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Ruffcreek
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Posts posted by Ruffcreek
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I am 100% P & T and need to have an implant which I figure would cost me $3,000 to $4,000. Right now I have private coverage which basically pays zero so I was thinking of going the VA route. Who do I need to contact to start the process of seeing a VA dentist? Also do they generally have dentists at the VA hospital or do they have outside dentists contracted to do the VA dental work? Answers to these questions and any other information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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Just wondering if anyone knows how far back the VA started accepting "buddy" and "spousal" letters for PTSD claims?
Also do they currently carry any weight in determining the rating for a claim?
Thanks
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I have been rated 100% Total for PTSD for the last five years and submitted a claim for P & T in July 2013. I received my rating decision recently and I am not 100% sure that I received P & T but am leaning towards thinking I am. The decision does not come out and specifically say that I have P & T but doesn't mention anything about future exam's either. Also the decision says I have basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance established from July 23, 2013. And it does say that basic eligibility to Dependents' Education Assistance is granted as the evidence shows the veteran currently has a total service-connected disability, permanent in nature. The decision doesn't mention anything about CHAMPVA although there is a seperate page attached with my name at the top describing various benefits for veterans including CHAMPVA.
I am wanting to believe they have rated me for P & T but don't want to get my hopes up and finding out that I have overlooked something.
Assuming I am P & T how do I go about signing up for CHAMPVA?
Any opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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John,
Have been going to group sessions once per month and getting two differeent meds for PTSD. So yes I have these things documented and made it clear to the examiner that I was doing these things. Hope it all helps.
Ruffcreek
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Update:
Thanks for your response Mr. Rogers. I went to my C & P this morning. Total time with Dr. was 20 minutes in which he asked same questions as last time. At the end of his examination he asked if I wanted to add anything. I briefly scanned an outline of major points on an index card to see if I needed to add anything I also presented him a narrative written by another grunt from our company describing our last battle. I made the comment that this battle along with several other fire-fights is what I live with each and every day and night. Summary: honest answers to his questions by telling him how VN has affected my life. Now we will wait and see as it's anybody's guess what the VA might do.
Ruffcreek
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I am a 66 year old Viet Nam vet who has been 100% (temporary) for PTSD for 5 years. I am being called in for another exam this Friday. Would it be worthwhile to write my own statement telling how PTSD has negatively impacted my life to present to the examiner? Also should I make a list of notes to jog my memory when taking the exam? I am slightly nervous about the C & P and would appreciate any advise on how I may help my chances of keeping my 100%.
Thanks
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I must not be getting SMCS since I don't know what it is. So what actually is SMCS?
A VSO I talked to never said anything about the age 55 rule. In fact he said they could bring me in for an exam at any age. Is he incorrect on this and where can I find this rule? Thanks for your reply as I do appreciate it.
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I am a 67 year old VN vet and was rated 50% for PTSD about 8 years ago. Then 6 years ago I asked for an increase which of course resulted in another C & P. At this time I was granted a rating of 100% tempory. A year later I was called in for another C & P for PTSD and remained at 100% tempory. Now five years later I am being called in for another C & P. What has me concerned is what I need to do if they reduce my rating. Would appreciate any advise.
Thanks
P.S. Not that it makes any difference but I am also rated for diabetes, HBP, sleep apnea, and Ischemic Heart disease. If I am reduced on the PTSD I should still be at least 70% and could possibly ask for TDIU. Is that something I could look at?
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Jbasser, Meg, and Berta
I have obtained copies of my medical records. My Ejection Fraction was 45-50% but my resting EF was 55-60%. Which one does the VA use in rating my case?
Thank you.
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Thanks everyone for your replies.
I will get a copy of diagnosis and surgery report and submit with 21-526ez form.
By the way if I have the copies of the reports to submit is it necessary to get a letter from my doctor?
Also I took my prescription's for Amiodarone HCL, Coreg, and Plavix to the VA. The lady at the VA said they will call me in for an eye exam and a couple of other tests (don't recall exactly what they were called). I'm assuming I should wait until I have my VA exams and then get copies of them to submit with the 21-526ez also?
Basser when I get the ejection fraction I will let you know.
