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GnySkinner
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Posts posted by GnySkinner
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Thanks, that worked
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Why can't I find this list? I have searched and every link is invalid. Don't they want us to know? I need a current active list for the Marine Corp. I'm 99.9% positive my MOS is on the Highly Probable list but I would like to have a print out to take with me to my C&P.
Thanks
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3 minutes ago, EODCMC said:
He will be able to see the evidence when the VA posts it. They do have a special log in...trust me. If I were you, I would hold tight until the VA gathers your records. You will see them request it on E- benefits. There will be a deadline. In the meantime, you could research other VSOs in case you feel you need to make a change. Don't panic, adapt and overcome.
I log on to Ebenfits about once a week to check if the status has changed. The girl from QTC who is scheduling my C&Ps said the VA sent them 580 pages. They sent me 193 on the first disc and now are sending another 60 some on the second disc. From that alone I don't trust the VA. Since the VA sent 580 pages to QTC, wouldn't that mean that they already have all my records, I mean, they sent them to QTC. My status on ebenfits is "evidence gathering".
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2 minutes ago, EODCMC said:
Gunny, your dellema is that you don't have your "STRs". The VA will get this information rather quickly and won't act on your claim until they do.
Regrettably, it usually takes nearly a year for the VA to send the C file to you. If you haven't sent your FOIA request, I suggest you do it now. Your VSO should do this for you.
Therefore, you are pretty much in the dark when gauging the strength of your claim unless you have a very considerate VSO and will brief you. They can see this info, usually. However, they cannot give it to you in any form except verbally.
Hang in there Marine! From what you have told us, you are in pretty good shape. Just a little catching up to do and a bit of a waiting game.
I did file for my complete C-File. First back in January and again in April. I received a CD 2 weeks ago but it wasn't complete. I called the number on the letter and they said they would send it to a supervisor. I called again last Thursday and the extremely helpful guy who answered the phone (and I do really mean that) told me an additional 60 some pages were sent to me on 5/22 with my STRs, stuff dated from 1979 to 2000. I don't have that yet but it should be here by Tuesday.
My VSO said he couldn't see any of my active duty medical stuff nor my initial claims from 1999. I had already filed for copies of everything before I even met with him the first time.
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So what do you recommend? Should I just go it alone, using this forum as my help line? I don't even know what the FL VSO is doing for me. I thought he got copies of everything I did and would be telling me the next step but he said he doesn't get the notifications. I also assumed he could see everything available on line, stuff I couldn't see, because he had some special log on. I do know he couldn't see my STR, I still don't have those either.
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1 hour ago, broncovet said:
This is why many of us dont trust VSO's, and trust VA employees even less. Why would they say something like that? Did they tell their boss:
I actually called my local VSO (in WI) to see if I could change. I'm getting mixed information from the VSO's on that. I filed in FL with my VSO there and am now in WI in a campground, I'm a snowbird. I'll be moving in to a house in a different county in a couple of months. I have been told 1) I have to stay with the current VSO and 2) I can switch but it has to be in the county I live. Unfortunately the campground and the house I will be moving to are in different counties.
When I first met with my FL VSO he told me to make a list of all my current conditions. I ordered my VA health records, created a 3ring binder and made copies of everything, each time I went to the Dr. for each condition. Each tab contains all the medical information, medications, dates I was diagnosed, tests performed, progress notes, literally everything I have on every condition.
When I went back for my second visit he looked at the list, not the stuff in the binder, and said we should file for this and not that because these will be easier and these will be harder. He told me I read too much and doing the research is his job. Believe me that didn't sit well with me because I always research everything, even if I just want to buy a new flashlight.
The problem as he saw it was that there wasn't a specific diagnosis for "pain". My knees, shoulders, elbows and back hurt all the time. I know it is from the training, jumping off LAVs, going on 25 mile humps carrying up to 70 lbs or more, laying in a hidden location without moving for over 24 hours, and more, over 20 years of bodily abuse. I know my shoulder is from an incident in. Like a good recruit I kept my mouth shut for fear of being held back in training. Absolutely no way I was going to sick call in boot camp, and now I'm paying the price for it. It is well documented over the many years since my retirement, but not during my time in service. But "pain" isn't a diagnosis. He said since I was SC for back then we should apply for that but not the other pains.
