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Jay Johnson
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Posts posted by Jay Johnson
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Jay
I understand your frustration, I guess that we have had good results. I would say that part of it is due to the fact that we filed the complaint in person, so we were real people and not just pieces of paper with names on them and we call at least once every 2 weeks and email once a week.
Not to be a pest, but just to remind them who the constuents are!
Well, with all those people in power it's really about getting the right person to be on your side at the right time. I know I was a little hard on the senator and I don't doubt she has good intentions, but the "this must mean your wife is better" reasoning from the RO really got to me and I truly expected the senator's office to be real upset about it...essentially, the RO was punishing my wife for trying to get help and murray's office should have jumped all over that.
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How about a plan that actually guarantees affordable drugs and health care for our senior citizens and not another bureaucracy that just buries our elderly in paper work, quite literally, to death.
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I got a study via regualr mail a few months ago about VA effectiveness and such.....as test said, as long as they're not asking for personal information I wouldn't be afriad to participate (though you may want to ask if you can do a paper study rather then a phone one if possible).
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Little more on murray:
As I said before, murray's office did little more then forward the information I gave them... they did NO investigation of their own and could care less about my wife. At one point, when the RO first tried to reduce my wife from 100% P&T with A&A to 70% TDIU, they used that fact that my wife "was able to communicate with senator murray's office, which shows improvement in her disability" as one of their major pieces of evidence....despite that being a highly illegal thing to use against my wife (we're talking letters here), murray's office did nothing more then forward my complaint and didn't even bother to call me. After 2 weeks I called them and they said, "There's nothing they can do...the VA says they are following the regulations and it is you (me) who does not understand them....the VA has broad discretion". Honestly, if I saw murray I would spit on her and tell her to rot in hell, but I'm sure others have had a better time with her people.
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your logic makes no sense, Murray is one of this nations best vet advocates, her father was a disbled vet, she grew up in a home with him in a wheelchair. She led the fight to replace the 2 billion this year. A US Senator has nothing to do with state benefits for veterans, she makes federal laws not states, you need to talk to the people in Olympia about those laws. Vote against a person who has shown she votes for vets, look at her record, replace her with someone you don't know and you might end up with another John Thune he says he supports vets then votes against the extra 2 billion VA needed.
Though she may not directly participate in state legislation, her position in the US senate should be more then enough to improve washington's dismall VA benefits. Perhaps I caught them on a bad day, but I made several pleas to her office at the local level (vancouver), state level and national level (in washington).....I didn't even get a response from anyone but the local level and that person was nothing more then a patsy for the VA.
My wife's case is very cut and dry....the VA is clearly breaking regulations in their decision (I mean no doubt about it). If murray's office can't help a vet on such a simple and direct case how is she going to help the majority of veterans who have complicated issues about interpretive medical problems?
P.S. - VA financing is at record levels and it has little to do with murray or the VA commitee in the senate...I haven't seen any of the compassion and caring she claims to have because of her life experience <shrug>.
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Murray's office was useless for me. I sent murray the problems the VA was having with my claim, they then forward it to the RO representative that deals with their claims and, of course, the VA person says they're doing nothing wrong, so I get a call back from murray's office saying "well, they say they're doing the right things...there's nothing we can do". Truely useless IMO and she won't be getting my vote next time around.
I've got a complaint in to the local house person for the vancouver area at the moment...I don't have my hopes up though.
P.S. - How good can murray be, given she sits on the vets board in the senate, yet washington is among the least vet friendly states in the country? I think she's a dismal failure.....I'll vote republican before I vote for her again.
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Here's a link to a new drug I saw on the news last night Propranolol . It doesn't appear to be a drug that will help those with existing PTSD issues, but may help troops in the field who are having a hard time coping with an event or situation that could lead to PTSD in the future. It's far from a guarantee, but it does seem promising and may be perfect for military field studies to help those guys and gals before they get home and it's too late.
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The key for being declared permanent and total is to get a letter from a private physician that your disability is permanent in nature and not likely to improve during your lifetime. They hate to give these letters, since most doctors believe that, if given enough time and patience, they can cure anything short of an amputation.
Alex
Wll, ya can't blame them really....admitting that you can't make a patient better is like admitting that you can't succeed at your job. Has a lot to do with pride IMO.
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Agreed, the fact that you realize you're at a "low" point says a lot about your recovery......I have found a nap really helps my wife regain some perspective when she's low, but the nap is usually preceded by an ativan (or extra clonazepam/klonopin or serequel).
