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68mustang
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Posts posted by 68mustang
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I have been having difficulty with Ebenefits since Monday. I had been able to log on and see my info except the info on the status of my claim. There was a note there that I call the 1-800 number to find out any info on the status of my claim. Well I tried to logon to Ebenefits today and could not. Everytime I tried to logon it would take me to another page for single time logon. After several times of trying to logon I called the 1-800 listed for help. The recording comes on telling me to press one for English, which I did. Then the recording said some words in a language I had never heard before. The menu option recording came on and I press the number according to the instructions. Someone answered my call and I could barely understand them because of their accent. The person asked for my name and phone number, which I gave. After that the person asked me if I had an account I said yes and had been able to logon until recently. The person asked that I give them my social security number and I told them "no", that they should be able to check with my name to see if I had an account. I was told that I had to provide my social security number in order for that person to find out if I had an account. I told that person that I would not my provide my social security number and that I would take it up with the VA. Later I was able to logon to Ebenefits, but still have the same note to call the 1-800 number to find out the status of my claim.
I wrote this because it sure seem weird that in order to help me they needed my social security number, Plus the fact that this particular call center is probably located outside the U.S. made me very leery. Anyone else out there come across this same type of problem? Thanks.
68mustang
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It seems to me that you might want/need to talk to a lawyer that is accepted to practice in both the VA system and the federal court system, rather than just the mesothelioma area.
Thanks to all of you for your responses. I posted that I found out about the status of my claim going from Development on this past Friday to Decision Phase on Saturday. Late yesterday I called the 1-800 and was told that a letter had been mailed to me that day and that I could not be given any further information. Well last night I checked Ebenefits and I could not get into the web site. Today I check Ebenefits and got in only to have the web site claim status area note that I would have to call the 1-800 to find out the status of my claim. I give up. I should have known better than to try and get info off Ebenefits. Some other hadit members have very good service on Ebenefits, then there are some of us that take one step forward and then up taking five steps backwards.LOL
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Had my c&p on Friday. Today it shows on ebenefits a evidence recieved. Of course the stack of medical records I hand carried and had them date stamp 6 months ago is nowhere to be found. Including my IME from Dr. Bash. Looks like another trip to Baltimore is in my future.
I had the same problem that documents that I had sent in to the RO did not show up in Ebenefits. I sent an IRIS request asking if my documents had been received and IRIS responded that they had been received. Months after the IRIS response the documents are still not listed on Ebenefits. I kept as proof the email I received from IRIS showing that the documents had been received by the RO.
68mustang
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I am going to do a future show about asbestos usage int he Military. I will go into detail as to the locations and systems it was used.
If anyone would be interested, contact me.
Asbestos has killed or is killing more veterans than we know.
Basser
The VA and U.S. Navy have been very quiet through the years about asbestos exposure compared to other hazardous chemical exposures. Through the years I have tried to get three different congressmen involved on the issue of military occupations that had hazardous asbestos exposure. Each time all I got was lip service and no action. I also sent letters to the VA and U.S. Navy as to why there were no registries for asbestos exposure like there is for Agent Orange Registries and for other hazardous exposures chemicals. All I got from both the VA and U.S. Navy was that if I had an illness related to asbestos to file a claim. I did in 1989 and at later dates and was denied each time. I am keeping my fingers crossed this time due to the VA C&P report. I should know better.
68mustang
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Thank you all for your responses. My occupations prior to and after my enlistment were not the type that had asbestos related exposure. I provided a detailed list of those occupations with a buddy letter from my wife. I did try to get a lawyer, but the lawyers I contacted were only interested in persons with mesothelioma or the with other terminal diseases related to asbestos exposure. Who knows one day I may find a lawyer who will represent me for the type and level of disease that I have. Again thanks for your responses.
68mustang
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I got a copy of the C&P exam report for the exam I had last week. Since I don't have a scanner I am posting what it states in the
(Standard Examiners Medical Opinion) as follows:
The condition/disability pleural calcification ( asbestos related lung disease) is as least as likely as not (50/50 Probability) caused by or a result of asbestos exposure based on military occupational specialty.
Rationale for Opinion Given:
The veteran's occupation in the military involved working in areas with high concentration of asbestos. His work in shipyards during this period of time is a documented environmental risk for acquiring asbestos related lung disease. Due to the history of a high risk occupation and the current CT scan findings which are typical of asbestos related lung disease, it is likely that his present chronic disability from lung disease (pleural calcification) is related to his occupation while on active duty.
Reference:
Speizer,FE. Environmental Lung Disease. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 15th edition pages. 1469-1470.
Just like to see if anyone has any input as to whether this would help with my claim for asbestosis. I don't know if this would be rateable or if rateable at what percentage. Thanks for any info that you can provide.
68mustang
I checked Ebenefits on Saturday and my claim was changed from Development to Decision Phase. Just waiting to hear what the decision will be. It has been a on and off long battle since 1989. If denied, I've got everything ready for the next step whatever that may be.
