Rockhound

Some of the evidence I need in my upcoming claims is in my medical notes from sick call while in boot camp and for sick call on active duty. What do I do if their inquirey or mine comes back that they have sent all such records to the VA at the time of my original claim and the VA no longer has them? How do you word a records request to the records repository so that you get every possible medical record and or personnel records, so that you can show a particular injury or illness occured during service? I've made a request in the past, but I could see from the start that some records were not sent, such as nursing notes, progress notes during boot camp hospitalization for a bladder infection and references to pain in my legs associated at the time as shin splints due to marching on the hard pavement of the drill field. Also records that show due to my hospitalization and to maintain my graduation date, I was assign to a special company. who's recruites were given duties to the different training office through out the training facility. I was assigned to the military training office and attained the rank or RCPO/Recruite Chief Petty Office in charge of the base guard mail pickup and distribution. I was assinged to the special company because I couldn't march with the other recruites because of my legs shin splints. Anyway, I need these other records to support my addition claims relating to my skeletal system. Rockhound Rider :o

It is already SC and the C&P examiner states in his report that I had no history of sinusitis, yet now I have chronic sinusitis, no history of allergies or rhetinitis and now I have continues rhetinitis condition, so I am hoping their is enough evidence already to support these two conditions as being secondary to my SC nasal fracture with deviated septum/50% obstruction of nasal passages and I have current photos of my nose that show the bilateral scaring on each side of the bridge of the nose. These are raised scar tissue and not depressions caused by the nose pads of my glasses, however the constant pressure and abrasive nature of the boney ridges underlying the scar tissue cause on many occasions, ulceration of the scar tissue. This is in line as an anology of painful scars and is ratable at 10%, as is the chronic sinusitis and rhetinitis, due to the deviated septum, which is also ratable at 10%. I'm only asking what is fair and equitable and as the schedule dictates. If I win the two other awards which must be awarded seperately from the SC nasal fracture and deviated septum, this would give me three seperate awards at 10% each. How does that relate in VA Math. Am I right to assume that It would equate to 20% disability for compensation or would it be more? Rockhound Rider :o

My treating Dr. was my prior PCP who felt she had no other choice but to quit the VHA, since they couldn't or wouldn't provide her with any assistance with her patient load. At the time she was the only PCP for my particular team, they just worked her till she finally couldn't take it any longer and did the only thing she could, "guit" My new PCP has only seen me once and my claim for the increase of my SC nasal fracture and deiviated septum was still being adjudicated. Their should be enough evidence already of record, I just need some help in showing how it all ties together. Rockhound Rider :o

Oh they know it, they just ignore it as they please. Claims would move a lot faster and probably be awarded more often and sooner than being awarded after a NOD and appeals. It's like some Veterans believe, the stall as long as they can in hopes that the Veteran either gives up in frustration or dies and you which the VA prefers. Rockhound Rider :o p.s. Why else would a claim finally get awarded after 35 plus years or in at least one claim I know of, after 40 plus years?

I have a SC Nasal Fracture with a Deviated Septum due to trauma. Simply put, due to my broken nose and deviated septum their is at least 50% obstruction to both nasal passages. I am trying now to show that as a result of this condition, I now have chronic sinusitis and/or allergic or non allergic Rhetinitis, which I have to constantly treat daily with both a cortocosteroid nasal spray at its highest allowable dosage by the VHA to reduce the swelling of the tissue of the affected nasal air passages and a daily antihistamine to treat the allergy type symptoms, that include a constant running nose and post nasal drip at night. I am looking for studies and/or treateses that support the premis that due to the obstructed airway, it is more likely than not or has a direct causal effect that will give weight to wit, the chronic sinusitis and rhetinitis I suffer is a result of my SC Nasal Fracture with Deviated Septum due to trauma or at the very least, the 50% obstructed nasal airway passages. Any help in this search is most appreciated. Rockhound Rider :o

