Flatbroke

Congrats jbasser. Always good to hear Semper Fi

Did not develope hypertension until th elast couple of years. Back then my blood pressure was ok. I dont think the VA doctors are allowed to call it type 2, or any other condition until it is gone on for too long. I finally got a doctor to listen to me about my feet, I have been telling my primary and he finally sent me up to get xrays to see if the pain was bone spurs. The xray showd no bone spurs so it was dropped. The C&P doctor wrote down what I was saying about my feet, showed her that I cant bend my toes down more than 5% or so and that hurts. My brother in law went in to Saint Anthonys in St. Louis last Dec, they lost the stint and punctued his aorita twice and damaged one half his heart. He lasted ten days, so for them to talk about messing with my heart??? Everything stays the same Until it changes. Semper Fi

The doctor that gave me the exam for my back called the house yesterday and told my wife that I need to get my primary to do an ultra sound for plaque in the aeortia. Did not know they could see that on a back xray. Just had the stress test (ultra sound) just a couple of months ago would think they would spot it then. Kind of scared the wife cause they have been checking me to find out why high blood pressure, slow heart rate ( 49 to 56) , shortness of breath, went from 205 up to 260 + in 18 months. Been running tests for two years and still dont have any answers Glucose scores from 104 to 118 after fasting all nite. Still say I am pre-diabetic. I started asking them to check the glucose starting 5 years ago. Reason I started checeking on type two is when I got an eye exam the doc wanted to know if I was diabetic bedause my glasses change drasticly Semper Fi

My CO from Nam wrote a stressor letter that impressed the DRO in Sept. and I believe the DR yesterday. I told the dr from nov 67 through nov of 68 when and ahere I was stationed and what happened. She wrote it all down and then we had about an hour talking and she said I need to get some counsleing. Major anger issues. Imanagine that . Semper Fi Thanks Berta No mention of a questionaire was mentioned since I was in an Arty unit we were at fire bases for weeks or months at a time and it was easier to tell her where, when . what , and how.

The exam for psych was the first. I was under the impression that the first exam for psych should be 2.5 to 3 hrs. the one for the back was for an increase

Had both C&Ps today. Had the one for my back this morning and the one for Pysch this afternoon. A DR. examined my back, took a complete history of injuries to back while in service, and also examed both legs and feet to see how the spinal damage is affecting nerves to legs and feet. The sent me unscheduled to get a new xray on my back to see if I am getting artheritis. Exam took just over two hours. Very good exam and I believe that she wrote down on the computer just exactly what I said with out any BS. I hope the rater does not screw things up. The pysch exam took almost two and a half hours. Dr. did this one to. Very good wrote down what I said and I know that because I could see the screen and helped her with the spelling of cities and places in Nam. Real nice lady was not pushy, listened and as a good sign is setting me up for visits to consulor. To see if I can get a handle on things. I went to records and signed the request for copies of both exams and the xray as soon as they are in. Records said it would takethree to four weeks because of the c&p backlog. All in all I think it was a good day. Keep me in your good thoughts. Semper Fi

My attorneys ( cant mention name of firm with out permission) have been handling my case since 1997 Pro Bono. They have been at two DRO hearings, got me 20% for my back in 2004 and are helping me file a NOD after the second hearing in Sept. They are waiting to see the results of my two .C&P's to formaly file but filed an intent to file a NOD at the DRO hearing. Between them and Hadit I might have a very good chance to get a higher rating and an earlier EED.

Thanks Berta, even one year is more than she has got and better than nothing at all which the VA would like. I always tell everybody that a vet should get what they are entitled to and apply. Pete I think she did that and she was better off. Semper Fi

If you remember a while back I told you all that I convinced a widow whos husband died from throat cancer linked to AO to file. She got DIC in four months. She said she was happy with that . I got her to watch CNN Saturday night. After I talked to her Sunday morning and explained that she should of been drawing DIC from the time of her husbands death in MARCH 2001 from AO cancer she is going to her SO I sent her to the first time to get an earlier EED. All this time we have been trying to talk her into filing and all it took was watching CNN to give that final push. She also said that the day he died Socila Security called and said he was eligable and she informed them thanks but he just passed away. SS did give back pay so I told her to get copies of all that and take that to the SO and file. I hope she does alright. She had no idea (and neither did I until I joined hadit) that she had any benifits so keep up the good work . Semper Fi

I have my C&P for lower back pain on wed nov 28th and I am not planning on wearing my tens unit because then the examiner will be getting a false reading. If I do the exam as natural as possible with out pain meds or a tens unit then I am not lying or deciving the examiner as I plan to telling and showing them the tens unit and meds. The last time I had a C&P for my back the examiner was suppose to ask me when the pain started ( according the the c&p exam samples), to bend over as far as possible without pain, not can you bend to a 90 degree angle. I could with a lot of pain and could not raise back up without pushing up on a chair arm. Neither was noted by the Nurse Practioner. I was not on Had it then and did not relize than I was not getting a proper exam. My wife will be with this time and after seeing what a C&P for lower back is suppose to be done mayabe I will get a better answer. I do believe that telling the truth and acting as such is in a vets favor.

