oldman273

I just got on today and saw this I am happy for you. I hope that the retro helps you catch up if you are behind or pay off some stuff boy I have plans for my retro pay. I know as much as you all help everyone on had it just good to see it happen. Have a good day...

Thanks Berta The local Office in my town has told me that they cannot find my claim. I am going to do what you advise. I will make contact with the Rep who did file the claim and check the logbook for the date I remember to see if the logbook that everyone fills in before seeing a rep. as to my evidence I submited the claim for tempoary 100% just days before my surgery. After my release from the hospital I had the evidence of my hospital stay and the notes for the surgery as well as the proof of my SC claim for TDIu. I had filed a claim 1 year before the last surgery and I have a hsitory with the cal center of calling in seeing where my claim for 100% tempoary claim was at the whole time it was never made aware that it was not there untl December when I first posted all the copies that I had sent in are both at home and at the VA and the Reps office just the actual claim is missing. I will look into finding a contact number after 1 more try at the local office when I check the exact date I visited prior to my surgery. I believe it was misplaced as The claim was put in prior to my surgery. Thanks for the reply I am not dwelling on it I just leave my frustrations here on my keyboard when I get upset I tnd to get a migraine. have a good weekend.

Well Berta it has been a little over a month. I have not made any headway into finding the original claim i even had my buddy drive me up there to check or eyeball my folder at the vetrans office. i am pretty sure now that both my 2 appeals and the current claim are with the rating board once I submit a claim for tempoary 100% that my folder will be pulled from its current place in line and see wher it goes. I know that I put in the claim but showing out would probally be worth it stress wise but that would only cause me more problems than i need right now. I downladed the form for the claim what would you do/ Money wise i could use the rating if only to catch up with our mortage. My wife has lost her ability to miss any more work and I had hoped that one of my claims for Aid and Attendance that is in the rating team area would get to a descion sooner than a new claim would go through the process all over again. i submited the hospital records right after the surgery along with supporting evidence of my surgeon who I asked to help me with his opinion on the aid and attendance forms. one of the appeals is for TDIU wher the issue of my arthritis was also claimed and proof was submited as SC traumatic injury to my spine was the result of arthritis that is in my whole spine and is not common for a man of my age with the degree that my back is in. I am housebound and need daily help with task but this is something i defer to you experts. who knows when I will hear eithier way I have kept the original claim active for my appeal for IU 1 year prior to my last of 3 SC back surgeries. Any thoughts as no one at the cal center can advise exactly wher the claims are only that the ratibg team has had my claim since December the 8th 2010. Adios.

Betha or anyone that can answer this question/ where can I look up case law concering SMC past ratings and what defines a SMC rating itself? i have yet to get mt rating much less an exact percentage for my current medical issues involving my back problems that cause me so much pain on simple movements. any thoughts or links would be helpful. I do have time to try and word my response should my claim fail. I think if more people that actually work for the VSO offices could take the time to properly word veterans claims a lot more veterans would not have some of the problems they face now. have a good day... I went and did some scratching and found the tables and definitions. I do honestly beleive that we as veterans if possible by using forums like this to research our own cases and not do as i have done in the past and depended on the VSO office to word our claims. I retract my need for help I found it on the VA Web site. The way you word a claim can cause you to wait a long time until you get it right. I looked it up under case law at the BVA court of appeals if that helps anyone? Adios..

Hey funny you should have brought this up. I had a guy tell me if a veteran had a utility bill or repossesion or foreclousure it would in effect be proof of the hardship. I submited all above except for utilitiy and my claim is still hovering somewhere at VARO. Me I wish I was lucky as the other veteran was to get his claim done and over with. I hope this helps it is about all I can offer. My phone was turned off I am still waiting on the letter from the Phone company to submit it. Adios and have a good day..

Thanks according to the call centers my claim is at the rating board awaiting a statement of the case? My appeal which included the Iu is done but since my appeal is woven into the same current claim I am stuck like Chuck. i am not sure what it means maybe just wishing who knows but from what i sent in and my surgeons statements i hope I will make it through. as soon as I get my 100% if I get the family under medical I am moving out west. I am done with this bone chilling cold thanks for the infromation. I will keep you in the loop.

