donews

Your Va Records are avaialble to the VARO thru the VA computer system. It has been my experience that your Va Records are available to anyone in the world that has proper access to the VA system. When I was in Connecticut and got injured, the VA there was able to pull up my records with no trouble. As for the Group question, I am under the assumption that as long as the social worker is employed by the VA they could see your records. But if they are not a VA employee they would need a release signed by you and even then the information would probably be limited.

I am mixed on this. Good to see a Vet get what he is due but sad sad sad to see this happened at all. Much praise to the program that helped out.

I agree with pete53 about asking again and being more specific if its your C-File your wanting. I am a little confused tho by your wording. It almost sounds like you are just looking for the results of a C&P exam that was done at the Richmond Hospital in 1990. If that is the case, you will need to request the C&P exam records from the location that performed the exam (Richmond Hospital) or if it is a clinic and not an actual medical center you would need to request the C&P exam records from the managing medical center for that clinic. I assume either way the C&P results would have been encluded in the C-File copy, but that is an assumption.

On the not so serious side: That photo actually had me laughing to tears. I rarely ever laugh. Opps, I better not say that I might get a +50 increase on my GAF because I laughed. On the sometimes serious side: Yes I think they would be very enlightened if they took the time to study the posts here. The VA could save money on training by just having their RO's read Hadit and they could give the money to the Vets.

I was watching something recently that touched on this subject. They said their was a big push to increase the HISA amount, but they did not mention an actual dollar amount it was supposed to go to.

Allan, Thank you for the information. This clarifies a little more about the ILS/ILP for me. If I get in, I will probably ask that they modify a bathroom for me. I do not know if it is big enough to be modified to what is needed, so I will be asking that they addon in order to create a bathroom that is accessible for me. All they can do is say "go pound sand" and then I will request something else.

My opinion: I personally do not worry about something like this. The main reason is I just post the facts. If I was posting something to do with falsifying a claim or something that would be differenct I suppose. Everything I say here is most probably contained in my claim in some form or fashion. Besides, just think, maybe the RO's will see all the regs we post and start handling claims the proper way without making us fight for what we deserve for 10 years.

Blueteak, Your correct all they can do is say no, so why not ask. I personally have been told by various people that if I request it, the VA must provide an IMO for nexus. In one of my claims I stated that if they found my evidence lacking I request that they get an IMO as to the cause of my condition. They did send the case off to an outside doctor and he just so happened to opine that my condition was aggrivated by other service connected conditions. So it turned out in my favor thankfully. I do not know if they did this because of my request or if they got the IMO because of another reason. But the only reg I can come up with at the moment is this one: § 20.901 Rule 901. Medical opinions and opinions of the General Counsel. (a) Opinion from the Veterans Health Administration. The Board may obtain a medical opinion from an appropriate health care professional in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs on medical questions involved in the consideration of an appeal when, in its judgment, such medical expertise is needed for equitable disposition of an appeal.(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5107(a)) (B) Armed Forces Institute of Pathology opinions. The Board may refer pathologic material to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and request an opinion based on that material. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7109(a)) © Opinion of the General Counsel. The Board may obtain an opinion from the General Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs on legal questions involved in the consideration of an appeal. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7104©) (d) Independent medical expert opinions. When, in the judgment of the Board, additional medical opinion is warranted by the medical complexity or controversy involved in an appeal, the Board may obtain an advisory medical opinion from one or more medical experts who are not employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Opinions will be secured, as requested by the Chairman of the Board, from recognized medical schools, universities, clinics, or medical institutions with which arrangements for such opinions have been made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. An appropriate official of the institution will select the individual expert, or experts, to give an opinion. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7109) (e) For purposes of this section, the term ''the Board'' includes the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, any Deputy Vice Chairman, and any Member of the Board before whom a case is pending. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5107(a), 7104©, 7109) [57 FR 4109, Feb. 3, 1992, as amended at 61 FR 20453, May 7, 1996; 66 FR 38159, July 23, 2001] § 20.902 Rule 902. Filing of requests for the procurement of opinions. The appellant or representative may request that the Board obtain an opinion under Rule 901 (§ 20.901 of this part). The request must be in writing. It will be granted upon a showing of goodcause, such as the identification of a complex or controversial medical or legal issue involved in the appeal which warrants such an opinion. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5107(a), 7102©, 7104©,7109)

