Jump to content
VA Disability Community via Hadit.com

VA Disability Claims Articles

Ask Your VA Claims Question | Current Forum Posts Search | Rules | View All Forums
VA Disability Articles | Chats and Other Events | Donate | Blogs | New Users

Cat4Christ777

Seaman
  • Posts

    23
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

Everything posted by Cat4Christ777

  1. Whodat, I looked up the EMG exam, and it sounds like I might have received such a test if I could have gotten a private Neurologist to take me on as a patient. Sounds like something I could probably use, diagnostically. I hope you received an accurate diagnosis from that test, and are receiving the appropriate treatment, to minimize pain. Again, I will update here, as I find out more information.
  2. I am sorry for your pain and other issues, Lemuel, but our injuries, and our issues, while similar, are not the same. It gives me comfort to know there are people with similar issues to mine; I don't feel so alone anymore. I can say that my Osteoporosis has improved slightly (2.9% in my left femur), per my most recent Dexa scan on June 7th. I think it's due to taking K2 vitamins, which helps the body remove calcium from soft tissues and put it into the bones, where it belongs. In case you're interested, I take Bronson (brand) Vitamin K Triple Play, a supplement (I get it from Amazon) consisting of three types of Vitamin K (K1, Phytonadione 100 mcg.; K2, Menatetrenone, 400 mgc.; and K2, Menaquinone, 50 mcg.), for a total of 550 mcg. (458% daily value). You only take one per day, and the supply is 180 capsules, which ought to cover around 6 months, if taken daily. While most of my parathyroid glands are gone (my last surgeon claimed she left half of one behind, but a whole one is the size of a grain of rice, so half it hardly even there), and it's only been 4 years since that surgery, and it can take 7 years before that tiny half-organ to 'wake up' and produce parathyroid hormone. A recent blood test says my PTH is still 'low' (4.9 when it should be at least an 8). I also switched to buying Irish butter (Kerrygold brand) instead of American (the cows are grass-fed, so there's more natural K2 in it). My bed works great for me, I am thankful to say. It's all memory foam--from the mattress, to both head pillows, and even knee pillow. Knee pillows are important, as they help prevent lumbar pain, which can make walking even more painful than it already is. I am more than glad I no longer have to sleep on an old, unsupported love seat, as that really sucked, and I did not get much sleep that way. And, just in the past 24 hours, things have changed, thanks to my attorney (she's an absolute pit bull!): She filed for the neurological issue just a couple of days ago, and LHI called me just this afternoon with a neurological C&P exam set for June 24th! I may not even need the August appointment with my PCP, but I have plenty of time to cancel, if necessary. I have never received an appointment with VA with less than a 2-month wait, and I've used VA in 3 different States now (CA, CO, TN). Heck, when I first moved to TN, if I wanted a local PCP (in my community), it would have been a 3-month wait, so I opted to allow my PCP be located in Nashville. Anyway, I will update this thread as things change.
  3. FloridaNative, thanks for the link. Interesting read, but I think the issue with my neck is caused by a pinched nerve, or something irritating a nerve (possibly the remaining disc debris that was not removed in the intentionally-botched 1995 surgery). After all, if I manage to stay on my left side while sleeping, I don't have any reading issues, even if I wake up with a headache. It's only if I fail, and wake up on my back or right side that I wake up with a migraine plus complications. While I do have Osteoporosis, it's not directly related to the discectomy. It was caused by Primary Hyperparathyroidism, diagnosed in 2016, where all of my parathyroid glands grew tumors on them, so had to be removed (in 2 separate surgeries, that just happened to have their incisions in the exact same place as my 1995 surgery. Weird, huh?) And, yes, I DID try to claim the Hyperparathyroidism was caused or related to that original surgery; VA denied my claim. Of course, now I have surgically-induced Hypoparathyroidism (no parathyroid hormones). I should have just gone with the endocrine issue mentioned by the doctor who diagnosed my menopause in service; she stated in my service medical record that the menopause was likely caused by an endocrine issue, and put a consult in for it, but it was never acted upon. If it had been, I can only imagine an Endocrinologist could have discovered the Hyperparathyroidism early enough to save some of my glands. Thanks again, everyone!
