Rockhound

Great news Hoppy: I'm glad to hear that you have been able, yet once again, to help a Veteran, who without your help would have continued to fall through the many cracks, of the VA system and probably would have remained as one of the many homeless Veterans still out there. If I hadn't received the help from you and the other carring individuals like yourself, I myself, may have ended up as one of the many homeless Veteran's out their. Good luck to this Veteran and congrats for your win and wishing for many more. Rockhound Rider :D

T-bird: I'm not using bold, but I inlarged the letters just so I can read what I am typing. I don't know if it is the different tones of blue that seem to drawn out the black print or if it is the size and/or style, but you need to do something to make it easier on the eyes. I'm getting eye strain looking at that page as it is currently. Eye strain also means a trigger for anything from a mild head ache or to a full on migraine. If this is the way the board is going to be for the time being, I won't be able to keep up with the daily posts, I'm sorry but I just felt I had to say something about how the new changes are affecting me. Rockhound Rider

The C&P Examiner who did my last exam for secondary problem associated to my SC Fractured Nasal Bone and Deviated septom was a Nurse Practitioner. I want to learn her qualifications, ie: Schooling, Licening, Training, anad such. How do I find out all these things? I want to compair my Primary Care Dr's Qualifications to that of the C&P Examiner. My thought's on this are that the examirer is only trained on the basics, that is to say they do the examination by the book, asking question and checking things that are written down or rather a form is displayed on the computor and they do what it asks them to do. My thinking is that anyone with any medicat training could with minimal training can do what it is asked of them to do, thatThis exam is no more or no less than what I did as a corpsman. As I have said before, I have given physicals and conducted sick call, All of which I would document my findings in the Veterans medical files, of my findings. The forms I used were very much like those for induction physicals and when I held sick call, it was by my self and I can emagine that some of my findings were used by some to show that they had had problems that began in the service. All this done with no more supervision than what the C&P Examiner had and in most cases when I held sick call, I was the only duty medical person, diagnosing and treating miner problems and referals to a Dr. when I felt their was a need. Sorry for the length of this post, I just felt the need to show that I had similiar duties while int the service, that a nurse practioner would do as a civilain. Getting light outside so I guess I had bettter go, my cats will be wanting to be fed soon. LoL Rockhound Rider

To Point: VA C&P Examiner quoted a diagnostic/information sight on the internet at (uptodate 2009) In my research of this site, I found the exact source or quote that the C&P examiner used. Going one step further I followed some of this particular subject using links it provided on the subject and differential diagnosises. In doing so, I found information that directly links my claim and subject, that had the Examiner, had know the correct reason and basis of my claim and gone further in their research, they would have found the same information I did. My first objective at my upcoming DRO review is to make sure that the true nature of my claim is clairified and then to show how this new information applies directly to my claim. My question is how much weight would my findings be against those of the C&P Examiner, using their own site source to rebut their reason and basis of their opinion? My own medical background gives me a bit more insight to medical subjects than the average person, I was a Hospital Corpsman Third Class, and spent time aboard ship conducting unsupervised sick call to the enlisted personel, diagnosing similiar problems and dispensing medications for treatment as well. Also I was responsible in treating the on going problem with allergies to the XO, Giving shots for same. I think I know a bit about Sinusitis and Rhinitis and Allergies to be able to discuss these problems with some amount of expertise, enough at least to be able to diagnose and treat the same in a military setting at least. Oh yea, enter into the records of these same enlisted personel that the VA would use in further their claims. I just want to know if I have a chance in getting my own information looked upon in at least an equal light to that of the examiner who was only a Nurse Practitioner. Rockhound Rider ;)

halos2: QUESTION: Where you boots on the ground during Vietnam? If so, can't you file it as one of the presumptive diseases? In any case, if you must take insuline, then you had better foolow your Dr. advice. My sister My only sister died last year due to complications caused by diabetes Thankfully she passed in her sleep. Because My sister didn't quite follow her Dr's advise, she lost her eye site and had to have a toe amputated after she stubed it, to someone without diabetes, it would have been black and blue and healed normaly. but because on her diabetes, her black and blue toe soon became gangrene and if they hadn't done then what they should did, she might have lost more that a toe. Foot care/checks should be done before going to bed and eye exams should be done at least yearly if not more often Take care of those feet and eyes and they will take care of you. Rockhound Rider

