ruby

Just had my EMG done on my neck it is negative for carpal tunnel but positve at the C6-7 for bilateral nerve impingement. I can't do another claim until this current one is decided, but I will be working on this claim to have it ready to send if this one is ever done. I will give it a couple of more months then I am going to file for the neck and headaches. To make sure I am doing this right do I have to file for a change in dx to IVDS instead of cervical arthritis Can I get the following approved it I ask for them as secondary to the SC cervical arthritis and not change the DX if I submit my claim for headaches and Bilateral Nerve Impingement (medial nerve) I gather the impingement is moderate to severe--will get the report on Monday but the doc implied it was mod-severe. I am going to start with an Epidural and trigger injections next month. I am starting traction this week. I am hoping this can buy me some time as I do not want surgery. I plan on telling them the percentage I want any recommendations. I have other neurological deficits possibly bladder problems (who know its could be other things causing this problem) but I have been ask by 2 Doc's if I was experiencing this problem after they reviewed the test results. I thought the bladder was due to my lower back issues. I have some weakness in my arms but not severe. I can still hold a coffee cup, but I do lose my balance at times, supposely this may be the result of the impingements. What all do I ask for and what recommendations does anyone have that I get the docs to document. They already documented the prostrating headaches by 2 docs . Thanks for any advice.

I don't know when they said your disability started but you won't get any money for 6 months from the start of your disability that was determined by the SS office. I filed Jan 8, 2008 I did not get my first check until Aug 16, 2008 I was approved for SS in 4/08. My case went to review for 2 months. I got my approval letter in June 08. SS determined my date of disability to be Jan 08, my last date of work was 12/07. Good Luck and congratulations, it will come soon.

Everything was OK until I updated again and changed from 9.0 security to 9.0 VR. My computer is slow and some sites are blank when I hit my favorites and some just don't do anything, guess I need to keep what I had before and just leave it alone.

While I don't know for sure, I would say that somehow, again I am not sure how that script was put in under your ss # by error. Could be the real patient said they didn't get it and the pharmacy figured it out and told the person to call you and get it back.

Thanks for the replies, I have been sick and I don't see this person that often but I have read the claim and denials it is truly amazing how they denied those claims. Hopefully, they will be granted now.

Thanks everyone, these last 2 claims were filed correctly with the help of HADIT, they were submitted with the regs that apply and the case laws to back them up along with of course, the basic 3 requirements. I did tab the evidence accordly with my statement of claim for both. While I can't see how they can deny, I know it's a possibility, hopefully, they won't, however I do suspect they will on one of them. One is not black and white and they have to be able to read and are knowledgeable in the VA regs---guess I might lose that one, temporarily that is, I will appeal. I am so happy to find out they have requested a comp exam. When I find out what for I will brush up on the proper terminology to use. I sure don't want to say potatoe when I should have said potato. Thanks for the support.

I called the 800 number to see if they have my all my papers I have submitted- ok, not really I wanted to see if I have a comp exam scheduled--- Yippeeeee I at least have one scheduled for what issue who knows. They couldn't tell me if it was for the claim I submitted 9 months ago or for the new one I submitted in August. Hopefully its for both since they are still waiting for some records from quantico and st louis, wouldn't it be nice if they were thinking out of the box and they scheduled me for an exam so they could make a rating decision when they get the records (by the way I gave them a copy of them when I filed my claim). This is pathetic that a comp exam has made my week perhaps month(s)/year(s) Ruby

sorry i don't and i am sick with the flu and going into an asthma attack so I can't get it anytime soon, this is the first time I have really been on in over a week. I sign on and then thats all the energy I have so I go off and lay down again.

Again a new question for someone. This person filed an ptsd claim in 97 (I think) it was denied it went to the BVA they remanded saying the RO never made a decision. She has the denial letter. I told her to resubmit the claim with all her psy notes (from 97) and ask for an eed from 97 since no one seems to know where this claim is. The RO says they don't have a claim for PTSD-I went with her when she asked. I told her to show the RO's denial and her NOD and the BVA decision. Then provide all the new decisions from the CAVC and BVA showing the evidence she had given to them was credible. Any suggestions for this issue.

Someone I know had a claim submitted 30 yrs ago in it they filed for numerous claims pretty much all were denied. In the soc they never mentioned the evidence in her service medical records that supported her claim, they denied based on the comp exam which also said some problems. She did nod, then it went to the bva which sent it to the AMC. Here is what I told her hopefully someone can help her with better advice. I told her if the VA didn't address her evidence or the comp examiners statement in the soc regarding her spasm etc then she should resubmit this information to the AMC. While she could submit new and material evidence she would lose her eed from my understanding. She doesn't want to do this. I do believe these are cue's again this may prolong her battle. I may have some of this confused as to the timelines. The following is what I do know that I read in her file. In the comp exam dated in 1980 it stated she had muscle spasms and pain on palpations which should have gotten her at least a 10% rating then. Thats how I got mine in 78 and those where the rules then. What else can she submit to the AMC that will not effect her eed. Currently, her MRI of her neck shows she has arthritis with spuring along with a slight impingment. I told her to continue to see someone and get her pain, numbness of her fingers and headaches documented. She is currently SC for headaches due to head trauma, which I think she should ask for a change in dx codes to 8100 and ask for 50% instead of the 10% she is currently recieving for headaches. Any other advice on what type of evidence she should submit to the AMC. Thanks for any help

I called the 800 number they toldme to go to my office and they woul d give me a copy. I went in and ask for a copy and they thought I was speaking in unnamed tongue. Took a while for them to understand what a wanted, then they acted like I couldn;t do that. I explained my need for my records and they made me a copy of the decision letter on what conditions they granted me SSD for. I gave up at that point and said thank you. I beleive if your denied they will send you a copy of the records and a statement of the case and reason for denial. On approvals it a single letter your approval.

