ToxicSgt73

I do owe some thanks to this forum. Thanks. We had a rocky start back around 28 months ago. I was a mess. I started with an Intent to File, then I absorbed myself in research and my multiple file boxes of medical evidence. I requested my DD214 and my STR's. I looked at what was in my STR's and what I knew had happened to me in the service. I tried to figure out how to file a claim with a strategy. I failed. I should have filed for tinnitus and one other of my 'slam dunks' (I know, there are no such things) (but, in my case yes there were a few). I knew that was the right strategy. But, I struggled with all those legitimate claims that I also knew should get filed and granted. When the Intent to File was about to expire, and I had not found the kind of help I needed to help me organize to develop a coherent strategy....I was breaking down, and with some push from a VA social worker, I just walked down the hall to the nearest VSO to just get it done. Which I did. This VSO didn't even complete the typed lines across for claim information (was this a legitimate strategy?) I had to have her trim the list after she insisted I should file everything she listed after she had talked to me for about 15 minutes. I removed a few things, and I was still looking at 12 claims. I know. I was sick at the time and not thinking all that good. And I just closed my eyes, signed it, turned it over and prayed. A long time passed and I was sent a development letter, to which I responded with as much evidence in the 30 days the letter said I had to respond (I believe now I should have kept sending stuff as I completed it) based on what I learned from this site and well as other places. I choose to pick the two claims that I had the most evidence that was a direct match for the ratings criteria. I didn't have nexus letters for anything. It is not that I didn't try. My expeience was I was not only not getting any nexus letters from the VAMC, I was not getting favorable information put into my records often enough. Usually only when I fought them to do it. Or went around them. I was getting some good care from most of the providers (but still not getting things written in the right ways to help). I was able to get a good case built for 2 of the claims, hemmoroids and chronic sinusitis. Caluza 1) STRs were solid for these two. 2) medical evidence and a lay statement, with a current diagnosis and chronic history, being treated by VA for both. 3) no nexus letters. This had taken me 30 days to get this much done. I was able to get a few more things for a couple more claims (which helped, as I can see in my decision letter) but, I didn't even get my 'statement of claim' for each claim uploaded, or if I did, these don't show up online. I do know I was wasted and frazzled and it took me a month to recover, to realize that I had really screwed up. I had a chance to upload evidence (which I had) for each claim, and to upload statements for each one, but, like I had been searching for someone to help me......I couldn't get it done....maybe that is why I am not working? It sucks..... Why did I bring this up? Let me break it down: - the claims that I uploaded the evidence got granted. Hemmoroids max 20% a real documented pain, and STRs backed it up. Chronic Sinusitis, 10% same evidence but, I was lowballed even with evidence and what I thought to be a good C&P questioning. - tinnitus - know your MOS or AFSC or whatever it is called where you served. And know all the noise sources. (Mine was retired, and the new crosslisting was for 'Special Purpose Vehicle Maintenance' with a moderate risk listed. Not quite accurate for a F106 Weapons Control Systems Mechanic with HIGH risk. Thankfully the C&P examiner was helpful, and laughed about the crosslisting, and told me this kind of thing is common (nah)...he also asked me about ground equipment possibly being in use when I worked on aircraft (duh, why hadn't I thought about that?) So, tinnitus 10%, and I got bilateral hearing loss at 0% (only because of the word test, being NOT the right one) (on purpose? I suppose). -big toes - bad toenail surgery both toes, old time cauterization leave nasty residuals that actually have caused documented (and suggested by VA docs) arthritis in both big toes, I have loss downward movement in left great toe and upward movement is impossible without great pain, and this has lead to a painful heel spur in the other foot....now I get secondaries off the 0% bilateral great toes for (fungus) VA Claim switched the name. I didn't upload anything here. - other numerous claims- I got a lot of help in the decision letter to go forward on these. - I had 12 C&P DBQ pre questionaires from QTC contractor. I was contacted in November to set up exams. I learned that I could shop the exams for others that were available earlier in time than what was offered to me. I actually had two cancelled and rescheduled for earlier exams (I made sure that this would not hurt me). And give up that the exam has be next door to your house. I drove 85 miles to two of mine and also for a diagnostic test. I had 10 C&P exams lumped into one....(I know...) So....what did I learn and what can I offer to others. -start small, only give the VA something easy to start with -write a good supporting 'statement of claim' for each claim -upload all the evidence you have, I even uploaded some articles that supported my missing nexus -review your STR's and exit medical/entrance exam, and structure claims accordingly... - get lay statements that support claims, I uploaded two, one for sinus (it will also support a secondary that I haven't even mentioned) and one for my T7, T8, T9 fractures (which was claimed as back condition, and is a battle I will fight in the coming days) -when you overload as I did many times in the 28 months from Intent to File to Claim Closed.....take a break for a few months and stay away from all of it. - when you get questionaires to fill out before the C&P exams....give this your best effort. and make copies for yourself to have on hand and to keep. - its time now for a couple of IMO's to get the high value claims that the decision letter tells me all I am missing is the nexus So. I got helpful info from this site in the past. The VA benefits machine isn't all bad....some of it seems to work pretty good, albeit too damn slow. Everything I am seeing, what was granted and what was denied.....and WHAT that decision states....is everything one reads on this site and everywhere else....its complicated just like my claim is, was, and will continue to be....and yours too... Everything about this process is documented....somewhere.....and that is on purpose. Makes it all legal, not easy. Nothing given, if not asked for, if not listed somewhere, and not in the right way. Do the best you can, and then wait. Pray.

