dizzyvet

I am completely confused and think that there may be changes in the way the pharmacy is trying to save money, I have been on hormone therapy for 5 yrs now and at my last visit my Dr. renewed my meds, one week later I get a letter stating that the pharmacy has refused to fill this request and want additional information. Great!!! my Next appt in March and I only get a month at a time for my testosterone, WTF is going on? W

I am in my 8th year of chronic pain management and have been through it all. The thing you should be aware of is that depending on your state and the pharmacy monitoring system, they will not give you pain meds on a long term basis if you are taking non va prescribed meds, including THC, The VA pain management contract can be found on line and describes what is and isn't allowed. Basically you cannot even consume alcohol while receiving narcotics from the VA. The idea is that they can manage your pain with pharmaceuticals without the need for anything else. But you must sign a pain management contract before they begin. As for not prescribing narcotics at all just check the va formulary which is also available online and you will find a multitude of pain meds that they can dispense if they see a necessity. W

Hvygns38, Having been through the ringer with Meniere's disease and getting a claim won I thought I might pass a little info that might help in the future. If your meniere's becomes debilitating, to the point that you can no longer work, I would advise that you start the process for a diagnoses. The reason that the va will not award or service connect is that it sounds like you have yet to get a valid differential diagnoses. Meniere's is a bad disease to have. Because the cause is unknown, it is very difficult to diagnose. Here Are some examples. I had to have multiple hearing tests to show that I had fluctuating hearing loss. I had to have blood tests to rule out being born with syphilis. I had to have tubes put in to see if aural pressure could be relieved mechanically. I had to endure multiple injections through the eardrum of steroids that cause additional hearing loss. All of these treatments and tests were to rule out other diseases, and there are more. A diagnoses for meniere's is only accepted after all else has been ruled out. Its a long process and let me tell ya it can be demoralizing at times. But until you are actively seeking treatment and show history its not likely that they will award for it. I found that going through the process for me was to find relief from this disease, I realized later what the Dr was doing and Im thankful. In the end he did all he could to prove my case. And that was a VA ENT. Good Luck and congrats on your other successes. Diz

From one 81150 to another, Since you live in Texas make sure to have the TVC represent you and do not go through this without their help. It is a good organization and helped me to %100 over the last 4 years. This is the best state in my opinion to win your case. Dizzy. PS. Cold War Vet "83 to "91

Good on ya Mate !!! Way to hang in there. Diz

Dont know if this will Help. I have a %20 rating for tender scarring at a bone graft site lower leg. Weird thing is I have a bunch of scars from all of the surgeries. They took a lot of bone off my hip and left it all jagged in there so a belt can be very uncomfortable sometimes. They also took out my fibula right leg and left a huge scar there. Not sure of the wording but maybe I got %20 for all the scars. not sure. Im just happy I got to keep my foot : ).... I almost lost it. Good luck on the C&P Diz.

Hey Dave, I have been using Actos for 3 yrs now and I have not had any experience with muscle pain. I have had great results with it and it really is like a magic bullet for getting the sugar under control. If you are having some of the negative side effects I suggest that you talk to your Doc or Endo. I think that under special circumstances the VA will also prescribe Januvia. It works Amazing with no side effects. Good luck. Diz

4 months after winning %100 percent VA, I Just got my letter from the SSDI folks and was approved with back pay arriving at the same time. Couldn't help but share the good news. Now to go back to work on P&T Diz

I keep hearing the %50 percent rule and to date no one has cited the code that covers that. I would really like to see the source of this contribution rule. Im not sure its accurate. DIz

I recently got my Award for Meniere's at %100, I was previously %70 for hearing and other conditions. I am very happy with the award and they gave me housebound SMC. But the more I read through the letter the more worried I get that the letter specifically states that P and T was not awarded as the disease is likely to change?? Now haveing said that they have to know that there is no Cure for Meniere's and I have clearly shown that no fewer than 5 surgeries over the last eighteen months and there has been no improvement and am now bilateral. How may more evaluations should I be expecting before P%T? Any Ideas would be helpful. Thankfully I currently have long term disability insurance but after that will definately need a way to keep my Wife covered for health care. Diz

Hi Berta, I think you may be overlooking a compliment here. Maybe the wins are directly related to all of the hard work and information shared here ! I think it is a distinct possibility. Diz

Thanks Again to every one. Not P&T yet. But At least I got the SMC without having to ask. Going to see the TVC tomorrow to get help with working out the P&T. Diz.

It's official,Letter arrived today. %100 Meniere's and SMC granted. Ear to Ear Grin now permanent!!!!!!!! Diz

Hey Jim, In my case I got the deposit first, hoping for the letter today or tomorrow. It has been a pretty long claim process and I was awarded a partial for hearing loss two months ago. But for some reason with my claims here in TX I always seem to get the money couple of days before the letter. Maybe just because I have the Direct deposit already set up. Hope you get your money soon. Good Luck Diz

May be premature, But the amount of deposit indicates %100 rating. Happy Happy. Just need the letter to confirm. Right on time too, Finishing SSDI claim at the SS office day after tomorrow. Will be nice to go in there with %100 award letter. Been a long road. I research here a lot more than I post. A HUGE THANKS TO ALL CONTRIBUTERS. Diz