18=24 months is the norm.

send them a thank you note for gving you two secondary coniditions but your still waiting on your org claim for a bum knee.

I will ask this person next time I see them if they took her meds away, I am not sure they do in the MST program at Bay Pines. This person is talking about the MST program and not the pain program which I understand is poor there too.

Thanks Carlie that was interesting to say the least and I am going to find out if I have been blacklisted by the Pain Clinic and if I have--fun time for me. Not only will I file complaints with the IG,AHCA,JCAHO, I will call the papers (AP) and scream they are violating my right to privacy. Plus send an email to all senators and congressmen. Then I will get an attorney and file a federal tort claim if that's possible. The VA would have a hard time selling to anyone I am drug seeking or a addict. The VA really only responds if you get the papers involved.

I haven't tried nor would I for my own reason an in-patient program. I do know someone who went to the Bay Pines program and said it was good and it helped them. They are still dysfunctional but they say they are better than they were. By dysfunctional, I am saying they still don't have good coping skills but they are able to function better then before. Based on what I am told she believes the Vet Center has helped her too. She goes there 5 days a week from 9-4, they go places, take classes, and they are not allowed to discuss thier issues. I know that being retired being alone is the worst thing for me, so I am trying to keep busy out of my home the other days.

He can say somethin like this, I have changed this some but I am told this is a good write up. I don't have a sc yet. So I don't know. Carlie is really good at wording. Having reviewed Mr. ? clinical history and worked with him individually and in group (if it applies), my opinion is that the PTSD symptoms are caused directly by the whatever and they have increased in severity. He is UNEMPLOYABLE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE DUE TO THIS CONDITION. (I am told this gives the rater no room to low ball or guess at the rating) Then go into why, as you did----He experiences severe, recurrent nightmares resulting in in severe insomnia, and intense fear. His mood and affect are depressed, with anhedonia (means no pleasure) He does not leave his house except to do things that are absolutely necessary, such as come to the VA, and obtain groceries. He feels unsafe even in his own home behind lock doors. His sleep and symtoms have not appreciably improved with trial medications. Furthermore, the PTSD condition exacerbates his chronic pain disorder (if this applies). He meets full diagnostic criteria, including re-experiencing, numbming/avoidance, and chronic hyperarousal symptoms. Current GAF score = (35-40)?, indicating major impairment in several areas (e.g. unable to work, unable to trust and have intimate relationships with his wife and family; highly distressing symptoms, etc. If he has SI or HI thoughts he needs to say that also and if he has a plan is it viable plan but he has no plans today (this is the date of the visit.) He can word it like He has SI or HI when his whatever has been intense, but denies it today. Uses alcohol socially on occasions. I hope this helps some.

Did anyone go and if you did how was it?

I agree with you and I am glad your doing something about those jerks.

I don't know anything about FERS and I am not sure what you mean by onset date. If that is the date they considered him disabled then its 6 FULL months from the date he became disabled. If they said the onset is 2/9 then it starts in March.

It will go straight to the bank. I didn't get any back pay and I had to wait for my money. Here is how it works you must be out of work for 6 months, the time for you claim starts is the first 30 days after you submit you claim. My last day of work was Dec 4, I filed Jan 8. I didn't get my first check until Aug. If I had understood the system better I would have filed sometime in Dec. that way I would have gotten a check in July. I hope this makes sense.

My primary doctor is the one that referred me to the pain clinic along with my rheumatalogist. I was given discharge papers from the pain clinic to give to my pcp that I am taking percocet. When I ask for the percocet, they immediately said, OH, you can't take tramdol because you get dizzy but you can take percocet. Yes, that true, but I am not just dizzy I have ataxia from it. The percocet puts me to sleep, but damn I need something when I just can't take it any longer. You have too much pain and your PCP can order percocet. Problem is I don't think she will. If not I'll find someone to give it to me. The pain clinics are a joke. Those of us that go to the Tampa VA should get together and write a letter to the IG about how we are treated.

Cowgirl, From my understanding they only review those that were granted. Mine went to review also it took 2-3 months for them to give me the answer. However, I was told to go to the SS office and ask them specifically if the claim was tentatively granted. They told the answer at least a couple of weeks before I got the granted letter. Good Luck

From my understanding you have to get another consultation from your primary, at least that is what the paperwork said when I went to pain management. Also, you can only reschedule once then you have to go through your primary for another consultation.

Pete, Not sure if your having a problem or my Fedex guy is doing something wrong. I have very nosy and scary dogs they always leave my packages and run from the door. My dogs hit the glass window hard enough that they actually cracked one of them. They always leave them, I get my drugs from 3-10 days from the time I re order them. Including my insulin. They recently have been putting my asthma meds in a cooler. Then the next month they are delivered in a package. Who knows if they are suppose to be refrigerated or not. Talk to the Fed ex guy and see if they will just leave them. My xanax is left at the door also. Ruby