  4. Lemuel, I wanted to go to a private, civilian Neurologist for a diagnosis, because I don't trust the VA--with good reason, as their employees (I have trouble calling them 'medical professionals') don't listen to me, and tend to put me in excruciating pain (making me want to die). I wanted someone who understood nerve issues, to diagnose me (not treat, just diagnose). However, over the past couple of weeks, I have been calling several private Neurologists in town, but no one has even called me back, and I have not been able to even speak with a human being. So, I have no choice but to go through the VA at this point; and made an appointment with my PCP for her earliest available date, which, unsurprisingly is 2 months out (August 12th). In that meeting, I will provide her with my evidence as to why I think it's a neurological issue, so she will provide a Neurology consult. That's up to her, of course. I do not know whether that will be from within VA or via Community Care, but I am not going to call Community Care directly, as I have to go through my PCP (Primary Care Physician) for that authority. I just think it's strange that professional medical offices would not even return calls from potential customers, who are willing and able to pay for service. And this is not just one office, it's more than half a dozen offices, all who do not return calls when customers leave messages. Thanks for your input, though; every insight helps, even a little bit.
  5. Whodat, my original filing was immediately after getting out of the military, in June of 1998, but at the time, I was only concerned about 3 things (regardless of any military medical records, of which there was MUCH more). I do have military medical records regarding migraines, but did not file for them until 2021 because that was the work of my attorney. I did have migraines in service, but was forced to work through them (as I was never given the option to take time off, as a cop), regardless of the pain. As such, I never bothered to file for them. However, once I hired an attorney, she went through all my copious amounts of in-service medical records and filed for every issue she found, which included migraines. I CAN--and do--wake up with migraine pain, but because I HAVE worked (i.e. gone to work) through it, I do not consider them important. Even back on December 20, 2001, I would not have even called the ER, much less gone there, if I did not have a complication that prevented me from working (inability to read). It is ONLY when I have complications with the migraines that I get VA involved (to try to find out WHY the complications happen). And for me, migraine pain is not a death sentence; it was only when the VA started giving me a much WORSE (nerve) pain out of those migraines (i.e., The Worst Pain of my Life), where it is impossible to function--even as a human being--much less consider continuing to live or try to work through. For that first experience, the VA kept me in that pain for a good 12 hours, so I had a LOT of time to believe they were not going to be successful in getting the pain down. Literally, for that entire time, all I could do was hold my head together (because it felt like the lower left side of my head was going to explode), cry, and BEG people--anyone, even the VA police, when I saw them--to kill me, to end my life, because I could NOT 'live' with that pain. It was well and above any mere migraine pain, and completely destroyed any concept of 'quality of life.' As a Christian, I am very pro-life (even to the point of working to criminalize abortion, because it is murder); but THAT PAIN changes everything. Unless you've BEEN THERE, yourself, and have experienced it for yourself, you cannot tell anyone else how they should deal with it. I know why veterans commit suicide: it's because they are in a condition that is untenable for them, and the VA either cannot, or will not, help them. When 'quality of life' becomes a negative integer (like -10), you don't have any other option.
  6. OK, Broncovet, let me clarify some things for you: This diagnosis that I need is NOT A C&P EXAM, nor is it a NEXUS LETTER. I am JUST getting a civilian Neurologist to examine me--with medical tests--to receive their diagnosis. The VA had all the evidence to diagnose this back in 2001, but chose to HIDE it, and not follow up. So, I need to go OUTSIDE the VA to get a long overdue diagnosis. By the way--and honestly, I don't know why so many people here ignore this fact, despite me repeating it over and over--I HAVE A VA-CERTIFIED ATTORNEY, who requested I get a diagnosis from a qualified physician, so we can use that diagnosis to get a CIVILIAN DOCTOR TO PROVIDE A NEXUS LETTER. The people who would be providing such a letter are the https://vetresourcegroup.com/nerve-and-neurological/ But they don't do diagnoses, they just do medical records review and NEXUS letters. You are not my representative, so I don't have to use YOUR recommendations, nor use the same people you used. Please allow me to do what I need to do for ME and MY CASE, which you are not familiar with, so cannot give advice about. Please do NOT make assumptions about my case. That does not help anyone, least of all me.
