Ron II

As others have stated, you will receive the increased rate on your next pay check or deposit. The raise was effective 1 Dec 08 and just like military pay, you accrued pay for one day on the 1st; 2 days pay on the 2nd, 3 days pay on the 3rd, etc. Since VA compensation is based on a monthly rate and is not paid incrementally, one has to wait until a full month has elapsed before you receive the new pay (rate). Ron 23 years U.S. Army Finance Corps

Re: "For example, if a particular RO had 10, 000 claims pending and it wanted to present an image that it was doing its best to reduce the caseload, it could work on the available EP 190 (widows seeking compensation) and postpone EP 110 (veterans' initial claim). EP 190 can be done relatively fast, while some EP 110 may take hours or days to complete." I'm quite familiar with that tactic. I once worked in a travel claim processing section that was expected to perform miracles. No matter how much overtime and weekends worked, we couldn't make a dent in the on-hand balances each day. We needed more people--the claims were not as complicated as VA claims, but they required a lot of analysis and time. One of the employees came up with the idea to process several "multiple listing" type claims at the end of each day. The multiple listing was just one voucher, but might include 20 travelers who had the same exact travel and expenses. So...instead of getting credit for just one voucher, we got credit for 20 even though we had not done the normal work required to process 20 claims. The number of claims received of course, increased by 19 to account for the additional folks for which vouchers were claimed. The end result of all this was only eye-candy. Dedicated and well-trained employees (many) are what is needed. JMO

I should quit looking at these reports--they always make me ill. Even more disheartening is the likelihood that whenever your claim is looked at, evidence will be overlooked and/or an incorrect decision rendered. JMO, Ron

hhahahhhahahaahhhahhahaaaaaaa ! BTW, I just finished reading your "Septic Tank" remark on another forum. Ron

I hate to use this well-worn cliche, but the report is nothing but Lipstick on a Pig. When I first came to Hadit, I tried to keep an open mind about the VA and I posted several favorable comments about my VARO. No more...I have not been screwed as long as many/most of the Hadit members, but I still recognize its application.

My thanks to all who replied. I already have a SC for Sick Sinus Bradycardia which necessitated a cardiac pacemaker. I'm currently rated at 10 percent. I have appealed that rating plus I submitted new and material evidence from my private cardiologist whose written medical evaluation included the fact that I have Concentric Left Ventricle Hypertrophy (his words). This was found during an Echocardiogram. What worried me is that John999 has a similar evaluation by the VA via Echo or X-ray and he didn't receive any SC. Also, my ejection faction is not out of the normal range. However, I don't see that being a prerequisite to a 30 percent rating based on the rating guideline I cited in my first post. I have not had a new C&P; actually this is all old information since I've brought it up previous. However, I feel my C-File might be reviewed in January 09 (and I think I might get let down again) as the VACOLS screen reportedly shows my file is "ready to rate" and there is a January 17th tickler date in the diary of VACOLS. I know that might not mean anything. Thanks, Ron

Reference: 7011 1. Can anyone explain why a person who has LVH is not rated at 30 percent? From 7011: Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs 30 results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray................30 Percent 2. Although ejection faction is not mentioned in the reference above, what if the EF is within normal range, BUT there is evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray? Note: There is no EF caveat in the "evidence of etc., section. Thanks, Ron ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [all the info following is from previous posts] (john999 @ Nov 6 2008, 04:07 PM) Ron The VA said on my echo that I had LVH but the C&P exam said I had no heart problems at all. How can that be? I take HBP pills because my private doctor said that LVH and HBP is a sign the heart is working too hard. The VA did say I had vascular artery disease. All this is secondary to DMII. I got a 0% rating.

