thanks

Good idea. Thanks Larry.

Thank-you Bergie.

The secondary problems that I have are left plantar fasciitis, bilateral knee problems and bilateral ankle problems. I've submitted a claim for left plantar fasciitis and the ankle problems. I haven't started a claim for the knee problems because I don't have an IMO yet. I've also got partial paralysis below the right knee and back problems that are already service connected.

I haven't had any surgery, just injections.

Thanks Larry. With an IMO how much weight will they give to the C&P exam if they conflict?

I've read through the post here on "Hadit" and haven't come across anyone else with this question. I'm service connected for partial parlysis below the right knee (20%), but I've also got numbness above the right knee in part of my thigh, hip, and groin area which occured at the same time due to a prolapsed disc. Is there a rating code that covers this part of the body? Thanks

I went to a C&P for plantar fasciitis for an increase January 23rd 2010. I'm presently at 10%. This morning I got a copy of the C&P report from VA. There are several items in the report that I disagree with such as: 1. "There are no calluses or edema." I showed the examiner a callus during the exam. 2. "Stability and strength are normal." I've got partial paralysis below the right knee with no feeling in half of my foot. 3. "She uses no corrective inserts...." I told the examiner that I don't use inserts because they don't help with the pain. 4. "The arch is normal". There is a statement in my SMR that says that my right foot was almost flat with only a small arch remaining. My podiatrist at VA annotated that in my records that I have flat feet. My question is: Is there anything I can do to correct this before I receive the results from the C&P? I know that I can appeal this after I received the results, but is there anything I can do prior? I had to quit my job a month ago due to service connected disabilities and have put in a claim for unemployability which could take a long time. Please help.