GBArmy

Bridgetteg2006 Welcome to Hadit. You have a reasonable chance on getting carpal tunnel on your right hand. It is possible that what causes an injury on one side can also result in a similar injury on the other side (bilateral.) If you have little in service records of complaints or treatment, it might stand a better chance if you try for secondary to your left hand. If you recently filed and were denied, and if it was less than a year, I would talk to a few specialists and see if you can get an IMO that supports the secondary situation. It will cost you a few bucks but you're going to need a nexus to support that claim, so without an IMO you don't have a lot of hope. That is what I would recommend.

flow1972 You are correct. Once a "secondary is s-c, then it no longer is "secondary; it is just like a direct disability.It is a disability. If you then get a "secondary" to that newly defined disability, it's the same thing. You can keep going on that forever. I would make a suggestion, and this is just my opinion. If you are submitting a claim for a direct s-c disability, don't submit too many secondaries connected to the first claim at the same time. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems that the VA makes you work a little harder on approval if they see that the total amount of comp will be that much bigger if they approve the direct one. For example, say you are putting in for PTSD. I wouldn't also claim GERD as secondary due to meds you take for the MH condition, and sleep apnea due to weight gain because of the meds. I'd go for the MH disability, get it approved, then go to the others. Like I said, it's just my opinion.

Buck didn't you say you have copies of your TDY records? that is evidence that could support that your transfer resulted in a temp MOS change. If you had a buddy letter from anyone in the new unit, that certainly would work. But I know it isn't as easy as it is now to stay connected. And 50 years sure doesn't help finding an old buddy that you lost track to either. I's just another hint to the younger veterans it isn't too late to try and connect. You never know when it could come in handy for both of you.

Hi Ronc531 Nice problem you have; I'll swap with you! No really, you have to get a good eval from another cardiologist/specialist (non-VA.) First thing is you should assess your overall health, and by that I mean, do you have any symptoms or conditions now. Anything, If you do, tell them to the new doc. The idea is to find out if being treated with unnecessary meds has caused you some harm after all these years. Example, you now have acid reflux/GERD; maybe caused by meds? Other heart problems? ED; again caused by meds. Take evidence of your treatment by the VA with you so the specialist can review. If you have problems that are related to taking improperly prescribed meds, and you get a diagnosis, you may be able to receive compensation. The best way, and easiest way would be by way of secondary disability. The other is title 38 US Code 1151, which is legal remedy where you sue the government for negligence, etc. That is a tough thing to win and you would need a lawyer for sure on that. The thing is just because the VA screwed up, if you haven't developed symptoms and received a diagnosis, nothing happens. No harm, no foul. But definitely see a specialist; you could be harmed and don't know it. Good luck.

Slick If he is a Vietnam veteran, his best bet is to get a kidney specialist to link his current symptoms for renal or voiding dysfunction to A.O. Here is the rating criteria http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/originalvasrd2.html A.O. is responsible for a lot of cancers, but many are not connected oresumptive. He is going to need a strong IMO from a doc who can get the justification thru medical documents/studies.

Yes. Peggy is the general info line that you can call to try to get answers to claim (an other) questions. 1-800-927-1000. Suggest you call 10:-30-11:30 A.M. or, say 3:00-4:30 P.M. Calling first thing in the morning or lunch time seem to be the busiest, so you can be on the wait line the longest during those times I have found.

Buck If you decide to file, you're going to have to get an IMO from a doc linking it as secondary. That might not mean you have to take another sleep study, especially if you have been using the CPAP all along. It is a high value disability rating though, so the IMO is going to have evidence that your specific meds for MH has been shown to be a direct cause. I'd do it if I had a good IMO.

Buck You are 100% so it's kinda on you whether or not to file. Symptoms for OSA with use of CPAP is a 50% rating, so for future SMC's? It's never too late to file.

