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Ruffcreek

Second Class Petty Officers
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Everything posted by Ruffcreek

  1. I have 2 claims presently pending including one for TDIU just in case I my rating go from 60% to 70%. If this would happen I understand as part of the TDIU claim it is important to get a letter or a form completed by past employers regarding your disability, if possible. I am presently unemployed and have read where a letter or a form completed by a prospective employer who will state I cannot work there because of my condition can be as equally important. Does anyone know anything about this and if so what exactly would I need the prospective employer to write or is there a specific form to complete? Thanks, Ruffcreek
  2. For what it's worth, my advise. When in doubt take your records with you regardless as to what they are supposed to have in your C-file. I always take at least all relevant records and try to familiarize myself with exactly what information is in the records. Even try to understand my lab tests and what the terms mean. Example: On my last C & P the doctor said my kidney functions were normal and there was no need for additional tests. She was ready to write me off. I presented my records from my doctor and showed her my GFR #'s are not normal. I also gave her a copy of my doctor's letter. She accepted these records and sent me to the lab for testing. I got a copy of my C & P exam last week and she gave me an "at least as likely as not." So now I'm just playing the waiting game. At any rate we have to be able to prove our case so always have your ammunition handy and know what's in it. Ruffcreek
  3. Hello all, I visited my VSO this morning and he said hypertension has been approved to go on the presumptive list and the only thing left, is to decide how the ratings should be structured. Anyone else heard anything about this? Thanks, Ruffcreek
  4. Sooo..... Up until recently I was happy with the VA..but..I felt my PTSD had worsened and I made an appointment to go to the PTSD clinic. I met with Dr. M. She is a resident and admitted at that time she dosen't have experience with PTSD. I also signed up for orientation classes and have went to two of them so far. I have met with the PTSD Director in her office for a few minutes. Yesterday I got copies of my C & P exams. Looks like you have to be on guard all the time. Each of these people have done a GAF score on me even if I saw them for only 10 minutes or was part of a group. In Dr M's notes at orientation she says "the patient seems to have endured severe traumatic experience, which he has carried for an extended period of time, and he does appear to be suffering from significant symptoms related to his PTSD. Yet she gives me a GAF score of 70. Originally when I was diagnosed with PTSD in Sept 2006 my GAF was 55. At the orientation sessions Dr P gave me a GAF score which was 55. Also in his notes he says I was on time, attentive and participated in the group session. [Gave my name was my participation]. Also said my comments showed good tracking of the material discussed. [Again the only words out of my mouth was saying my name]..Actually funny! Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to be on time or be late for the session. Or should I be attentive or doze off? I know the GAF score is only part of the total disability awarded but the point is you can't let your guard down because they are always monitoring you. My one concern regarding the GAF score of 70 is because I have submitted a claim to have my PTSD rating increased. Obviously I will do another C & P for it and I wonder how likely it is they will decrease my PTSD rating. Anyway I just wanted to make others in the same situation to be aware of who you're talking with at the VA. Also get a copy of your C & P's so you know who's watching and what they are documenting. Any comments are welcomed. Thanks, Ruffcreek
  5. BernieB, Just adding my 2 cents on this. I have been diagnosed with PTSD (50%) and also have flare ups which have gotten worse in the last few months. I usually can hold mine to the point of simmering also. I also get very depressed but am not rated for it. I usually stay in the house too and know I should try to get out but it is sometimes hard to do. But as you say PTSD is hard to understand sometimes, but I agree the depression is worse. I have filed for an increase on the PTSD and about a month ago started to go to the VA PTSD clinic. One thing I've often wondered about is the question about suicidal ideation. Should one answer yes or no to this question? I've heard it is not a good thing to answer yes but I don't remember why. Good luck, Ruffcreek
  6. Bozoc, Sounds to me as if you've got things in order to win your case. Just have to be patient now I guess. I just called SS and set up an appointment to see them in person and get the ball rolling as Pete and you suggested. For now I'm going on my own but if it gets to the appeal process I will probably get help from a professional. Thanks for your responses. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get into this. Great to have this forum to go to. Ruffcreek
  7. MT..Thanks for your advise. However this brings up another question I have. The only psyc Dr I have seen is a VA DR. and she will be moving in a couple of months. And she dosen't specialize in PTSD. However the PTSD DR just called and set up an appointment with me for Wednesday. Actually she is the director of the PTSD clinic and from what I understand she is on the side of the vets. Now when you say get an IMO from my doctor, I don't know how easy it would be to get one from either of these DR's. So should I maybe be looking at seeing a private psyc Dr. that would write me up an IMO? Sorry this is probably a simple question but it's new to me. Thanks again, Ruffcreek
  8. Thanks for the replies. Bozoc--It took me exactly 1 month to receive my award for PTSD. You should be hearing something soon. Of course it depends on where you live as to the speed of them getting things through. Anyway good luck! Regarding your PH I don't know how long it should take but I've heard it could be as little as 3 weeks to as much as 3 years. I sent my request on Feb 27th so it has only been in a short time. Again I suppose it depends on the circumstances and documentation. Again good luck on this too! Pete--I am going to get started on the for SSDI today. It should have been done before but I seem to procastinate on these things. Kind of like to have my ducks in a row first. I didn't quite understand your answer: "Since you are already rated for PTSD all you really have to do is submit a request for the VA to give you TDIU. You may have to take another C & P but maybe not." I have submitted a request for TDIY so do you mean that I would have to do another C & P for an increase in PTSD or a C & P to get the TDIU? Sorry but it sometimes doesn't sink in the way it should! Thanks again! Ruffcreek
