Flatbroke

Congrats Carlie, I am glad that I am not the only one happy today. Lots of hard work but you deserve it.

Thanks all, I appreciate all the advise I got and have seen here. No Carlie I have been Flatbroke for so long I would not know how to answer to anything else.

I agree, she deserves more than a good meal.

Got good news on Tuesday that I have been approved for SSD. Today I got the brown envelope from the VA. For November 23, 2009 30% Coronary artery disease (Nehmer granted) associated with agent orange Tinnitus 10% Bilateral pes planus 10% Hearing loss right ear 0% added to PTSD 50% back disorders 20% for 80% Then on October 26, 2010 60% Coronary artery disease for 90% They have defered for additional medical evidence Aoritic aneurysm associated with coronary artery disease Diabetes mellitus type II ( I am on metforman) Periphal neuropathy, bilateral upper extremities associated with type II Periphal neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities associated with type II And denied COPD and hearing loss left ear. At least I got some answers and when the check is in the bank I can take my sweetheart out to eat, she deserves it after being with me for 42 years.

:) Went in for a BVA hearing on a cue for an earlier effective date on June 3, with my attorneys, wife and myself. When I got in the room for a video hearing at St. Louis R.O. I figured we would be able to talk to the hearing officer. But when we got in for the hearing the officer asked if we had any new and material evidence. My attorneys said no and they thought that we were there to discuss my case not just submitt new evidence. The hearing officer said no, this was to see if there was any new evidence but he would allow 30 days for my attorneys to submitt a brief for him to look at before he made a descision. I was confused and was starting to get very aggrevated but my wife just kept tapping me on the leg to remind me it would probably not be in my best intrest to tell the officer what I thought ( as a former MARINE I have never been accused of being bashful when I have thought I was being railroaded). Even my attorneys were disappointed that we did not get a chance to talk and even had to push to get the meeting " on the record" so we could prove that we were there for a "hearing" not to submitt new evidence. Since this was my first video hearing with the BVA can anyone clear up the misunderstanding and tell me why we could not discuss my case? Semper Fi Everything stays the same, until it changes B)

Got a new doctor at the Fort Leonard Wood VA clinic while my doc went back to Columbia. The new doc set me up with four appointments today the first in Jefferson City for a hear test and ringing in ears. Results permant hearing loss in the upper ranges and fitted me for a hearing aid to see if it will help. The second at cardio: results setting an appointment for a cat scan for blockage Bp average for 30 days 140 over 85 with pulse of 54. Third set for ear, nose, throat: suspected allergies and sugested operation to releive the snoring and to see if I can stand the cpap machine. Fourth exam: EMG for nerves. I have been telling the old doc for a couple of years that my feet and legs burn and my arms and hands go to sleep and I lose my grip. That hurts cause when I am swinging a hammer and lose my grip its usualy my shins that catch the hit. Well they found some things including some results that they had never seen before. Then they checked my back ( I have spina Bifida w/ spondilisis & spondilosis 20%) and they found nerve damage at S1-L5, between L5-L4, between L4-L3 right and left bilateral. I have been trying for a couple of years to get them to listen. Results MRI to check for nerve damage. I am wondering is I can file for the nerve damage while I have the 20% for my back. Or is that pyrmiding?

When a Veteran needs support he or she goes to other Vets. One thing you can always count on at Hadit is support, honest answers and experience to fight the VA. I will probably not get a higher rating at his time. I am going to apply for nerve damage as I can only bend the toes on my right foot about 5% down. I can bend my toes on my left foot about 10% down. I always have pain in both feet, and at times it is like walking on lit cigaretts. I have stepped on a couple and I know what it feels like. The pain radiates around the sides from the heels and just burns. I had the examiner take notes on that because I knew that I would have to apply for this problem. I am applying for Sleep Apnea with cpap secondary to PTSD. Hypertension, adobinal aorta anurism, Bradacardia, nerve damage to both legs and feet, nerve damage to both arms and hands (arms and hands go to sleep, lose grip and strenght in hands), flat feet and a couple other things. My attorneys are still going to go for an earlier effective date on my back and I am NOD ing my PTSD date. On the SOC it plainly states that the VA recieved my application for PTSD on Sept 30, 2006 along with a stessor letter from my CO. They awarded me 50% with that and the results from my C&P from the Psych but started my rating from MAY 2007. I know they deny us our benifts on a regular bases but to make a stupid mistake like that just proves that either they dont read the claims or dont care. Yoggie will call later and appreciate it. Semper fi Everything stays the same until it changes