Like others, after listening to my SO, who broght up the subject, since I completely clueless to this new information, I to was sent to those who sign up Vets for MyEHealth and like them, they knew nothing about it. So after Q&A to anyone who may have some knowledge of this program, I finally went to my VA regional offices and did the inperson sighn up, only thing is, it appears the system isn't quite ready to fly, at least in my area, but hae, I'm at least on a list and will be notified when things are up and running. Maybe by then everyone will know what to say and do for the rest of those who like me were clueless. One thing I'm not going to do is to sit by and hope they don't loose my name or the list I am supposed to be on. You can bet that I will be bugging them every week or so, just to keep them honest as I can. LoL Rockhound Rider :)

I have a DRO hearing in the not so distant future and not having gone through one, I would like to know more about what goes on in such a hearing. I am told that my previous AMVET SO had requested an informal hearing. What is the difference from and informal hearing and a formal hearing? I was asked by my Replacement SO whether or not if I wanted a recording of the hearing and I opted to have one, I hope this is what I should request, it just seems logical that I should. Anyway it might help my nurves if I know as much as I can about this type of hearing. Any help and or experiences you might have, s gratfully and egerly appreciated. Rockhound Rider :)

Vync: Check your PM, I hope the information may be of help in your claim. For those interested in this information I will try and attach it hear. It is about eleven pages and deals with symptom associated with structural changes of the Nasal passages, such as Deveated Septom with or without pollops. Rockhound Rider :) Structural_causes_of_nsal_symptoms_An_Overview.doc

retiredat44: I hope one of the elders will step in here. I was going to give my opinion, but I'm a bit foggy due to the time and side effects of my meds. If I answered it, I would probably get part of it right and part of it wrong. LoL. Please could one of the Elders step in here and post the answere? Rockhound Rider :)

Thanks Hoppy! I should have remembered that about getting the Dr. or others to input such as you discribed. I had taken a psych test and I was able to get a statement by the testing psychologist to input her opinion on what the results of the tests indicated. Knowing that I had a (TBI) Traumatic head injury while in the service and that tests at that time showed abnormal results and seeing that the C&P examiner at that time opinioned that I had a personality disorder, the personality disorder rather than being a developtmental disorder, it was due to my head injury or as she diagnosed it, "personality disorder due to a Brain Injury or rather a Organic personality disorder. Which means a personality disorder due to a mediical condition. Also it was noteworthy enough to list it as an AXIS I problem. As a result of this, when I got to see a Neurologist, he defered his opinion to that of the Psychologist's opinion. The Neurologist also listed my headaches as Post Traumatic Headaches. I also got my Psychologist to input her opinion, based on my records and her observation, the in her opinion I did not meet any of the criteria for a personality disorders listed in the DSM IV. These are some of the types of entries I was able to get entered. Others would of course have to have them referance your depression and their opinion as to it's cause or relation to your SC conditions, espercially if you did not have any notes and/or opinions of depression while you were in the service and/or that the records reflect that the depression developed after and over time as a result of your SC condition or conditions. It's late and I hope this information and what others have posted help you to better understand what you need to prove your claim. If you still have doubts and/or questions, don't be shy in asking, their is never a dumb question where the VA is concerned, keep asking until you are comfortable with the answeres you are getting. On a side note. If you are using the services of a SO/Service Officer, the same goes for them. If you feel they are not giving good advice, they probably are not. check their answers with what you get from here. It's better to be safe in knowing things are being done right and that your SO is doing right by you also. Rockhound Rider :)