Wont have to stay overnight because Bonnie is going with and she will help drive. Always get the travel pay and did not know C&P paid more than a regular visit for tests and such. It costs 36 - 40 dollars for gas and only get 26 dollars but something is better than nothing. Manitou Springs, the wife has relation in Durango, we were there a couple of years ago, my first trip there, and the secenry was great. We came back through wolf creek pass had a ball. Semper Fi

Called the Hospital and talked to the lady setting the appointments for C&P's. After I explained the situation they changed the monday appointmentt to wed when I have the C&P for Psych. Made it a whole lot easier and the lady was very nice did not argue and listened to the whole story before she said anything and the first thing she said was let me see what I can do for you Getting good service from Columbia , MO so far except the first C&P ans now I know what to ecpect and will wathch it. Semper Fi.

I had asked the VA if thee was a room for Bonnie when I had to do the sleep tests and was told that there were no rooms for her. Bonnie also has three horses and no one to take care of them so staying the night for us is not a good option. I would rather just go up do the C&Ps and get the he** out of Dodge. It would be a rush to do both in one afternoon, isnt the PTSD exam suppose to take more than 15 minutes?? Too many people if you know what I mean, dont like crowds. But being at the hospital with all the other Vets does not bother me as bad. Even though I dont like sitting in the middle of a room with people walking around behind me.

You are right cloudcraft, I can only drive for about 45 minutes before I have to stop get out and walk around to get my back in a differant position to relieve it. I have tried to drive further and I hurt like he** for a long time after words so I guess I need to get to the C&P's without pausing. I do need to try to get both on one day since money is tight and but they are so generous in thier mileage allowance. I could drive forever on what they give us. Being a smarta** money is tight and it would help to only make one trip. I have been studing the C&P for backs and the last one I got was no where like the exam says. I am going to try to get Bonnie in with me on the back so she can see what is not done. She said that she would time me in the other C&P to see how long I am in there. And yes it was fast but at the DRO hearing he said I had a strong stressor letter from my CO and I also gave them a letter from our corpman from Nam ( he earned and deserved a Silver Star in Nam ) from treatments that he gave me for my back in Nam that was not in the C-file. Maybe I got a better chance now am getting tired of fighting with them but I aint going to quit now.

Had my hearing 24 Oct with DRO, he said was going to set C&P for reevaluation on my back and a C&P for PTSD. Got a notice yesterday for a C&P on Nov 26 at 8:30 am. It is only a three hour drive to Columbia so I have to get up about 4 , leave before 5, drive almost three hours, I wonder what kind of mood I will be in when I get in for the exam?. I will be tired, in a cr***y mood and will have an attitude. I just hope for me its the right attitude. Then today I get the notice that I have to drive back up on the 28th at 1:00 pm for a C&P for my back, thats after a three hour drive again and I wonder what kind of shape I will be after two trips to Columbia?? Of course they would not be able to schedule both on the same day one in the morning and one in the afternoon. That would be easy but I guess I should not complain since it would only be like 4 weeks since the hearing and for C&P s that is fast. Of course how long to wait for decision. Semper Fi

1) yes, the therapist(?) I was seeing for 8 sessions to see if I have PTSD suggested sleep tests. 2) probably will after the C&P for Ptsd which the DRO is suppose to be requesting. The DRO said I had a strong stressor letter that my CO from NAM wrote for me. 3) I would say I am a combat vet. Will probably use what I am learning here on HAdit to file for secondary. I am waiting for a C&P for higher rating on my back and to file for secondary for syatic (?) nerve down both legs and both feet. Hurts standing, walking, sitting and laying down. I am taking my wife with me this time so she can help me to make sure I tell it all. She said she would go with me to the C&P for the PTSD but did not want to go in on that one and I told her I dont think they would let her anyway. Fighting since 1970 and thanks to HADIT I am learning the right things to do and ask. Thanks all and lots of thanks to TBIRD foe starting the site and when I win I will remember to help.