Well after waiting since Oct got the big brown envolope today. Denied a higher rating for lower back, says new c&p still does not warrent a higher rating. The examinator did not use a meter just her eye. Going to NOD the exam on those grounds. Also denied me for an earlier effect date stated no CUE even though the evidence was in my SMR's just prior to discharge and was attested to by IMO that my condition was there and the VA had no right to deny my a service conection in 1970. THe VA asked if I wanted to file a formal NOD, h*** yes I will file a formal NOD I did not drop dead from the results so if I have to crawl out to the mail box they will get A FORMAL NOD. My attorneys has copies and they are already working on the reply and working on the statement to send in. My main attorneys were JAG Officers and still cant believe the way the VA is treating the Veterns. Semper Fi Everything stayed the same until it changes. It did not change

Thanks Betty, Wings and all. Just got my computer back up and on line. Live in MO where the rivers are up. Had to drive an extra hour going to work and an hour coming home to get around the high waters. Just glad that I aint under water where we live. Called the 800# today, got a vet that has been around a while and we had a long talk. I told him what I knew about my claim and he told me that I still had someone from appeals looking at my claim so it is still alive. At least I know where it is at, and that it is hopefuly still moving. Semper Fi Everything stays the same until it changes --

Thanks all, I got 50% first time. I am happy because I can still work at this time. My attorneys and I are going to NOD the effect date. They started me as of May 2007 but on the SOC they state that they recieved my letter and the stressor letter from my CO on Sept 30, 2006 duh. Can anybody say rocket scientist. I use humor alot i guess, in fact the physc said as much in my c&p and asked why. I told her it is better than the other side of life. I guess she believed me cause she rated me with a gaf OF 35. I dont think at this time I am 70% because I know a couple of vets that are 100% and I am happy to be rated at 50%. My attorneys called the VA Monday about the other half - my back. The VA told my attorneys that they should have an answer in three to four weeks. Like I said not much hair but am still pulling what is left. For the new guys and gals listen to what the elders and moderators say cause it does help to get advise from someone who has been there and done that. Semper Fi everything stays the same - until it changes.

Danang-1969 I was 20% for back, now 50% for ptsd and 20% for back for a 60%. I was at Camp Carroll from Nov 67 till summer of 68, was also at Con Thien, Alpha 3, and acouple of other places. Spent entire time within 7 miles of DMZ.

I would say that I have won to some degree. I believe that I got a fair rating at 50% for PTSD cause I can still work at my own pace. I dont agree with the starting date and plan to NOD that because I believe I applied for PTSD in OCT of 2006. I am still waiting for a decision on an increase for my back. But any good rating by the VA is a reason to be happy. I just need to follow through. Semper Fi everything stays the same until it changes. I think it changed

Thanks Spike

How do I change the rating on my profile???

Congrats Josephine. Glad to hear your letter was in your favor. everything stays the same until it changes. I think it changed

Got the letter today - 50% for PTSD starting May 1 2007. I might not argue the percentage but I think I filled in 2006. Also they are still rating my back at 20% so they havent rated my c&p for increase for lower back. So I am now 60%. Since it is our 39th anniversary today we went out to dinner to celebrate. I am going to call my attorney on monday to see if they will call about the back rating. In the mean time I will check on the date I filed for PTSD everything stays the same until it changes. I think it changed.

I have been on Hadit for a short time and as yet have not voiced an opinon about things in general. And I am not trying to start a flame war here. Just voicing my opinon as a Viet Nam vet that has been fighting the VA since 1970 and did not get anything until 2004. If we do something wrong we are judge by our PEERS. But here we are forced to set and be judged by people that do not know who we are, what we have done, how we have behaved and how we protected our country, families, friends and comrades. I believe that 25% of the people working for the VA should be combat Vets, and 25% vets. At those odds we would have a 50% chance of getting a decent shake. Rather than the 10% that we are getting now. We served our county and then we are denied the basic dignities, services, and support that we were promised the day that we took our oaths to defend our country. And even after the way we have been treated we would still step up and defend our country if it was necessary and the bored a--nine people that they have answering the 800# dont have a clue. All alot of them are there for is to collect a check without realizing that if it was not for us they would not have a job. While they are getting all thier benifits that they are dening us. Sorry to rant, but to be rude to any woman is showing how the generation has been raised. Semper Fi EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME UNTIL IT CHANGES

When I called the 800# on Dec 18th they told me my files were back with the DRO. When I called today the lady had me on hold for about 1 min and a half, she came back on and said my appeal was in final decision and that I should be hearing something soon. She said all my medical evidence had been reviewed ( two c&ps and new statement from corpman from Nam) so I hope to get some news soon. Semper Fi everything stays the same until it changes.

