Jayg

I still haven't heard from T-Bird on this one. I would think for now, passing the info through PM would be the best thing by far. Let me see just how doc wants to handle this, I don't know how many he is able to handle at a time. (I didn't mention I was going to put it to y'all here. I'll get back to y'all soon. Again, the Dr. doesn't live in Texas. It was a mail order deal. See my description below.

I live halfway across the continent from him. I just boxed up copies of all my records and sent them to him. A lot of folks use Dr. Bash who are no where near him either. That's why I figured posting my doc's interest would work the same way. Yes?

I have got the go ahead to release his info. his name is Dr. William Kalichman. He maintains regular practice and can only take one or two people at a time for review and IMO. You can email him at-... maule@owt.com What I did was mail him copies of my smrs, civilian medical records, entire claim file, x-rays- everything I thought he could use to determine my case. Things he cited from every segment of that pile clearly demonstrated that he had thoroughly examined every facet of my case... From here, all arrangements are between the applicant and him. I do not have any connection with any further proceedings and I do not make any profit from this. He helped me, a few vets from his practice and appalled at the injustice desires to help others. That's all I want out of it too. To help other vets. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The doctor who wrote my IMO is definitely vet friendly and eager to help. I know him as a fellow moderator on another site we share. That's what prompted me to ask him if he'd he me. Here's a comment from a PM he just sent me... "I just won another case with a Korean War Vet. The bittersweet part is that he is very old and sick and may not live to reap the benefits, but his family will. Let me know if you know anyone else that can use my services." I can say, he'll need some help perfecting his delivery to VA- my IMO got bad marks when posted here but it won me my IU in any case. He is also well aware of the "At least as likely as not" rule. He read and cited my medical history, my service medical records, X-rays, and resourced and cited studies that did demonstrate the otherwise tenuous connection between arthritis with old injuries. He got opinions from others more expert at reading those X-rays than he is and cited their consultation. In other words, he didn't just lightly skim my stuff and just pencil whip an opinion, he was thorough. His background or fields he can help in? - PTSD or Psych won't be one unfortunately. Some comments on his background from 'My Doc.': "My specialty is internal medicine and aviation medicine. One of the hats I wear is that I do pilot physicals for the FAA. I am also a pilot. In addition, I am the Medical Director of the hyperbaric oxygen and wound treatment center at ---- Medical Center. For what it's worth my college and medical school degrees are from Rutgers University in New Jersey. I did my residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Yale University in Connecticut. And then I was working at the Palo Alto medical clinic and on staff at Stanford University. The resume goes on. My credentials would likely carry some weight with the VA. I should mention that when I did medical testimony, the lawyer that hired me only lost one case, and that one had nothing to do with the medical aspect of the situation. Right now, I'm being trained in surgical and hyperbaric wound management. I'm being 'promoted' to Medical Director of the wound clinic of my local hospital, and they are shipping me out for additional training. His earliest medical training... 1984-1990: Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic working for various ambulance squads in New Jersey, both for pay and volunteer. 1990-1994: Medical Resident, Yale University School of Medicine, Norwalk Hospital, and Norwalk, Connecticut. 1993-1994: Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut. 1994: Emergency Department Staff Physician, Yale University Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut. So you can see he has the background and experience to be listened to by any VA raters who will acknowledge an outside IMO. But again, as I said, he'll need a little hand holding till we get him trained in perfecting the VA acceptable IMO. I have his complete curia-vitae (sp?) but will with hold that until cleared by Hadit moderators. I also will withhold contact info on that same count also until directly cleared by the doc to do so. He asked if I knew anybody else that needed help. I don't know that he meant a forum full of us. :( His fees? I don't know, you'll have to talk that over with him. He'll charge for his worth but I do not believe he will gouge anybody. (or I wouldn't be posting this here at all.) I have 'known' this fellow (at least as far as internet allows) for a few years. He seems a very decent, caring, and Christian gentleman for those as what that counts for. He will not just write up something for cases that don't merit them either, so don't look for that. But we can expect every benefit of doubt.