  7. When I called Dr. Campbell's office at about 8:45 a.m. this morning, their phone lines were busy, so their machine suggested texting them, which I did. As of 10:20 a.m., I have not received a response yet. Off to do some grocery shopping, and will update if anything changes in the meantime. --Catherine Bird
  8. Thank you all for your prompt answers! You have helped me decide to 'go ahead' and contact a private Neurologist. If the VA was going to diagnose this issue, they would have done it back in 2001/2 after my first experience at the VA in Northern California; but they did nothing, preferring to hide their culpability--proving they're NOT about helping their patients. Whodat, yes, we did claim for migraines, but it was denied. Thought that was weird, since I reported migraines as 'common' in my first experience w/VA in Northern CA; but I suspect (owing to their belief I had committed suicide after that experience), they did not follow up, nor pass on that information in my records, and it appears they destroyed those records (apparently to cover their butts). Yesterday, I found three possibilities by searching for 'Neurologists in Clarksville, TN' and found these: https://threebestrated.com/neurologists-in-clarksville-tn Already called the board-certified physician, but his practice refuses to take private patients (require a referral and insurance), so today, I'm calling Dr. Gretchen Campbell of KCA Neurology. I especially like her statement on her 'about' page: "What we believe In everything we do we believe in challenging the status quo. We believe in thinking differently. The way we challenge the status quo is in our holistic approach to the practice of neurology in a way that uncovers root cause issues resulting in symptoms. If you’re the type of person who likes getting to the bottom of things in every aspect of your life, we have the neurology practice for you." That statement really spoke to me, and happily, her practice accepts private, direct-pay patients. I'm calling her this morning, to see if I can schedule a consult for later this month. I would appreciate your prayers (or crossed fingers, whatever) to help her say 'Yes!' Thanks again, and I will come back and update with her answer! --Catherine
  9. Originally, this secondary condition was claimed as 'migraines,' but while it may begin as a migraine with a complication, the VA can--and has, more than once--made it so much worse (pain-wise). If it does not qualify as a migraine, then my attorney and I need to come up with a different diagnosis. It's definitely a neurological issue, possibly 'occipital neuralgia,' as the condition meets the criteria of its definition, here: https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/occipital+neuralgia. Yes, VHA has been my provider, but they have also been the ones triggering my secondary condition; and once they bring on the extra pain, they IGNORE the cause and focus solely on finding a drug to stop it. I am afraid to ask them to diagnose a condition they cause; and they won't volunteer to bring it up, themselves. They prefer not to deal with issues they cause. The VA Northern California Health Care System (at Mather) has even destroyed medical records associated with one of these episodes they caused. And, if I ask them to diagnose the secondary condition, they may cause the pain just to 'study it,' and that is UNACCEPTABLE, as that pain is a death sentence for me (as, in my first experience, mentioned above, I was in that severe pain for at least 12 hours, and if VA had not eventually found a drug to treat it, I would definitely have ended my life that night). In fact, after that first episode, I never called, nor went back to, that VA hospital for over 14 years. When I finally called, I discovered that they actually thought I had killed myself. They were surprised I was still alive. So, I am wondering if I can go to a civilian Neurologist to have them diagnose this condition, instead of letting the VA 'try' knowing they could fail, and that would end my life. The original, rated condition is 'Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy Associated with Cervical Spine Degenerative Arthritis Status Post Discectomy and Fusion, C6-7, with Inter-vertebral Disc Syndrome,' rated 30%. So, what do you guys think: Should I get a private Neurologist to diagnose my secondary condition? I found some local, quality doctors in town (Clarksville, TN).
  10. Jbasser, I ALREADY HAVE a VA-certified attorney (Leslie Dean of Dean Law in Florida) but she is NOT a doctor, much less a Neurosurgeon. My 'issue' is I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT MY MEDICAL RECORDS ARE SAYING, AS THEY ARE IN MEDICAL TERMS. I should NOT have to go to Medical school just to understand my own records, and NONE of my VA doctors will translate the information for me. Did you read my original post??? Just guessing here, but it seems no one bothers to read what the poster has said before responding. Honestly, I don't understand that.
  11. Thankfully, I found a great bed frame, it's a metal 'day bed' shaped like a couch, as I need to be able to put my back against something (in this case, it's 2 body pillows that serve as the 'back' of my 'couch') to prevent me from turning onto my back or other side. I also found a high-density Lucid memory foam mattress (twin), 2 memory foam head pillows (I set one offset to the other, which is leaned against the back of the bed and bent in half, so the 2nd pillow props the back of my head/neck to help prevent my head pain), as well as a high-density memory foam knee pillow so my knees don't touch/knock at night (and helps keep my spine aligned). The only thing that works for me is either sleeping on a couch, which I did for over 10 years, or a bed shaped like a couch, like the one I described above (see the picture below). The real 'problem' with this unique set up is, it's impossible for me to travel, as hotels/motels don't generally have couches in their rooms, and if you want/need one, they will charge you over $300 per night for the 'privilege.' So, if I have to travel, I cannot sleep, at all.