Called the 800 # yesterday. I got a guy named Jeff? asked him how my claim was coming. He spent almost 8 minutes talking to me. The end results were that he finaly told me that my files were BACK at the DRO's office. History: DRO hearing Oct 24th 2007. Officer said I had a strong stressor letter from CO. DRO officer got two c&p's set up for Nov 21 one for back & one for PTSD Asked for results from c&ps on same day at hospital - recieved results Dec 5th Called 800# Dec 17th and got the answer back at the DROs office. I am hoping that this is good that maybe the DRO is pushing and I hope I get an answer soon. A good answer would be better.

the spin # at the top of my DD214 is 219-70 219 says Erroneous Induction ----- I enlisted in the Marines and what does the 70 stand for??? I got out in 70

Like I said before I think this doc is giving me a fair shake. There are some other things mentioned in her report that I am keeping personal that does reflect on family, life, and work . I personaly believe from what I have read in the ratings chart (thanks to Chongo) that I would qualify for at least a 50% rating. I am not as bad as some vets I know nor would I presume to claim a rating higher than what I deserve according to the rating table. If the va rates me with the PSTD (sc), lower back pain (sc), nerves in both legs and feet(secondary), type II (sc AO), hypertension( secondary), sleep apnea with a cpap (secondary) like they should then I would be 100% schedular and it should be P&T because the lower bp,nerve damage, ptsd, and type II are permanant and are not going away. Then I could get on with my life and try to help other vets like I have been helped. I can still work at times and like to work until I get tired of the bull, I just dont like to be around a lot of people. Semper Fi Every thing stays the same - until it changes

yes it was a VA C&P at Truman Hospital in Columbia, MO. The doctor wrote some opions but like I said some things are private. After seeing some reports of 45 or 50 on a GAF what I would like to know is the lower the score the higher the rating or the lower the score the lower the rating. How is it suppose to go???? I know there is the right way, the wrong way, and the VA way. And of course the raters in a world of thier own. I told my attorney this seemed to be a QUICK turn around and was wondering if the DRO had anything to do with the fast C&P's and the fast answers. He thinks it might be because at the DRO hearing the DRO officer seemed helpful and he was the one who stopped the progress on my PTSD claim and set up the C&Ps. Thanks to everybody for the help I have got and the information. Semper Fi

No Betty The exam also stated Does the veteran meet the DSM-IV for a diagnosis of PTSD? yes Decription of primary stressors(s) related to PTSD: combat Decription of linkage between PTSD symptons and aformentioned changes in imparment, in functional state, and quality of life: Mr. XXXXXXXX experiance of PTSD, with associated anxiety and depression is considered linked with afore mentioned functional status and quality of life. ( some of the aformentioned status & stuff is private) but disfuntional with family, seperation from family, violent anger, outbursts, fighting with spouse (verbal), putting holes in walls and doors with fists, ( Ihave never hit my wife or kids). Going off by my self, staying out of crowds, back to the wall when in a group, (I know alot of vets like that), dont trust people, I hope you can understand what I am trying to say.

Got the results for the two exams I had Nov 24th. Cant make heads nor tails of the back exam. Except she wrote what I said with no BS. The ptsd exam, she wrote exactly what I said, Here are the results - anybody have readings close to these and what can I expect. Axis I: PTSD Axis II: None Axis III: see medical notes (seventeen pages) Axis IV: employment, financial, family, support AxisV: GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF PUNCTIONING SCORE 35 TIME FRAME Comments: Mr XXXXXXX described major impairment in employment and family including reluctance to work and conflict with family members. Last part I guess cause I have seen my brothers only a few times since dad died in 89. I work as I can and have held about 35 differant jobs since the seventies. Semper Fi every thing stays the same until it changes.