Thanks My wife had brain surgery this past year I have been trying on this claim for over 2 years and have kept the original claim alive. I sure would like to be able to tell my wife "Now you can stop worrying" she is worried if something happens to her current job her health care will be gone and she would be without any health insurance. My health is bad hers is better but she worries way more than I do about her not getting care. Thanks I also PM you this evening when you get a chance sure would like your thoughts. i have paid out a lot on both her and my own health care as we know the system is slow to catch up to what my out of pocket money spent on my sc problems. have a good day...

Hello wondering when i get my award letter for TDIU will it be a long process to get my wife and kids enroled into the dependant health care? I know it depends on the award of 100% and if it is P&T but could you give me a timeline of what you all went through? I am familiar with getting IDcards and my Local gaurd unit does the ID cards. Thanks I am hopeful my claim will be over soon. have a good day..

Hello if anyone is still watching the the thread how long once i get my 100% TDIU will my wife and kids be covered? My wife had brain surgery last year and you know how high even after insurance. I was told i had been awarded the IU ratting as I am currently not 100%. I have listed my variuos rattings many times but I think and hope it is over. my wife is anxious as her employer has given her heck with the days she has missed on her and my own health problems. thanks for any ideas or thoughts as to what the time it will take to get them enroled in the system for dependants. Adios..

If it helps anyone I had the procedure in may 2010. i was amazed the civilian surgeon explained that in my case they used what was left of bones in my 3 disc and ground the insides into a pulp much like cement and added something to bind it together and of course hardware. I still have pain everyday yes it is stiff everyday allday but in the morning I am still using walker. I tried a nerve stimulator prior to my surgery. My back was to the point i had to do something. the VA might still be doing the harvest procedure but I had my surgery in civilian hospital. Good luck but get a 2nd and 3rd opinion before anyone touches your back. Just as side note do you fall a lot with your legs giving way from the nerve damage? I had that problem after the stimulator implant. I offer this as every one is different what worked for me might not be the best for you. Good luck...

Here goes was retired partially from a SC condition (migraines) that was secondary to my SC Hypertension. I did not get SC for the migraines until 6 years after I was medically retired from my Civilian Job. I had to fight with the VA that my Hypertension was the cause of my headaches while in service they were bad to where I sought treatment while in USMC and noted by Corpsman that the headaches were hypertension headaches. What happened to me in my civilian job is that I got hurt as a Deputy in a fight and was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the trauma from being in that situation. It (PTSD) isn't service connected but hte resulting hypertension spikes cause my migraines according to my mental health provider at the VA clinic. I did not want to retire but the migraines and my blood pressure got so bad I was missing work treated in ER for migraines and retired in 2001. I applied for initial hypertension from Service but did not know anything about how PTSD affected my SC Hypertension until recently. My current Mental health doc at the VA suggest that Medicine is not an answer as the combination of pain meds and the meds for PTSD leaves me unable to function. I am waiting on seeing a counselor to help me with the depression. I am housebound for weeks at a time and I am not able to get around without help I am currently waiting on a claim For TDIU as my Back is also SC and have had 3 surgeries but now the last Neurosurgeon wrote that as result of my SC Injury to my back that my arthritis as well as the inability of me to seek gainful employment as a result of the fusions I had I am unemployable and not able to hold any job. After all of this what is anyone thoughts about me filing for IU based on the date I was retired for a SC condition (Hypertension) that is an aggravating factor to my migraines? I have all of the doctors notes as well as My civilian Physiologist that was treating me for PTSD. I was told that my claim was just decided on this past Saturday and I should be getting a statement of the case soon. My appeal for IU is supposed to be waiting on the current claim to be finished up as they used all of my records from the Sheriffs office and Social Security and police retirement as I Cued them when the VA tried to say where I got hurt as a sheriffs deputy was the reason my back was hurt. I had my SMR that showed my back was originally injured in service and the VA was trying to run everything together I won on appeal at the BVA and my claim was remanded back to the State. I am sorry that this was so long but I did not want to put in so the VA will not be able to put off my current claims and appeal as they are so close to deciding my claims. I am 80% with a 60% 30% 10% 10% 10%. My current back fusion is only rated as 10% and my 60% rating is for my heart the VA is telling me know that my heart is fine but I just got another appointment with a civilian Cardiologist to double check. My back rating should keep the one ratting @ 60% if they succeed in reducing my current ratting. Again any ideas should I file for original retirement date as I was retired for aggravation of a SC condition and though I cannot diagnose myself others medical Professionals have. just wanted to know what you guys think? adios...

