CapnHaddock

MrPain7 - I am filing on the hammer toes and metatarsal head amputation. I have hammer toes on all toes both feet and one of them was part of the surgery. I will probably only get one rated as the feet are already at 30% bilateral for plantar fasciitis. The VA also broke out both ankles separately at 10% with bone spurs. I remember reading that one foot is 40% max and above that it will look like pyramiding. I hobble a lot. I am working to get all this documented because if the plate fails (30% chance) I will have to have the entire area fused.

This has all been very helpful because in the back of my mind I have worried about getting independent medical care and then taking it to the VA. Thank you for this!

I think HadIt has helped me in a number of ways on my claims. It allows me to ask questions in a forum where there may be someone who has already been down the path I am looking at traveling. I can then decide based upon what I have read if I want to try the same method. I also get suggestions that are very helpful in assisting me in making decisions (or enlightening me in other ways to think about my SCs). Whether we want to admit or not the VA is complex. While I have service connection on 14 items achieving 100 P&T, some of them were either 0 or 10% and in retrospect should be higher. I was happy to achieve 100%, so I have not pushed back on the VA until now. If it were not for HadIt I would not be working up claims that may move me toward SMC. HadIt does not make my decisions - but it provides me enough feedback to make a claim decision on my own after taking suggestions, doing more research, and feeling confident about what I am doing. Everyone's mileage is going to be different. Warm regards in the Halls of Vahala, CAPN Haddock

I appreciate the thoughts - I will probably end up with going after SMC most likely sooner than later. The degradation I am experiencing in a number of ortho issues is leading to that. However, my question is really a simple yes or no answer - If an individual seeks outside treatment (Outside the VA Medical Arena) for a Service Connected issue, can that person still request a re-evaluation for an increase? Will seeking outside treatment result in nullifying that request?

I was given service connected 0% for a bunion left foot and 0% for bilateral hammer toes. After finally getting tired of the pain (and being ignored by VA medical) I went outside (other insurance) and had the bunion and one of the hammer toes repaired. That surgery failed due the severity of the bunion and two surgeries later I now have a plate with 5 screws holding the big toe immobilized and the toe next to it was shortened to relieve stress on the foot. The VA is giving me pain meds for the foot and I have not tried to increase the rating on this foot. I probably should do this, but I am not sure if I blew that chance by having the surgery out in the civilian community outside of the VA. My question is can I increase this rating now that I have had some repairs done to the foot by someone else than the VA? The pain is less (but still requires meds on occasion and if I had waited longer the repair may have not even been possible). I am SC 100% P&T for the last 6 years.

Just a quick follow up - I put together a letter detailing all 8 ships I have been on with the PCE/TCE/Benzene/Asbestos/PFOA and sent it to medical to have them put it in my record. I was told to call the PACT Act line. I did that and after a very pleasant discussion (I am being serious - this guy had customer service down perfectly) we came to the conclusion that the PACT ACT is to get those who don't have medical benefits care. I am not complaining - I am 100% and I have care. Most of my day-to-day issues are related to my compensated disabilities. It is the every 6/12 month check ups for growths on my liver, cholesterol, BP, and breathing issues that I can tie to the exposure issues. It is just a matter of time (no matter how clean I live) and I am trying to take care of the wife. I see my PCM in about a month and will discuss, but in the meantime I am working to get my letter in my jacket as part of the official record. I am working with local toxic exposure doctor to get some letters drawing correlation between the physical issues and the exposure. I will file a claim then with the correlation between the exposures and the issues. I am not eligible nor need SMC luckily and DMII is not an issue. I know the system will tell me that certain illnesses are presumptive, but I want to be 100% sure if it happens and I don't want to worry about it then. Will post as this advances. Warm regards in the halls of Valhalla, Capn Haddock

No such thing as a dumb question - DMII? That is a new abbreviation to me.

Broncovet - All of those are really good points. Sometimes I am looking at the answer and I need someone to beat me upside the head with it to remind me. As I am slowly losing the use of a foot (sc) I need to start looking at all of this again. Thank you! Capn Haddock

Good Morning, Not sure if this question has been asked before. In my recent work to help a family member file for VA disability for toxic exposure it hit me that I qualify under the new and upcoming efforts under the PACT ACT. I am 67 and 100 % P&T already for a myriad of items most of which are related to arthritis, joint, feet, eye etc... I have been exposed to a number of carcinogens, asbestos, and radiological issues brought up in the new effort starting March 5th and we also just discovered that I spent 9 months at Camp Lejune as a child (30 days is the requirement). My thoughts are as follows: If I come down with cancer and lose that battle, I want my wife to be able to receive DIC. (married 38 years and P&T for 8years). She deserves that and more. I have to look the fact that arthritis will probably not kill me, however cancer or heart disease probably will (or just plain stupidity). I am really tired of doctors and tests - I do not want to go through re-examination of old issues that are under award. I am not scared of them - just tired of it. How do I get all of this stuff on my record to protect my wife and not open up pandoras box? Warm regards in the halls of Valhalla, Capn Haddock

I found your answer in another post - 10 years any cause.

Broncovet - I am digging for some info on your first statement. I am 100% P&T - if I die after 10 years (no matter the cause) my wife is entitled to DIC? Am I reading this correctly or does it need to be something that is service connected? My reason for asking is I have significant exposure to various things that could easily be covered under the PACT Act. I have not bothered to pursue any of this (COPD, Blood Pressure, Liver Issues) because it opens me up to new examinations. We are treating and watching but I have filed nothing. If she is entitled after 10 years no matter what then I will keep on as I am - if it needs to be tied to a condition, I need to submit the paperwork. Any thoughts?

I did not apply for my veterans benefits until 20 years after retirement. I have established medical care in the civilian arena and have doctors that I trust and know my extensive history. I have used the VA and what I have received has been outstanding but not very timely. Being on Medicare and TriCare for life has some advantages that I use to my advantage (I am over 65 and 100% P&T). By not using VA Medical care am I endangering my VA benefits?

Drug tests - this was common when I was receiving or about to receive pain killers for an ortho problem. Once I came off the painkillers - I simple refused to allow the drug test. Ask what they are doing before they do it.

I have been 100% for over 4 years and the information provided by JAMESCRIPS2 is really relevant and helpful. Thank you!

A good VSO can save you a ton of time. I asked around and found one that had a fairly good track record. I prepped the file for him and provided him all the info he needed. Our combined efforts resulted in a solid 80% on the first shot. I then submitted an intent to file and about 352 days later it struck me that we had not submitted the claim. He had forgotten as I had. The was my fault - it is my claim. It is your claim - never forget that. That claim moved me to 90% and a rejection of my ITF because I took to long to submit the claim. I appealed the 5 major items the VA didn't like (I did that myself by pulling up more data) and won the appeal and went to 100% P&T. I then requested a higher review for the date of the rejected ITF and won that moving my eligibility date back 12 mos. My experience was I did not know enough the first time I filed and the VSO made a huge difference. I had been out for 20 years! As I learned more, I was much more comfortable about submitting my own paperwork. This is my experience - your mileage may vary. If you have the information and know the system don't be afraid to submit but the VSO on my first submission was a BIG help.