What happened in my experience from a documented prior civilian diagnosis, that I gave to my primary care doctor (1st one, before I had him replaced) I gave him this info as history, mostly because, yes it is out there, but, it has also been backed off by the original diagnosing doctor at Mayo Clinic in writing in a letter to the VA. All that said....VA primary care doc 1, notes false diagnosis in my record.....it took me getting primary care doctor replaced, and six months of being mislead through patient advocate, a telephone visit with VAMC admin, back to patient advocate, then being told I would be given an appointment with someone to talk with about it.....if that was okay....(social worker, we are still talking)...... Finally got my primary care doctor changed.....after 3 months of seeing him, he amended records......but, original note is still there to see, with amended notes to the right...... ***NOTE to the original poster.....you must Verify if future doctors or others who rely on your records actually read the amendment or the original note. Some say they see the original still....and others say they don't..... But, I can tell you that from how this has impacted my VA health care journey its a crap shoot.....as to just what you can get done about a 'false' entry....and if you are 'ever' done dealing with that first false entry. I have been submitted to the VA regional spine hub.....twice....both times prematurely.....to what I was told beforehand as to when it would happen. Now, why is that important 1, and what does that have to do with correcting false records 2? 1. My first diagnosis was misdiagnosis of the neurological type, it was helpful 9 years ago, having a name for 'all' my problems, but it has stopped anyone from looking at my spine, and because of what it was (mostly anything else). And yes, the VA Spine Hub saw the false entry, and stopped right there the first time, noting that was all they saw. (this was in the middle of the time I was fighting to have it removed) The second time I was submitted to the VA Spine Hub, it was like Bermuda Triangle, meets Twilight Zone at the Caluza Junction.... The VA Neuro who submitted me (a nurse practitioner neuro) was very thorough, and I loved 99% of what she did, except for her inferring that because I still go to Mayo once a year and participate in studies for aging.....at the Abigail Van Buren Alz Research Center at Mayo Rochester......she then casually noted that I go there annually for Alz treatment...... So, result of my second VA Spine Hub referral.......the Hub noted my false Alz.....and from there it is like reading a VA Claim Remand....the Hub went on to the tell the VAMC exactly what they needed to see in my record....NOT if....but, when I am resubmitted..... Spine: T7, T8, T9, chronic subtle deformities....i.e. FRACTURES...(pretty little triangles)...only time ever hit there was with a TACAN antenna that broke off the underbelly of a F106 I was working on....now I have stenosis in all three regions and spinal cord impingements in cervical with probably by the end of this month a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy and the 3rd referral. Sorry for all the NOTE:s But, something like just doesn't go away. on the second referral, I was in the process of having the second false entry corrected, but the same day I read that it was corrected.....I also saw that I was magically already had been submitted again to the VA Spinal Hub and read that they saw the false note and that was about half of what they saw..... So......if you have a false record......attack it....NUKE it...... What I have been told since all this......each VAMC has an office that a veteran can go to and request a record be corrected. So, what I am thinking......this is what one should do....and not discuss it with anyone else until this is done. This then puts the veteran in the drivers seat as to just 'what' is corrected or amended......and even more important.....to 'what' it is corrected to..... I know some of you don't like long posts.....I can't do short ones.....I know how important this issue has been, IS, and will continue to be for me.....I hope this post helps someone. Rant still not over..... About a year ago.....when I started to see that I needed to file a VA claim along with getting on VA health care.....I wrongly thought that I was the OWNER of my medical records and that medical records were SACRED.... What I found out.....medical records DO NOT exist for the patient.....the patient does NOT own the record......the patient does not control the record....and more importantly.....the patient NEVER sees the Whole Record....(let that sink in).... and if they are SACRED....then it is in an EVIL way......just try to get any records that you don't already have a copy of from any time back (civilian....) VA and Military records are whole nother story.