Now I've read about a special review retirees can ask for called Gulf War Syndrome. It is for undiagnosed pain and lists lots of what I am feeling. I didn't know if I should request that or not. I'll do some searching here in the hadit forum and see what people think about that.
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On 5/25/2018 at 2:41 PM, broncovet said:
Maybe someone else can chime in here, but I think its about "combat zone". Even if you were in infantry, and trained in combat, but you were stationed in Kansas, you probably are not a combat Vet.
On the other hand, if you were a medic, but sent to Vietnam, during the Vietnam war, you are a combat Vet. Its less about your MOS, and more about your duty station. I dont think "training for war" means you are a combat Vet, if never deployed.
Example:
VA defines what it calls "periods of war". If you served during a period of war, then you become eligbile for NSC pension. No war time service, no NSC pension.
One other clarification. I did 6 tours overseas. I am a Gulf War veteran and my service records show this. 2 of my 6 month deployments were in the Gulf War zone. The ships I was on were never fired upon and I never fired my weapon during combat. I don't have any combat service medal. I have the armed service expedition medal for being in theater.
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13 hours ago, Buck52 said:
We never had it in our mind thought to to go get medical help if it was not life threatening and filing a claim was the least on my mind back then.
so if a Veteran can't find his medical records or had an injury in the military combat or non combat he can describe the event and location and close to the dates it happen and the VA can some how check it out ...and this will help establish Service Connection.
I still haven't received my C-File but I think when I do it will be next to nothing. I never went because I didn't want to be labeled a sick bay commando. Heck, I was the one calling others names for going to sick bay instead of sucking it up. I used to joke around and say I probably wouldn't be able to walk by the time I turned 50 with all that I put my body through, well, I wasn't far off.
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14 hours ago, broncovet said:
If the VA thinks you are exaggerating your symptoms, they label you a "malingerer".
My advice is to "not" try to get VA to recognize "combat service" for boot camp or training even tho I agree that boot camp and training are massively stressful. If you check "combat training" and you didnt go to a combat zone, the VA "may" conclude you are exaggerating your symptoms.
If you were injured in an "exercise" to simulate combat, it would be okay to check that box if you made sure you specified this was a training exercise only..not actual combat.
My son, who "Is" a combat Vet, gets irritated at people who want benefits for combat without actually doing it. He isnt alone.
I make sure I specify VIETNAM "ERA" Vet, not a Vietnam combat Vet in my stuff. I got benefits just the same, in fact, I was awarded at the BVA because they thought my testimony was credible, as I have gone out of my way to make sure I never exaggerated symptoms. Think about it.
Broncovet, I think I didn't make my comments clear. I don't consider myself a combat vet for training in boot camp. Although I was a drill instructor at both Parris Island and San Diego (not by choice), I am a Gulf War veteran. I was not in active combat but I was in theater. My question was simply because I didn't know which box to check since it is at the top of the form and not specific to each issue. Like, what does "Combat Activity Y/N" have to do with kidney stones? Nothing as far as I know, but it is in the Military Service Information section of the form I have to fill out for my Kidney Stone condition. Why would that even be on that form? They aren't asking if the injury is related to combat and there is another question asking which war you served during.
It would certainly be clearer to me if the question was more like Combat Y/N Theater Y/N. But I read that simulated combat training, again not boot camp stuff, is evaluated the same as active combat. If you loose your hearing training for combat is it evaluated the same as if you loose it in combat? Honest question, I don't know the answer. And if it is something that combat doesn't matter then why are they asking me? Am I better off not to answer at all?
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13 hours ago, EODCMC said:
Gunny, thanks for the clarification. In this case, I would not check the "combat activity" box unless you actually served in theater. If they feel you did something in error, however well intention-ed, it can hold up your claim for months. This is something I have experienced. The claims that you list would probably not be aided by this anyway.
I'd like to weigh in on 3 of your claims that I have some experience with:
- "Reevaluate my back (current SC but at 0%)" : This should be looked at favorably providing your condition has worsened since your last P&T. If you are within a year of that decision, I would not "Reopen" the claim but ask for a reconsideration. It could benefit you where the effective date is concerned.
