divine

Thanks Cowgirl for your input. Let me not forgot all the others who chimed in. I have documentation from my Neurologist, PCP, and MH counselor that I am unemployable due to my service connected disabilities. My MH counselor as well as the C & P counselor both indicated that the depression is a result of my sc disabilities and is also a reason for my unemployability. I have a claim pending for the Depression and anxiety. Thanks a million for you help. If anyone has any questions regarding the billing, fee basis, or enrollment issues feel free to drop me a line. That's my specialty. divine

I am presently taking depicote and imitrex. I have also been prescribed imipramine for the depression and chronic pain...however neither works. In the past year I have been on inderal, neurontin, verampamil, and topomax with no relief. I did not file for IU at the time of my PCP advice because I was still working full time and believed that via the FMLA time I had taken that they would be resolved. Unfortunately after several months of daily headaches and an MRI showing white matter lesions indicating possible damage to the brain and other stressors I have been unable to continue to work. By that time my job was looking for an out because they stated that they needed someone who was capable of being at work full time. I even attempted a tele-work program to no avail because the headaches leave little room to perform any activity. In my separation letters from work it clearly indicates my reason for leaving as with the final judgement from OPM regarding my disability retirement.

Hello everyone, My name is Monica(divine). I have been away for awhile but I need some assistance with my claim. I am presently 50% sc for migraines(30%), patellofemoral syndrome(10%), cervical strain w/ degenerative disc disease(10%), and thoracic/lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis(10%). In March 2008, I applied for an increase in service connection for Migraines which are currently rated at 30%. I have had daily headaches since November 2007 and at the urging of my VA PCP was advised to submit a claim for an increase in compensation. In October 2008, I was advised by my VA PCP that I should consider leaving work since sc conditions were impairing my ability to work. I was working for the VA and had taken the 12 weeks of FMLA in an attempt to regain controll of the migraines. The 12 weeks came and went with no resolve and I was placed on light duty by my PCP which stated that I was unable to work due to prostrating migraine attacks. Since submitting my claim for an increase I have lost my job with the VA due to my sc conditions and have recently been approved for disability retirement through the VA. I have also applied for social security disability(still pending). I contacted the Nevada Regional Office and was advised that my claim is in the final ratings stages as I had also applied for sc for several other conditions to include depression/anxiety secondary to the migraines. My question is should I wait until I receive a decision letter to apply for TDIU or should I apply now since it has been documented by my PCP, Neurologist, and PTSD counselor that I am unemployable. Also once I do file for TDIU what will the effective date of the TDIU since my original claim was filed in 9/2003. Thanks a million for any advice you'll can provide. Divine

Thanks for the information...I have submitted an appeal for my previous rating decision because my condition has gotten worse since my filing in 09/2003. I have gone from being extremely active, working out and running 3 times a week to having to depend on a cane to get around because of the pain and radiation down my legs and into my hands. I submitted an appeal in March of 2006 and recently received my award letter....which I still do not agree with. I sent in my NOD regarding the issues and I am wondering what are the next steps I should take. All together there are 24 separate diagnosis or issues concerning my entire spine yet I am only rated for Cervical Strain with DDD and DDD of the Lumbo Spine with Thoracic Strain. My VA Nurse Practioner has been extremely helpful and so has the Ortho Clinic. The biggest issue I am having is the fact that I had X-rays done 2/2006 with various findings, MRI done in 04/2006 with significant findings, yet on the C & P X-rays the same Radiologist found nothing, so how do I address this issue. I have contacted my outside insurance for an IMO, MRI, etc. As far as the 1999 claim, I completely forgot about it and was not seen at the VA for some time...and the correspondence never made it to me because for about 2 years after my mother's death, I never stayed in one city or state for more than 2 to 3 months. I now have all of my medical records...to include my C-File because I retrieve copies of the notes after every appointment. Monica