Not all SS claims offices are equal. Some appear more acceptable of a diagnosis from VHA Dr's than others, the same can be said about the VA using SSDI awards showing a directed opinion that a particular diagnosis had its beginning or onset during the claimant's time in service. Not often, but it happens. However, with this said, it is always in the best interest of the Veteran in both their claim for SSDI and VA Compensation claims, that they get an IMO from a Civilian Dr or Psychiatrist who is board cirtified in their specialty, in support of their claim. Having one without the other, makes your road to an award that much more difficult. If your SSDI claim has been denied, then you need to find out why it was denied, if you feel there need for an otherwise unneccessary exam isn't warrented and you have this information you feel justifies your diagnosis and its severity, bring this to the attention of the examiner that they send you to, with any additional medical evidence you have not had time to submit, so that the examiner will have all the information and not just part of it, so that their opinion can be more favorable to your SSDI claim. If your on Medication and have other related problems that require medication, make sure you list them and as to their effects on your daily living and ability to operate equiptment, machinery, memory and concentration, well llist every which way they affect you. list any of the side effects that these medications are known to have Don't just rely on your PTSD, is what I am saying. You need to project how all your problems affect your ability to do any kind of work. Tunnel vision does you no good. Rockhound Rider :o

I always thought if their was sufficient evidence of record, IMO's, private medical records, etc. to prove onset in service or within the time limit after service, a current diagnosis, and a quantifiable nexus statement, then a C&P exam isn't necessary. It seems the VARO is using its porogitive, or right, in deciding if a C&P exam is necessary in way to many claims. That they are then using these exams, which tend to be most unfavorable to a Veterans claim, to then use them to deny an otherwise legitimate claim, causing the Veteran to spend countless time and effort in appeals, remands, and even as much as taking their claims all the way to the courts, only to spend more time in directed remands and the likes. If an IMO is insufficient for rating purposes, then why doesn't the VARO return their reports for the necessary requirements, instead of sending the Veteran to a C&P exam that has to start from page one, when most of the information necessary for the Veterans claim has already been done or covered in the IMO? If I wasn't already slightly right of paranoid, I would be thinking conspericy or at the very least, colution with the C&P Examiners to give directed opinion in such a manner unfavorable to Veterans. It's kind of like the chicken house being guarded by the Fox. It just doesn't make sense any other way. It is quite apparent to me at least that many C&P exams are less than addequate for rating purposes, even to go as far as to not provide the Veteran with necessary tests, exams, specialist reviews and other requirements for a proper opinion, relying more on their own views and what little they deam probative from existing records, non of which comes from sources not controled in some way, shape, or fashion by the VA claims process. Something stinks and the smell isn't hard to notice from which direction it is coming from. Rockhound Rider :P :( :P :P :o :o

Now, having read what this AMVET officer said in his letter, I remember having a similiar experience with one just like him. As it turned out, he was the director of the main AMVET office next door to the VARO, which was in the same building. It seemed strange for him to say that if I didn't go through him for everything that he would drop me like a hot potatoe, but I needed some help with the forms and letter in support, that I agreed to the terms. Later, I met the AMVET SO at the VA Hospital, a very nice lady who treated me with quite a bit more respect and empathy that I asked if I could have her as my SO after that. I am sure glad I did, since it was her helping me, working together that I believe was largely the reason I got my recent 10% increase award approved, granted I did a lot of the leg work, but she did make sure that all my paperwork was done and done right. After I called her today and caught up with her at the main office by phone, we are getting together to discuss my claim. She was late for a meeting, and yes she was, the receptionist just barely caught her before she went into the meeting, to take my call, so I'm not sure what it is all about, but I am sure she has some questions and recommendations that need discussing. Sorry, got astray, you may have to look for another or different VSO to help you in the future, this one is a control freak and sounds to pro VARO to suite my taste and it is a very sour taste I have about this whole deal he is asking you to take and swollow without any questions. Rockhound Rider :o

Great new for your increase, bad news that things are getting worse for you. But at least things might be better for you financially at least. I know kind of how you feel about your special shoes not working. I have what they say is carple tunnel in my left wrist, only it's effecting the wrong set of nerves and fingers. The brace they gave me to wear, after wearing it for awhile is more painfull than not wearing it, go figure, wrong nerve, wrong fingers, probably wrong type of brace as well. does this sound about right for the VA? LoL Rockhound Rider :P :P :o

I agree along the lines with Pete53. Dr Barson now lists his vitals as an anethesioligist and pain management. I only found a couple of reviews for him and they were excellant for his diagnostic skills, but he rated poorly for his bedside manners as did his staff. Although I did notice that he may be in the process of building another web site, but it is not yet up and running, but there was so little info on the web site that listed it, it could have well been for the VetDr. for Corvettes. LoL I sure hope he hasn't given up helping Vets, we can use all the helpers out there, we can have access to, especially if we can't afford the higher priced ones. A word to Dr Barson, if he is monitoring this site. Please keep helping Veterans win their claims with IMO's. If your good at diagnosing a problem, bedside manners are the least of our worries. I'd rather deal with a Dr House type Dr any day, than those at the VA who have trouble diagnosing even the simplest of problems. Rockhound Rider :o

