gdsnide

Berta, Have a reply in the original question box. Thank U..GARY

Berta, No, I wasn't asked to with draw claim & I think I submitted it to the RO in '05. Sorry about saying '95 Yes, I have checked with the BVA & they say they are working on June '05 (Every time I call them) & say " They didn't receive it till January ( The BVA till January 2,006) Sorry about getting the years mixed up but does what U say mean I had 120 days from when I got letter from BVA & if so should I take a chance & send in letter as suggested by other person who responded? If U think it's a done deal just let me know & I won't bother to send in. Also, if this is the case can I file again for SMC as I do have new evidence & if so should I send in the stuff I sent in before with the first claim.............Thank U......GARY

Ok 120 days are up as the BVA received it January of 1996.Late time I checked they were working on June '95 Did I wait to long on this or can I still send it it? Thank U GARY

Berta, Since U have always given me good advice I need more. ha OK....Here's the deal. I have a BVA claim in & they are working on June '95 & say thay got my claim in JAN. 96' I have a Doc's opinion ( In writing) that I think will cinch this one. My problem is can I send new evidence to the BVA on an active case? Cause if they deny me & I file a NOD with this opinion I doubt if I'll be around to see an end to it the way the VA drags their heels. Any advice, as always , greatly appreciated. Also, if I may, what's up with the Comp ending when one is 65 years old? Guess the VA will offer to cremate U , free of charge, at 65 if they do that. Thank U for reading this ( As all the one's before} GARY

Berta, Once again, Thank U very much. GARY

Thank U for taking the time to read this, OK, I had a wart looking thing on my lip for 2-3 years as I thought it was an ingrown hair. Whoaaaa, Dermatology at the VA cut it of & it's Cancer.So, I have to go see someone outside the VA ( VA paying for it) to see how severe it is & if I remember correctly this person will take an insturment like a Razor & start shaing off layers of skin till the Cancer exists no more. I was under the impression a laser type of instrument was used but guess I'll find out. ha OK.............Here's the question........I know some types of Cancer are covered by the "Agent Orange" act. & yes I touched foot on ground in the RVN But, I was seperated from the Navy 12-18-67 & discharged 1-4-71. Been a while. ha OK...... Am I still covered by the Cancers Act & such that was written out in the Articles of Agent Orange & what they covered & for how long? Any help greatly appreciated Thank You GARY

It will cost U but U could get a Lawyer or contact Dr.Bash GARY

Ok. can't say what they'll do about the retro but I believe U had to keep the claim open to get retro. I filed for Tinnitus as my ears ring like hell & I was in Enginnering when I was in the Navy which I have read is as bad as working on the deck of an Air Craft Carrier. Well, the Dick of a Doc put down he didn't think it was related to the Military I'm 100% T & P so didn't pursue it just wanting to build up all the percentages I can unless they ever cut any. Sam one guy that was over 500% BUT, if U get rated again,even at 0%. don't forget to put in for the free Life Insurance. They'll try to sell U more but I figured it was kind of high so didn't get it. GARY

The entire VA System is a Catch 22 system I am no where as knowledgeable as some one here ( So I ask BERTA ha & she always answers. But, when it comes to fighting with the VA I hide behind a Lawyer & the VA realizes I'm not going away. Or at least I think it works like that Clark Evans ( retired VA Lawyer) got me coped at 100% T & P & got back date we asked for after I had pleyed with them about 5 or 6 years. According to him " the VA can screw over a single Vet a lot easier than a VA Lawyer" It costs but 80% & comped is better than losing. GARY

Berta, Yes, I did get 100% T & P for my claim on Epilepy dome years ago but have put in for SMC. Not sure of exact date. Filed with RO they denied I filed NOD & they denied so I sent it to the BVA. With the information I have on "Uncontrolable Depression" & if I got my VA Shrink to write me a letter what's the chances of winning? Thanks again GARY