Hello everyone, I have a question for anyone with some insight. I received a copy of my Claims folder from the VA and discovered something that I had completely forgotten and blacked out of my mind. I discovered that I initially submitted a compensation claim back in 12/1999. The issue is that four months after submitting my claim my mother passed away from breast cancer and I relocated to another state to try to get a grasp of myself emotionally. While in the other state I was never seen or even enrolled at the VA there however there are letters in my file regarding missing C & P appointments that I had no knowledge of. My question is do I have a leg to stand on if my service medical records are thoroughly documented showing my issues that I was awarded my first compensation rate of 40% back in 2003(this one I remembered)? Is it possible to filing a claim or fight with the VA regarding the initial claim from 1999 even though I missed the C & P, and if so how do I proceed with doing so. The very same issues that I filed the claim for in 1999 are the exact same things that I filed for on my 2003 claim. The other question is even if I did not attend the C&P exam shouldn't the VA still have made a decision either approving or denying the claim? Another question I have is regarding my increase request...I am a VA employee and was sent to another facility for the C&P yet my C-File was not sent even though it was requested. At the time of my exam the only thing present was one sheet of paper with my general info on and nothing else. Isn't the VA required to have the person conducting the C&P to review the entire claims folder prior to an exam for an increase? If so, is there a regulation or direction I can follow up on this issue? The other question I have is, is the VA required to disclose to the veteran new findings during a C&P exam other than stating because of complaints of pain the appeal for an increase has been approved? Because the VA found some issues with my knee that was supposedly not there before but I was not made aware of this until I received my C-File. One more thing, this has to be the absolute best site for discovering valuable information when it comes to dealing with the VA in general, not just filing claims.

Berta, Another question I have is in the re-stating of my disability and how it may affect my present ratings? Also should I file a claim for the different clinical diagnosis that the VA doctors have used regarding my back problem? The only relief I have beyond the morphine, hydrododone, gabapentin, salsalate, tramadol, is having osteopathic treatments every 2 weeks. If I exceed two weeks between treatments my pain level jumps from tolerable to I'm gonna hurt somebody.

Hello everyone, I need a bit of assistance with an issue. Here is a bit of a back story to my issue...3 years prior to entering the military, I was injured in a car accident during which I sustained an injury to my back and neck. After several months of physical therapy I was released by my doctor who provided documentation to support the fact that my condition is now asymtomatic. Upon entering service during my initial examination note of the accident was indicated in my medical records as well as the supporting documentation from my doctor...the entrance exam paperwork indicates my condition was also asymtomatic. During my four years in the Air Force, I was injured during an exercise and then again in a car accident. I submitted my first claim for a back disability in 2003 during which time I was rated 10% Service connected for cervical and thoracic strain with degenerative disc disease. Unaware at the time that I could appeal this decision I allowed the claim to close. In March 2006, I submitted a claim for an increased rating for my back disability during which time I was notified that a change had been made to separate the original claim because the cervical spine and the thoracic/lumbo spine are separate segments. Instead of receiving an increase to the original rating I received a separate rating for Degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with Thoracic Strain. I still disagree with this decision and am thinking of submitting a NOD regarding this issue. I contact a VSO in regards to assisting me with my claim and was told the VA is doing me a favor by even giving me a rating considering the fact that I had previously sustained an injury before service. Here is the bigger issue...I am a 32 year old mother of a 2 year old son who requires the use of a cane. I recently spent 2 months on Family Medical Leave from my job and am wondering if this would play a role in assisting with getting an increase. My problem is that the only time that I find any comfort what so ever is when I am flat on my back because sitting causes the most pain which makes it difficult in performance of my daily duties at work. Also to contribute to this chaos is the fact that there are a documented 20 different things in my medical records relating to my back disorder which is why I find it even more difficult to understand my present rating. I have gone through PT, OMT, Pain Management, Chriropratic treatments, pain meds, personal trainer, and have been seen by an Ortho and Neuro surgeon but am not a candidate for surgery because of the fracture found on my spine. The Othro Surgeon and radiologist detailed the findings of my MRI as: Acute degenerative disc disease with degenerative vertebral arthritis. Thoracic spine shows a T7-T8 compression what looks like disc displacement. The lumbar spine shows L3, L4, and L5 disc degeneration with vertebral degeneration and a L4-L5 disc herniation or protrusion. Disc degeneration and disc flattening of the cervical spine at C3 to C6. Compression fracture of T7-T8 with disc displacement, lumbar spine disc displacement, and disc degeneration. My ultimate question is how should I proceed with this issue. I don't agree with the decision but if the VA is actually reviewing the same medical records that this information is in why is it that I am unable to receive a higher rating. What should I do to attempt to get an increase for this disability because my biggest issue is the fact that I honestly don't believe I will be able to continue working because of the amount of pain I am in 7 days a week/ 24 hours a day. Any assistance in this matter will be greately appreciated. Thank You, Monica

In order to receive a refund contact the MCCF or MCCR office at the VA where you have made your payments and request a refund. The only services the VA will bill your private insurance company for are services or medications not directly related to your service connected condition. If there are any vet's here from Las Vegas area who need some help with your VA bills send me a message and I'll review your accounts for you. Monica

Jerry are both of you veterans? If she is rated at 60% service connected and the VA does the surgery she may be entited to a temporary 100% rating provided the issue is service connected. This is particularly key. The other thing you may want to examine is to check with your local VA FEE Basis section to find out what type of other assistance may be offered in the event that the two of you incur any bills.