I applaud you for still trying to work, but the more stress you put your back to, depending on your work invironment, job duties, etc. It maybe time for you to think about taking the time off to not only help relieve the stress on your back, but give you time to get the help you need to hopefully help you get better, if it is at all possible. If you do decide to stop work for a time, and claim for SSDI will have to show that you are expecting to be out of work for one year, and even then, your application or rather award should you win SSDI, won't kick in until you have been out of work for six months. The second thing to do, is to get documentation from a Dr that it is no longer advisable, given your back, pain, and number of days you have had to take off from work, that you are no longer able to work or hold down any substantial gainful imployment, sitting or standing or combination of both. Also, talk with you employer about your back problem and how it is affecting your work, (only if you dicide to stop working and with the advice in place from a Dr) Ask them to document your time off and how with your back and pain issues it has so affected your work, that they concur with your Dr. that would be best for all concerned. Hopefully they could also add something that tells how good an employee you had been, but that your medical problems are so effecting your job, it has become a health and safety issue with there other employees. Letters from Co-workers who also work with you or side by side with you can also attest to how they see and perceive your work performance and even to when you exibit pain at times. Things like helping to carry things you would otherwise carry yourself, or anything they've had to do for you because of your back issue, even if your boss does not know and/or know about them doing it. Are wearing a back brace? From the sound of your post, it appears that you suffer some degree of depression over this issue and you should be evaluated by a psychiatrist for depression. It's not in your best interest and pride to try and suck up what you are suffering and letting things slide until you are actually or need the use of a wheel chair. I am in an electric wheel chair most of the time away from my home, and even then pain is an issue I still have to deal with. Sitting down for long periods of time while I run around town doing business or grocery shopping, has me hardly able to get up out of it when I reach home, my legs just don't want to work and sometimes it is very scary when it takes a bit longer than usual for my legs to loosen up to where I can then at least walk around my house with the aid of a cane. As recommeded here, I would most certainly be applying for an increase, especially if you were able to get the information I talked about above. I would also, if on the advice of a Dr. you decied to stop working, add to your claim for increase a claim for TDIU, Knowing full well the VA is highly unlikely to rate you 100% disability for your back and leg issues, but they are however likely to rate you high enough that you should also be rated for TDIU. The only way this is all going to get done is if you, yourself and no one else is pro-active in seeing that all this is done. A VSO (Veterans Service Officer) will be helpfull in drafting and submiting your claim and evidence, but don't just drop it all in their lap and expect it to get done. Keep yourself informed and on top of everything about your claim and you should have a better chance of coming out with a check in the win colume than not. If you can afford one, an IMO as to the current severity of your condition and expected relief, should you decide on surgery, and how long a recovery time you might be expected to need after such a surgery, since if you are expected to be unable to work for enough time after surgery, you should be awarded a temperary 100% rating while recovering. You'll have to look into the regs on this, to see if you qualify at that time. I realize you are young and want to continue working, but to do so may well make things worsen to the point that even with surgery, you may not be able to return to work for some time and may need retraining into a different line of work. I believe, for myself that is, had I known way back when, what I know now about the effects of, even minor TBI's, and had been SC and had been receiving the proper treatment upt till now, I could well be still working, even from my wheelchair and the cognitve dysfunction I exibit today may have been mitigated, at least to the point that I could have been trained into a job that took my problems into consideration and lived a much better life than I did and/or am living today. I have a lot of if's in my life, but the big one was, If I had been more pro-active in my claim when I had the physical and mental ability and the funds to do so, those issues that were not SC'd would most certainly have been so before today and I wouldn't be fighting tooth and nail to get them SC now. So get out there and do what you can do for your claim and seek the help you need when your efferts are not enough. Rockhound Rider p.s. Sorry for the rant, but I hope some of the information, however I put it, is of some value to you and your claim and your attempts to get additional help for your back. Good luck and keep us posted how things progress, even if it is more questions.