- "Hearing Loss" : Something so common can be the most difficult to service connect. If you have had or are having a hearing exam outside your C&P exam, ask the examiner to look at your service record audio-grams. You should show a "Auditory Threshold Shift" in the 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hertz range while on active duty and/or an incident where you have has inner or middle ear baratrauma. Ask them to point these things out in your test. VA Fast letter 10-35 lists military ratings, MOS and occupations and their hearing risk factors. This can aid you greatly if you were in any of the high risk fields. In my case the VA did not automatically research this. You need to point it out.
- "Tinnitus" : Aside from what I mentioned in "Hearing Loss", if you get rated for hearing loss they will probably allow you the Tinnitus assumption. If you don't get rated for hearing loss, you will need to reference the occurrence somewhere in your SMR (Service Medical Record). Hopefully, the occurrence began after your threshold shift.
I am no authority; my comments are based solely on my personal experience. I wish you luck (only because with the VA, you sometimes need it) but more importantly, I wish you good health. Thanks for your service!
More information....I was in theater in the Gulf War. I have looked up the qualifying dates and locations and I was there. I am considered a Gulf War veteran,. I was thinking that maybe I should ask for the specific Gulf war Syndrome review that I was reading about. I'll wait to see how my current claims come out first. My VSO told me not to put in for all my muscle and joint issues right now.
I had an exit physical in 1999 and nothing since then. I thought after you got out you weren't allowed to go back and be reevaluated. I just found out that I could this January so I called the DAV and they sent me to a VSO. He filed my claims. I have requested my entire C-file but as yet haven't received it. They sent me only the current stuff from 2018. I called and asked them to reopen my FOIA because I didn't get any of my STRs or claims from when I retired in 1999. According to them I should be getting the rest of it ASAP.
I don't understand how reconsidering the back issue will help and honestly, I don't know how my VSO filed, but since he already did I'm guessing it is what it is.
The VA did a hearing test but they didn't do the Maryland word test so I know it has to be redone. Plus they didn't have my service record audio-grams. I know that my MOS is on the list for high risk of hearing loss, my VSO looked that up. Hopefully I'll have my military service audio-grams before my C&P. I'll make a point to find them.
As for the Tinnitus, I know exactly when that started. We didn't use hearing protection when training because we couldn't hear commands and orders. We were told NOT to use hearing protection. I can't imagine why that wasn't even a part of my 1999 initial retirement claims. I don't even remember having anyone help me with all this 19 years ago. I probably just went through a quick physical and signed a few papers. Now I'm learning what I should have done back then.
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On 5/25/2018 at 5:21 PM, broncovet said:
Why do you ask about combat? The main reason it matters is that documentation of PTSD stressors is lessend with combat Vets. For the rest of things "being in combat" does not matter a lot.
Broncovet, Sorry it took so long to reply. for some reason I didn't get any notifications that my question was being answered. I have a C&P exam next week and the form that QTC is asking me to fill out in advance has a question on it, "Combat activity? Yes/No" This question is not in the claim specific portion of the form. The start of the form is titled MILITARY SERVICE INFORMATION. Then later on the form there are sections for each specific claim.
I have 8 active claims right now. I retired in 1999 and didn't know that I could and should have my disabilities reviewed periodically so this is the first time I have gone back to the VA to be checked. So I have put in claims for:
an increase to my migraines (current 10%)
Reevaluate my back (current SC but at 0%)
kidney stones
vertigo
tinnitus
hearing loss
gerd
mental health
I have C&Ps scheduled for all except the GERD. The QTC form for all of these is standard in the beginning, name, length of service, branch, served during (Gulf War in my case) and then the Combat activity Y/N question.
I think I am going to check YES based on the SIMULATED WAR information that Berta gave. Everything related to my head and body is due to my
simulated war" training.Gunny
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No combat medals
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Berta, unfortunately that document doesn't pertain to me. I retired in 1999 and it refers only to veterans who were discharged on or after 2003. I am considered a Gulf War veteran but I wasn't in active combat. I trained for combat pretty much the entire 20 years. There is a question on my form that I have to fill in to take to my C&P and it simply says "Combat activity?" Yes/No.
thanks
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I thought I read somewhere that the VA description of combat activity included "Preparing for combat" as well as actively in combat. I have looked for the legal VA definition and can't find it. Can anyone provide a link or past the legal definition in here for me?