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I am a Viet Nam veteran rated 100% Total for PTSD (not permanent). Also rated for diabetes (I think 40%) and hypertension secondary to diabetes at 0%, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD at 0%, and tinitus 10%. I was diagnosed with Ischemic Heart Disease 3 weeks ago and had a stent put in 2 weeks ago.
My questions are: Do I have anything to gain by filing for Ischemic Heart Disease since I already have a rating for hypertension secondary to diabetes?
If I file a claim and get lets say 10% or 30%, will this help me in any way to get Permanent and Total?
If I file a claim will the VA bring me in for C & P's for all things I am now rated for including PTSD? Or is there a way to word the claim so that they only bring me in for a C & P for Ischemic Heart Disease?
Thanks.
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I have service connected diabetes. My outside physician gave me an additional prescription for Onglyza. I took the prescription to the VA but it is not on their formulary so they gave me Glipizide. Immediately my blood sugars went low even after I cut the dosage in half. This leaves me with no alternative but to take the Onglyza which I have to pay out of my own pocket at $50 per month. The question is: what is the procedure I need to take to get Onglyza through the VA?
Thanks,
Ruffcreek
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My friend had his C & P for PTSD, hearing, etc. 3 weeks ago so his claim is in process.
The question is, is now a good time to add his wife as a dependent or should he wait until he gets his rating?
Thanks
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I had a similar problem a few years ago. I was not able to locate any medical records stating I was wounded in Viet Nam, but a buddy from my platoon in Viet Nam wrote a letter for me and this along with my own letter was sent to our Senator. Within a month I had a letter back from the Dept of the Army stating there were no medical records, therefore no Purple Heart. I mistakenly thought the Senator's office would do more than just forward the letters to the Dept of the Army. About a year went by and I was working on a different claim and discovered there was a C-file at the RO. I ordered it and lo and behold I found the medical record I needed which proved my hospitalization in Viet Nam and signed by an officer. It also stated I was wounded by enemy fire which is needed to qualify for P H. So I re-submitted with another letter from same buddy and received my Purple Heart in Washington D. C. about 1 1/2 years ago. Incidentlly the Senator couldn't be there to present the medal to me as he was busy with other things, but took full credit for getting my P. H.!! It was instead presented by Colonel Switzer in the LBJ room. He did a fantastic job. So if you haven't already, locate all of your med records.
Also my buddy from Viet Nam had been wounded by a booby trap and hadn't received his P H either. He couldn't locate his medical records stating he had been wounded, but at our Company reunion the medic that treated him happened to attend. During their conversation my buddy mentioned the booby trap incident to the medic. He did remember it and remembered giving treatment so he wrote a letter which in turn got my buddy his P H last year.
Do as the others have said and it will happen. Just stay with it and don't give up!
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I am 100% total for PTSD. (not permanent) I should be getting my annual VA letter scheduling me for a re-exam any day.
I have taken the 6 month Coping Skills and it didn't do any good. Have been going to alumni group every two weeks for a couple of years and it provides only temporary relief.
Now the VA psyc wants me to begin the CPT (cognitive processing therapy). I told him I would consider it but wanted to first give it some thought. In researching CBT it doesn't sound as if I probably want to do it. However if I turn it down will this give the VA reason to reduce my rating? Also I am 63 years old and the first re-exam I had, the examiner said it was too early to determine if the Coping Skills will work. Well they didn't work and last year the next examiner said to wait another year. How long does a former grunt have to wait and try different things? Any comments or opinions on what I should do or about the program would be appreciated.
Thanks
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So I'm wondering.....is going to a PTSD group session at VAMC every couple of weeks enough treatment to establish enough of a paper trail or is it necessary to also be seeing a shrink on a regular basis? If not seeing a shrink and only the group sessions, are your chances greater to have your comp reduced?
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Carlie and pigdriver,
Thanks for your responses.
I am also on 10 mg of Prazosin and 150 mg of Sertaline. Don't really know if they are effective or not since I've tried so many. I'm sure he will adjust the Quetiapine if I call him back. Just feel kind of embarrassed since I told him a month ago it was helping.
For what it's worth Pigdriver, I would ask your Dr about the Quetiapine. I know exactly what you're talking about with the sleep problems. I'm 62 and been dealing with it for many years.