I'm sorry first to hear it was an AMVET rep that did this to you. I have an AMVET rep and other than seemingly to take to much time away from the office, she has done a fairly good job. When my SO told me the decision was in, she called me on the phone and left a message. I went to her office as soon as I could and she had a print out of the basic decision and gave me a copy of it. So if this SO has access to your decision, they must also have access to a copy of the decision, so I would ask them for it. It won't have all the official Reason and basis and list of evidence, but it will give you what was approved or not and at what percentage. You'll have to wait until the official letter for all that. If they say they can not do that, tell them that this is not true, because you have been told by others that if you know the decision is in and what it is, that they also have access to what the decision was and the percentages given, if any. It's SO like this that give the rest of the good ones a bad name and make it vary hard for Veterans to trust them, just as we don't trust the VA. No one should be left hanging like this SO did to you. This is why I try not to answer these types of posts, I get so easily worked up, my anxiety level just keeps on rising the more I dwell on the subject. When you talk to him/her, make sure you tell them not to be so unfeeling and leave you hanging with such an open ended letter, that if they knew what and for how much, they should have put that in the letter too. Enough already VSO's everywhere, do you even read what you send out to your clients/Veterans? Rockhound Rider :P ;) :o B)

Yes you can and no you don't have to be SC for anything, I was SC at 0% when I got my first pair and I was told then it made no difference if I handn't been SC. However, your choices of frames are limited and your not going to be able to get tri focal type lenses. Special coatings I think are extra out of pocket, but reasonable. So If you want something special, it's best to ask what they do offer for free and what they can do with an added charge. It's a good thing I went in and had my eyes checked when I did, I found out I had glaucoma, high oculer pressure in my eyes, which left untreated usually leads to blindness or irriparable damage to the optical nerve. Don't waste any time getting your appointment, it may be awhile before they can get you in. do it now. Oh yea, If you don't like their choices of frames, you can buy your own and have them then fit your new lenses to them, the exam and lenses and fitting them into your frames would be free. Rockhound Rider

I wasn't scheduled to see my PCP for about another three months, so when I was at the VA Hospital on something else, I went to the team check in person and put the request in. When she inquired if Dr. so and so knew about my concern, I didn't know who she was talking about, she told me that this Dr had been assigned as my PCP. I was however under the impression that the last Dr. who was my most resent one I saw was the one to be assigned me. I was told she was only a temperary Dr so that the could follow up on a resent hospitalization on a unrelated problem. Not only did this Dr believe as I did, this person was a female Dr I had a written notice on file. That I had issues with male Drs. This new unknown Dr was a male Dr. I have received notice of their compliance to my request for a female Dr. but have yet heard on the referal to a neurologist. I don't have the same problems with seeing male Dr's who are specialist, since I don't see them as regularly as I do my PCP and Psychiatrist. Even the lady in the Diabetic foot clinic is female and does a wonderful job of trimming my toe nails, I wished she did complete pedicures, a good foot massage would do wonders for my disposition of late. LoL Anyway, phone calls go to voice message and I rarely get calls back, so I guess it will have to be hands on once again and go in and keep checking with the team check in person. Or maybe I can do a walk in to see the nurse about my BP and pulse and also aske about the flu shot for this year. Thanks for the suggestions Rockhound Rider

I put in a request for a Neurological consult, to determine if their is any physical findings, that can support probable findings, from a battery of neuropsychiatric tests, that indicate that I suffer from a cognitive personality syndrome or disorder and a cognitive depression disorder, both due to trauma from a head injury. I am wondering how long and/or how often should I be checking with the appointment nurse on this appointment, if I have yet to hear from anyone on it? I don't want to be like some here, who have waited long periods of time before they get such referal concults. Rockhound Rider

If your talking about Veterans Group Life Insurance, Beneficiary Designation Form, check here..... http://insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/forms/forms.htm Still checking on the other form you mentioned> Rockhound Rider

On how many levels is this picture wrong? Has anyone (I am VN Vet) who is 100% mental had to wait three years for a psychologist??? If this isn't malpractive or an abuse of a Veterans right to adequate treatment and care, I don't know what is. Not only that, to not have access to a Medical Psychiatrist to evaluate whether or not you would benefit from medication appears to me as proof of inadequate treatment. If I wasn't on the meds I am on now, I would probably be 100% mental as well, if not suicidel and in need of constant watching. Were you this bad off, three years ago or have you had additional problems develop since then. If you can show that their lack of properly treating you has led to these additional problems, you might have some type of injury case against the VA. If it qualifies for a 1151 claim, maybe Berta would have some comment on this. Rockhound Rider

