GBArmy

Dustoff 11 Last September I got 2 replacement masks after getting a hard time from them; seems usage is supposed to be minimum of 2 months per mask. I told the tech that the rubber wouldn't hold up and would tare after only 3 or 4 weeks. I used to use masking tape to patch them up so they wouldn't leak.This last 2 replacement masks are GREAT! They must have changed suppliers or something. As it so happens, I ordered and just receive some new equipment; new mask, harness and hose. And you are right about them collecting the data; they get it every morning digitally. We don't have to bring it in unless it is a repair situation. I just hope the material used for the mask is the same as my last ones.

I'm not sure I like the idea of a loaner either. I can see a unit being returned, not inspected and cleaned up, and just put on the shelf to be shipped out to some other veteran. And speaking about clean, that doesn't sound too great either. Gotta be germs just sitting there waiting to get into you. And, unless you live close enough to hand carry it to the VAHC for an immediate replacement, it's gotta take several days to ship it back and get another one in the return mail. That's several days of unhealthy sleeping.Na, I don't think I like the idea.

GMANN Good advise from broncovet if it fits your situation: First, if whatever your disability was is what you still have right now, and, if you could get a doc to give you a IMO that says the condition you now have is a result of your s-c event and the condition is should have been established back in 1977, you could appeal using a lawyer. The back pay would be significant for 40+ years. If your condition doesn't show that it should be rated now at 20%, the only way you could win is if the diagnostic codes where changed from when you were first rated. What was the basis for denial?

Jae You got it pegged. "We'll see." no way of knowing what was written in their reports. Don't worry about it, water over the damn. If you had the C&P's done at the VA, rather than one of these medical outfits, you can request a copy at the RO. I believe you can now see the results in ebenefits after 30 days. If everything is good and you get s-c for these, great. If not, you will need the reports to appeal. But you did the stressful stuff, so great. Wait now for you results. Good luck.

Congrats Space Ace54! Great news, thanks for sharing. It is always good that veterans come back and let everyone know about the good news for you. By the way, when you get your back pay, if you can, remember that a donation would also help Hadit stay on line and continue to help others. Again, congrats!

andy.clark179 Your earlier post stated that your claim went back to the VARO to figure out what your ratings should be and also your comp based on that. They are asking you if you have any Additional info that would indicate a higher rating. If your conditions have worsened then the VA would want to give you an updated C&P. so you are compensated for your current conditions. If you reply that you don't have any additional evidence, then they might skip the new C&P and just develop your comp. Hey, it's the VA and they could be doing something else, but that is what I suspect they are doing. Gotta wait and see.

Tomin You can monitor payments also by going to ebenefits and looking at payments to you. Since it is back pay,not your monthly comp, it is paid out and deposited into your banking account anytime the process finally develops.

Sharon Don't be discouraged yet, you still have to see what the decision letter says anyway. It can take a while. You could try calling Peggy, but I'm not sure that is going to be very productive for you. You also checked ebenefits on payments made correct? In any case, don't give up. You can always appeal; it's what most of us have to do.

I would probably second Broncovet's opinion on HLR. I would only use it myself if it was an obvious over site that the VA made. There being very strong evidence in the case but the rater somehow overlooked it. Think of it as a simple CUE. An example: the examiner states the veteran has tinnitus, but instead of awarding 10%, they award o%. Since 10% is the lowest and only rating provided for tinnitus, the DRO might just change the award at HLR. Not always, mind you. There is a lot of evidence that they will deny anyway and make you appeal again.

He could do the HLR, and, if it happened to be denied, he would have up to a year from the new denial to submit new evidence or submit to BVA with or without any additional evidence.

I don't have a direct connection but the use of certain meds, IN Combination with Other Meds, can cause adverse stomach/esophagus problems. So you first have to research the side-effects of the individual meds that you take and go from there. The point being that it isn't an obvious cause you might be looking at, but the effects NASAID AND others in combination that can cause your disability. No doubt, NASAIDS do cause a lot of problems just by themselves. Research BVA cases and see what comes up on GERD using them.If you have Barrett's syndrome (next level after GERD), that can be rated at 30%. Rated at a current 90%, that could help you on your climb to 100% scheduler.

Buck52 is spot on. WillyB, try not to get too pumped up on this; your examiner works for someone, and her decision has to be signed off. It wouldn't be the first time a veteran was told favorable stuff and wham, they get something completely different than the verbal. Wait to get your decision in writing. You're past experience with the VA indicates how they work. I'm not saying it's going to be bad news, but wait and see it. Best of luck.