Thanks
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mrmark1999
I'm going in to a C&P exam next week with this exact same issue. I retired in 1999 and didn't even know that I could claim something like this. I was seen at the Beaufort Navel hospital in 1985 for my first Kidney stone and have had several since then. My latest surgery was about 8 months ago.
Problem I have is that all of my military medical records are lost. At least that is what they are leading me to believe. I have requested them in writing and also called the Beaufort Navel Hospital to see if they had copies but no luck. I was told in writing on the letter that came this week scheduling my exam that I can't take any supporting documents to the C&P, all paperwork has to come from the VA.
Was it difficult to get this SC?
Thanks
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I received a letter with the date of my C&P exams. 3 in total. They are using an outside provider, QTC, not directly with the VA. The letter states that I can not take any documents with me. I am concerned because
1) the VA has lost all of my military health records. How is the Dr. supposed to state "It is as likely as not related to XYZ from time in service" if they can't see anything.
2) They haven't been able to provide me with any of my 1999 discharge information from all of my original claims.
3) I don't know how I am going to prove my service connection.
My first C&P is next Thursday. Is there any thing I can write up about my time in service and upload to the VA site with my claim that will help during the exams? And truthfully, I am not 100% sure that they have lost my records. I just know that when I requested my C-file they only sent me stuff from my current claim date of 2018 and the stuff from 2008 when I started going to the VA. I retired in 1999. I called and asked that my request for records be opened back up because that hadn't fulfilled it. They were RUDE and said they would write up a note and give it to a supervisor who would look in to it but they were pretty sure that since I had asked for the C-file what I got was everything they had. I'm also wondering why they would move my claim along in the process if they don't have my military medical records. That is another reason I think they may have them and just didn't send them to me.
thanks for your help
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On 4/12/2018 at 7:09 AM, broncovet said:
"Anxiety" is not a diagnosis, its a symptom of PTSD, depression and some others. Have you been diagnosed with depression or PTSD? I dont recommend you apply for benefits for "anxiety", but instead what your doctor has already diagnosed: Depression, Bipolar, etc. Or, apply for "general" mental disorders.
I dont suggest you do "self diagnosis" because your opinion wont matter, anyway, its what the doctor says.
Have you ordered your cfile and medical records? If not, you need to. Are you on antidepressant meds, such as Wellburtron, Zoloft, Atavan, etc?
PREVENT DENIALS and delays by making sure of what you apply for. Dont guess. Read what the doc says.
The Dr. I saw diagnosed me with "Adjustment disorder with mixed emotions r/o trauma-related stressor". My VSO told me and my wife to each write a letter telling why I have the condition, what are the symptoms, when it started, how it affects me socially and how it changed from the Marine Corp to now. The actual wording on the claim says "Mental Condition", not Anxiety. He has already filed the claim.
In my letter I added what may be considered 2 stressors. The first is being sent to the drill field a second time. I asked to go the first time but I was sent the second time. I did not want to go having been through it once already. Here is what I wrote:
I served the majority of my career in infantry related jobs which were physically and mentally demanding; I was always training for combat. I also served two tours as a Drill Instructor at both Parris Island and San Diego. The first tour I asked for, the second I didn't. Knowing how demanding that job was, again both physically and mentally, I did not want to do it again. But as always, I was not going to buck the system or question orders. I accepted what was dealt to me. Working 16-18 hours a day took it's toll on me, and more importantly my family relationships.
The second stressor also relates to the drill field. Here is what I wrote:
To this day I have dreams, or what I call nightmares, about the stress related to that job. It is always on my mind, wondering how many young men whom I trained have gone on to fight, been injured or died in combat. For some reason, one recruit in particular who died in the first Gulf War always sticks in my mind. I can still picture him as plain as day and remember his name.
I thought the c-file and medical records were the same thing. I have requested my medical records, back on January 2nd, but I don't think I will get them for quite some time. I have my military SRB. Is the c-file something my VSO will be getting? I first met with him in late January and he filed an intent to file and had me sign something allowing him to obtain information and represent me.
I'm not on any antidepressants. My VSO has already uploaded the claim, on 4/3/18. I can change my letters to state that I am applying for a service connected mental condition. Hopefully that will help and not put me in to a lengthy delay.
