callover007

To Sledge and John: Sledge, an opinion is just that, " an opinion". No proof is needed. You make statements. Have you ever had a course in Economics about cost and expenditures. Gotta take money in to stay in business. Wasn't it just a while back the VA big wigs under estimated their budget and congress bailed them out.Explain VA'a version of math. Help you volunteer. Get real!!! Why don't you quit whining and go to your local VA ans ask " how can I volunteer", very simple. Try it. John. I never whinned about my insurance paying VA. My cost goes up like everybodys as it is through OPM and there is a yearly increase, as in most insurance. Your interests state "fighting with the VA and my neighbors." Sounds like your just a delight to be around. You must be a barrel of fun. I keep my insurance because I have a choice of who I want to perform my surgery. I have never said the VA is perfect but what is?

To answer some of your replies. They do not bill Medicare because it is also a Gov agency, sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul. I have BC/BS and my rates go up yearly but I pay no deductible because of VA charges. It does, in my opinion, help ALL vets, something I would hope you would agree is a good thing. There are plenty of homeless and vets earning below the average income level that VA cares for that may otherwise not receive treatment. I have been on this board for more than 5 years and moniter it daily. There are some people here that hate the VA and would not say they are doing as good as they can with what a got. IF it offends you it is because your are the ones constantly berating VA regardless of what they do. If you have an open mind about the VA then you won't take offense to my statement. Try volunteering at your local VA and you will see good and bad workers. Why blame the good for some bad. Finally, if you don't want the VA to bill your insurance, cancel it!

Just try to imagine the number of vets that the VA treats daily and then think of the cost. Congress allows the VA to collect from your insurance or health care. This ssupplements for the cost. It cost you nothing extra as the VA settles full payment from the insurance and you have no co payment. As a matter of fact I get a bill showing what the insurance paid--no co-charge to me and it also goes to count for your yearly charges you would otherwise pay. It definalty help the vets, all vets, because it helps defray their cost and allows the VA to provide better and more services their budget might not have quite enough mone otherwise. I am IU-PT and don't mind the insurance helping the VA yearly cost.

David, Exactly what does your drinking have to do with IU. Sounds to me it is more of personal conduct than SC illness. Are you drawing compensation from the VA? For what if so? If your not VA comped your wasting time and resources of an already over worked system.

In you denial letter what were you denied for---SSI or SSDI??????? What was reason for denial.

Rotorhead-- Don't know what you'll get for the neuropathy but you will probably only get 10% for DMII on oral only.

Did you get denied for SSDI or SSI?--? As far as Acesup his statement is bull!!! There is no "Quota" or automatic tundown for the first time. Why so many are turned down is lack of presentation. I'n not saying you in particular cause I have not seen your packet. Many people think VA automaticly qualifies you. SSA decides on its own information sent in by you and their examinations. They don't know YOU. They just know you from what you send them.

cherie, I know SS and VA are seperate but one does have an impact on the other. I work with alot of vets and have worked for social security and the office of hearing & appeals (oha). SS like VA can re-exam in different stages. IE 1,3, or 5 years. You have to be disabled at least 1 year for SSDI, VA not for any certin time period. I have found through personal experience if your SSDI is 5 years or over that your chance of VA PT are much better. You must also consider age and education for SS's decision. Older and less educated workers have a slimer chance of "improving" or being retrained than a younger person. This is kind of what alot of the judges at OHA use in their decision. I have worked with and talked to over a dozen OHA judges and what they look for when considering re-exam time. Talk to alot of vets on SSDI and you should find this to be true in alot of case though not all. Don't forget age is a big factor also.

A permanent rating can be given without it being total. Say you lose an arm and they rate that at 50%( not sure of actual rating). You will not get yor arm back so it will never get better (or worse) making it permanent.

Awhile back I asked posters that have used Bash to post their success stories. Many, many defend him but cite examples of his "winning" case at the BVA. All the case cited that "he" won list numerous additional sources the BVA made their decision on. The replies from people who used Bash and actually "won" was limited to 3 or 4. He is well liked on this board and defended by people who have never even used him. I have used Bash for Lung cancer and back injuries well documented in my sservice records. He charged me $2000 for his "report." I am boots on ground Viet vet (3/9 marines 66-67). In his report he mentioned smoking and AO were to blame. I did not know that Lung cancer was presumed for AO. Bash should have known this. My back was denied as his little write up saying it probably was from the service. MY OPINION is still that Bash is overpriced, overrated, and is more interested in his fee than helping fellow Vets. His reports are usually 1-3 pages with his attached resume is 7-8 pages. I myself would never use him again and advise with all my heart no vet use him. I do not feel he is worth half of what he charges. Mind you, this is my opinion based on my facts and info I have collected. It is an opinion which I am entitled to share, and to the one long time poster who threatened to have Bash sue me for slander---help yourself!

