donews

First I want to apolagize for dropping off and not keeping in touch. I have been sick for the most part of the past few months. As I type this I am fighting a cold, sometimes thats all it takes to knock me down these days. For those who might not know, I was given a grant of SC as Secondary to my DMII earlier this year with an effective date of 2005 (When I originally filed). But due to the VA listing my Heart Disease as "Aggravated By" instead of "Caused / Secondary" to my DMII I was given a rating of 0%. I received my decision today on the NOD for my Heart Disease Secondary To DMII. I was granted 100% Effective 2005 for my Heart Disease as "Secondary to" my DMII. I also was awarded SMC Housebound from 2007. It has been a long road to get here, and I still have more to fight with the VA, but it feels good to put one in the win column for a change. I absolutely must thank HADIT ( Thank You TBird) and all the caring members for this win. Without Hadit I seriously doubt I would be typing this post. Thank you to all those that read, posted, and replied to my posts. To go beyound that, I feel that I must mention a few people that I feel I can never thank enough for all their assitance and support. Carlie, CowGirl, Josephine, and Berta for all your support and thoughts. Morgan and Dr. Bash for all the time spent assisting me in putting everything together. Morgan spend endless hours assiting me for quite some time, she took time from her life to make sure I had everything I needed to fight and do well at my hearing. Dr. Bash took the time and effort to put together an opinion that I would say is a piece of art. I will do my best to check in until I get better, then I hope to spend more time contributing again. Donews

You are correct it is Two Years from a new connection not just an increase. As for the waiver, you DO NOT have to be 100% Service Connected, but you must be considered unemployable.

Very interesting to see that this is an offical form. That one particular time is the only time I have seen that form. I will let you know if I get another during any of my current claims.

Very good work. Good luck!

You can apply for the $10,000.00 Service Disabled Veterans Life Insurance within TWO years of any rating decision, even a 0% rating. You can either fill out VA FORM 29-4364 or fill out the online form. Here is a link to the SDVI page: VA Service Disabled VEterans Life Insurance Once you get approved for the Life Insurance, if they do not already see an infered claim for a Waiver of Premiums, then you just request that they give you a Waiver of Premiums. If that is approved, then the $10,000.00 in life insurance is premium free for you. If you do get approved for the "Waiver of Premiums", then you automatically become available to purchase an additional $20,000.00 of Life Insurance, but you must pay for the additional insurance, you can not get a waiver on the additional $20,000.00 of insurance. So you end up with a total of $30,000.00 in insurance but you only pay for $20,000.00. Hope this helps!

The system has a way of doing that to a person.

I never knew the clinics were open on Saturday, good to hear. I can certainly see how it is a benefit to run them on weekends, even more so if your a working vet.

A C&P on a Saturday?

It sounds like you got yerself an explorer hyjack causing you trouble.

I have been noted to have memory issues for a long time, at least I think I do / did. If they ever gave me any toys / devices, I must have forgot about them.

Goto the SSA website and locate your local SSA office. Call the local number for your office. Request a copy of your SSDI file. If it is located locally they will be able to get it done in little time. If it is in the repository, it may take a few weeks. They may or may not charge you for the file, I had to pay around 100 bucks for mine. Some people have managed to get them free, so its a hit or miss type thing. Should be pretty straight forward.

It is great news that you got awarded your pension. So I take it from your post, that a VSO filed for any benefits that may be due and asked that they adjudicate your husbands unfinished claims on your behalf?

Are you asking him to let you review the C&P exam records from the exam? Or are you asking about other records? If you are asking about the C&P records, sometimes they are not available immediatly, you can request them from the VAMC that in incharge of the C&P clinic. Sometimes the examiner needs a supervisor to sign of on the exams before they are considered final, and that may be why they are not avaialable immediatly. No, it is not against if they do not make them available to you right there. They can require you to fill out a release form and they can even require that your records be mailed to you as sometimes the records have such types of information that a supervisor must sign off on the release. If you are asking about seeing your VAMC Recs or C-File, not they are not required to have access to them to complete a C&P exam. There are many times when a C-File or SMR's are not available to the examiner. It is not against the law. It might have been a misunderstanding on the examiners part as to what you were requesting or he could be a "ride the short bus to school" type of doctor or he might just be a butthead. Do not be discouraged.