Thanks Sharon would an IRIS inquiry slow my claim down? I ask this in the back of my mind I keep thinking I will screw my claim process up or slow it down. i did not know that the IRIS inquiry is sent to my VARO. Have a good morning....

Well got up with the local Office of Veterans affairs VASO still not finding my original claim but did call the -1 800 call center. I got lucky a nice lady out of AZ took the time to advise my claim is flagged a hardship which in her opinion stated that the claim would move at a faster pace. Was advised that the claim is being worked waiting on signatures but nothing more. My question for anyone is I applied for aid and attendance as I am the recipient of "failed Back Surgery syndrome" my 3rd for my back. My surgeon got my aid and attendance paperwork filled out along with his limitations and why I needed help with dressing bathing I am not at the jazzy chair yet but walker is used everyday. Getting off point when the ratting team gets my claim what are the chances they would look at my claim for IU as my reason for AA is for my back? I have an appeal for IU that is what I had the surgery for. I submited all my surgeons records his reasoning that the arthritis claimed in the current claim is secondary to my back for my current claim. His opion was that my current arthritis is advanced for a person my age due to the traumatic injury from service. My whole spine is shot due to the progressive traumatic arthritis during operation I was on the table 2 extra hours for him to try and work the arthritis and install hardware. I have had the bone density test did at the VA as well as the nerve damage tset done that is also claimed. any ideas should I wait to see if they pull the nod i filed for the IU that was turned down last year as my back just kept getting worse and I had to have the surgery done but I hate to say it the back is in worse shape now than it was 2 years ago when I filed the claim for IU. The surgeons letter to the VA after the surgery stated that it would be at least 18 months recovery time due to the nature of the 3 level fusion and the state my back is in. I guess I am just pissed I know i should file the claim but if I do I take the chance of them pulling everything back to starting over. right now i am trying to keep my home my wife has been warned not she has lost too much time already this year with staying home with me when I am stuck in bed on account of my back going out. I know this was long but wanted to lay it out for you. Current claims IVDS depression/mood disorder secondary to my SC back arthritis and Aid and attendance. On appeal is the IU for my SC back, bilateral nerve damage and increase for my migraines the darn things have had me in Er twice last month alone. I am not sure what I should do so any ideas. I am still not getting an answer to where the Tempoary 100% claim went to. thanks have a good day..

I agree the Iu issue is what I am dealing with but your ROM is key here The Doctors IMO may have weight but the issue is ROM My Rom was bad before I had my 3rd surgery and with the following Letter It listed that my SC injury resulted in a 3 level lumbar fusion I had a prior history of lumbar surgeries from my SC DDD and Arthritis which showed severe degenerative arthritic changes The changes have been progressive and in his opinion that the inital incident in Service started the process of low back pain and and acccelerated his arthritis. Arthritis is known to be associated with age. However his arthritis has outpaced his current age. people who have suffered traumatic injuries typically will devolp arthritis ealeir. This is more than likely the case with his current SC back issues. To qaulify for IU you have to have at least 60% for one issue or a combination with a higher rating than you have. Keep your claim active no matter what happens but getting a higher rating for your current condition is key. My ROM was horrible as I had the CMP prior to my surgery and My civillian Surgeon told them I was unable to obtain employment due to my SC Back. He also listed the limitations of no standing longer than no sitting longer than. I hope you get the idea. I was not able to get the VA to help me with my claim and I went outside the VA as they wanted to do way more to me than my Civillian Surgeon did I am not sure how my claim will go but hang in there I hope this will help you. My advice would be to do all the self excersises you can as I am in pretty bad shape as with winter time here I am hurting at least 50% more than this summer. Cold Weather kills me. I am seriously thinking of moving outwest for the winter. I hope this helps but what ever you do is keep trying My deppression would be worse but I do small thing inside when I am able to get around but I have to have help with cooking. I try to do something other than dwell on what I can not do but rather what I can do. The internet is awesome for me when my back goes out and I am stuck in bed like this week. Hang in there and good luck..