Chuck: I wish you luck to get a VA Dr. to make the statement that anything is as likely as not or more likely than not. Also, unless they give a nexus as to how one is related or caused by the SC condition or conditions, to give their statement weight, A C&P examiner can and would most likely give an opinion to Rebut any general statement without any support. If you have the money, you would be better off with a IMO to support your claim. Just remember to keep fighting the fight. Rockhound Rider :)

carlie: At most VA hospitals they have a mobility Clinic where you are evaluated for your need for an electric chair or kart. As testvet stated: They may give you some type of mobility test. If you can walk short distances with or without some sort of assistance, you would most likely be approved for an electric cart. They usually only give electric chairs to those who can not walk at all or if doing so would be detrimental to your health. As to lifts for the chair or kart, at least at my hospital, that to, needs a referal from your primary Doctor. At my hospital you get such equiptment from Prostedics Dept. I've gotten such things as a Blood Pressure machine, my Canadian crutches, Diabetic shoes, and I go through them to get my kart fixed and a cherry picker style lift so I can lift my large kart into the bed of my Mazda Pickup. My VA hospital has a contract with a local company that delivered my kart and did all the install and repairs when needed. Depending on availablity, you might get a used unit. My first kart was a used one and when it broke the drive assembly they determined it was to costly to fix and I was issued a new one. The VA doesn't actually give you the unit, it is issued for your use and when you die, it must be reterned to the VA. I'm going to try and see if I can trade my Kart for a electric chair, since the size of my kart makes it impossible for me to use public transportation. It's to long and with my combined weight and the kart, the lifts on most public transport can not lift over six hundred pounds even if their wasn't a problem with the overall length. Oh yea, it may take a while, depending on their current monthly budget and/or how many people are waiting ahead of you. It took about six weeks before I got mine, after I was qualified. I can't say for sure, that your VA Hospital works it like mine, but you can check with your Prosthetics Dept. and maybe they can tell you what procedure you need to go through and how to get a lift for your vehicle as well. As far as I know, you don't even have to be SC to qualify, it's on a needs basis. I was only SC at 0% when I got my firt kart. Tammy my youger Cat is letting me know it's time to sleep, she's curled up between my screen and keyboard of my computer, so I guess I better go. Sorry for the long reply, I just thought I tell how it was for me and how good the VA here has been to me, with only a few problems, but not on the issues of this posting. Good night and Good morning all. Rockhound Rider :)

Ho Hum! I just filed the last of my paper work for my current claim related to my SC Nasal Fracture and Deviated Septum due to Trauma. I had hoped that my claim would be help by the SO that I started this claim with, but she retired as of the first of April and the youg man she had helping her has been also training to take her place. I'm hopeing this person will turn out to be, if not as good, at least nearly so, do my claim will at least have a reasonably good chance of being aproved. It's not like I am looking for a large award, I just want what is due me. The big claim is sitting on the back burning, keeping warm, just waiting for the other one to be settled. Well it apppppears I am rambling once again and my feline bed partner is telling me it is time for bed, so I'll see you all later when I have heard anything on my claim. Rockhound Rider

Vync: You say you have a deviated septom, was this due to trauma; ie: broken nose. If so, then you should be elligeble for another 10% and your Allergic Rinitis and Chronic Sinisits can be secondary issue that are exaserbated by the result of the Trauma. The Deviated Septum causes a malformation of the air passages and can cause Symtoms that are alike in nature to the symtoms of Rynitis and/or Sinusitis. You will need good evidence and an IME and IMO to give weight to the IMO and Nexus statement. I wish you luck as I am going through the same problems, My claim is at the DRO and has been their for about a year now or maybe less but not by much. Rockhound Rider :D

I don't know if it is considered an appeal, but my current claim for secondary issues to my last claim has been waiting at the DRO level. I know it is only a review at the same VA of original juriisdiction, but I have been waiting around 1 year now. I've completed sending them all my evidence and reason and basis for my claim, so if the DRO stamps it denied, then I'll have appeal it to the BVA, whic will be my first timee at that level, should it go that far. I'm just worried when they start putting our claims on the computor, we are going to find out a lot of stuff, not having been inputted, just as if they had lost the information in the past. So just make sure you have copies of everthing and kept in a safe and dry place. Rockhound Rider :D

