ruby

My screen does they same thing, I think others are having the same problem. Thanks for ths fix.

I have an appointment to view my C-file, anything special I should know. It only took a week for me to get this appt. Thanks

Spike, Would you please write an example of what your saying so others may have some to go by. Thanks

If you want them to rate you claim, from my understanding state this is all the evidence I have in my possession at this time. Please rate my claim. Whatever they requested then say attached are copies of my smr that show the dates I was treated. I was treated by the xxVA from xxx-xxx pertinent records attached. I was seen my Dr. xxx through the years of xxx-xxx (go get a copy of those records yourself and attach them) Whatever you have line by line of what they asked, but I still wouldn't explain the evidence.

I don't know whats going on I am new to the game but I have arthritis degenerative in the neck wrist and foot/ankle I get 20% for the neck 10% for the wrist (pain) 10% for the foot (pain) 40% but fuzzy math makes it less. My xrays so the radiologist says doesn't show arthritis, but I can see it on my films. I will NOD this I think my pain should be rated higher and the xrays they used were 18 months old. If you have wrist and fingers involved that 2 joints, if you have both hands its bilateral. Check the rating codes it is explained there. Re file a new claim for pain and limited motion.

Betty, I understand the frustration and know how sometimes you just need to walk away. Its a letter, take a deep breath and wait for it to arrive, take a day or two before you respond to it. You come this far take you time and see it through. If its denied then thats the time for you to decide if your life would be better if you walked away You need to do what is best for you. Only you can be the judge of that. In the scheme of life how important is this issue to you, and if you won how whould it change your life. Is it worth the strees. You do what you need to do for you and only you. Best of Luck

all you can do is file a claim and see what happens. You have your smrs that show you were seen in the service. Type up something like: I am requesting service connection for PCOS. Please see the attached medical records from Dr xxx saying my irregular menstration as documented in my service medical records is a result of PCOS. Attach any SMR's that show you sought care for this problem, and also any test results that you have in support of your claim. Short and sweet let them do the rest. Before I did this I would research the DX. I would also see if you can get the doc to say in his notes or type a letter yourself saying that in his opinion after reviewing your SMr's this condition is more than likely service related to your irregular menses.

Thanks Rental for the support, yea, whatever makes you comfortable is what you should do. There is nothing wrong with what anyone has said, actually I am going back and numbering my request. Even if its only 2, just making it a little easier for the RO.

Cowgirl, Thanks, yea the CE (comp exam) is the same as C&P. I just wish I found this site and another site I use before I did my claim. Now I have to fix all the damage I did with my original claim. My new claim is 2 paragraphs 6 lines total. I did get the help of a retired DRO from another site, that helped me understand the process. He pulled a few teeth in doing so. The time to explain my evidence is down the road, not at the beginning. I thought if I made it easy for the RO to navigate my claim with the evidence-means I put everything in order and explained every detail that I was helping him with my claim. I actually made his job more difficult and possible wrote something that could harm my claim. Because I didn't know how to ask or what I was asking for (my VSO sucks) The rater did what I ask for-period the end, nothing more. I ask for arthritis in all joints secondary to SC arthritis, now I understand why I was denied. My SC didn't cause my other problems it was the reactive that did, however I just didn't understand, I thought I had reactive, the xrays while in service showed the arthritis, therefore its connected. (doesn't make sense, I know) Wrong. Now I have to do a new claim, if I had a good VSO or understood the VA or regs when I first applied I would be 100%. Now with the majority of my teeth pulled I want to repay, by helping others for the help I recieved.

Tlyer, from what I have read and researched they don't read it, they are looking at the evidence, you send 50 pages (as I have) your asking for trouble, it takes longer to review, your screwing up thier timeframe to get so many done. On this site is a letter from an RO, who says, keep it simple and to the point, submit only pertinent evidence. They don't care what your take is, they can only go by the evidence at this level. While you may be more comfortable writing all that out, from my understanding all they will do is look at what your requesting and then look at the medical evidence to see if it supports your request. What you asked for was at the beginning and end, don't give them a chance to not read the whole thing and delay your claim put your request at the top, first paragraphs should be what your asking for. The RO wants to get it done quickly so make it easy for him to do that. If its approved or disapproved, it will be done faster. Here's what I want, here is the evidence to prove my claim. No explanations of the evidence, no let me make it easy for you and write down all the evidence (now he is having to read your whole claim)-which he may not due He doesn't care what your BP's were, he only cares that the documentation you sent him supports your claim. Is he going to remember your BP's in a day, I dont think so. We are just claim numbers, I really don't want to stick out, why, you only stick out for certain reasons, your claim is bogus in the RO's view or your claim is unique. Either way it will slow up the process. Good Luck with your claim.

While others have checked out his creditals, I haven't. I just went to militry.com and put in his name and it shows him as active. Can you be active duty and get 10% from the VA? Perhaps the site is out dated. I still haven't heard from him. Which is a main reason for me to be suspicious-- Betty has he responded to you other than say I got crank calls. Has he responded to anyone regarding a claim?