Thanks to the question of the local office we have a County office of Veterans affairs that helps veterans file claims and submits the forms which are sent to the Regional office in Columbia SC. I had to wait until the head of the office came back today to get them to search my file I was not able to physicaly go there my back is keeping me bedridden so far this week. I got an email from the office head who said he would pull my file and see when we sent the claims in. I sent them in 1 week prior to my SC back surgery. I had a VSO but after they did not win my claim that went to BVA I won it on appeal for 4 cues on the case for an appeal and now everything is at the rating board. I can ask you seeing how my claim was at the rating board since October the 19th and the national average is 60 days according to the call center what should I do? I really need them to get the claim rated and get a descion I put in for the Temp 100% along with a financail harship claim ( I had plenty of evidence) and the hospital records of the nature of my operation and the surgeons notes. I feel like it is a good case but what scared me was the fact it apears that the call center kept hounding me today to file a new claim for temp 100%. I had to explain really slow to the lady that I had filed a claim and that I would go look in my file when I was able to get up there to get the original time dated claim. It seemed like she wanted me to file another claim as she did not see the evidence. Very aggrivating. The call center lady asked me did I want to drop the claim again for 100% and I had to go back and explain again that the claim was filed in at the American Legion office and that I was waiting for the office Manager to get back from out of town to get the proof. if you have a local number for the Columbia SC VA regional Office other than the call center main number as I seem to be getting now where with these people it would be great. I have had this happen before and The office manager of the office is a great rep but the others I have spoken with are not really doing what I needed. My claim is complex as I am medicaly retired from my civillian job with one of my recently SC conditions but that is another problem. right now I am limited in what I can get done over the phone or email as my back goes out and I am stuck in the house until I can get straight then maybe I wil hear something. I know you have so many irons in the fire helping everyone I for one wish you lived closer I woiuld offer to buy you nad a guest dinner just to pick your brain. I appriciate the hard charging attitude you have dealing with the VA I have learned a lot from you and others about the claims process Thanks.

Hey John hang in there with it I suffer from an advanced arthritis and I am trying going to the local YMCA my sister comes and gets me. I also have trouble with the same symptoms you describe. I can tell you actually any movement you can do helps you know the old saying use it or loose it in my case it is true I hurt when I stay on my feet get stiff and hurt like hell when I stay down too long. If you have the coverage through Medicare and they offeer you a plan like mine I suggest if you have the ability to get into the pool it takes the weight off of your joints. I am housebound myself and understand what it means having mobility issues. Holler at me if I can be of help I hope this helps. I have never had a visit from the Physical terrorist I mean Theraphist but what ever works for you....

Hey J thanks that is exactly what I am going to do. I was pissed got no reply from the office on friday will be there with bells on so to speak. my main thing was the reason we got behind was the loss of my wifes work/paycheck I know times are hard but this frosted me. I should be used to it. Thanks again but i do have some relatives much like the hill billy clan but no snakes or school buses. LOL. Will see what is there on Monday.

Well I was applying for Tempoary 100% after having SC Back 3 level fusion in May of this year. Did paperwork at local VA and submited all hospital records about surgery limtations by surgeon who also wrote that I was going to be under his care for at leat 1 year to 1 1/2 years as my back was severely advanced due to arthritic changes well advanced my current age as a result of my injury in service and I was in his opinion unemployable to secure gainful employment as result of the SC back condition. I have been calling and asking about the tempoary 100% as my wife has lost months of work on account of me being unable to be left alone. i put in for Aid and attendance as i need help with dressing daily living and it also was documented with written statements from my wife surgeon filled out forms for A/A also. Written records of her lost time from her employer sent it laying out she was not able to work her job to stay home to attend to me. The VA in its waste of taxpayers dollars now told me today they have no record of my claim or the hardship claim also sent in. any ideas as my local VA office faxed and mailed all my stuff back in May. I am not sure how to get them off their collective rear ends? Any thoughts? Adios and thanks in advance...

I agree 100% as what you said about droping meds my Doctor changed them weaned me off the old meds and actually used the very first hypertension medicine I used way back in my Early days of USMC 27 years ago back where I started LOL. I have a good Doctor inside the VA but he is only able to address my concerns for about 2 minutes and he types a line or two and out the door onto the next patient. What he has to work with medicine wise is like using standard tools on a metric set up. The VA dictates what time they spend with a patient just like in Civilian mega clinics. I choose a small operation and I am glad I am able to make that choice. Do i trust every Doctor yes but like the Great one President Ronald Reagan "trust but verify". No matter where you go or do you have to make your own choices. My liver test are high I am hoping being off a good many meds I can get my body straight. I still have major depression but the meds they have me now do not make me feel like I am drunk or I am unable to stay awake a good part of the day. I was told this week they are going to increase my meds but I just hope they do not do the same thing. Have a good morning thanks for chiming in.