I hope it works well for a lot of Navy guys. It was developed to HELP the Navy veterans show they were within the 12 miles, but it is not the only way to prove where you were. Unfortunately, I think the VA will be using it as the reason to deny if it wasn't listed. It is give and take, It will make it easier for some, and so, more may file for what they deserve. But if the info wasn't inputed correctly, it will be used to deny when that isn't the purpose for the software. IMO

Here is the software tool that the VA has developed to determine if a navy ship was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam. https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/interactive-map-of-blue-water-navy-vietnam-ships-help-vets

Congrats on your win, Han Glyder! Way to go. Great example of "You don't lose until you quit trying." I hope a lot of people read your post and are motivated to keep on trucking. I also hope you stay with us and learn and share your knowledge. Who knows, you might come up with another path to another disability! Great job.

Berta This might be old hat to you but just in case: I would contact the current Representative's office and explain. Ask what is the procedure to get out of achieves Rep. Grone's letter dtd. xxx, etc. If he was on a "veterans" committee, it also might be part of that committee findings. There must be a way to get it because it is public record. The listing would be an attachment to he letter of course.

Dustoff 11 is spot on. We all (well most of us) have been denied by the VA simply because they refuse to acknowledge all the evidence. Then on appeal, the just repeat the initial denial. It looks like you have a reasonable chance at BVA. If you are at 90% you could just go with what you have, or, you could try to add more. like another IMO. I wouldn't; if denied at the BVA, you can always keep the chainn going and appeal again; this time with more evidence. I don't think you are missing much from what I read. The VA's purpose is to deny anyone from getting to 100%. Realy, really to get it scheduler! IMO

Buck52 I wish more veterans, and others, extend a helping hand to veterans in need like you. Especially veterans helping veterans. Sometimes it is the only way to reach some of these guys. They will more likely trust a fellow veteran, because you've been there and done that. I've seen it with homeless veterans. I truly believe it is my duty to help if I can, when I can, where I can. It isn't just money either. It's showing them that there can be hope out of their problem, and trying to help in some way to find a way out. I don't believe in feeling sorry for myself; you don't have to look very far to see someone a whole lot worse than you. Like I said if I can, when I can, where I can.

Buck52 That is sad. Another great job by uninformed or poorly trained VSO's. As we know, if he had been injured while in service he would be covered. He should have received comp for a medical discharge. I had a fellow who was in for 87 days; he was just discharged for the convenience of the gov't. He only had one eye BEFORE he enlisted. Past a physical and everything. Finally, his CO noticed and they discharged him. Concept of being fit when you join; it wasn't mentioned on his medical info. Everyone I talked to said to forget it; no chance. We got him 50% disability. He was so happy we didn't go after any back pay; he didn't want to "rock the boat."

MKHA I am not a medical expert by any means. But your argument is that you have headaches 5 x week and have to lie down 5 X week. Migraines/headaches under diagnostic code 8100 states that migraines are rated on symptoms of frequency, severity and prostrating. You also say you have to lay down in a dark room due to the severity. Your history meets a level for 50% IMO. Expect a low-ball rating, even on appeal is what I would think the VA will try. For your sake, I hope i'm wrong. But they don't like to give out 50% ratings.

The system is broken. The VA hires medical people to do inadequate exams, that are incomplete, way too short of time for the task involved, without complete medical files to review for the C&P, sometimes by people not qualified to make appropriate evaluations because of lack of expertise, and somehow, if we get an outside medical opinion to support the veteran's claim, that is wrong??? It's the VA's systems; you have to play by their rules. It is allowed. If you need extra help, it's allowed and you don't do it, you're stepping up to the plate with a strike already called before you get into the batter's box.

And Brokensoldier244t You're looking good too!

Buck 52, the fly in the ointment is that the VAMC will not issue a VA ID for a veteran rated under 10%. The still will get health care for their s-c condition, but are not eligible for other care, or there is additional costs somehow. They are aware of the problem; the new law allows 0% rated veterans to go to the commissaries, but the VA Health right now won't provide the ID to less than 10%. I'd like to hear if anyone got this resolved yet (the law just started a week ago), because I know several that want the benefit and can't access the base.

MKAH Yes, you need to wait for your decision letter. See it in writing. You might be able to guess your disability rating for the migraines based on your symptoms given and C&P. Say 10%. I see that you were rated 60% combined, so do the calculation to see if it will move you up to 70%. Back pay will take a little longer to catch up sometimes, but you can monitor your bank statement and might get the money direct deposited prior to actually getting the letter. Also, you might start scouting out a new doc to get an IMO for your SA. Need to see what the denial was based on but now start thinking on how to appeal. Chip away; that's what we all do. Keep trying; "you don't lose until you quit trying."

By the way, effective January 1, 2020, a disabled veteran, rated even 0% can use the commissaries. You do need the VA Health ID card to gain access however.