I'm in on this too though with IU it little affects my claim. The big question now is surgery or not surgery. I suffer the pain and numbness too but at least I can still walk (albeit with difficulty and that not far) The docs at the nearesst VAMC are inclined to think my back pain is as much the result of bad feet, ankles, hips and resultant altered gait as my actual back problems so they're tending towards the opinion thaat back surgery won't do me any particular good and that NOT having it won't do any particular harm. (another important consideration.) But I'm supposed to be getting a second opinion from the back crew down to Houston who are said to be among the best/second to none in the back surgery dept. So we'll see. The thought of surgery scares me as much or more for what they can screw up as what they can or can't fix... I know this sounds paranoid- and I am- but I'm one of those poor sods that if something goes wrong- I'll be there, and most likely on the receiving end, when it happens. My wife and some others I know now allow that I'm not as crazy that way as they first thought. This is true. I swear!! So if anybody is likely to get crippled for life by such surgery- I promise you- it'll be me! Now- try to decide about back surgery with something like that on board! :( :(

I'm not sure who you're apologizing to- since you've said nothing offensive that I have read, I know I don't need it. I do know you've been going through the ringer lately. So yes, please do take some time for yourself, friends and family and try to set aside, even if just for a while, the worries of the day. And I'm here to help revere Texas too. Some fall, y'all ought to catch the "Lost Maples." And for those unreconstructed rebels there's a heck of a good research center at Hillsboro College. A great place to immerse yourself in history. For some East Texas beauty get to Caddo Lake or historic Jefferson. The spring after green up is the perfect time for those places. A meander among the Cypress can be right relaxing as can a stay at a bed & breakfast where there's no TVs, just tea on the veranda with the sound of insects, birds and rich with the the scent of flowers. The wife & I did that one time and would again but the kids are still a bit young to allow full appreciation of such- (or to let in a house full of valuable antiques! :( ) The fishing is pretty darn good hereabouts too! :(

That's a good C&P. With this comment- "Last page from C & P report-- IT IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY OR A RESULT In-service event:"- you should come out well. However, you may want to keep in mind the idea of appealing the % granted. VA is notorious for low balling ratings first time around on the hope vets will just take it and go. Good luck and please, keep us posted.

Great advice. I forgot to mention it but as Bronco said, get copies of all your hospital/Med Center/Clinic/et al visits. If your visit is in the morning, you can often get the records before you leave. Just go to that facility's release of information office. They'll usually have the forms you need right their- they're one page and simple. I usually simply request "all records generated X to X (dates of treatment). If you have a lot of pages you'll have to leave the request with them and they'll mail them to you. But catching it every visit, they'll crank them out for you right there. (At least they will where I go.) This is very important because as ooften as not what is printed is not what you said or what you heard said and those records are what the raters will be looking at. For instance I have a hard time deciding what I feel on the pain scale. So once I said it was 4-6. They recorded only "4". Another thing is that I use a walker to navigate the hospital- Very often I'll find the visit's checklist for ambulatory aid has not been checked. Then it can get downright dishonest. When once I fell, I twisted my ankle. It was bruised, stiff and swollen. I hobbled into er leaning both on my cane* and the wall. It was all I could do to get to the check in desk. The record for the visit? They did not check use of a cane and said,"Pt walks easily w/out discomfort." :( :( I submitted that for correction pointing out the diagnosis was a "sprain" and one does not walk easily w/out discomfort, on a sprained ankle! They did change it. * I only use the walker if I'm going to be moving around a big place on foot. So you see, you want those records!

I had no intention of making light of your condition. Put that way I can see how it could have been taken as such. My apologies. Concerning the fluid collecting when you sleep, Here's a few tricks for dealing drug free with sinus problems. I hope they may help ease the discomfort... I have a good size wedge I sleep on to keep my head and shoulders elevated. It helps keep the crud from pooling. You can also suck hot water up your nose and blow- it flushes out considerably more than just blowing. You can get "sterile saline" nose spray bottles (no drugs- just salt water) at the drug store (or most any chain store's pharmacy dept.) There is a type of bath additive for kids in the children's bath ilse of those stores. In a hot bath it does wonders to help dry up sinus passageways. As for getting your paperwork to VARO- you could use your VSO or not as you choose. I was signed up with the Texas Vet Comm. but sent most things to VARO myself and through my county VSO. I would have the county guy fax my paper work and I mailed it certified with return receipt so they had to sign for it. I really didn't use the TVC guy until I had a DRO hearing and he was very helpful at the end. There's no right or wrong way to do it. just what you feel most comfortable with.

Thanks for the word. B)

Sounds like you're fortunate in your choice of wife! B) Getting help and filing a claim are two different things. Do both. Get that claim in asap. Send that to your VARO. For treatment of depression, start with your primary care doctor. Tell him/her what you told us, "getting hard to live with" that sort of thing, and say you'd want some help. He/she should give you a referral.