Thanks Larry you are right about the donut hole and I should have been clearer about the process. I did ask my Doctor to prescribe generic for my meds so I bypassed the donut hole. My deal was I was overmedicated with the combination of physc meds and the other meds making me zonked half the time. I am still having issue but working with a outside mental health office also helped me as good as the VA without the drugged feeling. I was asking pretty much what you stated so Thanks again. I now have had about 2 months on my new meds and I fell better and droped about 20 lbs. I did like the way my Civilian Doctors conservative treatment he phased me off 3 blood meds and got me down to one. My blood pressure was the key interacting with my mental health issues. I am on just a better set of meds with the civillian path with them being more flexible with the types of drugs the open market has versus the VA which is goverment ran health care. Me not being a Doctor leaves me at the mercy of others I am just thinking I am better off trying another route. Now the old saying about buring bridges down I just wanted to figure out how to stay enroled just in case? I should have detailed it a bit more but yes I honestly belive that some practices the VA does is not a one size fits all. Happy Thanksgiving,...

Hey I am blessed to have a medical plan under Medicare "Humana" i will let you guys know if it is good after a couple of months. What I am sure is that I have to see my Primary care Doc once a year he just saw me and told me that is about all I need to see him to keep my position inside the VA. I recently had an issue with my meds that caused my Blood sugar to go from Fasting 88 to fasting @304 about an hour later 410. I freaked out as I had no idea. I do not recommend doing what I did but I went and got my Civilian Doc to yank me off my Physc Meds, My Blood Pressure meds all 4 of them and several others. Has anyone decided to ditch the VA my Blood sugar is back to normal my migraines are still kicking my rear end but I just feel better not being under the VA. Am I paranoid or has anyone ever thought of just packing it in with the VA? I am just at the cross roads with several issues with the combination of Physc drugs blood pressure heart meds I honestly believe I would have had a stroke if I had not asked my Civ Doctor to look at what I was on. The Physc drugs made me a potted plant I still handle certain things by avoidance but If I get anxious I go make an appointment. I am not knocking the good people in the VA it is just the policy that piss me off. again just wondering

Hey cooter sorry to post was not checking back in. The VA does not care about Chronic pain as there are some vets who sell their meds Overdose on their meds and they are just plain scared of the DEA. I would ask about the naseua man sweating and naseau makes me shudder could be your heart. I found out it was my ticker by the sweating. Do me and your loved ones ask the Doc to run tape on you and get it checked? As for what ever you can get with the VA good luck. I went to the salald patch today abiout evry 3 days works like a charm If I could find something to help with my pain now that would be a miracle. Also hate to be crude but if you are passing blood I was told dark red get it checked bright red could be the dreaded hemiroids. if I can do anything holler thanks for the advice I hate Morphine myself i am going to Asia this winter going to try some different things to help. Happy Turkey day one and all

Congratulations for a successful claim. I might be out of line but how long did it take the "temporary" 100% to come back? Reason being i had put in for it in May after SC Back Surgery and wanted a general Idea on the turn around time. I know every case and claim is different just asking. Also wish everyone happy Thanksgiving

Hey John Thanks for the reply. I am SC for my back and i had surgery done outside VA. I thank the stars that the VA is not handling my pain as they suck. Period I am so done with the VA pain wise but some people can get anything they want, Me I am retired law Enforcment no use of drugs I did good to get morphine for a long time. the sallad patch works for me natural and you eat you some turnip greens you will move your bowels or explode LOL. what I am wondering My civillian Surgeon is great but pretty soon or at least until May 2011 It would have been a year and i am not sure what happens then. everyone I know gets to the VA and "They" could give a ripp about your pain. But back on track the patches I was on them during my first 2 operations. I had a hard time with the darn things staying on. i am sure if i ever go back to the VA they will try something. I tell everyone I know to look at me I am living proof of what Goverment run medicine will do for you. Happy thanksgiving I am happy to do the cooking tommorow. I love making the food just not the driving to see others. even a simple car ride is a challenge. have a good day..