*UPDATE* I saw the Mental Health Doc today. She said I had a GAF of 35 at the most, said she probably will put it in as a 30 after she double checks a few things. The great news is she said she would enter some stuff in the records in the computer to show that my depression was absolutely service connected. She said my Depression was manifested in service during my 2 tours in nam and that my service connected diabetes and service connected heart conditions aggrivated it. She also said that the Chronic Pain I suffer from service connected conditions is why I have had prolonged Major Depression. I wonder what kinda rating a GAF of 30 -35 will be. I am still waiting for the Mental Health records I requested. The VAMC claims they mailed them the 19th, but I still have not seen them. The Mental Health doc said she saw the release for the records so apparently someone has them and they havent been mailed yet.

I called yesterday to inquire about my C-File request that I sent in on Feb 4, 2008. They told me that the ROI office was slammed and it is taking an average of 60 days to get them. They told me mine was in processing and would be about another 30 days or so. TODAY ... Fedex drops a large box on my porch.... Its my C-File Stacking it next to a ream of copy paper it appears to be about 1000 pages. So far I realize that it only contains my entrance and exit physical exams and a dental record. According to them thats the whole of my Service Medical Records. I ran a fast glance thru some decisions and the rational and evidence they used and I am shocked at how blatent they are about ignoring even the evidence that they themselves produce for a claim. I guess I have a ton of reading ahead of me and I better get my son to go to the office supplie store for highlighters and arrow stickies. It is pretty amazing amazing what notes they write in the margins of pages and such. Does anyone know where else SMRs might be stored? The reason I ask is the C-File only has the above mentioned records and the St Louis records center said the VARO had all of them. So according to the Army and the VA I never received any medical care what so ever while I was enlisted (which by the way is who haa).

I take Trazadone also, prescribed by the Va, I haven't noticed a real difference as far as sleeping. They don't seem to understand the word PAIN so I am with you guys on that one. I am glad I am not the only one that is having some shall we say Creative dreams since starting Trazadone. I also have the RLS thing going on, guess I know why now, I never put the two together before. Hope this helps your quest for information on Trazadone.

No Stressor Letter required for depression. At least that has been my experience in the people I know that have received comp for it.

What state are you in again? Here in NC Disabled Veteran Plates are the same as Handicap Plates and afford you the same parking privlages. Have you verified with your DMV that you need something different? I know each state has different laws, just wanted to make sure you were not stressing about somethign that you might already have.

Thanks for the heads up. I would probably have thought it was the medication I take. Also Thank You for keeping the site up to date. I really appreciate all you do to keep this site running. THANK YOU!

Sorry to completely answer your question I wanted to add that their are other conditions that are usually Secondary such as Retinopathy and Glacoma also. Their are many more that can probably be connected but I gave you the ones that I have seen a lot in vets that have DMII. Hope this helps.

Peopel with DMII are 60% more likely to get cataracts than people that don't have it. IF you get an eye doc to give you a nexus saying that it is "AS likely as not" that the cataracts were caused by your DMII, then you will probaby get Service Connection. That is making the assumption that your DMII is already Service Connected. Here is the Rating Schedule for Cataracts: 6028 Cataract, senile, and others: Preoperative. Rate on impairment of vision. Postoperative. Rate on impairment of vision and aphakia. 6029 Aphakia: Bilateral or unilateral............................... 30 Note: The 30 percent rating prescribed for aphakia is a minimum rating to be applied to the unilateral or bilateral condition and is not to be combined with any other rating for impaired vision. When only one eye is aphakic, the eye having poorer corrected visual acuity will be rated on the basis of its acuity without correction. When both eyes are aphakic, both will be rated on corrected vision. The corrected vision of one or both aphakic eyes will be taken one step worse than the ascertained value, however, not better than 20/70 (6/21). Combined ratings for disabilities of the same eye should not exceed the amount for total loss of vision of that eye unless there is an enucleation or a serious cosmetic defect added to the total loss of vision.