I haven't seen a letter, nor will I. Not part of this. But, I did watch the court on youtube....VA was spanked repeatedly.

Backpay, I understood your problem, and yes, you keep knocking on more doors until the right one opens. I have learned, not to expect much help here either....but you can learn about others moms good advice and how long they walked barefoot in snow without any help.....so why should you expect any...... Geez....I am going to have to reexamine my head to see why I subscribed here...... I read a handful of posts and the its the same group who belittled me when I got on board......doing the same thing over and over.....this board could be something great......if you guys actually tried to understand what someone WHO is trying to do what you did previously Could actually use some help.....because WE ALL KNOW we ain't getting it nowhere else..... VA, VSO's private doc's all have agendas......and it sure ain't to help a fellow vet......I suggest a new sub board......VETS actually helping VETS......I will play on that one......I have about 90 VA encounters in the last six months.....I was so close to tying up some loose ends......I drove 3 hours and spent a night in a hotel to make an appt with a hot shot 'troubleshooter' VSO about 4 months ago......(VSO has not returned a single coorespondence......not an email nor a phone call........NoT a single acknowledgement.......VA docs keep finding more and more images and diagnosies that line up with my SMR's......but will not even list any on my active problem list.......it is a fight everywhere....... yes......I will do it on my own......if I live that long.......why does it need to be that way on this board? Backpay, you don't owe any apologies for asking for help, its the other way around.

Ms. Berta, I noticed at the VAMC I am going to My Blue Button Notes are showing the following: "Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Contract Nurse Practitioner Signed: xx/xx/xx 00:00" and "Receipt Acknowledged By: xx/xx/xx 00:00 /es/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx STAFF PHYSICIAN" This matches up to Staff listing you posted. That link is also under 'Providers' at each VAMC individual website. I am new to using VA medical so not familiar how it used to be. It appears VA is listing whether or not Contract or Staff at this facility. Then I have a Specialist that is listed in the Blue Button Notes as co- signing with his specialty like 'Gastroenterology' but is not tagged as either Contract nor Staff. But he is on the Faculty at the attached Medical School, I only saw the 5th year intern, who has already rotated out, never saw the doctor. I wonder what his status is?

I been wanting an excuse to drive over to the next valley. Leaves are turning. Will have to stop in on them. Congrats to all.