OK, I just went to military.com and looked up Dennis Barson. They have a current Dennis Barson O3, who is from Arizona Could this be the same person? Looks a little suspcious to me. From his web site, it doesn't mention when he graduated from med school. Could be his is trying find an area of medicine he wants to work in. Could be that he has moonlighted working for the VA as a comp examiner. Could be he is familiar with Dr Bash and his large fee's and that's what he wants to do down the road. Could be he has decided to get out (paid his loan back) and has applied for licensure in those states and knows they will be approved at some point, just not now. If all my could be's are correct, I think he was a little premature in advertising/solicating his services and he didn't think anyone would check him out. When he found out we were, as I told him in my email, he suddenly gets crank calls and pulls his thread. I did notice he removed his phone number from his site. If this is the case its a shame he wasn't more upright and honest and say look, I have done this, this and that, I am getting out and I am willing to only charge so much to get started. I would have risk the money for the honesty. Free, I just noticed your post, you say he is licensed in those states, tssnave said he couldn't find him. I am just curious as there is a Dennis Barson who is in the Navy according to military.com Something is definitley wrong.

start by researching, ddd, ivds, lumbar stenosis, bulging disc. While I don't know I think your approaching this wrong. You requested both SC for the back and secondary--I think it should have been one or the other but not both. Too confusing to an RO. Did they decide on your request to reopen your back from 1994? I suspect the RO didn't ask the Comp person to even look at that issue, since they already decided to deny.--Thats exactly what happen in my case. My lumbar and SI's were never examined they were denied. I can fight that too. In your physical for the fire dept did you ever claim any back problems--I suspect not, otherwise you probably would not get hired. If you did that actually would help you. I have reactive arthritis and I thought I was filing for that but my request stated secondary to sc arthritis. Reactive has nothing to do with degenerative. All the RO ask from the Comp Doc was, is the other joints secondary to the cervical arthritis. The answer is no. I did get an increase for my neck being worse and for pain in my hand and foot. Are the other joints related as secondary they could be, I have to over use the none sc joints to compensate for the sc hands and feet, does my cervical effect my back, yes, if one is out of whack it will effect the other. This will be a BVA case if I appeal. In the meantime, I found out that I have the nexus to prove my reactive arthritis secondary to a sc issue after 30 years of a miss diagnosis. Go through your records with a fine tooth comb for anything that relates to pain in your back, legs, feet. I would follow through on reopening your case from 1994. I can't really help you but there are others here that can on how to appeal the decision. I am learning this VA thing myself through trial and error, mostly error. One thing I would research is how long does it take for traumatic (degenerative) arthritic changes to show on xrays.

I agree with tssnavt to a point, that's why I ask for his opinion if he could help me or not. I think something isn't right either, but I am willing to wait and see if he responds. He could be low balling to get business I understand the medical business side. Most people think Doc's make major bucks, only those established make decent 6 figures. I still wouldn't remove this thread for the simple reason, that most of us question his intent at this point. I think 6 mos down the road a new person comes on board and they found his web site another way, at least they have some way of researching him or lack of him on this site. His absenteeism is causing him more harm then we are.

Did your written report reflect your films correctly. You probably pissed her off saying you can see the problem. Some people are touchy when a lay person say I can---- Then you might have approached this wrong. Perhaps you need to file a new claim for your back and not as secondary. The MRI findings do not support spinous condition as secondary from the right knee. It is more likely from other causes." She is not saying you don't have problems with your back, she is saying its not from your knee. If your back is that bad I would say its not from the knee too when your talking about stenosis/ddd. Her comment about your job is sterotyping. I filed originally for my back upon my end of enlistment in 1994. What did they say about this, was it denied/remanded ? In your current job, did you do a pre employment physical and if you did, did you ever mention any back problems? At this point all you can do is wait for the answer, which according to your CE it will be denied. Now is when I would start looking for BVA opinions, go through your medical records with a fine tooth comb and look for any mention of seeking medical care for back problems. If you had xrays in 98-99 do you think you could get someone to say the damage on those films are consistent with injury's that occurred while on active duty. Xray evidence of arthritis usually takes at leat 1 year to show, once an injury occurs sometimes years. Depending on how bad your xrays were in 98-99 they could possibly help prove your point. I filed this claim as secondary to my knee AND as an attempt to get the original SC for my lower back pain. The C&P doesn't mention anything about SC'ing the back injury on it's own, only allowing it as a secondary issue. I have made this same mistake, you only get what you ask for---period the end. Now is the time to reasearch and wait for thier answer.