The above quote says they have not made an actual decision yet. It is good news tho that it is moving along the cahin and not sitting in a dust pile for years. I would rather get a denial and SOC in less than six months or even a year, than to wait for years while my file sits around, because at least then I can be developing my strategy and files for a appeal. Just my thoughts, for whatever they are worth.

Excellent news. Now sit back, relax and wait a few years or ten and you might get something from the va also.

Ok let me add to the madness and confusion as well. I have done extensive research recently on the subject of SMC and I have several more pages to go over before I am even half way through this muddle of information. But I have a question: What happens when a vet is assigned two or even three different SMC awards? I have case documents showing such awards, even have the instructions manual showing how to enter the data into the VA computer for the awards, but NO WHERE can I find if they get both awards each month or just the higest award. Anyone have a clue? And if you want even more fun VA Math, try figuring out what the SMC rate is for you when you get hospitalized. Now thats fun.

I dropped of the form for Aid & Attendence on April 9th when I had an appointment for my PCP. I will be bouncing between two issues here as they are "Inexplicably Intertwined" so bear with me. I even dropped off copies of the C&P for Aid and Attendence and a few other materials describing what they want in the forms. Well...... I did get the form back filled out and signed. So I guess I got part of what I wanted. But, isn't there always a but?.... Every single section where the form asks the doctor to be very specific about limitations, fine motor skills, grasp, ect. he just wrote very non detailed information. For example under the restrictions for upper extremities: "Veterans can use hands but has difficulty" Well umm ok so what the he77 does that mean? Not very descriptive. Then to top off the molded cake with some nice sour frosting, under the section he was supposed to list conditions I have, he listed them, and right next to Depression he writes: "Depression - Veteran has trouble dealing with his own affairs" What the F*&^ is that BS? No doctor, not my cardiologist, not my hospice doctor, not my other doctors, not even the three VA Mental Health Doctors have ever even peeped anything about this. Actually all three of my Mental Health Doctors have specifically stated in the records multiple times that I am able to handle my own affairs. I think this doc did this to get back at me. Its a long story, but we have been at odds for over a year almost since he has been my PCP. Ever since the first appointment wiht him, he rushes me out before I can talk about anything I need to have address, doesn't matter if its a current or new condition. He says he can not waste all his time on one vet, he has other vets that need him also and he wants to be fair. The VA have been dragging their feet about getting me another doctor, I found out today, that I might get to get another doctor but it will require a clinic move and further drive just to get one, but its gonna be worth it. This doctor stops me in the middle of my sentences every visit I have with him and says ok see ya come back in six months. He NEVER in over a year has ever resolved all my concerns during a visit, actually he usually doesnt have time to hear them before I am forced to leave. Basically when I goto the appointment, he will start in on his own agenda and do and talk about what he wants then its over. I complain to the other doctors and even the patient advocate nad they are like tell him to slow down and refuse to leave until your done, but he just says see ya in six months then walks away. My son called the VAMC that handles this clinic and filed a complaint with the director. Since that time, the doctor has been less confrontational, but he NEVER returns my calls, NEVER returns the calls of other doctors trying to reach him concerning my case, he even sat on my Hospice Orders for a few days until someone from hospice called the main VAMC to complain that he wasn't responding. But this is insane, a vet should not have to deal with a doctor that he feels has no interest in his well being. I absolutly feel that he has no cencern for my wellbeing since the first time I had to complain on him, and probably before that as I had to complain. Ok venting is over. Now anyone have an opinion? Should I submit these Aid and Attendence forms? They basically say in a nutshell that I can not walk unassisted, and that I need constant care, but they are not descriptive enough I think. Also with his note they will try to railroad me into a incompetency issue. Or should I send them in knowing that my Mental Health Doctors enter into the computer every month that I can handle my own affairs and just prey for the best?

Welcome to Hadit and Thank you for your service. Do you have service connection for your diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease? What exactly are you service connected for and at what percentages? Is it just depression or is it other things as well? I assume from your post you file the form for TDIU and they denied you, is that correct? What reasoning did they give in your denial letter / decision? Step back take a deep breath, we will do our best to help you. Others will be along soon to offer more.