flow1972, I read your whole thread, I am new to all this also, I am 0% SC today, and I just enrolled in VA medical care about a month and a half ago. I will try to share a couple of things that I have learned. I was in the AF. I had an experimental flu shot at TECH school (the Air Force has been the guinea pig for flu shots for all branches since the 1940's) (when you have a reaction, you go to sick call, not that they will tell you that, but google will) (google lowry, university of colorada, flu shots, and 1972, or 1976 for real killer) that made me extremely ill....so much so that I refuse to take another....this was in 1973. The deal is....when doing what you are doing....connecting the dots.....the web just keeps getting bigger and bigger. My STR's show first Acute Sinus with VK penicillin plus nasal spray script, was in NOV 73, I was given the FLU shot DEC 12.....does anyone think I was healthy and not immune comprised on DEC 12? What if I share that sometime between mid Sept, and NOV 73 I had a detail of shoveling Pigeon Poop, scraping it off building, and shoveling areas where the ground was covered in it. Then add pneumonia at 29, pleurisy, and chronic problems from 73 till now. Also when connecting all the dots. My first head MRI scan shows a completely filled maxillary sinus cavity with mention of polyps. Then a head CT scan in 2007 mentions that sinus mucosal thickening probably due to FUNGAL cause...... MY recommendation? Don't jump to the first cause and effect you find when trying to connect the dots. I just had a Gastro Catscan that incidentally shows thoracic vertebrae damage probably from using my back to break a center line underbelly antenna in 1975~(luckily I was able to track down the SSgt that working on the plane with me, and his memory isn't totally shot), it is probably going to tie in to quite a few issues that I have had since then, that no one could find a box for before. Some boxes are going to have to swapped. I am going to have to rethink some of what I mapped out real pretty in the war room, over the last 3 months, as it has become easier to explain. I don't know if what I am doing is right, wrong or off planet....but, i am taking my time connecting the dots. I found a VSO that is one of the top two in my State, by talking to upper level chain in VSO organizations. I told them what I was looking for, before I would accept a VSO, keeping in mind, that it is my responsibility, but, I want real interest and real help, or I will just do it myself. I think if you search for it, you can find it. As far as VA health care, its a mixed bag. I found a great hospital, but a primary care doc assigned to me at a CBOC is a joke. So....I have been to the 'URGENT/Care - ER' at the VAMC 4 times in less than 2 months. I also have had 3 skin lessions removed, one 5 stitches, two x 2 stitches. One abdominal Catscan, wore a Holter monitor for a week, I just came back from a MBA - Mixed Barium Swallow.....which finally shows someone else that my esophagus has a mind of its own, and more that I can't think of right now.....I have been to the Patient Advocate office twice, they have a back door just for me. I called a Social Worker, I call the Help line. I am supposed to be getting a new primary care doctor. I got NOTHING FROM THE assigned Pact Team Primary Doctor......I am hoping you are getting my message about how it has worked for me....First time you hear NO is an invitation to go ask somewhere else, as long as what you are asking for is real, or you believe it is real. I find it unbelievable that I have hope for better health, and for even more claims thru new diagnoses coming from the NEW VA.......but, it ain't easy, they make you work for it. If you quit after ONE NO......you are done. I don't quit. I don't think you will either. I am thinking the Primary Care Doctor is the same as with an HMO, he is a gatekeeper, and the only tool he has is a LOCK. The ER door is never LOCKED.

Vync, Thanks, I did get the back end report and the CD 'today', I told them the truth, I was going to civilian doc, if some doctor didn't get with me and I needed 'my' records. Then I went and talked to patient advocate, I had waited the required time, and I had options, I just needed to know what the VA was going to do, so I could decide. I have to say, most of my experience so far with the VA has been positive. I have my gastro consult moved up to tomorrow, and my skin lesson has been moved up. I still don't have a PC doc, but, I did request a staff MD, with EARS (at least part of one). I talked to local vet in one of the waiting rooms today, he just went through the acupuncture, they have it in the VAMC, that is where I am transferring, he went through 4 appts, and said, it surprised him, it appears to be doing him some good. I have had a civilian disabled plate for 9 years, for these same legs, as PN. I did go to the State Vet Affairs VSO, and I am hoping I found a good one. So, yes, the claim is being put together between the doctor visits. It looks like I have 1 IMO lined up, I will need one or two more. I have to call in those buddy letters now, that I have a better idea of what I need. Thanks