  12. I want to say THANK YOU to everyone here who advised me to get a VA attorney. I spent 5 years (from 2016-2021) trying to re-file for disability compensation from VA, trying to get help from several VSOs, and even from my Congressional Reps,with the VA/federal government thwarting me at every turn; and getting very depressed at my lack of success. The only thing that happened last Summer (2021) was a doubling of my disability rating from 20% to 40%. So, after yet another denial in September 2021, I sought an attorney. Several people on here recommended NOVA (National Organization of Veteran Advocates). I went there and searched, and found Leslie Dean of Florida, and only since last October, she has brought my disability rating to 93%, and is still actively pushing for 100+%. It feels like the VA is throwing money at me, as if they're hoping she'll stop harassing them! My life is changing for the better, for a change, and I love my attorney. We're not 'done' yet, but this feels like WINNING!!! For any veteran who is 'losing' to the VA, and is feeling like they will never get the rating they deserve, I can only say, "DON'T GIVE UP!" and "Go to NOVA and find yourself a VA Attorney!"
  13. First, to all who recommend I get a VA lawyer, THANK YOU!! It made all the difference in the world. One of my recurring medical 'issues' stemming from my military service, triggered by an intentionally botched ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion) surgery (performed at David Grant Medical Center at Travis AFB in CA) where my C6-C7 cervical disc ruptured, and one of its pieces fell through my spinal cord fluid and landed on the upper nerve to my right arm, causing nerve pain (the reason for the emergency ACDF). The surgery occurred in June 1995, but the Neurosurgeon who was 'brought in' to perform the surgery verbally communicated to me just prior to that surgery that he was not going to perform the full ACDF because (in his words), "I hate cops." So, even the report that HE WROTE about that surgery only mentions him removing the ONE PIECE of my disc that was sitting on the upper nerve to my right arm; he did NOT remove any other debris from the ruptured disc, nor did he even look at the C6-C7 area, nor set the vertebrae to fuse straight (or at all). There was only ONE SINGLE CUT MADE to the front of the base of my neck. Medical personnel advised it would take at least 4 months for the vertebrae to fuse after surgery, but I was only given 30 days of post-surgical recovery leave, then had to return to work, under a Profile of 'restricted duty' for another 2 months, before I had to return to full law enforcement patrol duties. Ultimately, he LEFT the remaining debris from my ruptured disc to float around freely in my spinal cord fluid. As a result, I must sleep ONLY on my LEFT side; if I wake up in ANY OTHER POSITION (back/right side) I wake up with a SEVERE (#10+ on the pain scale) headache coupled with a physical inability to read (looking at a word on a page results in that word leaving the page and any physical plane, and the letters swirling around individually, preventing me from reading it, as if I were looking at that word through a Kaleidoscope). The first time I experienced this pain was on December 20, 2001 (yes, a few years after I discharged from the military, in mid 1998, but my spinal stenosis caused by that surgery is degenerative). I have provided a Word document with detailed description of that incident (see uploaded file with that date in its name). Ironically, in 2016, I was diagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism, where tumors had grown on all of my parathyroid glands, so needed to be removed with surgeries, both of which were in EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE as the botched ACDF of 1995. The VA put me in that SAME PAIN once again, immediately after the 2nd parathyroidectomy on February 22, 2018 (when the surgical nurses decided to wake me out of Anesthesia by grabbing my arms and yanking me to a sitting position without bothering to support my neck--yes, the neck that had literally just had surgery performed on it!) accompanied by a SEIZURE. Over the years, beginning during active service (USAF), I have had multiple X-Rays, CT-Scans, and even an MRI performed on my neck, but the language is ALWAYS in medical ('greek') terms, and despite multiple efforts of translating them, I cannot glean anything from that 'information.' I need a medical professional--preferably a qualified Neurosurgeon--to translate these documents, and tell me what is actually going on in my neck with my cervical vertebrae, so I can explain it all to my VA ATTORNEY. This problem arises because the VA has very distinctive rules regarding Migraine headaches, and my symptoms don't qualify (but I do not know what to call my experiences). The initial head pain I can wake up with has similar symptoms to a migraine (sensitivity to light and sound), but the accompanying complications (not being able to read or a seizure) don't fit into the 'migraine' category. I need to hire a medical professional to help me. I live in Clarksville, TN. If anyone knows of someone, please let me know. Dec20-2001 --ERvisit-NCHCS-Mather.docx
  14. Except, pacmanx1, the VA did not schedule a 2nd C&P exam with LHI, they just spoke with a second person at LHI for a 2nd opinion WITHOUT the person speaking/meeting with me--and that is illegal. Maybe I wasn't clear??? I did describe that I did NOT receive a 2nd C&P exam with LHI for 'early menopause,' but the VA used an illegal 2nd opinion to deny me benefits I earned (due to menopause being diagnosed during service). Yes, last year my attorney DID file for Higher Level Review, and late last year, the VA answered with MORE DENIALS.