This is a tough time of year and you shouldn't beat yourself up over needing some meds to get through it.....Actually, I would be proud that you're able to see where you're at and deal with it in a rational manor.
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Yes, I agree Josh most Doc's i have seen just treat the diagnosis and disregard the human beneath it all, They take the money and run. I have never felt better when doing an occasional MJ hit, trouble in States is they seem to want to Doctor up the grass with "extras" like pcp. Not good for you. :)
My Liver Doc says its liver toxic, otherwise Id be a chimney here. I wish you the best
Arch
Everything is a liver toxin, so don't let your doc scare you. Coffee hurts your liver as bad as marijuana does and regular pain killers like tylenol are just as bad as well. This isn't to say MJ is good for you and I don't recommend it, but, if you're scared of the side effects (including liver disease) it is no more harmful then any other prescription your doctor could give you (in most cases it's safer).
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Pete,
This is a really tough time of year for people with psychiatric problems. If you feel you may be a danger to yourself or someone else ask a family member or friend to stop by and keep you company, or, perhaps, check yourself in to a hospital in order to get your meds stabilized (also could help your present case with the VA).
My wife always has a hard time during this time of year and almost always end up in a hospital, but with meds and my help I'm hoping this year will be different. Just know that all of our thoughts are with you and that we are always here if you just want to say hi or vent about your life in general (if it's too personal then send PMs).
As pete53 said, hurting yourself just lets them win without a fight and I have yet to meet a veteran that would rather not fight...you're better then that.
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In lawyer speak, "you probably won't win" = You may win, but I won't make enough money and it will take up to much of my time:-) You have to put lawyer speak in context sometimes:-)
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Few things:
1) find out who treated him for the fruit incident and contact them for first hand accounts of the story and try to track down those records...my guess would be that the people treating him would easily recall such an odd story and accounts from the people that treated him are as good as medical records.
2) Get him to a civilian doctor ASAP and have that doctor give a thorough evaluation of ALL of the disorders you are applying for. The VA docs are trained to only give as much info as they absolutely have to based on the medical evidence...don't expect a VA doc to assume anything. A civilian doctor may be more willing to investigate the symptoms on his behalf.
3) You will need to formerly request TDIU...the VA can grant it without a request, but it would be more likely that they wouldn't. I don't have the exact form number on hand, but the people ehre at hadit know it by heart:-)
Basically, expect to do their work for them...they will not rate in your favor based on insufficient evidence (quite the opposite in fact). Make copies of every medical piece of evidence you can find and every account from every person you can contact and present a well rounded full-proof case that they cannot deny. Even highlite the parts of the evidence that favor him most, as the raters are notorius for skimming evidence. In other words, present his case to them as if they were 6 yr olds with attention deficit disorder:-)
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Don't let the fact that most americans are to ignorant and stubborn to legalize marijuana stop you from seeking relief (if only for medicinal use) . Actually, when you compare MJ to other pain medications you find it is FAR superior, in that it is much better for you.....would you rather swallow a pill that is made with horrible man-made chemicals in a lab or take an all natural pain killer created by god (or evolution...don't want to leave anyone out:-). If someone has the balls to question your right, as a severely disabled veteran, to seek relief then send them my way and I'll deal with them properly:-)
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Well, it really depends on where you're at and what access to medications you have. VA has different ways of dealing with vets in different areas and customs can be an issue in certain parts of the world.
Only thing I could suggest outside of normal receptor blocker type pain killers is, depending on if it's legal in the country you're in, marijuana. It can work wonders for pain and can help with your appetite if you're having issues maintaining weight.
There may also be surgeries to help minimize some of the pain you are experiencing, but, again, it depends on where you are and what services are available.
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you may think it's "nonsense", but what i told you is the truth !!!
Didn't say it wasn't the truth and that you were incorrect...I was merely making a general statement against the VA. Sorry if I didn't make myself more clear:-(
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a GAF is a floating number that only a psycho doc, is qualified to give !!! it can vary day to day, depending on how you are presenting yourself !!! getting a low GAF, say a 35 is no guarantee that t will correspond to a high percentage, as the doc's narrative that goes with the GAF, is just as important, and maybe even more important, so if you have a low GAF, then the narrative from the doc also has to exoress, his concern for your mental health, if not , you will probably get somewhere around a 50% !!!
