MRRRR5

Congrats Joe on your award!

I agree with them; all the evidence should go at once. And don't forget to leave the pots and pans in the kitchen sink when you throw it!!! B)

John Purser, and that is exactly what the VA is wanting you to do; drop it and walk away. But hang in there, my friend; this too shall pass and you will be rightly rewarded. B)

Again, this is the type of stuff that rubs me the wrong way with how Vets and their families are treated. Then, even in the face of actual malpractice and prior malpractice on this doctor from another state (MA) where 2 others lost their life under his care, some government attorney is going to try and "spin" this to say what he did was legitimate. What a crack of bullsh*t!!! <_<

I have not experienced that problem.

Scottc, Welcome to Hadit and thanks for your service. I can not answer this but I'm sure others Hadit members will chime in and provide you some great advice. Good luck with your claim.

This is why current active duty Veterans should be made aware of the challenges they will face when they separate or retire from the services. They have no idea of the many, many, problems that are to come, especially for those who don't keep copies of all their SMR while in service since the government has a way of "losing" them.

Rthomass, wish you well during your surgery.

86Spider, It could not hurt to do it. In my opinion, I would recommend you look over the documents that you have sent them to support your claim already (hopefully you kept copies), and then decide if you need to clarify anything previously sent. Good luck to you on your claim.

Mymissie, cogratulations on your award!

Hey Huskerfanfl, I agree with the other Vets here; this is a temporary problem that can be dealt with. Please get the proper assistance for your well being and to spare your love ones any unbearable pain and grief. I will keep you in my prayers that everything will get better for you and soon.

Lflint33, good to hear you got your claims granted; congratulations.

John, I would recommend you have them check you for RSD (Reflex sympathetic distrophy); another name for this is CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome). My spouse was diagnosed with this condition (RSD) from a botched bunion surgery. From what her pain specialist tells us, many doctors are not familiar with this condition or don't know how to diagnose it and will say that the "pain is in the patient's head" or something like that. I wish you the best.

Williamn, here is a link I believe will help you; good luck. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/disexm34.htm

Berta, thanks for this. I will definitely take this advice when completing my BVA I-9 Appeal Form.

wfsndkm, was this for a temporary 100% rating that you got the assistance for? If so, how long were you waiting before you contacted them?

Danang-1969, you raise an interesting point here which is worth consideration; don't know if they would though, unless forced by some higher authority.

Hayley3, in my opinion, if the x-rays show a secondary disability related to a service connected disability, you should file for that also. Depending on the outcome of your claim, I would consider requesting another C&P from the VARO since the examiner did not apparently address your knee issue while standing/using your knees. I'm not to versed on the other hip issue you raise, but I'm sure some of the other HADIT family members will chime in. Good luck and I hope your claim is approved. Hayley3, in my opinion, if the x-rays show a secondary disability related to a service connected disability, you should file for that also. Depending on the outcome of your claim, I would consider requesting another C&P from the VARO since the examiner did not apparently address your knee issue while standing/using your knees. I'm not to versed on the other hip issue you raise, but I'm sure some of the other HADIT family members will chime in. Good luck and I hope your claim is approved. B)

JMLO, In my opinion, great advice given by jbasser. Use the VSO to get you an answer. They should have more insight and direct contact with the actual personnel handling your claim. Although it may still take the 30-45 days to get the written decision, the VSO may be able to give you a "verbal" of what he/she obtained from the rating officials. You have been patient thus far for over 3,650 days (10 years) and that is a real challenge I can imagine. Hopefully you get your claim granted and really soon.

DDWUSN, good to hear you receive the news that was acceptable to you and you were pleased with it. I hope all goes well with your claim.

Carlie, I agree with the others here; maybe you should talk with a lawyer on this.

Thanks for the reply. We went to her former employer today and the manager remember receiving the form from VA back in May 2008; stated she sent it to the corporate headquarters HR office and will contact them tomorrow to see what the status is and let us know. Just hope if the former employer refuse to complete the form it doesn't negatively impact on the decision.

Got mine at Barnes & Nobles brand new for $16.99 plus tax.

Halos, FYI; Roche has a 2nd Edition "Update" that was just published within the last year.

Update, Does anyone know if this form mentioned below is relating to the TDIU filed back in March 2008? Spouse received a letter from VA today which says they sent her former employer a VA Form 21-4192, Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits and "haven't received a reply". Also the letter says, "We need the information to assist us in making a decision on your claim for benefits". They attached the VA Form 21-4192 and asked my spouse to have her "last employer to complete the form and return it to us"..."VA may decide your claim within 30 days if we have completed our attempts to get all the relevant evidence about which we know". She only worked there for a max of 5 weeks and was considered an "at will employee".