I have OSA, but not (yet) s-c for it. Like Brokernsoldier, I also have GERD. Same situation, I try not to take any naps, although it is very hard to do. I won't let myself fall asleep without being hooked up to the CPAP. Just don't need to have that acid reflux acting up and it will if I don't hook up. But to answer the question, I asked for more masks and the shipped them. But they also said that was it until I get my regular follow-up eval. My guess is a regular "re-exam" is o a 3 year cycle.

I agree with Deedub75. I've had multiple with both VES and LHI. People sometimes go With I had x, y, or z and they were great. Or they were terrible. But sometimes the evaluation of their performance is base too much on the results of their exam, that is recommended approved or disapproved, rather than the strength of the symptoms, conditions that were reviewed. If you don't have the symptoms that allow for a higher rating, that isn't the examiner's fault. Of course it is their fault if you are low-balled. Like anything involved with professional services, sometimes the person is good and then, sometimes not so much. It's hard to lump them all together and say this outfit is better than another. IMHO

Just to add, I'd prefer to lose the weight if I could and take the chance of being reduced from 50 to 30%. Obesity and overweight contribute to a lot of health problems.

I have OSA, but not (yet) s-c for it. Like Brokernsoldier, I also have GERD. Same situation, I try not to take any naps, although it is very hard to do. I won't let myself fall asleep without being hooked up to the CPAP. Just don't need to have that acid reflux acting up and it will if I don't hook up. But to answer the question, I asked for more masks and the shipped them. But they also said that was it until I get my regular follow-up eval. My guess is a regular "re-exam" is o a 3 year cycle.

Jake40 "Will I get my evidence records back?" Major error on your part. If you are submitting evidence on a claim to the VA, ALWAYS make a copy and submit. Do not send in your originals. Can't make it any clearer. If it is important enough for your case to submit then spend the time and effort to make copies. The VA is a big black hole; just because you submit something doesn't mean that 1) it's going to be scanned into your claim, and 2) doesn't mean that the reviewer is going to see it. If they miss, how are you going to appeal without that evidence. You might even need it for a future secondary claim.This applies to anything you submit.

FlyBoyLeRoy Bronc is spot on. Those numbers, even before the virus hit, were just ball park estimates for HLR claims in general. It really doesn't reflect what your specific case is going to do. On top of that, the virus has affected the VA in countless ways, so the new normal is going to be a lot longer than 125 days for a while as a general estimate. You could call Peggy and they can give you another est. completion date, but really, how accurate do you expect it to be. I currently have HLR appeal going on, and they pushed my estimated completion out about 3 weeks, but I'm not holding my breath. Hang in there brother.

Bluslim I think you should redact your personal info,name etc., and post it to this string. We need to see the wording on your decision letter. For a successful claim for a secondary condition, you must have a IMO from doctor, a specialist is best, that provide the rationale that x causes y. The doc has to provide sound medical evidence, like studies from sleep studies, medical journals, etc. and he has to state what degree of confidence that this pertains to you. Assuming that headaches cause insomnia (I have no idea), unless you already have a s-c disability that doesn't get you a pyramid effect, you should have a case. But we just can't do much with the info you have provided.

I think no pat answer is going to fit for everyone. That said I do the same as Bronc. I use my VAMC for almost all my medical requirements. It has worked out well for me. My eye doc is the lone exception. But not al VA MC are the same, staffed the same, has the same specialists and medical care, etc., etc. Another factor is how close are you to your VA; will there be a transportation issue when you no longer can drive.It really is going to depend upon your individual health and what the future holds for you. In terms of dollars, going with the VA with no co-pays or deductibles is cheaper. Ask around; ask your family if that is feasible. Your decision to drop Medicare is not reversible.

deedub75 That's correct. They won't give you a copy of your exam, but tell you you have to get them from the VA. Now, actually I have a problem with that. I have a lot of problems with some of the VA claims process, but in this case, it seems they are depriving me of my personal info. Constitutional issues? Anyway, it is what it is. My suggestion on the new exam is to ask them what is their specific process in "trying" to get it scheduled. Ask to speak to the manager that will schedule and see what can be done. You must have some recourse of pulling it back after a reasonable wait, so see if that can move the needle. But you have a possible dilema. If you force the VA, or even the contractor to assign the C&P to someone "less-qualified" to conduct the exam, and then you get an inadequate exam, it's going to be difficult for you to demand a new exam because it's going to sound like you're just trying to get a favorable exam. Just things to consider. In any case, be polite and tread lightly so that adverse notes aren't put in your file as being a complainer. It sucks, but it's hurry up and wait, all over again isn't it.