I agree to a point but this is going to someone who knows little about medical, they are just going on rules, they don't care about explanations. Writing out each point does nothing but take thier time up, they will flip to the evidence to see if its there. I would just send the evidence and not explain anything, they are going to look at the evidence, they can't and won't take your analyze of the issues. If they deny then you explain the evidence and how they went wrong. At least that's what I have gathered from my research. Make it easy on the RO, perhaps yours will be the most succinct and clear and its an easy approval.--They are required to do so many, the more succinct it is the faster you'll get an answer. If he shows it occurred in the sc by his records, he has meet that burden. They will ask for a CE to determine the rating, there is nothing wrong with telling them what percentage he wants. If his evidence supports that percentage he might get it without a CE. What the heck do I know, I have screwed up several request, not knowing what or how to ask. Based on my results, I have gone from 10% to 60% in 18 months. If I had known what I was doing from the beginning I think I could have accomplished this in a shorter time frame, if I had really known what I was doing I would be 100% PT I sent in everything but the kitchen sink to support my claim. They went by my smr's, vamc's and CE. It's my opinion to keep it short, short, short when you first ask for an increase or new claim.

I'm with rental, just the facts. I would cut it down more. In reply to VA letter dated December 4, 2007 in reply, refer to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. I was diagnosed with Essential Hypertension in Seoul Korea at the 121 EVAC Hospital by Captain M B, MD on 3/10/1986. I have attached pertinent sections of my SMR, VAMR and private medical records that demonstrates this condition. I am also requesting service connection for Cardiomegaly(hypertensive heart disease) secondary to Hypertension, Urinary frequency of 1-2 hours (90 min) secondary to Hypertension (side effect of Medication). I have enclosed my VCAA notice response I hereby certify etc. Short and sweet, don't defend your evidence at this point. Send you evidence--by asking that a new claim be started this will slow your claim down. If you can give them the evidence to connect they will from what I am told. I keep asking the wrong way for what I want. Now I have to fix my errors.

As a RN, I can tell you that your radiological film reports are only as good as the person that reads them. Case in point, I have the same films read by three people in the VA one a radiologist says they are normal, another one says there are spurs and the rheumatogist says DDD L4-L5 with spurs-- Just because someone is a specialist doesn't mean they have any knowledge-trust me on that one. In the VA they put xrays on a disc that are difficult to read-you need the actually films to get a clear picture. The CE docs read the reports only, they don't look at the films, most don't know how to read them, so they don't. Its the luck of the draw on films, just hope the person reading yours knows what he is doing and he is rushing to read them. My second CE was done by a neuro guy, he said you need to file for secondary, according to your films you shouldn't be able to walk. I thought I was being seen for my back, but I didn't understand the system and filed my request wrong. He looked at my films had I been seen for what I thought I was being seen for I would have been 100%. My 3rd CE, the doc refused to look at my films, I knew why, he didn't know how to read them, but I didn't stop until he looked at them. Again my request was not filed properly and they didn't rate me for my back. I am now trying for a 4th time, to get this request thing right. If they read the reports only I would get the actual films and get the IMO/IME from the films. If you have a report that says they you have changes let the doctor know that they have been read to show whatever, if he doesn't know how to read them but pretends to at least your giving him a clue on what to look for. It's sad but true.

Morgan, I didn't view anything he said as bashing. I personally don't have 2700 to pay someone a fee to read my records. I feel that my xrays support my disability. Its the nexus I need. If he wrote me back and said that he could help and this is how or he couldn't and this is why I would as RN have some ability to judge his response. If it was a responsible response I would post what he said and my take on it. Hopefully it would be good--- Many people can't afford to pay 395.00 but it is a more reasonable amount to try to obtain then 2,000. Vets need all the help they can get, word of mouth will bring in a lot of clients. While he doesn't have those clients or reputation to support higher fees, it doesn't mean he doesn't have the knowledge and expertise to assist Vet's at a reasonable fee. I do understand your reason for thinking his post should be removed, I am just stating why I think otherwise. Thank you to those who made the crank calls, I really appreciate your adult behavior. I love the fact that as a Vet your actions have made me look as immature, childish and ignorant as you.

Thanks Josephine, It is nice to know that someone is out there that might be able to help. It looks rather odd that he hasn't responded to 2 possible good cases. Should I hear from him I will let you know. I hope we do but thinking it won't happen.

Thanks for the reply, but why not just edit his phone number instead of removing his whole post?

Just curious why the Doc wanted his post pulled? I contacted him through his site, but no reply to date. Humm, is something amiss here. I did tell him that I wanted to know how could he assist me regarding my claim . Now my condition is not one he has listed as being an expert at with the exception of arthritis, but I really don't have the type I think his is more famaliar with. I thought perhaps he would write back and say, I am not that familiar with your disease and I couldn't offer an opinion that would be viewed positively by the VA. I am not paying someone any money if they really can't help me. I did tell him I would post his response on hadit and all I wanted was a honest answer. In my opinion if he had come back with can't help, not familiar that would have given him some positive word of mouth. If he said my review could or couldn't help depends on how someone felt at that time of reading my opinion I could have still bought that as its honest and a true statement. Anyone else contact him?

Well, I just contacted him to see if he can help me. I will post his response.

Well, does anyone know this person or every heard of him.

Don't want to steal this thread but how do you ask for an earlier date when you worked. I cut my hours 12/06 to half time (more than allowable amount. HOw could I ask for that date as my effective date instead of waiting until June 08 to get my first check (if I win).