Had My hearing today at St. louis RO. The DRO was pretty good guy, he seperated the two issues, EED he defered by saying he did not have the authority to override the BVA decision on an EED and that I should NOD to the BVA thier decision. If I skip the RO and go direct to the BVA I might be able to save two years. I like the advice and my attorneys did also and they are studying on that possibilty. On a higher rating he is scheduling me for a new C&P for lower back pain ( spina bifida and spondilisis). He is the one who closed my request for PTSD, he said I had a strong stressor letter, and something else that I needed and he was scheduling me for a C&P for PTSD. He also went back to 1970 in my c-file and found the letter that I had been requesteing and the rating letter that they did not give the Vets back in 70 . He made copies of both letters right then. On the denial letter if states " We have found it necessary to deny your claim for back condition, because this condition cannot be classified as a disease or injury for which compensation can be paid. Not Spina Bifida or spondilisis just back condition DUH.

I dont know about Nehmer and all but she was set to the point from his and her retirement that she did not have to worry about the bills. Now she can go visiting and such wihout worries. She is happy so she is letting it go at that. She said this is more than she expected so she just wants to let it be status quo. I am not going to push her I am just glad she got what she deserves.

Helped a friend of ours whos husband died in 2001 from throat cancer. He was a retired Marine, working for Macdonal Douglas when he developed throat cancer on the outside of his esophigas. She did not think that she was entitled to anything but I talked to her into going to a SO, she filled out the papers in June and got a letter of approval Sat. Back pay to the date of filing in June and she is very happy. I suggested to ask for an EED and she said no she has Medicare, her savings, and everything is paid for so this check lets her visit the kids and do what she wants with out worries and she is ok with that. I am just happy that she got something so fast and without a big fight. They had applied for SSD and it was granted on the day he died.

If you remember back in Sept they sent me a denial on my appeal even though the Meeting was set up with the DRO on Oct 24th. So maybe they used this as an excuse to close the claim! I will call tomorrow and check again and see if the results are the same. I am taking the denial to the DRO hearing and at the end of the meeting I am going to ask about it. My attorneys have been handling my case since 1996 (doing a great job) ( and doing it Pro Bono) and they are still amazed at the stupidy that goes on and one of them is a retired JAG officer. Another of my attorneys was a JAG officer and has had to retire from law because of altimers which is a shame because of the great mind that was lost. I had a meeting with my attorneys yesterday to set up everything and the first 15 minutes was talking about the mistakes the VA has made repeatedly. Good luck Pete

I am going to give them till the 1st then realy start asking questions. I am waiting till after my DRO hearing so as not to rock the boat to bad. I realize that I should be notified but the lady on the phone sounded like she knew what she was talking about so I guess wait and see. At least this way I dont have a dead line ( 60 days) since I have not been notified. LOL

Called the 800 # today and asked the lady if there was any activity on my PTSD claim. She said the case had been closed on Sept 17. I asked WHY and that I had recieved NO NOTIFICATION that my claimed had been closed or why. She filled out a form to send up the food chain to find out why and that I should recieve some kind of reason within a couple of weeks. Do I hold my breath and hope some one corrects this screw up. Or write a letter to the director of the St. Louis R.O. and ask for an explanation????

LarryJ, They hook up a whole lot of leads to your head, cheeks, chin, legs and where ever. Then you go to sleep or what ever you do and they record, when you go to sleep, how many times you wake up, stop breathing, go into REM sleep and how long it lasts, leg movements, snoring, breathing through your mouth or nose and record everything so the Doc can see, and they realy dont expect you to sleep like a baby cause if you did you would not need thier help. I am moderate and I was have 17.4 episodes per hour waking up or stopping breathing. So I am not getting much sleep but still better than some.

Ricky I am ready and like every one else I have been looking and researching here on Hadit and watching the advice given and makin notes so I go to Battle with a whole host of FRIENDS backing me up.

Manitou, On the chemical test they hook you up to all the leads like an EKG. Then they do an ultra sound on your heart for a base line. Then slowly induce the chemical to raise your heart rate. My target rate ws 138 and I went up to 144 so I did pretty good. It ws a little uncomfortable but no pain and very little discomfort, but you got to remember everyone will take to it differantly. I got real cold but the ladies put another blanket on me and I was O.K. Like I said they crew they had on me was real good people. I am ready for my CPAP machine, i have to go up for classes one day next week before I use the machine. My Brother-in-Law is 375+ pounds and after he got his machine you could actualy stay in the same HOUSE with him. Even if he lays down for a short nap on goes the machine.