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abnrgr88
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back increase after major surgery
abnrgr88 posted a question in Eligibility - Veterans Compensation Benefit Claims
Hello all, i became 100% IU with a 90% overall with the knowledge and advice from the brothers and sisters on this site. Thank you. I was given a 20% upgrade from 10% a year ago. Since then i had a major 13 level spinal fusion which has pretty much kicked my arse so to speak. My goal, 100% P&T. I am looking for advice on direction? Not crazy about VSO's. Bad experience. to say the least. its been almost 11 months since surgery. This is general info i know. i have particulars and a paper trail from here to China and back. anyone? -
I had a back increase for degenerative disc disease from 10% to 20% 1 year ago. Since that time my back was correctly diagnosed by a private outside the VA Surgeon and underwent 13 level spinal fusion with 26 screws and 2 cobalt chrome rods. Surgery was 8 1/2 months ago. This surgery is definitely an increase to an existing 20 % rating. I have pain in the scar and back is painful and not healing well. PT has been slow with numerous cancellations. Now both hips are in pain and being addressed through outside pain management friday. this is all documented at the VA through the choice program. this is alot and i am looking for suggestions on my next step? I am currently 90% overall and 100% IU. Thank you again! RLTW.
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Hello friends, Has anyone had any experience with filing under the new 30 day claim option? Was it helpful? Will they be as fair as if it were the regular 30 day filing period! Thanks!
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Hello friends! Quick question.....I am 90% overall and TDIU 100% with an appointment scheduled at the 1 year mark. Recently i have heard (through a VSO) that my wife and child are eligible for health care. Is this so??? thanks!
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awarded TDIU, 90% overall. seeking P&T
abnrgr88 replied to abnrgr88's question in TDIU Unemployability Claims
Trapperx6, i have no idea. i am not as well versed as most on this site. try Gastone, berta, broncovet... -
federal college loan forgiveness due to TDIU
abnrgr88 replied to abnrgr88's topic in Veterans Benefits State & Federal
Thanks once again Broncovet! My wife and I got everything all together today and sent off. Gave them extra. always worked for me as a contractor with a customer, seems to have worked thus far with regional. RLTW! -
federal college loan forgiveness due to TDIU
abnrgr88 posted a topic in Veterans Benefits State & Federal
Good morning, I am at TDIU 100% and have been sent an application to have 40,000$ in college student loans forgiven due to IU. The instructions state due to P&T as well as IU. Does anyone have any experience, info on successful application?? Thanks RLTW! -
awarded TDIU, 90% overall. seeking P&T
abnrgr88 replied to abnrgr88's question in TDIU Unemployability Claims
Gentleman i want to thank you for all of your experience and help. My wife and i have been carrying the whole load of forms, docs, personal letters, leg work, etc.....well i should say she has! Ranger wife, need i say more! lol.Looks like we need to change direction from what azimuth we were given by VSO. Hope to be in touch with You all soon. Thanks again. RLTW -
I was awarded 100% TDIU in June 2017. since then, unrelated to that claim, i had a 13 level spinal fusion. back already is rated 20% (compressed vert. arthritis). The DAV rep i was given has told me not to file for an increase. Be happy with what i have gotten. Said i am being paid for 100%, dont rock the boat so to speak. Surgery was 4 months ago and i have been in P.T. for 2 months. I believe i am in line for an increase. i now have a 19 inch scar up the center of my back. T2-L2. limited ROM and alot of PAIN. My goal, P&T. I lost health insurance for my family when i went out of work. This along with others not available with TDIU. Any suggestions? Thank you! RLTW
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Gastone, apologies getting back at ya so late. been recovering from 13 level spinal fusion. Morphine pills of two size dosages and water P.T. has me house bound, basically. Any how, i can use some advice, please. After last claim i ended up at 90% overall from 80%. also awarded TDIU. My 1st visit is October 2018 for flat feet. for which i already have a 30% rating. My goal is P & T 100%. The back surgery i just had 2 1/2 months ago was not yet considered or claimed in my last claim for increase. What was part was a 20% from a 10% for DDD. I went through the choice program for a private Neuro. 8 1/2 hrs surgery. scar about 21 inches up middle of my back. yes the scar is sore. From searching alot of other vets claims i have picked up alot. Obviously the total and order of merit is a huge grey area. My wife and i basically did my last two claims on our own. no DAV rep. previously had 20% taken back overall for a new claim after i had 3 surgeries on my knee. still have no idea how that happened but crooked ass doctor lied all over my C & P exam. Here is where i am at. I have been in contact with a DAV rep and he has given his advice. He says to finish out my P.T.(26) more visits at 2 to 3 a week. That would be another 3 plus months for a total of 6 months after surgery. He says at that point is when i can jump back into the claim for increase or reconsideration. That sucks! sure i have dental but i bleed like a siv because of eloquis thinners. what hurts is no health insurance for the wife and boy. we are using cobra off my last jobs insurance. costs wife 650.00 a month. havent added son on yet. $$ issues. all the benefits from TDIU over to P & T. This is alot i know. I could use some advice on some or all or none! i have sent this to you and not sure if others will see it. not savvy enough or patient at this point to figure it out! Thanks again for your help. RLTW Sua Sponte!
