GBArmy

My understanding is if the ship's log shows the coordinates and it went into the Vietnam waters, the sailors would get the A.O. coverage. The question is how can we access what is in the ships log? Is it available on line someplace. I would expect that once the ships location in those waters are confirmed by the log entry, then you notify the VA to confirm and add it to the ships list. I know someone who was on a ship and he is sure they were close but it isn't on the list. So how do we access a ship's log?

If you were in Vietnam; Absolutely file! "Including, but not limited to IHD?CAD."

There a many available on line. I use this one http://www.vvaarizona.org/combined_disability.php We call it "VA math." Most people who are not familiar with the VA (and how they torment us) will try and combine the ratings ex 30% + 20%= 50% NOT. It comes out as 44%. Since it is less than 45, it gets rounded down. Bummer. Its's the VA's ball and we have to play by VA rules.

In regard to you moving and using a new VAHC, this holds for anyone receiving care at a "new" facility. Be sure to tell them of all your medical conditions. meds, etc.and make them aware that not all of your medical records don't show UNLESS they make the necessary extra work of checking a separate VA system. Not all VA input folks know this, and it of course it could be dangerous situation. It happened to me when my regular Ct. VA couldn't see that I went to a R.I.

Icouldn't agree more, Paul. I firmly believe that we should get every benefit we are entitled to, and it isn't always about the $. You also have to do it because if we don't do it it helps the argument the VA will use that "they have ..., but the veterans don't use it." And then they take it away or reduce it somehow. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

That TB is going to be a toughfy; got to get a good IMO for that one. But I know we all wish you lthe best of luck on it!

Ya think??? How about a veteran getting health care for a presumptive disease and yet the medical people don't tell the veteran he or she should file. I believe that is criminal. Happens ALL the time.

"bout time!

This is complicated, obviously. You may need a lawyer. But before you take that step, I would call your Congressman's office. This is the kind of thing they can get moving because it involves social services bureaucracy and VA bureaucracy. Hope it works for you.

Based on the examiner's comments that you can't work any longer and it was 50%+ that it was service connected, sure sounds like you will receive disability compensation. You need to see what your award letter says before doing anything else. Do you have any other disabilities currently being paid to you? Or, do you have any other disabilities that were a result of your service, for example tinnitus and hearing loss that you have not submitted yet? Just looking ahead in case you aren't awarded TDIU.

To tag onto what Bronc said regarding meds co-pay, you are eligible because of an increase/change in you rating. Just call Peggy and ask to speak to someone to get an "audit" of your current account. Takes a couple weeks, but after review they send you a check (our put it in your direct deposit if you are already set-up) for any funds you paid out for those specific meds while your claim was in the works. Makes them look to make sure they need to add any others to the no cost list that you might not have had to order during that time period as well. So this works not only when you get to 100%, but also if you take meds for any new VA approved disability. A lot of Veterans don't think to do that.

Bronc said it best; but "at least as likely as not" won't do it by itself if you don't have the other two parts i.e. diagnosis and in-service event. Must have all three.

Not enough info. If he was discharged in basic, there should be a code number that explains why. It could be honorable, I suppose, but it usually was general under honorable conditions i.e. medical reasons (again, there should be a code on it. As for gcm, no way. He didn't go the full amount of time to earn it. Doesn't sound right.

Holy cow is right! This is the smoking gun. Anyone (Vietnam veteran) who was denied a claim for hypertension without the VA asking for a diagnosis or addressing if the veteran met the criteria is gonna win on appeal if not outright. This is a BIG deal!

The advise is really for anyone taking a C&P actually. If it is for MH, like depression or TBI or PTSD ,I am sure most of it still applies. I haven't done one for that, so if anyone else has personal experience and wants to provide more, please do. I know that it is really important to make the examiner know how you feel on your REALLY BAD DAYS, so just done't go in there and say "things are fine" when he greats you at first. They write that stuff down like you really mean that "your really fine." Be honest and think about some of the bad experiences you go thru on a routine basis. Don't hold back; talk. Bring a copy of your supporting info, especially the nexus letter and diagnosis. Believe it or not, it just might not have made it into his file. You can do this and it's ok to do this alone. Best of Luck, Mover.

When you do your research, use OSA in lieu of SA. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common type and most of the info will be on it.

Paul, your wife doesn't know my wife does she? They been talking?

There is no way of predicting if getting it done at the VA or at an approved contractor is better. It just comes down to the competency of the examiner. There are good and bad in both. If you have medical files and you want to bring them along, feel free to do so. Ask the examiner if he read your file, especially .... If he says no, you can have a copy for him/her to read. If they don't want it, then, if you are denied, you have evidence that the exam was inadequate. If it is favorable, who cares. You can bring someone else, and depending upon what kind of exam it is, many suggest that you do. Maybe they can support you on remembering things. If the examiner says no to someone else, that is their choice. Be honest, but as we say, don't have your best day on the exam day. Talk as if it was how it was on your bad days. Be polite. Ask if you can get a copy of the exam; you might be able to get it in a few hours. If it is negative and the exam didn't go well, go home and write down specifically as much detail as you can remember. Example he asked ..., your response... In the report, it wasn't what you told him. If you need to show range of motion, stop when it starts to hurt, don't power thru it. Never miss an exam if you can help it. You will be denied because of it. If you must and they grant a re-schedule, get it in writing and the name who re-scheduled you. Many have a heavy schedule all day, they are not there to chit chat, so don't expect a friendly discussion.Relax and be early. I said EARLY. Might go over well. Good luck.

I would also get a opinion from a specialist, maybe a dermatologist, that can provide the nexus. If you feel that HLR would work, go for it. But as Vetquest said, don't be surprised you have to go to the BVA. Most of the time they are going to rubber stamp what the rater said. Don't give up; appeal.

Robert. If this is just another "regular" routine exam, yes I would bring them along and ask if you could be P&T as it sure looks like you aren't going to become any younger or better. Maybe the examiner will agree and put you in for it. In any case, make copies, don't give them your originals. Best of luck brother.

We all are very pleased for you. Also hope she will be there for as long as you really need the assistance.!

tk3000 Did you have any success with it as secondary to OSA? Did you have any additional med papers that you tied it into? Wondering, I might be able to do the same. Thanks.

Back in March, Dr. Stone, one of the big honchos under Wilkie, said the the Secretary would be issuing a ruling on adding hypertension, hypothroidism, Parkenson-like disease, and another to the Agent Orange list of presumptive diseases. Guess what? 90 days gone by; when asked, they don't have any update. Another reason why I love the VA; you can always count on them to be honest and straightforward with the nation's veterans. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/01/no-decision-yet-va-new-agent-orange-presumptive-diseases.html

It sure looks like it to me. Did you have more than these two on appeal? Granted means granted, right? I don't think you can find out anyway other than BBE though, which can easily be a week or more. Good luck!

Absolutely! Never give up.Tinnitus at 10% is the max we can get; it is either 10% or denied. You can't get 0%. But if you were in artillery, if you didn't get at least 10%, with the 0% ,you can go back and get it check in a few years because you are now s-c. Interestingly, the way they evaluate, it isn't your ears, it is your hearing. They average the reading from both ears and if the average doesn't make the boggy on the chart, you just get the 0%. Several guys I know have hearing in one ear not too good, but the other ear is, and because of that, the AVERAGE is too low for a rating.