Thanks everyone! I dutifully doubled up on my meds per my Dr's orders and managed through the rest of the day and night, even though the night wasn't all that great, couldn't sleep until 4:00 am and only for a little while, then my mind and body crashed again around noon today and slepted another couple of hours. But the mind is on a much more even keel, now if I only had the money I spent yesterday that I used to fix my problems, life would seem more like a bed of roses, but without the thorns to jab at me today. I tried to contact my VSO, but I guess she is on one of her many times away from the office, even her voice mail is to full to take any new messages. Each time she takes off, I worry that she isn't coming back and I have to deal yet again with another person who I know nothing about or what their track record is in helping Veterans like me. Things like this never used to bother me that much and now it hits me like an earth quake. When they tell you, you have an adjustment disorder, they tell you very little how it's going to affect you the rest of your life, not to mention the major/chronic depression and anxiety, with the many panic attack that spring up without hardly any notice. At least I have this forum as an outlet for the stress of it all, without it and you all, I might as well admit myself to a nut house for safe keeping rather than trying to keep my access to the freedom I have now. Well feeling another crash time. I knew this would happen after yesterday, so it's really no big deal, I just wish their was a better way to deal with the fatigue issue better. catch you all later. Rockhound Rider :)

Today started out like any other day, when I was going into town to pay some bills and do some shopping. First, I couldn't find my check book, so I could pay one of my bills, they won't take my ATM/VISA card like most everyone else. So I had to change my schedule a bit and go to the bank first. No problem their. But it made me miss a bus to a lunch date with the only close friend I have, manage to make it, but barely. I then went to this place with cash in hand to pay my bill and their was this big sign over the door saying they no longer would be receiving bill payments their and this was their main office too. You either mailed in your payment, mine was late, that is why I went in to pay it. or you went to some obscure store called shop and pay, or you could go on line to pay it, which I didn't know before then. Second, which happened earlier that week, my battery charger for my camcorder went dead on me, I somehow also lost my USB data cable my digital camera uses to download pictures from the camera to my computor, also. Thirdly, Somehow I got to thinking it was time to go home and I caught my usual bus that takes me to the location where then the handicap van picks me up to take me home, the only problem was that I totally forgot that I was going shopping first and it was at the stoer wear the handicap van was going to pick me up. Last but not least. the city bus route that took me to the store was on detour due to construction and I ended up having to ride the bus almost completely back to were I started from just so I could be let off close to the store, otherwise I would have had to ride my electric chair about four blocks to get to the store and these are country blocks and not your regular city blocks. being towards the end of my day, I couldn't afford to waste my battery charge going that far, I may have ended up pushing my chair onto the handicap van that took me home. Oh Yea! I forgot, my HP Officejet printer ran out of both color and black in and I almost passed out when I found out how much the price had gone up since I bought these two cartridges last time. It was if their price corresponded with the gas price hikes, but the price didn't go down like the gas prices here have. Suicide seem like a very good option, I'm just not that emotionally stable enough to handle so many problems like this at one time nor the financial hit it made of my bank account. Boy was I glad to get home so I could double up on some of my meds. I know from experience, my mind and body are going to feel the effects of this day all through the next two or three days to follow. Boy oh boy, is my psych Dr going to get an ear full on my next visit. Rockhound Rider ;) :) :P :( :P B)

I've been trying to study how the VA uses ones GAF score in their decisions and have found one main flaw that when a claim either ends up at the BVA or the Court, it is learned that the GAF score that is being used to document their decision is not a current measurement. Meaning that the GAF score taken even as little as three months ago, has little meaning as to what is going on with the Veterans GAF at the present time and should with a current C&P exam be re-assessed. Plus if the Veteran is on any medication that would otherwise effect a Veterans GAF score should be considered, since if he wasn't on the medication, his GAF would certainly be much lower. All these issues should be addresses in a IMO. I find it unjust that GAF scores are routinely given, without it also refering at the same time, what medications and treatment the Veteran is receiving that helps the Veteran to have a higher GAF score. I don't know what medications a person with PTSD might be taking, and I suppose it is different for each person, but I am sure if they were not on such medications, their GAF score would be substantially much lower than when they are taking them. The medications alone that I receive for my mental problems would preclude me from working. It would not only be unsafe for me, but for any employee working around me and I don't know of any employer who would want to take such a risk which should something happen that I caused, be could very well loose his business in the lawsuite that followed. An IMO to address your current GAF score and also a projected GAF score should you not be receiving any treatment, should also be projected. Rockhound Rider :) :P