STOP! Do not read those records anymore, or that will be the death of you instead. Everytime I re-read my records, I always seem to find something else that I never saw before, once I add all the new stuff in, it gets depressing. I know I can't take my own advice, I will be re-reading it all again soon.

I have seen a lot of post recently about locating possible missing Service Medical Records, actually I believe I have missing records as well. Here are two links that may be useful in locating some records. Medical Records 1 NPRC Operating Instructions - Has Some Lists Of Record Locations I must Thank Cowgirl & Wings for these links and Cowgirl stated she got them from Wings, so Thanks to you both. If anyone else knows of a place to write and or call to search for possible missing Service Medical Records please due add you comments to this thread.

I was reading the online version of "A 21st Centry System for Evaluating Veterans for Disability Benefits", and came across this statement: "In addition, according to VHA policy, Veteran patients may request descriptive statements regarding their medical conditions and/or opinions concerning the "possible cause(s)" of an existing medical condition for VA disability claims purposes. VHA health-care providers shall provide a statement or opinion describing a patient's medical condition. If the health-care provider is the veteran's treating physician, and is unable, or deems it inappropriate, to provide an opinion or statement, such physician shall refer the veteran's request to another health-care provider for the opinion or statement (VHA, 2000)." Anyone know if this is accurate, and if so where the heck is this reg? I have yet to find it.

Let me make sure I got this right. You went to the ROI office where? At your Out Patient Clinic, Va Medical Center, or VA Regional Office? You said you requested your SMR from 1980 to present? IS that your Service Medical Records? The reason I ask is if you requested your service medical records, that is a request that your local vamc or pcp can not handle, and they would have had to send off the request to another place if they even chose to do anything with it. If they did dens it off, it could be as much as one to six months before you see them, and no you would not receive anything telling you that they were processing it. You can however CALL the ROI office you made the request at and ask for a status of your request. Now if on the other hand you chose to get your va medical records, you can simply goto your local vamc and request to get all you va medical records printed on the spot except mental health records. If you choose or have mental health records, you should make a separate request for those as those must be mailed to you because they will have to get approval from the mental health chief before they can release them. Hope this helps!

Just my opinions here. The OPC and the PCP did not want to fill it out, and they have the right to refuse. The patient rep is going to send you a medical certificate, that unless I am mistaken will do you no good. I believe the Medical Certificate will just list the current conditions you have but not list anything speculating as to their causability. Some doctors just do not want to fill out any nexus type form. They feel that even tho the VA has said its ok for them to fill it out, that if they do they hurt their future careers with the VA. It probably adds to the fear when they see the words VARO on the form. Other doctors do not want to fill them out because some doctors feel it is wrong to opine something when it might go againt what another doctor says, basically protecting their own kind no matter if it costs the patient. While the above type are far outweighed by the amount of good caring doctors out there, these types still do exist. It just appears to me you ran into some of them.