Chronic pain sure will make you crabby and w/out relief is depressing as all get out. But sinusitis??? I've 'had it' for over 50 years, was born with it and I'm here to tell you you can learn to live with it. Just go real easy on those otc sinus meds and most especially the nose sprays. They'll hook you for sure. (been there, done that B) ) Now, that's not to say you can't file a claim on it...

The answer to what VA will do "now" alas, is nothing. But there are things you need to do. file for an increase. You limp don't you? that's altered gait. Altered gait causes damage to other connected parts of the system. I acquired flat feet and a sprained ankle in service. I am now rated 80% & IU (Individual Unemployability) which compensates me at 100%. It took nearly 5 years filed with Financial hardship. I haven't worked since 2004. I did manage to hang onto my house but only just. Others were not so fortunate. I had to file for bankruptcy. You might consider that depending on your debt status. For the rest, and this is hell, believe me, you're probably gonna have to beg. I AM NOT being a smart ass! It's what we had to do. Get food stamps. That way you and (if applicable) your family is fed. My wife fed a family of 5 on food stamps and only rarely spent a dollar on food stuffs. Ask for loans from friends & family. Talk to your church officials. There are community assistance programs. it doesn't feel good, but this is about survival. There's more but I just had an emergency. For helpful evidence, look at this topic, I posted a list of things that helped my case. http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=33850 Briefly, Workman's comp & VA are separate issues, keep them separate and get a supportive IMO ASAP! Later...

Pete, I know that no amount of sympathy can ease your pain but it's all I have to offer. The best of luck in your pursuit of justice. There sure needs to be some! Contact me. I know a doc who is interested in doing IMOs or whatever he can for vets. He did my IMO. He is not familiar with VA's language so I provided him with samples from VAwatchdog & a "knol" from Scott or Strickland, I can't recall which at the moment. The report the doc made did not get a good review here but worked anyway. The doc is an internet acquaintance and even though he gave me a break on the bill, it still cost me a couple hefty pennies I could ill afford. The doc has also been working with a WWII vet and I flat out asked him if he would like to help out if he could and he said yes. Speaking of which, if somebody could critique the IMO and pencil whip it to show how it could have been rendered better suited for VA, we would both appreciate it. Another thing. Pete, I know you'll never trust a VA Medical Center again and I sure wouldn't blame you. But I have to stress that just like private practice medicine, quality of care varies. The C&P department at Overton-Brooks in Shreveport stinks to high heaven but I believe the medical care I have received there has, in the main, been very good. It is at least the equal of what I was getting on private insurance and vastly superior to one local private hospital. (I literally would not take a dog there.*) I understand the quality of back surgeons in Houston to be second to none- which is why I'm going there for a second opinion on my back. What I am trying to say to others is, don't disqualify a medical facility just because it's VA. Seek the best care you have the option to get whatever the source. *For more detail on that private hospital, I had to go there to er one night when I got a gash at work (some years back, now). There were two of us there that night and I was there 7 hours. My area was dirty including spots of dried blood on the table support structure and the floor. There was torn wrappings from things laying on the floor too. The other person was a women in considerable discomfort, wailing and crying. People were hanging around the console center gabbing and no one even stuck a head in to reassure her, let alone do something for her. Finally I yelled at them and somebody stuck their head in and said they'd check on her chart. She was still there being ignored when I was finally discharged after getting my stitches. The mess was still there too. The sewer was efficient if grumpy and surly. I have heard the place has been improved- I sure hope so!

Got 'em!!! :D

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :P (and yes, I am shouting, thank you very much! It is to shout! :D ) I just got mine about 3 weeks ago so I do know how you feel. I too was jumped to 80% & IU P&T. Like you, I was just numb. I too thought I would be rejoicing but the last 5 years have stripped much of my capacity for rejoicing from me. The main thing was knowing that my wife, who has dedicated her life to being a stay at home wife and mother, now again has medical is probably the biggest thrill of all. She is also the family banker and knowing I won't have to see her beg about some bill or other or cry over them any more is a real close second. We live near an AFB and getting the commissary, et al, privilege cards did bring a pretty big smile. Accepting the "permanent" was no big deal since I've long known there was no road back for me any way. Anyway, that's how it is for me. The numbness is passing. Oh. They deposited the money w/in a week in my case. So hopefully your wait won't be long either. Again, congratulations

I only recently got TDIU. I understand despondency and pain. I too expect that with proper care, your brother would be alive right now. The most important thing to concentrate on when the time comes to work on VA is to do it for justice, not revenge. Seek revenge and it may destroy you too. Justice might benefit many and would honor his memory. Beyond that I can only offer my most heart felt condolences for your family's loss.

