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capitan

First Class Petty Officer
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Posts posted by capitan

  1. Just received a letter from VA. They denied any backpay for Hypothyroidism. Claimed it was caused by chemo/radiation treatment for AO tongue cancer ten years ago, and I'm already being compensated. I disagree and think it should have been 30%, since I met those requirements, and not 0%. But since I'm 100% P&T I'm not going to contest it. Unless I bring it up to my appeals attorney.  My Pact Act Hypertension claim is still pending. Don't expect anything from that. I am pleased with what my lawyer and VSO did, but disappointed with VA and VBA. So much for my love/hate relationship with USMC. Still going to put in a claim for Camp Lejeune when I can decide on an attorney.

  2. I don't know about getting bone from your own jaw. That's supposed to get bone added.  I heart they get it from donors. Other people... don't know if they are alive or dead. Guess it's good not to ask. Just trust they know what they're doing. Also heard they can get it from your hip, from a horse, or from a cow or pig. But usually not in the US. And they can use synthetic bone which might be the most common and would be my choice. Any way they do it should be an improvement over nothing. Semper Fi 

  3. I have an appointment with an oral surgeon next week. I've been referred by my orthodontist for some extractions and possibly implants. I had a nice smile about 10 years ago. That was when I was treated with radiation/chemo for AO related tongue cancer. Since then about half of my teeth are broken. I don't know if I'm a candidate for implants. Hope so, guess I'll find out. Anybody here have some helpful information about implants? I'm hoping I can get them. If not, because the radiation weakened my teeth, and possibly my bone, I might have to settle for an alternative. Anybody know about how the VA deals with implants? Maybe implant bridges might work too.

  4. Thanks for the response, but you don't seem to know what I'm up against. Not interested in SMC. Or BVA, CAVC. The Camp Lejeune lawsuit is a civil suite. As such I can't use a VSO. From what I understand, the VA is not involved, except to possibly offset any award. I was also told Ed Bell of Bell Legal Group in South Carolina wrote the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. It's a large and reputable lawfirm. As for charging 40%, maybe they can get away with it since it's not VA and the same rules don't apply. That seems to be the going rate for all attorneys. I bet the ones you listed charge that. Except the one in Alabama. At any rate, time is running out for me to make a decision.

  5. The Fob James law firm in Birmingham Al is handling Camp Lejeune litigants. He takes 25% opposed to 40% most firms charge. He is smaller so more attention to detail. He called me personally and explained the questions I had. I was impressed and am considering signing with him. Anybody know of this law firm or any reason why I shouldn't go ahead and get the ball rolling?

  6. I am being bombarded with lawyers wanting me to sign up for a Camp Lejeune case. My brother went with Bell Law Group in SC. I am thinking about that as well. I spoke with a Marine friend and he said he thinks it's a good idea since it's local. I had hesitated because they want 40% of any settlement. That seems to be the going rate. I did find one in Louisiana for 20-30% but I feel more comfortable with the SC firm. They also have a good reputation. I think they wrote the bill. Maybe 40% will make them work harder. I've heard they could offset anything the VA is already giving. Attorney Rosinski thinks it will be hard to prove the difference between the tongue cancer, for which I'm being paid, and esophageal cancer, which I don't have at the time, and have not filed a claim for, since they are in close proximity. But I'm willing to let a judge make that decision. It is my understanding this is a civil suit and the VA is not involved. But how can they offset an award if they are not involved? I don't want them playing with my 100%. Is it risky to hire Bell Law Group?

  7. I had a copy of the DBQ at the exam. I knew exactly what she filled out. That must be why she wouldn't look at it. I don't want to trigger anymore C&P exams. You would think they would be required to put down the correct answers. What do they have to lose? They're probably getting paid either way.

  8. It makes no difference how long ago it was. She acknowledged she filled the DBQ out. She clearly didn't record some of the entries accurately which resulted in a 0% rating, which should have been 30%. Unfortunately, transparency, accountability, courtesy and respect are foreign concepts to her.