MSDS for JP-5 AMOCO OIL COMPANY -- JP-5 JET FUEL -- 9130-00-273-2379 ===================== Product Identification ===================== Product ID:JP-5 JET FUEL MSDS Date:07/25/1989 FSC:9130 NIIN:00-273-2379 === Responsible Party === Company Name:AMOCO OIL COMPANY Address:200 EAST RANDOLPH DRIVE City:CHICAGO State:IL ZIP:60601 Country:US Info Phone Num:312-856-3907 Emergency Phone Num:800-447-8735 (HEALTH) Preparer's Name:RICHARD A.SYMULESKI CAGE:15958 === Contractor Identification === Company Name:AMOCO OIL CO Address:200 E RANDOLPH DR Box:City:CHICAGO State:IL ZIP:60601-6401 Country:US Phone:312-856-3907- EM HLTH: 800 447-8735 CAGE:15958 ============= Composition/Information on Ingredients ============= Ingred Name:PETROLEUM DISTILLATE. (KEROSENE). CAS:64742-81-0 Other REC Limits:NONE SPECIFIED Ingred Name:NAPHTHALENE (SARA III) CAS:91-20-3 RTECS #:QJ0525000 Fraction by Wt: 1.0% Other REC Limits:NONE SPECIFIED OSHA PEL:10 PPM/15 STEL ACGIH TLV:10 PPM/15 STEL; 9293 EPA Rpt Qty:100 LBS DOT Rpt Qty:100 LBS Ingred Name:XYLENES (O-,M-,P- ISOMERS) (SARA III) CAS:1330-20-7 RTECS #:ZE2100000 Fraction by Wt: 1.0% Other REC Limits:NONE SPECIFIED OSHA PEL:100 PPM/150 STEL ACGIH TLV:100 PPM/150 STEL9293 EPA Rpt Qty:1000 LBS DOT Rpt Qty:1000 LBS ===================== Hazards Identification ===================== LD50 LC50 Mixture:NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER. Routes of Entry: Inhalation:YES Skin:YES Ingestion:YES Reports of Carcinogenicity:NTP:NO IARC:NO OSHA:NO Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:EYES: MAY CAUSE IRRITATION. SKIN: PROLONGED CONTACT WILL DRY AND DEFAT SKIN, LEADING TO IRRITATION AND DERMATITIS. INHALATION: MAY CAUSE RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION, HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, AND NAUSEA. INGESTION: HAS LOW ORDER OF ORAL TOXICITY. Explanation of Carcinogenicity:NONE OF THE MATERIALS LISTED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN THIS PRODUCT IS LISTED AS A CARCINOGEN BY OSHA, IARC, NTP. Effects of Overexposure:EYES: IRRITATION. SKIN: IRRITATION, DERMATITIS. INHALATION: RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION, HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, ANESTHESIA, DROWSINESS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, AND OTHER CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECT S, INCLUDING DEATH. INGESTION: HAS LOW ORDER OF ORAL TOXICITY. Medical Cond Aggravated by Exposure:PERSONS WITH A HISTORY OF AILMENTS OR WITH A PRE-EXISTING DISEASE INVOLVING THE EYES, SKIN, OR RESPIRATORY TRACT OR NERVOUS SYSTEM MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FROM EXPOSURE. ======================= First Aid Measures ======================= First Aid:EYES: FLUSH WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER. IF IRRITATION PERSISTS, GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. SKIN: REMOVE CONTAMINATED CLOTHING. WASH AREA WITH SOAP AND WATER. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IF IRRITATION PERSISTS. INHALATION: MOVE TO FRESH AIR. IF NOT BREATHING GIVE CPR. IF BREATHING DIFFICULT GIVE OXYGEN. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION. ===================== Fire Fighting Measures ===================== Flash Point:140F,60C Extinguishing Media:AGENTS FOR CLASS B HAZARDS (DRY CHEMICAL, CARBON DIOXIDE, HALOGENATED AGENTS, FOAM, STEAM) OR WATER FOG. Fire Fighting Procedures:USE WATER SPRAY, DRY CHEMICAL, FOAM, CARBON DIOXIDE ON FIRE. USE WATER TO COOL FIRE-EXPOSED CONTAINERS. USE WATER SPRAY TO DISPERSE VAPORS,PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS. Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard:VAPORS HEAVIER THAN AIR AND MAY SETTLE IN LOW AREAS OR TRAVEL A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE TO SOURCE OF IGNITION WHERE THEY MAY EXPLODE, OR IGNITE AND FLASH BACK. ================== Accidental Release Measures ================== Spill Release Procedures:STOP LEAK. ELIMINATE ALL IGNITION SOURCES. DIKE SPILL TO KEEP OUT OF SEWERS AND WATERWAYS. VENTILATE CONFINED AREAS. RECOVER FREE LIQUID. ABSORB RESIDUE WITH SUITABLE ABSORBENT. PLACE ABSORBED WASTE I N CONTAINERS FOR DISPOSAL. USE NON-SPARKING TOOLS. Neutralizing Agent:NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER. ====================== Handling and Storage ====================== Handling and Storage Precautions:STORE IN COOL, VENTILATED AREA AWAY FROM HEAT, SPARKS, FLAME, STRONG