I believe she is only entitled to 5 point preference???

Not to hyjack the post but Cowgirl and others are doing the Hokey-Pokey. For those that remember the dance I have sad news. The guy who came up with the Hokey-pokey dance passed away recently and they had a real hard time when they went to put him in the casket. Seems they put his right leg, in-he put his right leg out, they put his left leg in he out his left leg out. They put his-----well, ya'all know the rest.

The VA is allowed by law to bill the insurance companies. It makes no difference if a Cat 3 has insurance or not. You will still pay $8 co-pay. The VA recomps the rest from insurance. This helps defray their cost, allowing them to provide services for other Vets. If you did not have insurance your cost and VA's remain the same. Really it is to your benifit as the deductible from your insurance work in your favor the rest of the year. If VA could not collect from insurance companies imagine the services that they would not provide because of budget restraints.

Jim, Just wondering what DR. Bash charged you. Did the VA refer to his statement in your SOCC? Were you denied even with his letter?

Kris, I believe you are close to running out of time. You can file on the Jun 06. I don't believe you can file on an increase, it has to be a new SC. I also believe you have to be 100% to be waived the $10,000 but I am not positive. Someone will clarify. Better get going.

Hey Otoe, Been a while. How did your other claim come out. Drop me an e-mail and I'll update you on mine. I'm not positive but I think 1151 award is offset by comp award. Callover007

Terry, If you are rated at 94.5% that would round to 95% which would round up to 100%. Aren't you 100% schedular? They would not grant IU at the 100% rate.

CHERIe33, It means it went to the state office. Explaination: SSA does all the paperwork, checks if u have proper earnings,gathers med reports and other reports as needed, and make sure you meet other requirements and all evidence needed is collected. They then send to the state DDS ( Disibilites Determination Services). They are the ones who determine if you meet the medical portion for disibilty. This is the same for each state, that's why some states are easier than others but SSA does not actually determine until it goes to ALJ.

Leatherbill, You say Viet Nam ere---were you in country or on a ship. Are you currently service connected? Do you have a nexus, something in your service record showing these conditions? Sometimes--but rarely the VA will send you for outside test they can't do but it is rare. I used the Marion VA for about 3 years and felt they were very-very good, polite people and took excellant care of me and I was only 10% at the time.

AMMODAD, If I am not mistaken you need to know about 2 disibilities adding up. If it is what it means is: say you had sc lung surgery and get 30%. during surgery thay have to cut one of your ribs to remove lung, so they award you 10%. During surgery they cut you open and upon sewing you back together they leave a big scar and grant you 10% for that. Percent = 30%+10+10 to make 43%, rounded to 40$, thus qualifing the requirment of 40% for one. Same for DMII, perfiphal neuropthy- the DMII caused the PN so its is one condition to meet VA requirements.

Donewsome, I also have periphial neuropathy due to DMII. My codes are 8521 for lower-8515 for upper.

I took for about 30 days. It gave me diarhia(?) and musle cramps. My PCP changed to Glipizide(?). No problems with the new.

I come up with 45% rounded to 50% total award.

Boy, this is a subject I love. You asked for an opinion and I will offer mine. I used Bash and (in my opinion) you would waste money by using him. His opinions are not worth the price, in my opinon. This board and one person in particular swear by him, saying his opinions are ignored by the VA. They are are still fighting the VA. What a bunch of one-sided bull. My opinion is that he does not write a good opinion. SOME folks says he is a hired gun and that is what they, the claiment needs, but his opinions have to match fact. In my opinion he says what you want to hear, not what the VA needs to substanitate a nexus. My opinon is he is a waste of the Vets money and his main concern is his profit.; and to a certain person who "love her baby" send him all my e-mails. You should feel ashamed for promoting a man who charges this price and will not help a Veteran without up front money. People have been swearing by him but have been in dispute for years counting on his opinion and there are very few success stories where he helped a claiment ask for reconsideration or a NOD. His success is VA appleate where other medical evidence is subbmited and not his opinion alone. You asked for an opinion and I gave one. It will disagree with most opinions on THIS board but I have paid the $2000 for him and feel it a COMPLETE WASTE of money. This is from personal experience and not hearsay. Your choice.