Buck Yes I sent it to Janesville and before the virus hit they turned those requests over usually in a few weeks. But, like I said, with the limited admin support, some of this stuff just is put on the back burner. I guess I will try an IRIS inquiry and see what kind of response I get. You're right though; 3 months is too long. I'll post what they say, as others are in the same boat I'm sure.

Looks like there finally is some progress in getting 3 of the 4 new Agent Orange presumptives approved (bladder cancer, hypothyrodism, Parkinsonism.) There is a major push to get HR566 and S332 included in the massive 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. Problem is, they negotiated the big one out of the bill, that is hypertension. Htn was recommended the strongest by the National Academy of Science, as having the most pressing rationale to be included. Now, who says "money talks"? But, not to worry; I'm willing to bet that the Congress will have another committee to study and then report on it! We shouldn't complain either. It's only been 50 years and these things take time. (Census data says 523 Vietnam veterans die every day!) Are you Gulf War and Burn Pits veterans paying attention? This is what you have to look forward to for the next 30 years or more.

deedub75 is right on. But don't hold your breath. I sent in for my C&P exam at LHI 3 months ago and nothing back yet. Supposedly just clerical paperwork requests are way backlogged because they didn't have most of those people come in due to the virus.

Berta makes a good point regarding missing awards/decorations. You submit an SF180 to NPRC if you want an award you never got), or say even a unit citation, etc. that you didn't even know you should have gotten. So, lets say you were infantry, mos is 11b for example. They do the research and add the CIB to your record by issuing a supplement to the DD214, which is called a DD215. If, however, they can't verify through your records that you should get a specific award, the tell you how to appeal. But the point is, if it isn't on your DD214, the VBA isn't going to make the effort to doing any research on you. For PTSD, that means it isn't an automatic you have a combat stressor. Veterans should take the time to correct errors on their DD214's even if they don't have any potential disabilities right now. Because, maybe you will need them later and it saves a lot of time and effort later when you do need it correct.

Alex Vync's advise is proved out every day. Don't worry about the est. completion date that the VA puts on your claim. I know it sounds strange, but don't pay attention. Period. It very often becomes an arbitrary date based on some input an admin person gets. If everything possible has been done and there is no more evidence to be obtained, it should be developed and completed a lot faster than an additional 10 months from now. Get a hobby or something else to do if you haven't anything left to do for your claim. You just have to let the VA do its thing.

MKAH It's discouraging, but you have a total rating of 80%, so this isn't your first rodeo. Get your letter and go over it carefully. You and your legal team will come up with a plan. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings! Keep us informed.

MarineLCpl If you call and get the document from the contractor, let us know. Usually, they will tell you that you have to get it from the VA. It would be interesting if you were successful.

Ranmic Obtaining a disability rating for hearing over 0% is fairly difficult. If it isn't really bad it just doesn't make their min. scale. But truthfully, the cost of hearing aides makes a 0% rating pretty attractive. Just because you are at 0% doesn't mean you don't need hearing aides. You also realize if you have tinnitus, ringing or buzzing noise, that is a SEPERATE rating from hearing loss and it is rated a flat 10% if you have it. I know a lot of veterans rated for tinnitus, but 0% or even nothing for hearing loss. If you have tinnitus, definitely claim it. As for hearing, if your ENT wrote a IMO for you that would be new evidence the VA would have to consider. Since you are already s-c at 0%, they aren't (likely) going to take it away, so you can reapply for an increase in a year or two.