Prominent facet arthrosis of lower lumbar spine, Mild spondylosis of lumbar spine, opens new door. I thought my claim was overwhelming before this. I had a catscan for abdominal issues: The above (plus other things) is on the Lab Report Radiologist report, but the Blue Button Notes, omit the part about the spine? I have waited 7 days plus since catscan and no followup from PC, although, the notes are flagged: Significant Abnormarlity: Atten Needed and the notes go into detail about handoff to PC doc, and his signature is there, taking the handoff, but no contact. I have talked to Patient Advocate before, actually just before I left the house to go get the emergency room, where they ordered the catscan (but asked me on the way out: do you want the good news or the good news? to which I replied, shoot me with all of it. Which I was told everything was fine, get with my PC later. Now to the question: I have thought and so have doctors that I had parethesia (cop out diagnosis) or PN, but EMG would be normal. But I have Radiculopathy sypmtoms, in my STR's that are still with me today, that line up with my spine problem, and I have an incident where I broke an antenna that ran under the centerline of a F106, by striking it with my back as I working under the aircraft, that I Red X'd for flight....after I was able to stand up. I sucked it up. And my knees are arthritic, I did pound the pavement more than anyone else around me in combat boots, often dehydrated, sometimes on speed (per flight surgeon) plenty of forced dehydration, in sauna and steam and running. I know alot of you have back problems (spine) I thought I didn't, when I look at those scans, I know better now. Now I know why I bend or break every driver seat in my new vehicles. First one was a Datsun/Nissan sentra, bent two seats in same manner, in the first two months. It took me a few years to break the weld in my 2500HD GMC Sierra, on the right hand side to match my old Nissan. Probably my ankles are that way too. I don't have an image, yet....I did turn it a few years ago and it doubled in size. So, I am camping out at the VAMC morning morning, I am done with the CBOC. I have the form filled out already to change PC, I already spoke to the Patient Advocate a week ago, he said no problem but have to wait in line. I don't like lines, especially when I am hurting. Any tips? Ideas? Something I am missing? Patient Advocate? Another office? ER again? I know I need to go the the Records office in the VAMC to get the 'real' records, if I can actually get them anywhere from the VA. Then: What should I do to find out what's up with my spine? Both for my health and for a claim? First for my health?

I am constantly adding relevant to me material to my blog on this site. About my Toxic Journey. The particular post I am working on is a list of Toxins, and links that are related: https://community.hadit.com/blogs/entry/150-toxic-exposure-misc/ This link below, is the " WRIISC " War Related Illness and Injury Study Center : https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/education/factsheets/military-and-aircraft-vehicle-exhaust.pdf It is about JPx and Diesel Exhaust, and how about its REALLY BAD FOR YOU.....and if you think you were exposed to some and you have problems, just tell your PC doc and ask for a referral......I am wondering how that is going with anyone? Did you get anything worthwhile out of that experience? I keep hoping for something somewhere....of course the door isn't open there for me, CONUS exhaust. I believe I found another couple or three or more links to my ills....those nodules in my lungs...along with the growths in half a dozen other places, could just be from inhaled JP4 exhaust or tarmac particles or a combo. And my newly bloomed wide spread Actinic Keratosis hopefully hasn't changed to SCC just yet, before I get the first one cut and tested next month. Question: Anyone get one of those appointments? Was it more than just putting your name on a list? Looks like I am not in the 'included' list to be 'presumptive'. Is this true? Has anyone outside of combat deployment got one of these appointments?

vetquest, ouch...I misspelled the thing, its MOHS.... probably not much chance of it being available out here in the woods, I did a search, locally and not many civilians have this equipment and setup either. It looks like only a handful of VAMC's have it. I am thinking as long as it gets gone, I will hopefully be in better shape in the long run. Hope it worked out for you.

Vync, I know just a definition, no more than that. It is a surgery process, where a lesion is removed one skin layer at a time, you sit there until they remove and do the pathology while you wait. Supposively its the best thing going. The idea is that ONE and DONE. The surgeon keeps removing layers until they are satisfied its all gone. Looks like at minimum....and that is BIG minimum.....I will be leaving with at least a hole in both arms. Some VAMC have this in place, some don't.