68mustang
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That disappointing. I take blood pressure meds which are not service connected and I take depression meds zoloft, trazodone, and klonopin. I guess they are saying it could be the bp meds but I've complained about this issue to the VA before they put me on bp meds. Thanks for your reply.
doc...
Do you know if those complaints are in your VA medical records showing you complained about your problem prior to starting the NSC BP medicine?
68mustang
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"The veteran's lay statements and his service in either Iraq,Aghanistan, or Djibouti was enough to concede his exposure to environmental agents and toxins specifically from burn pits."
Veterans who served on asbestos infested U.S. Navy ships have had to jump through hoops and whatever obstacles are put in front of us to prove that we were exposed to asbestos. Some of us veterans are now paying the price for that exposure and continue to be stonewalled by the VA in having to prove that we were exposed to asbestos. The Navy and VA have acknowledged that asbestos existed in many WW2 type ships we served on, yet will not accept our lay statements. Even after proving that our military jobs were of the type that required working with and near asbestos the VA still makes it difficult to get a VA claim approved.JMO
68mustang
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One thing you can do is get is a free $10,000 Life Insurance policy because you've gotten rated
GARY
Can anyone please explain about the free $10,000 Life Insurance policy as stated in the above post? Is the first $10,000 free to all disable vets who are service connected at any percentage? Or is it free according to their income levels or degree of disability? Thanks for clarifying it for me and others who may have the same questions.
68mustang
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Can someone please help me. I'm confused. I started my claim in November 2009. My last C and P Exam was in January. I signed up for Ebenefits at the beginning of the year so I could be able to check my status online. Each time it has always been in the first phase which is the discovery phase. Tonight I log in and get this message: Detailed information surrounding the claims you have filed with VA is not available at this time. If you would like more information, please call us at 1-800-827-1000. I don't even see a status or anything showing that I filed a claim. The last time I checked it was a few days ago. This is very confusing and depressing. Makes you just want to give up.
The same message you got is what I also received yesterday when I logged into Ebenefits. Also don't rely on Ebenefits too much because many times the info on it is sometimes incorrect. I have been waiting for Ebenefits to input that medical documents I sent in have been received for my claim since a year ago. After repeated attempts to have them acknowledged in Ebenefits as having been received by the VA a year later I am still waiting. BTW I know they have been received by the Houston RO because I got an IRIS email telling me that they have been received there.
68mustang
UPDATE: Just logged on into Ebenefits. Same message again. The VA wants veterans to use Ebenefits to relieve the pressure on the 1-800# and IRIS. How can veterans rely on Benefits when the info is not up to date and is probably not the same as what is in the system that 1-800# and IRIS uses to answer veterans questions and concerns. JMO
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Well I just tried to submit this via IRIS and it won't even freaking go thru to submit
more freaking BS.
Earlier this week I also tried to send an IRIS request and got errors that there was already another user with the same email address and phone#. Instead of the message I was sending I first had to send a message letting them know what was wrong and then had to wait for a correction to be made in the IRIS system before I could ask my question. Seems that the old IRIS system was much better and user friendly and I have had problems with the new IRIS system.
68mustang
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How do you do "the letter generator trick"?
deanbrt if you have access to ebenefits you can log on and go to "my ebenefits" click on it and that will take you to the page that has utilities. The letter generator is there under utilities. If you don't have access to ebenefits then you have to get that from the VA.
68mustang
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If you haven't contacted one of the asbestos attorneys, that advertises on TV, I'd contact one now. They probably have more info on military exposure than the govt. I'd personally recommend Simmons Law Firm, Alton, IL. http://www.simmonsfirm.com jmo
pr
Thank you for all the responses.
68mustang
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Has anyone on hadit had an asbestos exposure related disability approved by the VA? Just wondering because it seems the VA is dragging it out on my claim for an asbestos exposure related disability claim. Like to hear what came of the claim if you had it approved. Already had a C&P exam that established that my claim was due to my asbestos exposure in the Navy. Thanks.
68mustang
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Your opinion is duly noted and oh so true. My RO has not updated my account
since the first of last year.
My RO also has not updated info on Ebenefits confirming it received0 documents I sent in March of last year. Earlier this year I sent an IRIS request requesting that the RO confirm whether it did received the documents last year. I received confirmation through IRIS that indeed the documents were received, however Ebenefits has not been updated to show the documents that were received. My RO is Houston. Thanks.
68mustang
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Carlie
I guess examiners also cannot have a recording device during a veteran's C&P exam. Reason I say that is that on two C&P reports I noticed that there is information on them that is different than what took place during the exam. There is missing info on what I responded to certain questions plus added info on things that did not take place. Such as having been asked to spell words forward and backwards and being able to do serial 7's. That did not take place. Plus I responded positive to other questions and that is not the C&P exams. Not having a recording device is to the advantage of the VA because it will be your word against the VA examiner.