Power of Attorney for VA Claims 1. What specifically must be done to revoke a POA held by a service organization? 2. If one wants another service organization to represent him/her, what action after number one (above) is completed should be taken. Yep, I know POAs have been discussed previously. Please humor me. Thanks, Ron

Hi Carlie, I think you will find the Vasquez-Flores et al. letter to be little more than a CYA document for the VA. I received one last January. Ron

Can someone direct me to VA Form 7131, Exchange of Beneficiary Information and Request for Administrative and Adjudicative Action, on the Internet? I have searched for 30 minutes and have found plenty of references to it, but no form itself. My search included the VA web pages. I need it for my son.... Thanks, Ron

Hi John, I don't understand that at all. And...maybe I am in for a rude awakening when my new evidence is reviewed. I have a copy of the VA's 2000 training manual on cardiovascular disease and it states, cardiovascular disabilities f there is heart enlargement on X-ray, you can rate at a minimum of 30% based on that, but you should also have a METs assessment in case it warrants a higher evaluation. 38 C.F.R. § 4.104 Schedule of ratings—cardiovascular system states §4.104 Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray 30 [percent] --------------------------------------------------------- I don't see how you are not rated at least at 30 percent.

The VA still uses the archaic METs testing via a stress test to assign a METs level that equates to a certain level of heart efficiency. My private cardiologist laughed when I asked him for the METs associated with my testing. He was willing to break it down, but since my test showed concentric LVH, that was good enough (I think...claim still pending) for an increase from 10% to 30%. Ron

I've been using a CPAC device and never thought about what happens when the power goes off. Thanks for your posts...I'm going to Radio Shack tomorrow. Ron

I mentioned St. Louis in my last post. I know Army records are there and probably AF as well. I do not know about the Navy, etc.

Wow! I have three written requests at St. Louis currently. Two are duplicates which request a DA Form 1, Morning Report, for the day I reported to my unit in Long Binh Vietnam. The other is a request for copies of my DD 214s--there are four. The National Personnel Records Center has established a suspense of 24 Nov 08 to complete their actions so I guess I can wait for that. Thanks for the offer however! BTW, a third party can retrieve records from NARA if they have written permission--it's on their web site. Additionally, they even provide telephone numbers of grad students who are willing to pull/search the records. Ron Ron

I spent about 15 minutes trying to find an answer for you. Unfortunately, I could not. It is my belief that an active duty soldier may use a civilian hospital only under emergency circumstances, such as a heart attack. All treatment after the emergency is taken care of must be at a MTF, military treatment facility. Admittedly, I am not completely sure of this... You might want to call the military hospital in your area and ask someone other than the telephone operator what the requirements are.

VUPD seems to be an uncommon acronym. The common usage is the Vanderbilt and Valparaiso University Police Departments--which I'm confident are not associated with your claim. Ron

If they are not helping--go to the Inspector General for your base.

I'm glad that someone's rear will be in the ringer. :(

This "law" is just plain stupid. The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14. Correct me if I am wrong, but the customs that prescribed honors to the flag were not law in the first place. They did not need to be law nor should they be now. Are we now going to have Flag Police at sports venues?

I saw your post about to drop off the first page without an answer. This is to bump it up. I have only used lawyers for my three divorces.

Hi, I've heard of other folks having that problem. I guess it has to do with the volume of calls in a certain area. However, in my case, since I am calling only about claims, the folks out of state can read the available computer screens just as well as the people at the VARO. I have yet to experience someone from my VARO getting up from his/her desk and pulling my C-File (during a telephone call). Take care... Ron

What help is your chain of command providing? I'm not familiar with the Navy's version of a First Sergeant, but that person should be made aware of the problems you are having in getting your condition taken care of. If no one else is helping...see your commander under his/her open door policy. Heck, when I was a First Sergeant, I was the person who took two pregnant Army wives (not on the same day) to the hospital when their husbands were at military schools elsewhere. Your chain of command should be involved. Ron

As a career Army guy, I can only offer the recommendation that you reenlist only if you really want to remain in the military for the period of reenlistment. I mean no disrespect to anyone here, but suggesting to reenlist to allow more time to have an illness/injury diagnosed is uncommon in my opinion. And...yes, the military could very well require you to serve out a contract to which you agreed. The recommendations that you save every single piece of paper related to your medical situation is right on target.

It was interesting reading about the waiting times for calls to go through. I'm in the western part of the U.S. and my calls get through 1 to 5 minutes. My calls are not always answered by the regional VARO however. Occasionally, they are picked up in Arizona which I suspect is a regional call center. Ron