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Top of the morning, i just had 13 level fusion july 20, 2017 (Spinal). There are numerous factors in filing either a new claim or a rate for increase or reconsideration. i was recently granted 100% IU with no P&T. i have an appt. Oct 2018. My back rating was raised to 20% from 10%. The surgery i just had was new and after that rating. That rating was given in June 2017. This surgery was separate. New claim or increase? I start physical therapy tomorrow. 36 visits. Twice a week. I am not house bound, i guess? I do use a cane. My wife does help me around the home with my normal routine. This last claim i was given a 90% overall from 80%. This past claim i was given 50% new depression anxiety. Hit it off well with the Psychologist. I plan on a increase for that as well. Things have worsened emotionally. Big time. All that goes into that claim symptoms have increased. I know this is alot of info and i have jumped around in circles. Apologies. I am trying to keep my thoughts clear and orderly. I could really use and appreciate some direction. My ultimate goal is P&T. I lost my job as a building inspector for the city i live in. no, right now i cannot work. Some day i will. I know the $$ is the same, minus SMC, But my wife and child have no more insurance. that was lost when i lost my job.
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Gastone, Top of the morning. Update. I was granted IU without P&T. I have an appointment Oct 2018 for flat feel which has been rated 30% for 3 years now>>>not related at all! weird right! RO raised my back rating from 10% to 20%. Left knee from 0% to 10%. I was given 50% for Depression anxiety. This moved my overall rating from 80% to 90%. But now being paid at 100% IU. My big question or questions...Because i respect your advice, is this....since the completion of this last claim i have had 13 level spinal fusion completed by an outside Neurosurgeon. i am on my way today to physical therapy. (outside VA) (yes i am taking advantage of choice program!)#6 visits 3 times a week. I have about a 21 inch scar down my back and yes its painful. ROM limited. Should i file an increase from the 20% prior claim or file a new claim? Should i also file for SMC-S home bound? My wife is caring for me? Should i also increase my new 50% rating to a possible 70%? 100% means i can no longer work correct? My goal is P&T 100% so work as a building inspector is still a posibility in my future ? Thanks Gastone! Thanks to any and all for your advice as well. RLTW
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Gastone, Top of the morning. Update. I was granted IU without P&T. I have an appointment Oct 2018 for flat feel which has been rated 30% for 3 years now>>>not related at all! weird right! RO raised my back rating from 10% to 20%. Left knee from 0% to 10%. I was given 50% for Depression anxiety. This moved my overall rating from 80% to 90%. But now being paid at 100% IU. My big question or questions...Because i respect your advice, is this....since the completion of this last claim i have had 13 level spinal fusion completed by an outside Neurosurgeon. i am on my way today to physical therapy. (outside VA) (yes i am taking advantage of choice program!)#6 visits 3 times a week. I have about a 21 inch scar down my back and yes its painful. ROM limited. Should i file an increase from the 20% prior claim or file a new claim? Should i also file for SMC-S home bound? My wife is caring for me? Should i also increase my new 50% rating to a possible 70%? 100% means i can no longer work correct? My goal is P&T 100% so work as a building inspector is still a posibility in my future ? Thanks Gastone! Thanks to any and all for your advice as well. RLTW
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I am 100% IU and 90% over all. Starting a new post as per Broncovet's recommendation. (1) First, my back rating just went up from 10% to 20%. This was due to thoracolumbar spine degeneration, disc bulging, partial compression fractures T4, 5,and 8. CFR 4.40, 4.45 and 4.59. This was just given June 1st 2017. I am now scheduled for T2 to L2 titanium boron rod fusion next week July 20th 2017. Kyphosis range 50 to 70 degrees. My question, what is available and how do i file for SMC....L,S...? (2) Second, from multiple previous arthroscopic surgeries on my knee I was given a 0% rating for scar. Is this a reconsideration claim of its own> Or to include when submitting separate claim for back surgery? (3) Third, I am now rated 50% for depression/anxiety and don't see this improving only worsening. Severe panic attacks including chest pain & shortness of breath have substantially worsened since claim and happen almost daily to the point of "do I go to ER or not" with no cardiac or lung issues found. Passed stress test last week, was told heart & lungs are healthy. I have been trying to control as best as possible but once a panic attack sets in it is rough. This is a newer thing for me, never dealt with this in my life. Been through a ton of stress over the past year due to VA claim problems, how to take care of my wife & son, frustrating job loss from service connected disabilities & 2 failed knee surgeries through VA had to be corrected a third time by non-VA ortho. Very concerned about panic attacks post back surgery, lying in hospital bed with 12+ inch incision and stitches. P.S. This is not my primary issue, just a side note. Not sure what or how to further address damage (minor crack) VA chiropractor caused to my back during a regular adjustment where he was too forceful - documented by VA radiology & primary doctor, submitted to VA regional. To clarify, back rating increase from 10 to 20% was for service connected back issues, this was not mentioned in their response. Basically no one is being held accountable for this. Has anyone experienced something similar? Does anyone have any advice on the first three? I trust this site through your experiences. It has contributed to my claim being where it is now, meaning 100% TDIU and 90% schedular. Sua sponte RLTW
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