PatW53

Hi Berta, thank you, that's a lot on important information. I will have to go back in the paperwork to find the info on his back. He was at 20% for decades, and I think he still is. It was the depression that bumped him up to 80%. He is seeing a private kidney specialist through our medicare. It was in March that his primary at the va told him he was at 30% and needed to see a specialist. He referred him to one at the va, but Mark didn't like him, so we went the private route. It will probably be chalked up to HBP. He has had it since early 1981. He got out in Dec of 80. I've hunted for proof that it was within one year but haven't been successful in getting old med records. I requested his c-file when I filed his claim, but never got it or an appt to look at is. We were in Fl. at the time and now live in Mo. I have to find out where his va records are kept. I want to go to the records place in St. Louis and search his military records for physicals before he got out but I don't know the name of it so I can get a phone # and call. More research! I guess the important thing right now is to get a claim filed. We just went and set up a trust and power of attnys and all of that. I have to find out if I can go to St. Louis and view his records after he has passed with a power of attny. I've done this before. I successfully did his claim and my claim back in 2003 to 2006. Mine is for MST PTSD. He also has tinnitis, and sleep apnea plus the ptsd. We were so fearful of losing our 100%IU if we rocked the boat wilth new claims. I have to prove that he can be SC for HBP. I think that is the route I need to go. The stomach meds could have caused the kidney failure, but he's been on so many meds during the years to try and control his bp and nothing worked. He runs 220/80 and has to the last few years. Thank you so much for your help. I'm determined to do this. Hadit was priceless when I did our first claims and I know the knowledge here is going to be again. All 5 of our kids are coming in this weekend to spend father's day with us. The first time in many years to have them all together at once and probably won't happen again. I wish it was for better circumstances. But we have to take what we can get and enjoy it! Thank you again, I'm also going to check out the DIC forum as soon as I have a breathe to take. Pat T

Sorry, I hit wrong button. He had 100% IU and we didn't want to rock the boat when he later was diagnosed PTSD. He is not SC for high blood pressure. My concern is if this medication caused the kidney failure and I can get it approved, will it make any difference. We both use champva and our primary at the va hospital. He doesn't want dialysis because he doesn't want to put his family through that. He has been miserable physically for years and said he is ready to go.

Thank you for your replies! He is service connected for lower back and depression. 80% for the two. He has IU. He was in Vietnam but doesn't have DMII. He has PTSD, but at the time he was denied because he wasn't in a combat area.He walked the perimiters, was shot at and saw others killed. We decided not to pursue it at the time, he

I cannot figure out where to post this question! My husband is 100% iu since 2003. He is now in end stage kidney failure. He is at 20% function. He is refusing dialysis. He probably only has a month or 2 left. We had chocked it up to uncontrolled high BP. I recently read an article stating that the stomach meds he has been on for years can cause kidney failure. If we can get an IMO and file a claim, he will most certainly be dead before they even look at it. Can I persue a claim after his death? He's permanent and total. As his wife, will I receive funds from the Va? I am also 100% permanent and total IU and have been since 2003. I was successful getting both of our claims approved with the knowledge I learned at hadit.com I am in uncharted waters here.

Thank you so much Berta! I am so afraid to believe it is true. We just got his ssdi approved in March after waiting 3 years. If it is true, we won't be appealing anything. If at some time his back got worse, we could still file for an increase or smc? So, I am doing a half of a happy dance. Of course it is a holiday weekend and I can't call anyone until Tuesday to check it out. I have to thank everyone here at hadit. I havne't been on for awhile, but this is where I learned everything from you good people to accomplish this and to know that I even could! Thanks so much! Pat in Fl

I am completely confused. We filed an appeal for my husbands low back pain, depression and Right lower extremity radiculopathy. We got the paperwork back and the statement of case states 1. entitlement to an increased evaluation for back strain with annular bulge L3-4 and L5-S1 with limitation of motion at 20 percent disabling, and right lower extremity radiculopathy at 10 percent disabling is denied. (He already receives 20% for his back) 2 Entitlement to service connection for left leg pain and numbness. It list all the evidence Adjudicative Actions Listed all the the claims submitted and when and notifications of decision. 05-23-2006 De Novo Review performed based on all the evidence of record. Evaluation of low back strain now evaluated as low back strain with annular bulge L3-4 and L5-S1 and limitation of motions at 20 percent and right lower extremity radiculopathy at 10 percent, service connection granted for major depressive disorder at 70% disabling, entitlement to individual unemployability granted, and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance effective November 25, 2003. What does this mean? Does it mean what I think it does! Then there are pages about filing an appeal. Are these for if we still want to appeal the 20% for his back? Please help me, I can't begin to get excited until I know for sure. Thanks, Pat in Fl