My question being according to Neurology Now (An official publication of the American Academy of Neurology May/June 2007) people with Epilepsy suffer from uncontrolled depression. Can I apply for this? I am rated 100% T & P SC for the Epilepsy which was caused by 2 Shore Patrolmen & I in a bar in Japan in 1967 ( Sort of fuzzy what caused the commotion as I had been in bar a couple of hours) in which they beat me with their Batons & when I went down on the floor immediatly started stompping on me. Symptoms started showing up shortly after that.Luckily I had a Ship Mate in Bar with me that saw it happen & another friend saw me have a Tonic Clonic ( Formly known as Grand Mal) Seizure when I was home on leave in 1967 after this happpened. The Seizure meds ( Since 1996 when I started going to the VA) the VA has me on cause mental confusion ( Like I need that..ha) & what ever else I have no idea. They have me on appox. 20 pills a day so as a result of the pills & the Epilepsy I can't remember a damn thing from one day till the next. Long term memory seems to be OK. I have filed for Aid & Attendance but they (BVA) are at June '95 & say they got my claim January 1996. Anybody have any idea how long a wait I have on that? I can't drive due to Epilepsy,can go no where by my self as I get lost all the time,have been advised not to take a bath unless someone is in room as I may have a Seizure & drown. Neurology Now states " 50 Million people world wide have Epilepsy & anticonvulsive medicine is ineffective for as many as one in three. Seizures occur when electricial impluses from Neurons in the Brain become synchronized in an abnormal way.The result is a disruption of electricial communications between these Neurons that leads to the release of excessive energy. Some Experts call them "Brain Storms" Seizures are essentially waves of "Electrial Energy". At present I am taking anti seizure drugs Dilantin & one of the side effects is mental confusion among others,Lamical causes the following Adverse Reactions (%) Adverse Reaction Lamotrigine Placebo Dizziness 38 13 Headache 29 19 Double Vision 28 7 Unsteadiness 22 6 Nausea 19 10 Blurred Vision 16 5 Sleepiness 14 7 Rash 10 5 Vomiting 10 4 Plus, I take pills from a VA Shrink & other pills they prescribe but have no idea what they are as My Daughter orders them & puts them in Pill Box & my Wife dispenses them to me 3 times a day because I get her's & mine confused & sometimes take hers & if left to myself I sometimes will go a day or two before someone knows I missed taking them. I have asked this before but have never went into such detail but can I get some opinions as to whether the BVA will approve me for Aid & Attendance & if U have much insight into this & at what rate do U believe it should be. My Wife is also Disabled , & I put in for A & A for her also, because she caught Hep C from a Blood Transfusion & the symptoms are really getting severe not counting the other other damage it has done to her body. Thank U for taking the time to read this & I welcome any information. But, must say the VA can get trying with their "Foot Dragging Tactics." Again, Berta will always remember U. Sincerly, Gary Schneider gdsnide@hotmail.com

Don't quit searching for an answer or U lose

If the US were to quit having so many wars we would have a lot less Disabled Vets...........GARY

Thank U....GARY

I know how everyone is feeling here or think I do....The VA has me on 29 Pills a day & I think that is about 29 to many. But, what is one to do. I get them from a Shrink & Neurologists.....The Neuros always want to change the meds but I have found a combo I can live with or the lesser of two evils.My memory totally sucks. I can't remember from one day to the next. Part of this may be attributed to the Epilepsy I picked up in Japan when 2 SP got pissed at me in a bar & put the job on me big time. My Wife is very supportive but I know I frustrate her by repeating myself all the time. If she asks me to do something I have to do it immediatly or I'll forget. If one does not take said pills & they do a blood test (Which they are famous for but which I avoid all I can) & if any meds are low they give U more. My Daughter orders & fills my lil' pill box & my Wife makes sure I take them as I always forget the damn things. When I went in the Navy I was happy go lucky & when I got out I had Epilepsy & it just kept going down hill from there. My Shrink says I have " PTSD Chronic & Severe & I put in for it & was denied & just figured I didn't want to go thru the paper maze to try & get what I wanted. Thanks to "Clark Evans...Lawyer" I was awarded 100 T & P for my Epilepsy which is a big help in the money dept. but I have to live with this every day. I feel like I'm about 14 as I am not allowed to drive because of the damn seizures. Asking & waiting for rides sucks & I live in an area that has no Bus service but I'd probably get lost anyway as my memory is so bad. My Shrink always asks if I think of Suicide & I am not going to say "Yes" as I would be locked down & that would be dumb. But, my Wife has stuck by me since 1965 & if not for her I'm sure I would have checked out of this life long ago as I am not real happy with the situation I find myself in. Every time I leave home I have to have someone with me to make sure I can get back. I have to get a ride to VA Appts & then I have to have person who gave me a ride sit in with me & the Doc as like I tell the Docs "This person is my memory" Reason I wrote this is because I wanted U to know I have an idea of what U are going thru & the way the VA treats it's Veterans is deplorable. I know there are a lot of Vets worse off than me but just figured I'd share part of my story. Also, with the VA, Don't quit or U lose. Sincerly, GARY

If U would be so kind as to send it to me I would sincerly appreciate it. Sincerly, GARY...................gdsnide@hotmail.com

Some days are better than others lol

Have been having trouble all morning trying to post on here...Hope this works............... Gary

Can't post on board. can U help...GARY... gdsnide@hotmail.com

the directives are on teh Net & can be copied & taken with U to the Doc as I have done it......GARY

OK Here's how it goes. I'm 100% P & T for Epilepsy & put in for Aid & Attendance which got turned down at the RO ( Love them RO's.. lol) So I sent it to the BVA & I have my Shrink,Primary Care & Neurologist saying I need Aid & Attendance. OK Here's the question I have an IMO from a Neurologist ( Who is framiliar with the VA & may have worked for them at one time...My memory sucks) that says I have "Mild Dementia" Meaning the beginning of Alsheimers & since I got SC is because I was beat up by 2 Shore Patrol in 1967 in Japan & the BVA agreed this is what caused Epilepsy. Claim is at BVA so haven't turned in "Mild Dementia IMO" yet. Is it possible to get this to them or do I just wait till they do what they do & then submit this or how do I do it. Thank you very much for any information. Sincerly, GARY

I currently have aclaim at the BVA at the Ratings Board. Called them & they said "They were working on March & April of '05 & had received my claim January of '06" I filed in '05 & it took a bit to get to the BVA so I have no idea how long it will be before someone looks at it. My feeling is if one stays at the RO level the deniels never quit. I had to be at the BVA to get my first SC & all told it took 9 years. These people surely don't get in a hurry....GARY