  9. I went to a C&P exam. The lady Navy vet was very rude and unprofessional. A woman with 0 social skills like that should not be allowed to work with the public, much less vets, who deserve better. When I tried to show her the DBQ she erroneously recorded my hypothyroidism symptoms on two years earlier, she refused to look and it, and made me leave. Guess she didn't want to see the mistakes she made.  She told me I was only there for hypertension and took my BP. I was told by QTC I was there for both hypothyroidism and hypertension. I know the hypothyroidism is Nehmer. I know the CFR clearly says I should have gotten 30%, not 0. I had an attorney who got me the SC for Hypothyroidism. I think I will wait to she what the result of the exam is, then possibly contact the attorney and ask why I only got 0%. If he is still connected, since he took a cut from my TDIU P&T 100% grant, then maybe he will know anyway. He's pretty sharp and nothing gets by him.  I was told by the examiner he should have only taken a cut of my original cancer grant, so I was surprised he is still connected. Guess that's in the agreement I signed. Anyway, I don't care if he gets me some backpay and I can put this behind me.

  10. I was recently granted TDIU 100% P&T. Now I have a QTC C&P exam coming up. It is for 2 conditions which were not considered in the TDIU grant. Hypertension, and Hypothyroidism. Both are AO Presumptive. I'm SC for Hypothyroidism, but was only given 0%. The CFR says I should have got 30%. That looks like I could be getting backpay. Also that falls under Nehmer, which I think is why they are sending me to an exam. I had an exam for that in 2021, but they overlooked my symptoms on the DBQ. Also, Hypertension which I think is harder to win, and don't think I'm SC for that anyway. The Nehmer thing makes me think I could be getting backpay, which an attorney agrees. Anybody know?

  11. I was just recently granted TDIU 100% P&T. The letter says the reason was because, as I claimed, cancer residuals left me too tired and weak to work. They raised my 30% which was already granted for fatigue and daytime sleepiness to 50%. So it looks to me like they granted TDIU for something I already had.  I assume I will be getting a notice to see a doc about cpap. And find out severity and which kind and recommended treatment. I'm still not sure I even have it. When I took the home sleep study, the nasal attachment part of the machine wasn't working. Tried it the next night, still not working..called and they said send it anyway, it probably has all they need for diagnosis. I don't have any trouble breathing or sleeping. But I might have if I have to wear a cpap mask. Bottom line, I will do what I have to to keep the money. Maybe I won't have to do anything.

  12. This from Woods and Woods law firm:  it is important to note that there is no documented case of a veteran losing benefits because they didn’t use their CPAP machine.

     

    Is Your CPAP Machine Tracking You? 

    Many veterans may worry their CPAP machine is tracking whether they use it or not. Many CPAP machines indeed have smart computer chips in them that keep up to twelve months of data. Some machines even have an attachable modem or are wireless-enabled for data transmission.

    In most cases, the VA does not use this data to track whether you use your CPAP machine or not. Instead, your doctor will use this data to check if the settings on your CPAP machine are working for you or if it needs adjustment. What your insurance company may be looking for, however, is a different question.

    Will You Lose VA Benefits?

    The short answer to whether you’ll lose VA benefits if you don’t use your CPAP machine is no. The VA will not track your compliance, and they will not revoke your disability benefits if you don’t use your machine. However, it is important to use your CPAP machine as prescribed so you can get the best results possible.

  13. Good news this site might continue. More good news, VA granted 100% TDIU P&T with backpay. Would trade it all to have my health back.  Money was deposited in my account, but I am still looking for a letter, right? It should say what they granted it for. I have a feeling they shortchanged me on the backpay. But I'm glad to have more income, and dental eligibility. The VA still needs a lot of work. This took way too long. Semper Fi

  14. Trying to squeeze something in before this website closes. I hope it does not have to close, but if it does I hope someone will pick up the ball and run. The subject of vets helping vets is just too important. Yesterday I got an email from my VSO. He said the VA has granted me 100% TDIU P&T. I know a little about what that means, but not everything. Maybe somebody can clue me in. All I know is it's good news, but I'm not sure why. Semper Fi and Happy Thanksgiving Brothers and Sisters.

  15. 55 minutes ago, Tbird said:

    IMPORTANT UPDATE about HadIt.com Veteran to Veteran 

    I am writing to you today with some important news about the future of HadIt.com Veteran to Veteran. Dec 17, 2022, will be HadIt.com's and our Community's last day on the web.