As stated below, you can not Cue a claim until the decision becomes final. You can however, If the case hasn't already been appealed to the BVA, ask the VARO for a DRO so that you can present your evidence in its correct form and with its correct dates. If it has been appealed to the BVA, you may bring up the question of the evidence as having been miss quoted or stated, providing them with the correct evidence and dates. If it is still at the VARO level, I would consult with a VSO/veterans service officer as to your avenues of appeal. However, keep in mind the apeals process and time deadlines for same to submit your appeals. Good luck. Rockhound Rider

As I said in a previous post, my accrued award check had arrived and now I have my first monthyly check in hand. All that is needed now to put this part of my claim to bed is for them to start making direct deposits of my monthly award check into my bank account. Even as I speak, my claim for secondary problems due to the above mentioned claim has begun the claims process. I got a letter today letting me know that the claim is now on file and they are working on it, they will be in touch with me, should they need additional evidence to support my claim or if any is needed. The simplicity of the issues at hand make it hopeful that they can award the claims, since the highest rating for these additional problems, at this time would only be 10% for each of the two different problems. So I will keep you all apprised of any progress I hear about. The original claim was for a SC nasal fracture with a deviated septum due to trauma, rated at 10%, the two additional claims are (1) equivalent to painful scars, 10% and sinusitus and rhynitis due to trauma and deviated septum, 10%. These aren't much, but it's something worth going after while I perfect my TBI/cognitive dysfunction claim, which also may finally put the erroneous personality disorder, inadequate type, to wrest and associated with the TBI like it should have been in the first place and not as a alternative diagnosis of a schizoaffective disorder I was diagnosed with while in the service and for which I was discharged as well. Updates will be foreth coming as I get them. Rockhound Rider

I'm trying to do some of the tedious leg work, sort of, for my Dr's Nexus Statement. I'm wanting to list all the medical records, surmmery reports, progress notes, Buddy statements, Service Personel records/evaluations, Special tests and/or exams with their results, etc. etc. etc. that pretain to the particular claim that the Dr reviewed prior to his own exam tests and opinions that is needed to properly support his Nexus statement. I want to properly list them all, so that not only does my Dr have all the information that is currently in my c-file, but anything that is helpful to my claim is also listed. That way the VARO can not say he had not reviewed the whole or total record of evidence in my claim. So far I have refered to each piece of evidence or document by what it is and on what date it was generated. Should I also list the name on any individual report, summery note, test, exam, etc. etc. etc. who was responsible for it? I want to do this right, so if things get messed up, I can then point to the VA as the ones who did the messing. Rockhound Rider

Not that I want to argue this point with Larry3. But if the guy refuses to go to a hospital, is not to say he is refusing treatment, nor does it preclude any options the Dr may have. If the heart attack is severe enough, all the doctor can do is do what he can with what he has at hand. hopeing that the patient looses consciousness, at which point the Dr. can then use his own sound medical advise and ship the patient off to a hospital. That is of course the patient hasn't a signed written and notorized living will, which precludes any life saving measures by anyone, but usually these are only if by saving their life, doesn't mean they would be kept alive by artificial means. I'm not argueing that someone should refuse sound medical advise, I am only advocating that no one has the right to force a course of treatment on you, in order to receive an award of disability benefits. I would always sudjest following a Dr's advise or if you are not sure, then seek a second opinion, or as in my case, I didn't feel the benefit I would get from the theripy group they were offering me, would be of any theriputic value that was better than I was already getting at the time. Many times I have noted in my progress notes that the person writing them believes, that I have little insight into how my many problems combined, are affecting me. I on the other hand feel I may have to much insight and that is why I am still alive today and have not yet given up hope that, for some of my problems, their may be some relief and/or cure, so that my quality of life will have some improvement, maybe even enough so that I can start driving myself around again and/or even possibly returning to driving long haul big rigs again. Although realistically, given my present age and resent results of my cognitive dysfunction, returning to the workforce may only be a hope unfulfilled. Rockhound Rider