Which is complete nonsense.....The VA people cry all the time over having a "standard" by which to evaluate PTSD, but, despite the GAF being the recognized standard for measuring mental health throughout the world, the VA refuses to use it as it was intended. Also, the argument that one's GAF can fluctuate is equally nonsense, as the VA is supposed to find a veteran's lowest point and determaine how often they reach that "low point".
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I have another question...or two:
Can you have major depressive disorder and alcoholism without having PTSD? I have done research on PTSD and have discovered I have a lot of the syptoms of PTSD. How can that be? VA says that I didn't have any experiences that could possibly trigger PTSD. Instead they focus on my drinking entirely.
Sorry, but I do get frustrated with VA sometimes.
Liz
There is a whole list of psychiatric disorders which are seperately rateable from PTSD...the trick is getting them service connected. The same goes for alcoholism....both are easier to connect with a PTSD like stressor, but not impossible to do without. I guess examples could be physical injuries which cause major depression that lead to alcoholism. I believe this is somewhat common among physcially disabled veterans, but you'll need solid evidence showing that there are no other stressors that are not the result of your injuries (IE - if a spouse/child dies and it cause you to depressed and drink then you're going to have a real hard time getting SC, but if a spouse leaves you because of a physical disability, or the problems therein, and this leads to depression, then you have a solid case for SC).
Either way, it's almost always in your best interest to pursue a claim... the worst they can say is no (well P&T cases have other things to weigh against potential claims).
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I've heard you can service connect alcoholism, but it's no slam dunk by any means. The depression thing is basically pointless, as it is assumed that depression is already a side effect of PTSD. Also, there really isn't any circumstance (I can think of) that would cause you to not to get DiC if you happened to die from "depression"...the drugs that regulate depression are the same as PTSD and suicide would also be covered under PTSD. Basically, reopening your claim for depression would have no benefit and you could, potentially, have your rating lowered (not worth it IMO).
The alcohol thing may be worth it (your call), as there could be liver issues down the road that could cause your family to lose DiC. But, if family isn't an issue (no spouse, kids, etc), it really wouldn't benefit you to reopen a P&T 100% claim.
GL
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Frosty - I hope you are more than 10% now.
Personally, I don't there is such a thing as
10% PTSD. Just my opinion.
Actually, I believe I read a reg somewhere that said you could not rate a vet for PTSD less then 50% within the first 6 mnths of being released from the military........sounds crazy, but I know I read it somewhere:-)
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Well, considering the recent horrible rate of inflation in the housing market, a large COLA increase is needed, as most vets have had a sharp decline in standard of living over the last 4 years or so.
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Yes, I would also fight for the backpay....it was late last night and I didn't get to every point:-)
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Gratz on your victory sharock...few points:
1) 100% is equal to or better then TDIU.....it's the same pay rate regardless.
2) You seem to be permanent and total which means they will not reevaluate your claim...in other words, you're done with the VA. Truly great news.
3) You will not get any more money for your other injuries ("shrapnal") unless you can get that rating to 60% which can qualify you for a small amount of special monthly compensation (about $300 more a month). You should still follow up on this claim, and any other service connected problem, if for no other reason then DiC incase, god forbid, you die of a disorder other then your PTSD...in other words, if a different war injury causes your death and that injury isn't rated by the VA your family may not get any benefits.
Basically, be happy:-) You got as much as you could with your claim and keep fighting on the physical stuff, but don't stress about it as it probably won't result in any extra money.
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It depends on the conditions. You may qualify for housebound under the 100% + 60% rule, but they need to be singular ratings (IE - 1 condition is 100% and one is 60% ....they can't be a combination of disabilities). You can also apply for special monthly compensation (SMC) if you feel you require aid and attendance or have other special needs.
Not really much more I can tell you without more information.
1 Week Post-award
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
It appears he already got P&T as he said he had chapter 35 benefits. As far as the SMC is concerned - Why exactly are you seeking SMC? The criteria for SMC is quite strict and it doesn't sound, with the evidence you provided, that you qualify for SMC at this time. The severity of a single disorder has nothing to do with SMC...you are either housebound because of your disorder (which doesn't seem to be the case) or you are in need of regular aid and/or assistance as a result of your disability. Unless there's something you're not providing, I don't see SMC in your future:-(
P.S. - I'm not 100% sure, but SMC for migranes sounds like a bit of a stretch...what exactly do you require aid and attendance for?