68mustang
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I have no other insurance.... The VA has no choice, they have to pay, according to their own regulations (that they sent in their letter of denial!). I do find it interesting that since I filed my CUE (100% plus 60%), I just happened to be the file that the audit team picked, especially since I"m approaching the 20 year mark. I have no worry, as my condition is permanent, won't get better, and now I have even more additional disabilities (and more CUEs) to include A&A.
I guess the audit team picked the wrong file/Veteran, to send through the mill..... I not only make the grade, it would be impossible for them to find fault in it, according to the laws/regulations.
Well I guess the audit team picked the wrong file to mess with. Good luck and keep fighting them.
68mustang
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Looking for someone to help me either with some house plans or point me in the right direction for some free down-loadable software. I don't have the money to hire an architect or contractor to draw me some house plans and I have been approved for SAH a couple of months ago.
Any help would be appreciated.
Greg
Maine
maine1963
I don't know a thing about the program,but I did find some info on the web. Don't know if you seen this web site, but click on it it has info on the program plus there is a pamphlet on house plans. Plus you might check on what benefits your state offers for veterans there may be a state office that can help.
68mustang
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The JSRRC verified a stressor event, but, apparently, the VA shrink does not feel that the stressor rises to the level of PTSD, yada, yada. So, as others here have correctly stated and advised, you should probably concentrate on the increase in your depression. Are you now seeing anyone in any of the VA mental health clinics ( I know you said that you were seeing a LSW, but I am hoping that this LSW is a part of one of the mental health TEAMS), if so, ask specifically to be seen by one of the team's psychiatrists or board-certified psychologists. When you get a chance to meet with either of these individuals, then I would stress the fact that you are, in fact, more seriously impaired by your depression and that you feel that you need more "specialized" treatment (medications, group or individual therapy, etc.). In other words, I am recommending a more thoroughly established evidence of your more serious depression, to help you reach the threshold for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). With a diagnosis of MDD your percentage of disability increases to the more realistic realm of, say, 30% and upwards to a possible 70%. This is, of course, if you REALLY are in that serious of a disability picture ( I have to say this, just so's folks will not think that I am trying to convince you to seek MORE than your disability should be rated.).
LarryJ thank you for your response.
68mustang
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Am I missing something here? PTSD and Depression and a whole range of other mental disorders such as dementia and just about all mental disorders except eating disorders are all rated the same, and if you have multiple mental disorders they rate the worst one.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/bookc.asp#q scroll down to mental disorders.
Therefore, it is unlikely that persuing PTSD will improve your depression rating, even if PTSD is SC.
You have it right that you need to file a NOD on the lowball rating...you can also dispute PTSD, but I dont see that helping your rating, but it wont hurt, either.
Bottom Line:
Appeal the depression rating and PTSD. Compare your symptoms to those in the schedule. The VA is required to use the rating criteria ONLY...other things dont matter.
broncovet thank you for your response. The NOD on the lowballed depression rating was filed last year in November. I have been comparing my symptoms to the rating schedule and they seem to rate higher than the 10% rating. Thanks.
68mustang
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I didnt catch that mustang. Medicare is not for dependants.
If you are 100 percnet P and T then they can be enrolled in CHamp VA.
J
Thanks for the clarification. I am on Medicare and I had not heard that dependents could also be enrolled. Now Champ VA that is something I don't know a thing about since I don't qualify for it. Thanks.
68mustang
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iraqx2
You stated:
"I do have two young dependents. They will definitely be enrolled. I will be enrolling us all but just need to know that this is a no brainer and that I am not missing out on any other details." Could you please clarify this? Do you mean that you plan to enroll them in medicare? I don't think medicare covers dependents. Maybe someone else may chime in and correct me or add to this. Thanks
68mustang
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Papa,Carlie and all others thanks for your responses. All the responses have given me something to think about. This Monday I have an appointment with the LSW and I will take from there along with making arrangements to go to the vet center and a private MH doctor. Thanks again.
68mustang
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68,
Do you currently see anyone for mental health ?
If yes, have you discussed this with them ?
Thank you Carlie for responding. I only see a LSW at a VA clinic here. And we have discussed having been denied the PTSD and then being low balled on the depression. The LSW states that I should be rated higher on the depression and could not believe that my PTSD claim was denied. I have been in a quandary over what to do since my time limit to file an NOD on the PTSD is coming up in March. Someone in the past had suggested to me that I should concentrate on getting the depression rating raised since PTSD symptoms mirror depression symptoms and I am already service connected for that. Any thoughts you may have would also be appreciated along with the ones I have already received. thanks.
68mustang
Asbestosis Claim Rating
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
I got my asbestosis claim service connected at 0% just received letter today. While it is not at a higher % I am happy that it was service connected. It if gets worse than what it is now thank God that I am now service connected. I know that there are many others who have tried to get their asbestos related claim service connected and have not been able to. I hope that this is the start of something good for all of us unfortunate folks who were exposed to asbestos. I thank all who have helped with their support and lets not forget that there are still many others with asbestos related claims who need our help. As for me I still have an NOD pending and I will be filing for an increased on my 0% hearing loss that is getting worse. Thanks.
68mustang