As I wait for DRO review, I am loosing my SO who finally helped me get my limited SC for the least difficult to prove claim. Now as I wait through the claims process for secondary claims, I work as hard as is possible for me to work, on my major claim, so once I have, possitive thinking, proved my secondary claims, I can move on to my major claim, which has taken over 30 plus years to get, what I believe will be enough evidence that they won't be able to deny, at lest enough that if need be, take all the way to the courts. I've steeled myself to this claim going at the very least three to four years at the regional level and from their is anyones guess. I feel some of my support strength ebbing away, being my, as my long standing SO is retiring at the end of the month of March and in her place will be a youn man who I can only say, who seems eger to take on her duties, but who has limited time and expertise in his new roll. He has been working side by side with my SO as and assistant and SO in training, who only recently passed his SO test so he can take over her job. I'm sure this young and eager new SO has been both briefed and has informed himself of all the claims he will be taking over and he has already told me that he wants to sit down with me and go through my current claim and to discuss and see what I have on my new claim I plan to submit, I hope he is knowledgable enough to understand what my claims are and be able to help me to present them in the best of light as possible. I guess I am rambling on about my claim since I don't have much of anything new on my claims to discuss with all of you, just that it always seems when ever I get some one I have a good repore with, whether it be and SO or DR. or Psychiatrist, they are either pushed out, moved on, rotated out, or as in this case, retired and I have to sit down with the new person, just so I can make sure that none of the information in my records, that has either been misquoted, taken out of context, and streightened out those statements I feel or rather know, are out right untruthes, But again just as I get things streightened out, they too are gone. Well it's quite early in the morning here, so I will leave with but to wonder, what or if their is something I need to do, know, or plan with this knew SO, or if their is anything that is helpfull, would be most appreciated, Rockhound Rider B) <_< :) :(

I haven't been up to logging on for awhile, ever since I failed to get a local Specialist to help me with my claim on secondary problems associated with my SC nasal problems. I'm going to have to go with my own self evaluation using my own medical background to show the logic in my own opinion of my secondary problems and how my SC condition is impacted by them. The one major item I will have to clarify is that I am not claiming that a fractured nasal bone and deviated septom causes either Non Allergic Rhinitis, Allergic Rhinitis, or Chronic Sinitus, but that I am claiming like symptoms are the result of a malformed nasal passage way and/or that these conditions are impacted by the malformed nasal passage way by causing then to be worse than they would otherwise be. I've started this self opinion statement a few times already and find it hard to keep it short and concise and quoting from my medical records and such when it is needed. but no matter how I try, it still seems to read like a paperback novel in size and I know If I present it, no one is going to read it all the way through nor consider all the evidence that is probative to my claim. I have to find an Allergist on a VA Fee Basis soon or my time limit to find one will be use up and my PCP will have to request one again. I need a allergy test to hopefully show that I don't have Allergic Rhinitis or an allergy that causes my nasal symptoms. That's the only way I think I can present my own opinion that rebutts the C&P evaluation that says my problem are due to and not caused by my SC condition. Sometimes it even has me thinking like the VA which doesn't help my claim one bit. Anyway, I'm still alive and kicking, but not kicking very high or hard. LOL :o Rockhound Rider :P

I'm probably one of those who use hadit for more than just my claim. I know for a fact that I tend to vent on enumerative number of things, the sad affair of how badly my Tom Cat treats me among others that are none VA Claims related. I think I discuss anything and everything, except politics and religion, except in my belief of a higher spirit that does have a controlling interest into our lives for good and/or bad. enough said on that subject. If I disagree with how a moderator or Tbird views things being said and/or discussed, then I have the freedom of choice, to either accept their opinion or to disagree within reason or to just move, or to opt out from hadit altoger. I certainly don't find it necessary to resort to name calling and the likes, just because someone disagrees with me or vice-a-verses, I would prefer, if I am able to, no matter what side of the matter I am showing a preference to, to still be upbeat as much as I can. Even now it seems that I am ranting a bit or rambling on and making little sence. My best advise is to read what I have posted twice, if you can remember to and to compair it twice to what the post is all about, hoping all the while that it comes out making as much sence as you hoped it would. Rockhound Rider :)