I just won a claim of PN as secondary to flat feet so it can be done minus diabetes which I gratefully do not have. I have to warn you, it took years. Things cited as evidence were related BVA case decisions, and professional medical studies I researched, found and supplied and an IMO combined with an ME. VA exam only described the source of my affliction as "idiopathic." (ie, source 'unknown") Anyway, goode luck! :)

No, NO! The codpiece remain firmly where it is! There'll be none of THAT going on here!(leastways, not by ME! :) ) And in days of olde when issuing a challenge, the challenger would cast down his "gage" (Might be either as defined by "bonzai" and the circumstances of the wearer dictated) before the challenged, perhaps after slapping him across the face a time or twice with it first. A slapping would call for mortal combat. Merely casting it down could be a challenge settled by lesser consequences. To accept the challenge, the gage was picked up and returned to the issuer, again, with the option of a slapping.

I do not have any verifiable AO exposure. My County service officer has long said he'd file me for it if he could because I have many of the symptoms though no Diabetes or cancer (yet). No telling. They keep finding more places the stuff was used. Happily, my pn is not so bad as you describe. They are looking at my lower back as a potential source of it but they're not betting on it. So far the call is just "idiopathic"- they don't know what caused it. I take Baclofen and Tramodol. How much any of that helps this, I don't know. The first is for my low back pain and the second for arthritic pain. I also take Myrapex for RLS- don't know if that has any connection either.

Congratulations! I too am 80%/IU P&T. I just got my letter a few weeks ago. "auto shops wood shops vacation centers" Wow! I never thought about that stuff. re "wood shops," do you mean like craft shops for the troops or shops for military use? Frequently you can get many things made at craft shops just for the cost of materials. Give them decent plans of what you want built and as long as it is w/in capabilities of the crafters, they'll do the labor just for the experience. If I may ask this question w/out usurping this thread- Exactly how does one apply for these military privilege cards? I'm only about an hour from Barksdale AFB. That should beat most Army bases all hollow. ;)

A heartfelt eeeayaaa-HAAA (Rebel yell! ;) ) for you. Having just got mine, I do know how you feel! :)

Sirrah, I pick up thy gage! (if you've not, then read the like of "Ivanhoe" and "Men of Iron") From my recent award. It states,... "To be eligible for the CHAMPVA program a dependent must be the spouse or child of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability." "We enclosed a VA Form 21-8760, 'Additional Information for Veterans with Service-Connected Permanent and Total Disability,'..." from my item 6."Eligibility to Dependents Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35." "Eligibility to Dependents Educational Assistance is derived from a veteran who was discharged...; and, has a permanent and total service-connected disability;..." "Eligibility to Dependents Educational Assistance underU.S.C. Chapter 35 is established from July 8, 2005, the date we granted entitlement to a total evaluation based on individual unemployability. As there is no indication of improvement in the service-connected disabilities which render you unemployable, you are considered permanently disabled..." I submit I have met and satisfied the requirement of your challenge? ;)

AMEN to THAT!

There's the results of another study, (I don't know where to find it and ain't looking it up now) that noted with the new war activity, the flare up of PTSD in 'Nam vets. What it amounts to is that many vets got treatment or otherwise found their balance. But now we have these new brush wars with no specific goal in sight against an essentially guerrilla enemy that is so reminiscent of 'Nam that it tipped the balance for many Vets. Add that recent economic pressures have increased stress exponentially, and this has impacted the lower echelons of the workforce, so that barely dormant PTSD has flared dramatically. It as well may be that these conditions have held a great number of our Vets into that lower echelon unrecognized. But a vet with PTSD tendencies will veer away from high stress activities such as working while studying for higher education, the only potential for many of our working class vets. So it isn't rocket, or MIT- science that there is a dramatic increase in PTSD claims. If you consider the onset of recent hostilities, as a starting point for a great increase in claims, with the number of years spent fighting those claims to a completion, it really is not at all surprising that there is such an exponential increase in the awards. I rest my case...

"Make sure you sign the box saying that no residents or interns will be allowed to work on you" Thanks. I never heard of such a thing.