In 30 days, from enrollment, I have had my initial appointment, a disappointment, then after some research and a few phone calls, I think I found the answer. See a social worker before your appointment if possible, or at a minimum ask to see the social worker ASAP. Ask a lot of questions, get a lot of answers. Have a list of what you want FROM the doctor, don't wait for him to offer anything, you will run out of time. When my questions were interpreted as a complaint, I got to talk to a social worker and I was set up for the 9 referrals that I wanted to start off with. Two of them are actually set up as appointments now and another 4 or so show up on MyHealtheVet as signed off and referred, and another two are still waiting signatures. One of the ones I requested I wasn't going to get fast enough. So, instead of waiting for this Doctor to get back from somewhere, I instead went to the ER at the VAMC. I was seen in 5 minutes, I was asked to sit in the waiting room for another 5 minutes, and then seen again. I was told I would be contacted with a referral with a Dermatologist in a few days to a week to set up an appointment. This was yesterday, I was woke up this morning with a phone call to make an appointment for general surgery for lesions removal on Nov 13, or I could choose local care. I let them set up the VAMC. I am trying to find out if the VAMC has MOHS. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/what-is-mohs-surgery I decided to give it a few days to see what pops up on the web, and if I get any more calls. And to investigate who does the local stuff. Any tips appreciated. I wanted to tell NEW people searching to see if VA medical care is something to try or not. I have not made up my mind yet, I am exploring, although I admit, I just took a deep dive in the far end of the pool. The infrastructure is there. As someone who has spent more than 16 weeks at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN in the last 8 years, the VA has an impressive set of tools available, at least in my area. I have NOT had enough of those tools touch me yet to decide if they know, and/or are willing to use them enough and/or appropriately. I intend to find out in the short run. I held out the most important specialty, neurology to Mayo Clinic only, for this trial period. The biggest TIP: Prepare for the first appointment, KNOW what to ask for. MY mistake was to let the Dr. Drive. I have hope, that things are changing on the Medical side of the VA for everyone. I am giving it a chance.

NoZZZ's, The more I try to simplify my conditions, the more complex they become. Almost two months non stop pouring through my medical records (the bits and pieces I can find and locate). I believe I understand the rating criteria as written, finally, after reading it many times and looking at your explanations and the cases, listed here and elsewhere. It looks like for ratings purposes, the only polyps that mentioned would be in the nose (not in the sinus cavities). I think I understand the concept. The disabling factor is blocking the airway. This is for rhinitus. Polyps in the sinus cavities that don't cause any 'pain', and 'discharge' 'crusting' ie....anything that doesn't interfere with working, is not disabling for rating purposes. At least that is the thought process I am using at the moment. I just received an ENT full workup that I had in 2007. It seems to suggest yet another rare 'bird' in my collection of 'rare' diseases connected to my time in the service. It suggests that my fully blocked maxillary sinus cavity was fungal infection in origination. Interesting: STR shows a Sinus Infection treated with antibiotics (labeled first of many) in NOV 73, I arrived at tech school the last day of August 73, during the time I was AFI, waiting on classes to start, one of the duties I pulled was to shovel pigeon crap, in front, in back, and sides, of 'Radar Love' building, along with who knows where else. It is just incredulous....where these bullets come from....I am looking harder at my pneumonia in 84' that permanently scarred my lungs..... My research into bird poop, especially pigeon poop and fungal diseases.....really nasty stuff.... I am still working all of this stuff up, I knew the pigeon poop shoveling could not have been beneficial.....I just didn't realize until just a few minutes ago about the fungus connection to the sinuses? maybe? I am going to need half a dozen IMO's. My sinus and bronchial issues have always been handled as bacterial, but I can't remember anyone ever taking a sample and analyzing it. I do get crusting, nasty colorful discharge, I could write a 4 four page paper on the process all the way to multiple pneumonia's over the years.....and then I could write a two page tutorial on how I prevent that most of the time. With a antihistamines, nasal steroids, saline wash, a machine to vacuum my sinuses (Navage) and a Steam Machine to moisturize them and 'melt' the nastiest. A go to box with expectorant, an old reliable of really deep coughing (until I found out that my 9 day stint in the hospital with AFIB may have been caused by that deep coughing to prevent pneumonia. But the best medicine, is prevention.....a big bubble, that one stays inside of. I can't visit any of my three children at their houses. They all have animals in the house.