Now now, I know you are not suggesting that they actually tell us something that is to our benefit when we leave service. The world might end or something.

Its horrible enough that he did that to his mother, but even worse that he did it to get DIC. As Larryj said, its just more ammo for some moron to suggest they cut back on these programs instead of just fighting the fraud. This guy deserves a lot worse than I will say on the forum.

Send a letter, note, basically any form to the VARO and tell them you want a copy of your C-File. You might want to put something to the extent of you want everything contained in your C-File and mention that you are requesting it under the Freedom of Information Act. That just a precaution, some vets have had issues getting their C-File or at least a complete copy of it if they didn't say they wanted everything contained in the file or that they wanted it under the FOIA. Each VARO is completely different, heck sometimes 2 vets can get a very different experience from the same rep let alone VARO. I requested mine, got a form about a week later saying they received my request and were working on it. It has been about 2 weeks now since I requested it. If I don't see mine by week 3 I will call and follow up. Good luck.

Ya I would have to agree with Buickx it must be something to do with differences at the VAMC or something. I get an eye exam every 3 months and glasses each year. And my VAMC will not even let you schedule an appointment over 30 days out so we get seen pretty fast. I tried to schedule an appointment for like 45 days out and they said either I had to call back in 15 days or I had to come in sooner than that. I was so surprised I called back 3 times to verify that. So I really feel bad that you have to wait for an appointment. Yeah if your 100% that should move you to the top of the lift for sure.

I assume this is a non-VA doctor you are going to see. I would just make sure he doesn't put anything at all in the wording that might elude that you somehow cause the worsening yourself. I have seen situations in the past where the wording could be construed to say that the vet worsened his condition by continuing to work or excersing or ect. Anything liek that will be pure ammunition for the VA to use against you. Other than that im sure some other people on here with more experience might have a few other suggestions. Good luck!

The ILP program is administered by the VA Vocational Rehabilitation program. You can either apply online by goign to the main VA Site and chosing the online application section then choosing Vocational Rehabilitation or sending in a reg paper application. The program is for people that once assesed by the Va Voc Rehab are determined to not be able to work. Its main focus is on helping a veteran be able to maintain as independant of a lifestyle as possible. For example they can send OT people to your home to teach you and get you the supplies so you can dress, bath, ect.. on your own if that is a problem for you. I have heard other people say the ILP program modified their bathrooms and made then more accessable. If it is something the will help you maintain some independence, then they can probably help you with it, with certain limits most likely.

My Va PCP had no problem giving me opiates as long as I signed a contract saying I wouldn't go get other opiates from other docs at the same time. I kept asking him to refer me to the pain clinic, but he said he could do the same for me as they could once I signed the contract. I take Gabapentin for the Neuropathy pain. I was taking the opiates for the other pains.

Agreed old hardware should be now where near Vista. We have 13 systems in the house. 9 older model systems running everything from linux to win xp. Would never think of putting Vista on them. 4 new systems all running Vista of one type or another. Vista itself isn't to bad. Actually I have had almost no crashes or BSD since I have used Vista. As for MAC, I have seen them, tried them, seen people use them, but never could bring myself to own one. Most people I know that use a MAC do some form of publishing.

I would call the 800 number again and just ask again as if you never had before. Getting a different op might do the trick. I have never had an op tell me they couldn't give me that information. Might just be dumb luck. The last time I called them about a decision in December they told me it was out for signatures and to call back in a few days, that it should be in the computer by then. Sure enough when I called they told me about my full grant of benefits on that particular claim. The have told me about denials in the past as well. I think it is just a "your milage may vary" type of thing depending on the rep that answers your call. Just my two cents.