    First and foremost, thank you for your service and sacrifice to our beloved country—and each other on HadIt.com for over 25 years.

    What Happened

    After several months of investigating why the site's traffic and revenue dropped, I am sorry to report that HadIt.com is the victim of a Negative SEO Attack. This malicious attack has destroyed our traffic, Google rankings, and advertising revenue.

    The Future of HadIt.com Veteran to Veteran

    I planned to retire early next year and had wanted to sell HadIt.com to someone who would keep this Community online and continue to help disabled veterans file their VA disability claims.

    Unfortunately, this attacker has taken that possibility away from veterans.

    Try as I might, I cannot recover from this. It is devastating, mainly because it was not a random attack.

    Dec 17, 2022, will be HadIt.com's last day on the web.

    Timeline

    • Nov 17, 2022, No new registrations in the community.
    • Nov 30, 2022. No new posts or replies in the community.
    • Dec 17, 2022, The Community.HadIt.com and HadIt.com will go offline.

    HadIt.com will remain online until Dec 17, but no new content will be added. Community.HadIt.com will also remain open for reading, but no new users will be able to register, no new topics can be started, and no new replies can be made. 

    Why This Happened

    We all deal with our issues differently. Unfortunately, some people lash out and hurt others. It is challenging to discover who initiated the attack, though we've had some luck. Loose lips sink ships.

    This site was my life's work, and for whatever reason, they did this without concern for my well-being or the well-being of the thousands of veterans this site helps.

    Things to Know About HadIt.com

    HadIt.com has always been different from the many other sites that assist veterans in the VA claims process. When I started this site 25 years ago, other websites weren't doing what we do. There are many competitors, but they often come with a catch; some require subscriptions, some sell books, and others herald their own hero stories. When I started HadIt.com 25 years ago, other websites weren't doing what we do. There weren't many sites at all, let alone for veterans trying to file a claim.

    At HadIt.com, though, you were the hero. It was a place where the average veteran could make a difference in another veteran's life. That was the story of HadIt.com.

    On at least three occasions, I spoke to a veteran contemplating suicide and talked them into calling the crisis line. Frankly, if that is all I ever accomplished, I would be good with that. Yet I have accomplished everything I set out to do and more—more than I could have dreamed possible.

    As a female Navy veteran with Complex PTSD, Major Depression, and various physical ailments, starting and running this site was not easy. I taught myself VA law and HTML from scratch beginning in 1994. After yet another frustrating call with the VA, I said, "I've had it!" and the domain name was registered that same day. I did all the work on the site. There was no staff except for a few volunteer moderators over the years. Those volunteers deserve our gratitude. They certainly have mine.

    I learned a lot about VA Claims, shared that information with you, and created a community where you could share information and support each other. I shared some of my struggles on the site to let you know you are not alone, and so did you. I am so proud of what we accomplished together.

    You Should Know

    This culprit has enabled me to move on to my well-deserved retirement. But I deeply regret not being able to pass it on to someone who can continue to support veterans in the same way.

    I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the support you gave HadIt.com and me for 25 years. I am gratified that my small attempt to help my brothers and sisters has succeeded.

    Please continue to help one another in any way you can. You are not alone. There is help. Getting the compensation you deserve is possible. What doesn't kill us will make us stronger.

    "Leave No One Behind, Not On A Jungle Trail, Not On A Desert Trail, Not On A Paper Trail" ™

    "One Person Can Make A Difference. Be That Person."

    "Tbird" Theresa Aldrich

    My mission has come to an end. It's time for my watch to stand relieved. "Boatswain...Standby to pipe the side...HadIt.com Departing..."

    Fair winds and following seas.

    This disabled combat Marine vet (Capitan) finds it hard to believe that a website such as this could be the victim of a malicious attack. Many of the hopes of America's defenders of freedom are going down with the ship, without a shot fired.

  16. I know the VA can illegally claim age is why I can't work. I knew that when I made my claim with 70%. 50% SC PTSD, 30% SC Cancer residuals (persistant daytime hypersomnolence) (AO caused and established). I have other issues, cancer (in remission), hypothyroidism, hypertension, possible OSA, I'm assuming they will look at in their decision.  I purposely listed only my serviced connected conditions as causing my unemployability, knowing they should only look at that for TDIU.

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