I would have liked to have my Tom Cat Neutered, but given his age, their were added costs that the program that helped pay for my kitten being spayed, doesn't pay for and I could not afford at this time. The special program that defrayed all but ten dollars of my kittens cost will end at the end of this month and their is no telling if the program will be renewed at a later date, so that mean it will cost upwards of eighty dollars or more, which means I will have to wait until next summer when I do not have the added cost of heating fuel to pay for. I should have done it a long time ago, when he was a young cat, but their always seemed to be some added expense to my budget that kept me from being able to do it. This year it happened to be the replacement of the subfloor in my bathroom due to water damage from a broken water line. My Tom Cat is going to have to deal with being a in door cat once again, I can no longer afford the cost of the heat that is lost through the pet door during the winter months, I'm almost sure the heat loss is near equal to the other types and avenues for heat loss in my home so the savings could be considerable, possibly as much as one fourth or more of my bill is due to the heat loss from the pet door, not to mention the cold draft that comes through it when it is windy outside. Got to go, since it seems my kitten has gotten her appetite back and is making a fuss to be fed. Cats do seem to know how to get their way when they want something. LoL Rockhound Rider :)

I guess my TomCat must be mad at me for getting another Cat, even though it was a female and has tried it's best to be his friend and wanting to play with him, as kittens seem to love to do, but Tom won't have much if anything to do with the younger Cat. The only worry I had becuase of his stand offish attitude was that he might try and make a Mother Cat out of the young female, but I need not have to worry anymore about that, I took my young female in today and had her spayed. I know this was the responsible thing to do, since I could ill afford to feed a house full of kittens, not to mention vacinations and such they would be needing, nor being able to find homes for them. As soon as I finish the repairs on the subfloor in my bathroom, then it will be time for Tom to come and stay indoors, becoming an indoor cat once again, now that it is safe to have the two of them closed up in the house together without the worry of the female getting knocked up LoL. Rockhound Rider ;)

Make sure when you get and go to this examination, that you take with you copies of everything that might be evidence of when you injured yourself and evidence since then that show how it has increased in severity since then. If you have any IME from other Dr.s and or specialists who have followed/treated you for your condition, you might try to get them to right, even a simple statement as to how your problem has gotten worse over time, even statements from any layperson such as a spouse, family member, close friend, emloyer, etc. These type of evidence may not be available to the C&P examiner, especially one who is out sourced. Make sure you print out a copy of the C&P exam work sheet and take someone with you, remember you are supposed to be demonstrating your worst day and not your best, so having someone drive you is better than getting their on your own, also see that they are as familiar with the C&P exam work sheet as the Examiner should be, so they can attest/witness to whether or not the exam was done properly and that your answers and/or statements reported truthfully when you review the exam report when it is done. Rockhound Rider ;)

My last nexus letter was from my primary care physicion/PCP Dr. It was ignored since the C&P examiner wrote an opinion which also included a reason and basis supporting that opinion, which of course was in opposition to my PCP's opinion giving it less weight because it didn't provide the supporting reason and basis with it. This is even though my PCP is a MD and the C&P examiner is a specialized Nurse Practitioner. I'm not sure if she is a Specialist in Nose & Sinusis, but my PCP is not one, although I'm sure she has diagnosed enough similiar problems of the nose and sinusis to make an informed and quality opinion just as good as the NP is capable of doing. So I would say, that if you are going for a nexus statement, make sure that it is also backed by a medically sound and supported opinion with as much documentation of your medical records listed and any medical papers/treateses to give it the weight of a sound medical possibility or if possible a sound medical certainty. Print out a copy of the C&P examination worksheet for your problem, so the specialist will know what information needs to be covered in the exam and if you have already has a C&P exam, provide a copy of it as well so they can see if their opinion differs from theirs, so they will know what area to spend special attention when writing up their differing opinion making sure they provide the necessary supporting evidence in their rebutall. It tears me up that a Nurse practitioner who has less schooling, experience, and definately less time spent with the Veteran than their PCP has, their opinion is given more weight just because they are given a better opportunity, direction, and training in giving C&P exams their PCP. If a C&P examiners opinion doesn't meet ther requirements for rating purposes, their report/opinion is returned and told where it is lacking, but when our PCP's send in their opinion that doesn't meet these same standards, it is up to the Veteran to tell their PCP how and why their opinion was regected as either not supported or has less weight in the rating officers opinion. I wish you luck for it is not many VA Drs' whether they are PCP's or Specialist, who will take the time and effert and do what it takes to see that you are well supported with both a nexus letter and well supported opinion, to get what you deserve, which is a fair shot at the benefits and compensation you fully deserve. Rockhound Rider ;)