  15. I have had a 'bad experience' with LHI contractors with VBA! Last Summer (2021), LHI scheduled me (on June 3rd) for a C&P exam regarding my claim for 'early menopause' diagnosed during service (I was 35). I had requested a female examiner, so they scheduled me with Physician Assistant Emily Bunn, who was very thorough and professional, and ultimately agreed with me that the extreme stress I experienced in the USAF caused the early menopause. She filed her report the same day. Three weeks later, the VA apparently contacted LHI for 'further medical information,' implying that Bunn's report wasn't good enough for them, and apparently wanting a male doctor--someone who had never spoken, nor met with, me--to read her report and offer a second opinion. The VA then used that 2nd opinion to deny me, in September. That denial--the last for the Summer--caused me to hire a VA specialist attorney, who investigated the events and told me about VA's illegal activities. She even told me that the C&P exam I had earlier with a Mr. Beach (for my claim of Hyperparathyroidism caused by that same extreme stress which damaged my Endocrine system) WAS NOT CERTIFIED TO PERFORM C&P EXAMS!!! And, yet the VBA scheduled me with him. My attorney, Leslie Dean, told me that it is widely known by VA accredited attorneys, that the VA does this sort of thing on a regular basis, and they know it's illegal, but they do it anyway. They're getting away with illegal behavior, and there does not seem to be a way to stop them!
  16. I'm starting to think the scammers are getting more sophisticated all the time! Earlier today, I was researching NOVA attorneys online (collecting names & contact info), and even called a couple of them. Then, suddenly received an unexpected call from some woman claiming to represent a 'veterans advocacy group' called "Disability Health Group," who claimed I'd filled out an online form (er, NOT!), and said form sent them my information via email. I asked her 'who sent them the email,' and she hung up, so I figured it was a scam call. Couple hours later, she called back (same caller ID number: "720-704-7978"--a Colorado number, similar to mine), saying the same thing. To be on the safe side, I simply told her I prefer to make the contacts, myself, as there is no way to vet cold callers over the phone. I ran a couple of Internet searches for that 'business name,' and nothing came up, either time. I certainly hope no one else responds positively to such scam calls! Please, just tell them you can't vet them over the phone, and any legitimate business will understand. Stay safe out there, people!!! The Internet can pose more danger than we know!
  17. Charlie, I ran a search for her name (Judy Donegan) at the CAVC website, and her title has changed to "VA General Counsel," which is how I discovered she now works for the enemy. Ran it again, and here is the result, again... http://search.uscourts.cavc.gov/isysquery/91a2d472-41a4-4244-a30a-a360cb0ad9df/-datetime/sort/ Of note, the 'copies to' address is to Judy Donegan, VA General Counsel. Her official title gives her away.
  18. Thank you, all, for your help & suggestions! To '63Charlie,' Judy Donegan may have helped you, but she appears to be serving as the VA General Counsel now; not sure she'd be interested in representing a veteran against her bosses. I'll keep looking, though, and thank you for the suggestion. --Cat4Christ777
  19. Served in the USAF from 1990 to 1998, in law enforcement. Diagnosed with early Menopause in 1998, which sparked an unfulfilled Endocrine consult. Blood test revealed pituitary gland/endocrine issue. Claims in both 1998 and 2021 were both denied, with the VBA claiming it wasn't 'Menopause,' but "oligomenorrhea" (menstrual irregularity)--completely disregarding medical evidence to contrary--subsequently suffered uterine prolapse, which required full hysterectomy in 2016. I know the early menopause was due to extreme stress (19+ hour shifts, very little sleep, sick all the time, etc.) in service. Menstruation stopped completely by May 1999. Regardless, there was actual medical diagnosis of Menopause, but VBA ignored it, twice. According to 38 CFR Section 4.116 Schedule of Ratings under Gynecological conditions, menopause IS a 'disability,' with a rating of 50% (after loss of creative organs from hysterectomy). Honestly, what does it take to get them to accept reality??? Last denial was September 9, 2021 (and did not even send me a decision letter). Had to call them to get them to send it to me via email. Who wins these things, anyway??? I know I need to find a good attorney, but I am so angry and hurt, I can't think straight. Please, I need some hope. Has anyone actually won their case for Menopause? Please let me know! Thanks in advance! --Cat54Christ777
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use