paulstrgn

For me I need this site to help me vent at times...I can talk about things that I am not able to with my spouse. I know the vets here can understand what I am going through. Hadit is good for more than just information...it allows us to vent.

I find from reading these post that most vets are looking for help with their claim and also wanting to vent/complain. It is much easier to vent/complain here to people you really don't know and probably will never see than it is to someone you know or are doing business with. I find myself often complaining/venting about something I know is being done correctly but it is a slow process. I have found myself venting to the 800 number many times (I always tell them it's not them...its the process that I am pissed about). I guess for me this site is a great place for finding information out and also venting about the VA while not wanting to offend anyone...I just need to let off steam is all. JMO This site is great for information and I am glad I stumbled across it!

Unfortunately I am not a candidate, I have been to many doctors and they all say no. My curve is currently 51*. At this time no, but perhaps in the future maybe yes. Thank you for the info.

Did you know A Veteran may be eligible for Beneficiary travel services if the following criteria are met: (this information located at https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vtp/beneficiary_travel.asp) you have a service-connected (SC) rating of 30 percent or more, or you are traveling for treatment of a SC condition, or you receive a VA pension, or your income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension rate, or your income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension rate, or you are traveling for a scheduled compensation or pension YOU QUALIFY FOR SPECIAL MODE TRANSPORTATION (Ambulance, Wheelchair Van etc.) IF: you meet one of the eligibility criteria in the left column, and your medical condition requires an ambulance or a specially equipped van as determined by a VA clinician, and the travel is pre-authorized (authorization is not required for emergencies if a delay would be hazardous to life or health) Just wanted to pass this on in case a veteran was not aware of this benefit.

Buck I agree. From what I have read dentists, it should be a sleep-dentist professional that makes the device. I have thought about trying it, I am not sure if my dental insurance will pay for it or not. I need to check into that.

They also make a mechanical device (mouth piece) that can be used in place of a CPAP machine. I am not sure how well it works but I have thought a bought trying it, I am one of those who struggles using the mask. The mouth piece is not cheap, I believe close to $1,000.

I think at times it is the VAs goal to try and reduce people. I am fighting a proposed reduction for my back getting better (scoliosis does not improve without surgery and I am not eligible for surgery) and supposedly my femoral nerves in both legs. I guess the VA forgot to tell my body I have gotten better for it sure hurts most of the time!!! I am so tired of it always hurting too...it is hard to have any quality of life. Always add to your disabilities even when you are 100% for you will never know when the VA will get a wild hair up their ass. JMO

WOW...what BS by the VA. That is total unacceptable, someone should be fired for that!!!

Whenever you can upload your supporting documents through eBenefits it is best. It's faster and as Shrek states it's hard for them to say they never saw it.

If I can ask a dumb question...is 100% P&T the same as 100% Scheduler? Sorry I just see both terms is all.

I am of the school of thought...Trust but Verify!! Lets face every agency, organizations have those sub-standard employees, where most do try and do the right thing there are those who spend 15 minutes working and the rest of the time visiting. We have those where I work as a federal employee, it is a shame but it is reality. So I say don't take a chance, make sure upon your death that your spouse knows about DIC, has all your passwords, and knows how to file and keep fighting in case they decide to deny. Mistakes happen, I just don't want it when it comes to my spouse receiving DIC! JMO

Buck okay was not sure. It does not sound like it is worth it for your spouse for what they seem to pay for.

If and when I get to 100% P&T I will keep adding to my claim. Most everything I have is secondary to my back. I have a SA and hypertension claim pending with the BVA (in my opinion it should be approved but we will see). If my hypertension is approved (even at 0%) that will be fine, I have the feeling I will go from a stroke or heart attack and those I will be able to link to hypertension. I want my wife to be able to get DIC when I go so I will keep adding on until I either have 100% P&T 10 years or or one of the other issues I have. After all I don't think I am going to die from my back or nerve issues! I believe you should always add to you VA disabilities, plus who knows you might get an SMC from it. JMO

@Buck52 cavities and crowns are not cosmetic. Cavities should be paid at a lot higher of a rated, crowns usually only are paid at 50%. Are you seeing a dentist in network or out of network? Below is from the MetLife website and it shows it should pay more that they are. I hope this helps. Plan Benefits _ MetLife VADIP.pdf

This is excellent advice vetquest, for many raters seem to look over the obvious evidence. If they just truly looked at the evidence submitted there would be a lot less appeals. JMO

You can also file online for an increase as well as new disabilities. During the online process you also have the option of uploading all your support documents (if you have an electronic copy). This way the claim effective date would be today. It is just another option besides mailing it in. Good luck with our claim!

They do keep you hoping. I have a 6 and 10 and they are always full of questions and have energy to burn...to be young again!

I have Tricare and when I turn 65 I must change to Tricare for Life (only me since the rest of my family is under 65). I was told by Tricare that this is not an option for me. I have to sign up for Medicare part B (I am not positive on part A). Is what happens is Medicare becomes my primary and Tricare becomes my secondary.

Good luck...you will get over the hump soon!

Parents always pay your child support, if you cannot pay it all for reasons beyond your control then get it reduced. Work something out with the payments. But remember the child support is for YOUR child not your ex, please support your child! I hope this does not offend anyone it;s JMO!

I will never understand why a parent (man or woman) will not pay child support. It is their child and no matter what the parents problem is (why they divorced) it is certainly not the child's! I am a divorced parent and paid child support until my two kids were grown (that is me though). I agree with Broncovet about trying to work out a payment plan with you ex-husband, after all he will never agree to give it all to you at once. Make the payment reasonable on both parts, it is better to get some of the back pay each month instead of nothing at all. Hopefully you will be able to work something out.

Look at it this way, a differ is better than a denial. It is like brokensoldier244t they just need a C&P.

I had my C&P with VES today, the doctor was flown in from Tennessee to Virginia to do this and other exams this weekend. She seemed nice and listed to everything I said and also looked at all the documents I brought (MRI, X-Ray, Driving restriction letter from pain management, list of medications, and the medical letters from last year putting me on sick leave for more than 9 weeks). I told her that this exam was because the doctor I saw last December said my back was getting betting and my nerve issues had gone away. She looked at me like I was crazy, and said nothing has gotten better. She wanted me to do leg lifts to check my femoral nerves but had me stopped as soon as I started, she said I can see you are already in pain. She also made the comment that she has to dummy down the words she uses because the raters don't understand them. She was very perturbed about that. Now I just hope she writes it up correctly and I see an increase in my back and legs. My fingers are crossed needless to say.

@THusar I agree go tot the emergency room, I would also call your doctor and tell him what the x-ray says. They can work you in! Do not wait! I would also contact the White House VA Hotline at 855-948-2311, I would also contact your Senator and Congressman office and let them know what you found. I would also contact your VA Regional Office and let them know. Contact the contractor who performed the x-ray (QTC, LHI, VES) I am assuming it was one of these companies. I would ask them why they did not contact you about these findings.

I actually had two separate claims completed around the same time. One was a HLR and the other was a reconsideration. My FOIA request seem to only affect the BVA which I have no idea why it would.