Am I right to assume that any re-opened claim with new and material evidence, whether the claim is specified or not, that any Service connected condition must be looked at as if it were an implied claim for increase? I'll try to explain this another way. If I re-open a claim for say a foot condition, but I have other Service conneceted condition of record. must the VA consider the other claims as an implied claim for increase as well? Rockhound Rider

My Tom Cat that I have raised from a kitten and who used to sleep next to me at night has turned ferrel since I brought home a female kitten nearly a year ago. He still comes home most days to be fed, but he will no longer allow me to pick him up without trying to scratch and bite me, nor does he respond anymore to being called to meal time, when I normally feed the other cat. I do seperate the two when feeding them and I do provide seperate feeding dishes. If I try to keep him inside he puts up such a fuss and claws at the pet door with such force, he has caused some small damage to the pet door incasement. He is no longer around 99% of the time when he used to give me injoyment when playing with him and now he no longer seems to find any interest in these games, since I can no longer ingage him into them, no matter how hard I try or varied the games he used to, or at least seemed to find interesting and engaging. I don't know what to do with him now, I worry so much when he stays away for more than a day. I'm certain it is not good for my health or my level of depression and anxiety It may seem overly silly to some of you, but it is like a unrully child who has run away from home and only comes home whe it pleases them or they are in need of something. I don't know how or what I can do to regain my Tom Cat's affection again, I nursed him through cat fight wounds and what appeared to have been a bad wound on his leg from a trap and now none of this seems to register in his mind that I am him friend and can be trusted. I long for my old Tom Cat to return to me and to once again find him sleeping next to me as before. I find it hard to believe that he is this way because I brought another cat into the house, since he is much bigger and stronger than the younger one, yet he will have nothing to do with this other cat and will pin her down should she try to press her attention on to him or he will excape to the outdoors where she will not follow him. Their has to be a way to regain the trust and affection of a cat that has gone ferril, but I am at a loss at how to go about it without limiting the cats movements by placing them in a cage until the do. I ask of those out there who are Cat lovers, what they think I should do. I don't know how much longer I can stand this situation of being just a food way station for him without some return of affection in kind. My Cats are like my children and to have one act this way, plays havic on my depression and when he is not there when expected, raises my anxiety to an unbearable level, that worries me as much about my depression level is. I've been ranting far to long and it has me longing far to much for my next dose of medication so I will go for now and check back tomarrow for any replies. Thank you all for being out there even if it is to lisen and respond to my ever present rants of whoa is me. Rockhound Rider

I'm wondering, since a personality disorder is developmental and not a disability, is it a CUE if the Veterans military personel history is not discussed or listed or otherwise presented, when consideration to change a diagnosis of a mental disorder, which would otherwise be elligible for disability and compensation to that of a personality disorder, which is not? I still have questions that the USC and CFR regulations concerning the change of a diagnosis may not have been met, if their is no history prior to, at time of enlistment, during service, at the time of a re-enlistment physical, and during a period of hospitalization of a diagnosed mental condition, and failure to consider the Veterans average to above average personnel records, and his selection for specialized training in Law Enforcement where he received average marks in all areas of training and above average marks in attitude during this training. I will be using all this in an upcoming claims application to not only receive service-connection for a TBI/head injury, which is late in being awarded, but to also see about rebutting the prior diagnosis change, which I have now found and received evidence that the personality disorder should have been awarded as a medical condition, caused by the un-awarded TBI/head injury. any input or discussion is greatly appreciated. Rockhound Rider ps: I will post under the CUE posting as well