Sometimes I also wonder about the side effects of the medication especially taking with other drugs, even though they tell me there should be minimal effects. I'm also on metformin, lisinopril, simvastati, triglide, loratadine, levothroxine and allopurinol.
Ruffcreek
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Anyone had any experience with quetiapine? Such as any side effects, etc?
Also VA psyc put me on 100 mg in August 09 and by Oct 09 they seemed to reduce the nightmares considerably but now it seems the nightmares are back and bad as ever. It seems unusual that they were helping and now they're not.
Even the nights I don't remember having nightmares the wife says my arms and legs are moving all over the place. Has anyone had this kind of experience with this drug?
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I have a 100% rating for PTSD and am not considered permanent and is subject to a future review examination since the last VA examination shows that the possibility of improvement is still in existence for my condition.
One of my major problems has been with sleep and nightmares and I have been trying several medications through the VA DR. Last month I finally found one that seems to help cut down on the nightmares. In a phone conversation with the DR I was honest and told him that I seem to have hardly any nightmares now with the new medication and the nightmares seem to have stabilized.
My question is: Will they try to use this information against me and reduce my 100% rating at my next exam?
Thanks
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I was diagnosed with PTSD in February 2006. In October 2007 I was diagnosed with sleep apnea for which I submitted a claim for Sleep Apnea secondary to and/or aggravated by service connected PTSD. In August 2008 I was granted 0% for sleep apnea aggravated by my PTSD. I filed a NOD for DeNovo Review on 8/19/2008 and April 2009 I received a decision to continue at 0%.
I appealed and have a hearing at DRO next Thursday.
The SOC says “ Prior to aggravation by a service connected condition, the disability was considered 50% disabling based on evidence that showed you had obstructive sleep apnea and were placed on CPAP machine. The difference between disability evaluations before and after military service determines the degree of disability subject to service connection. Prior to aggravation by a service connected condition, the disability was considered 50% disabling based on evidence that showed you had obstructive sleep apnea and were placed on CPAP machine. Following aggravation, the total disability is 50% disabling because this evaluation granted for being on a CPAP machine. The pre aggravation percentage is always deducted before assigning any service-connected evaluation less than 100%. So as the pre service aggravation was 50% disabling and the current condition is 50% disabling, service connection for sleep apnea as aggravated by your post traumatic stress disorder is granted as 0% Your current condition does not meet the criteria for the 100% evaluation shown below.”
The state VSO says I will need a letter from my Plumonary Specialist saying that in his opinion that absent PTSD it is as likely as not my sleep apnea would not warrant a CPAP. The CPAP is there because of the PTSD.
This is where I disagree with the state VSO's strategy: 1) I didn't have sleep apnea before and the army wouldn't have accepted me if I had sleep apnea. 2) I wasn't diagnosed with sleep apnea until almost 2 years AFTER being diagnosed with PTSD. I want the hearing officer to show me the evidence that I had sleep apnea and was placed on a CPAP machine prior to aggravation by a service connected condition. (see first sentence)
I'd like to hear anyone's opinion as to what I should do and do I have to accept the VSO's strategy or can I demand we do it my way?
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I took 40 mg of Citalopran and it didn't seem to do anything for me. I think they affect everyone differently.
Now they have me on 8 mg of Prazosin which is supposed to help me by having fewer nightmares. A month ago it seemed to help but the last 3 weeks with Memorial Day and other triggers the nightmares are as bad as ever.
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T&B
Did you request it from your local SS office or somewhere else?
Thanks
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Yes I did keep copies of everything I sent them. However I'd like to find out what their Primary and Secondary diagnosis was as I may send it to the VA if it would help in getting my P & T. I am 100% total with VA for PTSD and if SS disability is primarily for the PTSD I'm thinking it would help my case when and if they call me in for a C & P. I don't think just sending the Award letter to the VA without it stating what the diagnosis is for would carry much weight.
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I just received my Notice of Award for SS disabilty a few days ago.
Does anyone know how I can get my claims file from Social Security?
VA pension and divorce
in VA Pensions
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A friend is receiving $3,000+ for being rated 100% P & T. He is married but maybe looking at divorce in the future. Will his wife receive half of his $3,000+ in the event they are divorced?
Thanks