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2 hours ago, Buck52 said:
,if you were in combat and have the CIB on your DD 214 Then VA will consead your stressors, your lay statement on how this has affected your life ect,,ect,,,
Elder member and moderator broncovet can cover the 3 things you need to apply a first time claim for PTSD.
THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO APPLY FOR INCREASE OR ANY SECONDARY CONDITIONS THAT PTSD CAN BE RELATED TO SUCH AS SLEEP APNEA or loss of use of creative organ ect,,ect,,
Also check out the New pain compensation the VA just came out with for your Back condition.
I was never in combat. That is a big part of my constant feelings of guilt. I spent over 20 years in, trained hundreds of others, was in a leadership role and was never in a combat situation. I was sent all over the world and was always in a zone just prior to or just after a combat situation. I know others have the "why me" feelings of guilt related to surviving when friends they served with weren't as fortunate. I have the "why not me" feelings related to having never been sent. I trained my whole career for combat. I worked hard and was good at what I did. I took pride in learning and retaining knowledge. Now, in the civilian world, all of that gets me no where, truly. I don't know if this is labeled as PTSD or just general anxiety. I figured the professionals would put a label on it.
My VSO didn't think applying for the sleep apnea condition right now was a good idea. I have another meeting with him next Tuesday so I could ask again then. We did apply for tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo (I have a diagnosis of this and go for additional testing Monday), gerd (which I also have a diagnosis for), kidney stones (suffer from this all the time and this is definitely in my military medical records), migraines to be reevaluated and back to be reevaluated. (8 issues right now)
Where can I find the new pain compensation the VA just came out with for the back condition?
Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.
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I am submitting a claim for anxiety. My wife wrote a letter where she has included the following to show my military connection and timeline. I have been retired for 19 years (20yr Marine 0331) and have not submitted a claim for this prior to now. I am rated at 10% for migraines and service connected for back pain but rated at 0% for that. I do not have my military medical records although I requested them back on January 2nd. I know they will take a long time to get. I was seen by a clinical psychologist at the VA clinic and her diagnosis says "Adjustment disorder with mixed emotions r/o Trauma-related stressor". She is sending me to classes and recommended on-line options as well. Any suggestions?
My husband served 20 years in the Marine Corp where he was exposed to many conditions that he tries, unsuccessfully, to deal with to this day.
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He suffers from impaired short and long term memory. He retains only highly learned materials while forgetting to complete simple tasks. This started very early in his military career when he studied long hours for promotion boards. He was trained to memorize and recite.
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He is suspicious of everyone and everything. Again, this is due to his military training, be aware of your surroundings at all times and be prepared for the worst. He sees the world as a completely dangerous place.
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He is easy to anger and very irritable. In his military career he was trained to do things at the drop of a hat, always ready to react at a moment's notice. When things don't move at the pace he thinks is appropriate he has difficulty dealing with it. “Little” things easily anger him.
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He suffers from lack of concentration. If the subject doesn't interest him he zones out. He was taught in the military to focus on the relevant and ignore the irrelevant. This makes it nearly impossible for him to concentrate on learning new things, i.e. new jobs.
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He served as a drill instructor at both Parris Island and San Diego. During those 4 years he trained many young Marines who later served in combat. He has expressed to me many, many times the feelings of anxiety and guilt he continues to have knowing that some of those young men were either injured or killed. He feels that he should have been there with them instead of on the drill field.
His 20 years of training dictate his life to this day. He has a difficult time functioning in the “civilian” world. His nights are restless and his days are frustrating. He sleeps with a CPAP machine to control his breathing. He frequently gets up to check and recheck doors and windows. He is not comfortable in social situations unless he is surrounded by his military buddies. He can not work around other people unless they share the same military background. He believes that if he asks for help it is a sign of weakness. When he was on active duty he did not go to sick call or ever ask for help because he did not want to be labeled a “sick bay commando”.
Although most of these conditions have been present since he was on active duty, they have gotten worse over the years. Only recently did he agree to seek help.
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Filing an Intent to File on eBenefits
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
I can't find the intent to file form
I logged on to my eBenfits to file an intent to file. The only thing I found was the actual claim form for when you are ready to file the full claim. I tried the search and entered "intent to file", that didn't take me to any form. I tried entering the form number and that took me to the pdf form but not the online form. Anyone know where to get to the intent to file on eBenefits?