sandboxsquid

Purple, What is the source of the story? I agree it is not fair to all vets, but since I am an OIF vet.......

JBasser, thanks for the reply. I am 30% for PTSD and 20% for chronic neck pain (which adds up to 40% in VA math). I just want to get out, and I am working with my reserve unit to have authorized absences for ther remainder of my time with the Navy. I am not sure it is worth going through all the hassle of a medical discharge with only a few months left. The VA has been very attentive to my care and I have had no problems to date on either of my treatments. (I know this may surprise some of you, but my experiences with the VA have been mostly positive, at least to date)

I am reaching out most likely to my Navy brethren out there on this one. I was mobilized to Iraq as a Navy Reservist for a year, and received 40% SC didability from the VA recently for injuries sustained. I was told by the medical department at the NOSC in Columbus, OH that I can no longer drill with that high of a disability rating without a waiver. Does anyone know if this is true or can point me in the right direction to find an answer? They told me about OPNAV 1850.4E, but I could not find anything of substance in this 300+ page drivel to answer this question. I understand I would have to pay back either my drill or VA pay at the end of the year and they did not allow "double dipping" as they put it. My enlistment time is up in a few months anyways, and I wish to get out. I know the Navy Reserve commanders are graded basically on the "mobilization readiness" of their underlings, and basically with my conditions I am no longer of any use to them.

My TBI appointment was uneventful at best. I talked to a nurse for approximately 30 minutes about Iraq, and then I met with the doctor for about 20 minutes. They gave me a questionnaire, and I filled that out when I first got to the VA. This is what the basis of my meeting with the doctor was about. He says I screen for TBI, and I need to go back for a 3-4 hour comprehensive exam. I will keep you updated when I get the appointment and what transpired.

COwgirl, I go to the VA on Tuesday to be tested for TBI. I screened when I got back from Iraq to possibly have it. I will let you know what I find out next week.

Congrats!!

Received the brown envelope yesterday, and received 40% on my first claim ever submitted. Thanks to all for your words of wisdom and helpful advice.

CONGRATS!!! That is great news. I am happy for you.

Jim, I agree with rentalguy. Keep fighting the good fight. Perseverance pays off.

I hope an OH vet out there can help me. I am a reservist who was mobilized in November of 2006 for a year in Iraq. When I got back my civilian employer, Stanley the tool company, offered me a different posistion than the one I previously had before my deployment. I accepted since it was 1st shift and I was working 3rd shift. Seven months later they lay me off, but keep on two newer guys that were hired in management after me. I contacted ESGR and all they are concerned with is getting my job back. I do not want this, because I know they will make the next 5 months a living hell for me and then lay me off in January of next year when the one year timeframe is up. They offered me two months severance with benefits, but I told them I wanted 5 months with benefits to take me to the full year I am guaranteed under the law in re-employment rights. Stanley is stalling right now, but does anyone know where I can go to light a fire under Stanley's you know whats to get the ball rolling, and what type of recourse to I have other than the ESGR?

Good luck, and you never know how the VA is going to operate. Quick may be good in this situation, seeing as you had all your ducks in a row.

I wouldn't hold my breath on the 800# being of any help. As far as the VSO being on vacation again, mine seems to be even when he is in the office. He has been quite useless during my ordeal, and I wish I would have researched more before using one at the start. I am sure if I do get some type of compensation he will be there to take credit though.

Congrats, and your persistence has been quite inspirational.

Sounds great, congrats!!!!!!

Good news Joe!!! Hopefully I have the same results in the not too distant future.

Had my second C&P on the 17th, and I think it went well. Referred by the doctor to other alternatives for PTSD treatment, and was scheduled with the physical therapy department to receive a Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit for my reoccuring neck pain and will receive all pain meds via the VA. Also was referred to neurosurgery for possible TBI due to screening process. Does this sound promising, or am I dreaming once again?

I was discharged in December of 2007.

Had my first C&P last week, and I think it went well. Have a second one next week, as well as a follow up on the first one. Is it normal to get a full physical? The doctor also recommended me for service with the VA for my pain. Is this possibly a good sign?

cowgirl, thanks for all the help. I have been seeing quite a few specialists, private and military since my return. Reading what to expect during the C&P was a real eye opener. Hopefully going into the exam with this advance knowledge will only help my cause.

Well, as luck would have it I got the call from the VA yesterday. My C&P exams have already been scheduled. I guess the doctors at the local military base by me can't be trusted.

I couldn't agree with you more. All my ailments are recent, and they have access to all my records from the local base. Only time will tell, and it probably makes too much sense for this to become a reality. Good luck with the claim.

crossabers, I am in the same boat as you and was wondering the same exact thing. I spent a year in Iraq and filed for my claim in January 2008. I have received some correspondence from the VA and replied with all the necessary documentation immediately. Right now I am just playing the waiting game, but all my medical work was done at military hospitals.