OXIDANTS. KEEP CONTAINERS CLOSED. DO NOT SIPHON BY MOUTH. DO NOT SMOKE IN AREA. Other Precautions:"EMPTY" CONTAINERS RETAIN RESIDUE AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. DO NOT PRESSURIZE, CUT, WELD, BRAZE, SOLDER, DRILL, GRIND OR EXPOSE CONTAINERS TO HEAT, FLAME, SPARKS, STATIC ELECTRICITY, OR OTHER SOURCES OF I GNITION; THEY MAY EXPLODE. ============= Exposure Controls/Personal Protection ============= Respiratory Protection:WEAR A NIOSH/MSHA APPROVED RESPIRATOR IF VENTILATION DOES NOT MAINTAIN INHALATION EXPOSURES BELOW PEL/TLV. WEAR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS IF REQUIRED FOR HIGH LEVELS OF CONTAMINATES. Ventilation:PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VENTILATION TO PREVENT EXCEEDING RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LIMIT OR BUILDUP OF EXPLOSIVE CONCENTRATIONS. Protective Gloves:CHEMICAL RESISTANT GLOVES IF NEEDED. Eye Protection:USE GOGGLES OR FACE SHIELD IF NEEDED. Other Protective Equipment:PROVIDE EYE WASH STATION AND SAFETY SHOWER. USE CHEMICAL RESISTANT APRON OR OTHER IMPERVIOUS CLOTHING IF NEEDED. Work Hygienic Practices:WASH AFTER HANDLING AND BEFORE EATING, DRINKING, OR SMOKING. LAUNDER CONTAMINATED CLOTHING BEFORE REUSE. Supplemental Safety and Health DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN CONTAINERS SINCE RESIDUE IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE."EMPTY" DRUMS SHOULD BE COMPLETELY DRAINED, PROPERLY BUNGED AND PROMPTLY RETURNED TO A DRUM RECONDITIONER. ALL OTHER CONTAINERS SHOULD BE DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE MANNER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS. ================== Physical/Chemical Properties ================== HCC:F4 Spec Gravity:<1 (WATER=1) Solubility in Water:NEGLIGIBLE Appearance and Odor:CLEAR, BRIGHT LIQUID. ================= Stability and Reactivity Data ================= Stability Indicator/Materials to Avoid:YES STRONG OXIDIZING AGENTS. Stability Condition to Avoid:KEEP PRODUCT AWAY FROM IGNITION SOURCES, SUCH AS HEAT, SPARKS, PILOT LIGHTS, STATIC ELECTRICITY, AND OPEN FLAME. Hazardous Decomposition Products:CARBON MONOXIDE, CARBON DIOXIDE AND OTHER HARMFUL DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS. Conditions to Avoid Polymerization:WILL NOT OCCUR. ==================== Disposal Considerations ==================== Waste Disposal Methods:DISPOSE OF WASTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS. ADVISE AUTHORITIES IF PRODUCT HAS ENTERED OR MAY ENTER SEWERS, WATERCOURSES, OR EXTENSIVE LAND AREAS. Disclaimer (provided with this information by the compiling agencies): This information is formulated for use by elements of the Department of Defense. The United States of America in no manner whatsoever, expressly or implied, warrants this information to be accurate and disclaims all liability for its use. Any person utilizing this document should seek competent professional advice to verify and assume responsibility for the suitability of this information to their particular situation.

Thank you all for your replies. The reason the scooter does not fit through the doors is due to it being so long and the turning radius. Your probably right I will need to widen the doors for a chair, even with wide doors though, I doubt a scooter will work very well as the turning radius is so large. I have looked at the adapted housing grants and I do not think I qualify for either one. Right now I am service connected for Heart Disease, Diabetes, Peripheral Neuropathy, Retinopathy, and Loss of Organ. I do not believe any of those will qualify me for the Adapted Housing Grant. Someone posted here recently that they applied for the adapted housing using immobility due to Heart Disease I think, and they said they were denied. I have been trying to get into Voc Rehab to get into the ILP program so hopefully they could modify what I need. I was in the process last year, then had to postpone it due to having another surgery. I have been trying to get back up with my case manager, but after two months of leaving messages and talking to four actuall people in Voc Rehab, my Voc Reahb case manager still has not contacted me. I even emailed him. The other Voc Rehab counselors said I was basically tough out of luck until he contacts me. I am going to ask either my cardiologist or my orthopedist to enter a consult for me to be evaluated for a chair and see what happens. Again, thank you all for your replies.