JonesZen

Thanks Carolyn, any bit of advice helps. I'll report later as to what happens, if anything.

I wonder why E's lab uses that range, when the lab I go to specifies such a lower range. Assuming they are both VA labs, I would think they would use the same numbers. I wonder who is the entity responsible for deciding these ranges, why they vary so greatly, and who I can use as a definitive source to present to the VA to support my case. Rhetorical question, I imagine...

Hi Carolyn, thanks for your response. I read your thread about E's testosterone and was hoping you would comment. From my understanding over the years, I agree with your points re: acceptable ranges, and symptoms of low testosterone. Supporting evidence is readily available at several reputable online sources. The problem is my VA PCP disagrees and I don't know how to dispute the decision or get a second opinion at the VA - 21 years at this, and I still don't know how to get a second opinion at the VA. I can go to a civilian doctor and get a proper diagnosis, but VA doesn't respond to that. Don't know if Medicare will pay for testosterone supplements, guess I'll look into that. Thanks again, and best wishes to you.

"What's your reasoning for wanting your testosterone increased??" I have reason to believe 139 ng/dl is low and should be supplemented.

Hi all, I see some discussion about this and have researched, and it appears to me that my testosterone level of 139 ng/dl is low and should be supplemented. My PCP at the VA disagrees. This person claims the normal range is 84-402 ng/dl and therefore I am fine.. I am 51 years old, have a spinal cord injury (quadriplegic) and have the classic signs of low testosterone. What recourse do I have to this one person's assessment, if I want to try supplements? Thanks in advance.

I couldn't agree more, thank you, and thanks to those who put this site together and keep it going.

Nursey is here, time to get busy! Y'all have a great day!

Yes, schools omitted, overlapping dates on Good Conduct Medals... but dates are correct otherwise. I'll just try to get the VA to use the date on the latest DD 214. Shouldn't be too hard...

Good morning to you, Commander Bob, and thanks. Hope you have a nice day.

I can't speak for this guy's credibility, but it's posted to a group called Veteran Employees & their VA Medical Records here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=1540...amp;topic=14148 He says "When you are a SC Vet and an employee of VA, you are considered a "sensitive 7" file minimally." Hope that helps.

Roger that. I've learned from this thread that a DD 215 will be issued that sort of goes with the two DD 214's like an addendum... if I understand correctly.

Thanks again. Yes, you are correct. Had a helper here yesterday. Found that the DD 214 I was looking at is a really crappy copy of the original, don't know where it came from. The original concurs with what you are saying. Now to get it straight with the VA...

That would being nice, Pete. I get a bit of a "fix" with my annuals at the VA, makes it more bearable.

Thank-you, Marine. With this, I will agree: "your date of discharge is generally the last day you were in prior to TDRL." However, the date on my retirement certificate is the day after my orders state I was removed from TDRL. My latest DD 214 has no dates entered. I'll have to have someone help me go through my records, to see what other supporting documents I have. Please understand that my discharge was a bit hectic, and the following years have been medically challenging. Probably not unlike most of us here.

I'll take this as motivation, Commander Bob, thanks. God how I'd like to break bread and pound back a few brewskis with y'all.

Sorry, gentlemen, I just saw that in my "About Me" page I inadvertently (and unintentionally) had my dates of service incorrect. I served from 77-90, not 77-99. Big difference in my Wartime Service Period record. Please do not think less of me. Also to be clear, I served no time in war. That said, I will pursue this. At speed which I am capable of. Thank-you all, again. Both sites have been down these past couple nights. I'll keep trying, thanks.

Thank you, Wings and All. I don't know why it has to be so complicated... famous last words. The discharge date of my second DD 214 puts me in a Wartime Service Period. I don't know what weight that carries with the VA, and I sure don't want more than I have coming (or need, but who knows what the future holds). This came to the forefront again when I received in the mail a letter that "is a summary of benefits" I currently receive from the VA (says it replaces VA Form 20-5455). This letter uses the dates of service from my first DD 214, which does not include Wartime Service Period. There are other errors and omissions, but the main issue is this Wartime Service Period. I might just have to carry this one to the grave... unless life gives me a break, gotta pick our battles. Thanks again, and keep the faith, Brothers and Sisters.

When asked for my discharge date on a form, do I put the date I was placed on TDRL, or the date I was removed from TDRL? Actual wording from the orders removing me from the TDRL: "You are removed from the Temporary Disability Retired List on the date indicated because of permanent physical disability and, on the day following, you are permanently retired in your current grain of rank." Thanks in advance!

Hello, I need to combine two DD 214's from separate enlistments. I see that it takes submitting a DD Form 149, provided here: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcebase/a/chgrecords.htm How do I know this is the most up to date version of that form? Is there an "official" online source for this form? I don't see it listed on the VONAPP site. Any other advice regarding combining my DD 214's greatly appreciated. Please forgive my inactivity at Hadit.com, life is complicated...

Hi Allen, No problem with your delay, thanks for responding. Good advice and material, thanks. I regularly interact with folks like myself with spinal cord injuries, and get all kinds of questions. Now it's a lady whose husband was a World War I veteran. So this will be helpful for her, also. I've sent others to this forum, and am sure they are here. Great site, thanks again.

Wanted to add, that he fits in this category: "Those veterans who have had 90 days or more of honorable active war-time service in the Armed Forces...who are permanently and totally disabled for reasons not necessarily due to service." Reading that, and being that he fits in that category (Viet Nam veteran, totally disabled) it sounds like he should be eligible for pension. Any thoughts? Thanks!

But wait, there's more, regarding war-time veterans, which my friend is. If a veteran is eligible for pension under this program, might he not also be eligible for Aid & Attendant care? Can't speak for the source, but if it's correct... http://www.federalgrantswire.com/pension-f...r-veterans.html 64.104 Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability for Veterans Objectives To assist wartime veterans in need whose non-service- connected disabilities are permanent and total preventing them from following a substantially gainful occupation. Eligibility Requirements Applicant Eligibility Those veterans who have had 90 days or more of honorable active war-time service in the Armed Forces or if less than 90 days wartime service were released or discharged from such service because of a service-connected disability, who are permanently and totally disabled for reasons not necessarily due to service. Income restrictions are prescribed. Pension is not payable to those whose estates are so large that it is reasonable they use the estate for maintenance. Veterans discharged on or after October 16, 1981, must have served for 2 years or the length to which called, if less than 2 years, or have a service-connected disability (38 U.S.C.5303(A)).

Excellent, thank you Allen.

Not for me, but is there a new ruling on this, that non-service-connected veterans can receive aid & attendant benefits, same as service-connected veterans? Thanks much for any info!

Hmm 20 years worth? I have some records marked Mental Health, but it's a sparse record of what actually happened, what should have been recorded. Thanks for the info, Pete, I'll keep it in mind.