  9. Hi everyone, It's really nice to read all the information and see all the help provided to others on Hadit. I have found over the last few months this is the place to learn the VA claims process and ask questions. Thanks for everybody's help. Today I have a couple of questions. 1. I am rated 50% for PTSD. GAF was 55. Over the last 1 1/2 years it has worsened partly due to the fact I've met many of my old buddies that were with me in Viet Nam. I have started going to the VA PTSD doc who said on Friday my case seems to be severe. She has prescribed Trazodone and Citalopram. My VSO completed the paperwork asking for an increase for the PTSD. Anybody have any idea as to what my chances are of getting a higher rating based on the above information. By the way I am unemployed and have also filed for TDIU. 2. I received wounds in a firefight in Cambodia but was never awarded the PH. Tried going through our Senator, etc a couple of years ago however since I could not produce medical documentation the PH could not be awarded. About 2 months ago I ordered and received my C file. Lo and behold the medical record I needed was on the top of the stack. It clearly stated the date I received wounds from the enemy, signed by an officer and named the hospital I was in. My VSO sent it along with the proper form to the Dept of the Army. Question is, IF the PH is awarded, does this do anything as far as getting a larger increase on the PTSD? These questions have been on my mind so hopefully someone can give me some insight into what might happen. Thanks, Ruffcreek
  10. Does anyone have any experience, good or bad, with trazodone and citalopram prescriptions? Thanks, Ruffcreek
  11. Thanks guys! Also would there be any point in filing an informal claim first instead of the 21-8940? It seems like I remember someone telling me that at one time. Seems it would give me more time to compile my evidence or something like that. Cowgirl--I don't really use a VSO for everything. I usually only check with him to review what I have done before sending it to the VA. I have usually recieved great advice from a friend in Arizona who knows the in's and out's of the VA system. I also put a lot of weight into the information I receive from you and everyone else on Hadit. Hopefully I will learn enough to help others someday. Thanks Ruffcreek
  12. Thanks for the info Pete and Donews. Sorry I'm not up to date on the TDIU and SS....but should I ask the VA to upgrade as part of the new claim I have in process or make the request apart from the claim? Does anyone know the claim form # to use for TDIU? Thanks for all your help! Ruffcreek
  13. I am a 61 year old Viet Nam combat vet with a 60% disability rating. (50% PTSD, 20% diabetes, and 10% tinnitus). I am presently unemployed. I have one claim in the process of being appealed and another 1st time claim in process. Hopefully the outcome will be favorable in at least one of these claims. My questions are: Should I file for TDIU before I know the outcome of these claims? How about SS Disability—should I apply for it and would it be a good idea to hire an attorney? I have been getting conflicting advice from those much smarter at this than I am. Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction. Thanks, Ruffcreek
  14. Sorry I didn't make it clear but my Pulmonary Specialist who is also Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine gave me the letter stating "at least as likely as not". My private doctor also will give me a letter stating the same. Berta--I am unemployed and have not formally applied for TDIU? Is this something I should do? Thanks everyone for your responses!! Ruffcreek
  15. Hello and thanks to everyone who have answered my questions in the past. I have filed a claim, went to the VA for the C & P exam, got a letter stating "at least as likely as not" from my specialist and one from my private Dr. I am now writing my own statement to sent to the VARO along with the letters from the above doctors. I am hoping I get a favorable rating right off but of course I may not. My question is: In my statement shall I refer to the "Benefit of Doubt Doctrine" or will they apply it automatically IF my claim is in a state of equipoise? Also if I should use it, what would be the correct wording? Thanks, Ruffcreek
  16. Gary, I would like to do the same but am having no luck. Hope we can discover the secret of this little problem. Ruffcreek
  17. Thanks for your replies on this. Two weeks ago I had my 6 month appointment at the VA. The VA doctor said I shouldn't take the generic because of other medications I am taking. A week later I had an appointment with my doctor and he wrote me a note to take to the VA doctor which also states that I shouldn't take the generic but he did not specifically say I needed the Triglide. Question is do I need to have my doctor fax this to the VA doctor or is there an advocate at the VA that I need to go through? Thanks, Ruffcreek
  18. I have filed a claim for Sleep Apnea secondary to and/or aggravated to service connected PTSD. I have had the C&P exam for the Sleep Apnea and will be going to see my Plumonary Specialist next Monday as a follow-up after receiving my CPAP 2 months ago. At this time I will get an opinion and rationale from him. Is there anyone on this forum that has had a similar claim? I was wondering if anyone has any BVA or CAVA cases pertaining to this. Or any medical abstracts, or ANYTHING ELSE that may help. Thanks, Ruffcreek
  19. Wings-Stretch-Manitou-Evanda Thanks very much for all the information. I will try to sort it out and see exactly what I need to do. By the way, a friend says I will need 3 "buddy letters" from witnesses of the incident. Anyone know if this is necessary? Thanks again, Ruffcreek
  20. I was wounded in Viet Nam in the 60's. Since my medical records could not be located I did not receive the Purple Heart. However I got a copy of my C files today and there are my medical records indicating my injuries from a satchel charge with powder burns to the face and eyes. The 67th Evac Hospital is stamped on the record along with a Captain's signature on both pages. Is this good enough to get me the Purple Heart and if so what do I need to do? Thanks, Ruffcreek
  21. I have a claim that I have appealed and I wish to send additional evidence. Can I submit by just writing a letter or do I need to use a specific form? Thanks, Ruffcreek
  22. Berta, Just wanted to let you know, I listened to the radio program last week for the first time. Needless to say I will try not to miss it ever again. It was very interesting and informative. For those who haven't listened to the program, tune in next week. It is truly a great experience to listen to Berta and her guests provide excellent information for vets. Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas to everyone! Ruffcreek
  23. I have been asking questions and reading topics on Hadit for a few months now. Every now and then I see Dr Bash's name. Probably a dumb question but who is he, where is he and what exactly does he do? Just curious. Ruffcreek
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