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qrdgv2tebc
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Posts posted by qrdgv2tebc
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Ronn,
If your radiation treatments are related to an SC throat cancer, either a radiologist or an endocrinologist should be able to relate the hypothyroidism to the radiation. If you're on Synthroid that's worth 10%. If you can add constipation and "cognitive difficulty/memory loss or depression to the Synthroid, it's 30%.
What are your T-4, T-3/T-4 and TSH readings? Until you get the T-4 dosage stabilized, you will feel a lot of hypothyroid symptoms. Dosage adjustments are made slowly as it takes time for the body to react to changes in the thyroid meds.
I had thyroid cancer, so I have no thyroid gland. If you want to chat about it, let me know.
Ralph
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Hi Larry
Manila has it's own OPC clinic, that is where we get our treatments and medications and C&P's and local opinions, that was one of the problems on one of my claims, BVA did not agree with the opinion of one of the VA doctors, first she was not a Gastro doctor and second she gave an opinion without looking at my claim file. because they found evidence in my claim file from 1978, where i had an exam that showed GERD disease and a Hiatal Hernia in service. which is a predictor for Barretts Esophagus. Barrets Esophagus is one of my claim that was remanded. they want a opinion from a board ceertify Gastro doctor, the doctor that gave the opinion was a pulmonary specialist.
So9 I guess i will have to wait on the AMC to make a decision.
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I had a BVA hearing in OCT,2006. received a letter in Feb, 2007. Two of my three claims were remanded back to the VARO, Manila for many different reasons, to many to put down here, the remand also stated that this claim must be afforded expeditious treatment. i received a letter from the VA, Manila stating that they received my new claim and will be making a decision soon, i never put in a new claim, last claim was in 2002. So i called the VARO at Manila Va to ask about what is this new claim. i don't have any new claims, i was told to disraguard that letter, it was an error. then i ask if my claim file was back at VA, Manila from the BVA. no file yet i ask if they received the remand letter, no remand letter either, then thy told me that they would not be handling the remands that it would go to the AMC, but my remand letter states that Manila has to do certain things on my remand like scheduled me for an examination by a psychiatrist for an opinionas to weather there is is at least a 50% probability or greater that i have a present psychiatric disorder. this is just one among many examination i guess i was to have before my claim went to the BVA. they were also told in somany words that failed to duty to assist in some of my stressors and fail to get opinions from experts in the special field. and that they gave to narrow interpertation of law, they shoud have gave a more broad interpertation of the law,also i gave credible evidence,, and that the service department made no attemp to verify the specfic incidents, there are many other thing but to long to go into. So now i am confused.
If Varo Manila does not handle this remand and it goes to AMC, how do i go about getting the examinations that the remand ask Manila to do. and where do i send NEW evidence to?
Sorry if this is a bit long.
Patrick
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Hi WallyG
This is Patrick, i was also diagnosed with Atrial Techycardia on a C&P exam in 1997, i was also told that there was other things going on with my heart besides Techycardia, like valve problems, CAD, but was not S/C, this is one of my claims i had with the BVA in Oct,06. Varo ,Manila state it was discorvered that i had a heart 14 months after i retired, so they would not cervice connect.
Still waiting on news fro my BVA hearing.
Patrick
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That is what I have too, but although VA diagnosed it, they can't agree on whether it is a heart problem, which is NOT SC, or a Neurological problem, which might be SC. So the local VA regrads mine as a heart problem, not SC. Don't be surprised if your VARO decides it is neurological, if you are claiming for a heart attack. See the following extract from The Medical Dictionary.
Tachycardia, paroxysmal atrial (PAT)
Tachycardia, paroxysmal atrial (PAT): Bouts of rapid, regular heart beating originating in the atrium (upper chamber of the heart). Often due to abnormalities in the AV node "relay station" that lead to rapid firing of electrical impulses from the atrium which bypass the AV node under certain conditions. These conditions include alcohol excess, stress, caffeine, overactive thyroid or excessive thyroid hormone intake, and certain drugs. PAT is an example of an arrhythmia where the abnormality is in the electrical system of the heart, while the heart muscle and valves may be normal.
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I have been on morphine 30mg for about six months, i have Arthritis in all joints, chronic pain syndrome,i can not take arthritis medications because of the effects on my system, so they give me alot of pain medications, i an not a big fan of morphine because it really knocks me out, i am useless, with the combination of medications, i am a zombie all day, really sucks, i would concider myself addicted to those medications. i have been taking them for so many years.
Now the Va is telling me, that i have fatty liver due to the amount of medications i take, all my medications are from the VA, i don't drink. beer,wine , liquer.
I am now think of putting in a claim for the damage to my liver, from the medication i get from the VA. i have been diagnosed with fatty liver for the pass three years, but it is only now the VA is concerned, i just don't know how to word the claim properly, all the medication i take are filtered through the liver and the Va knew this, when they gave me the Medications.
Any help with wording the claim, would be nice.
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I have just been prescribed Morphine 30mg twice daily for chronic severe pain. I have done some reading about the drug which appears to be real strong.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had any personal experience with Morphine and what I should look out for
in regards to side effects, pain relief or addiction?
Bob
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Carlie if you could post that non-formulary reg again, i woull appreceiate it, or if you could send it to my e-mail address.
My e-mail address: barbell102@yahoo.com
Patrick
PS. The VA clinic here in Manila, are cutting back so much on there drugs for vets. S/C and Non-S/C. you said that the VA doc can request Non formulary drugs be provded, i would like to show this to my VA doc.
Thank You
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If his doc will state to va that the formulary drugs do not result in effectively treating the vets condition
then the va doc could request non formulary drugs be provided. About a week ago I posted the regs on
non formulary drugs.
jmho,
carlie
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A couple of month's ago, my Psych doctor at the Va, look at two reports of MRI's i had and medical notes from my Neuro doctor, these Mri's were done about two years ago within siix months of each other. and the Neuro exam was done about the same time, i was diagnosed with Dementia, i have been getting Aricept from the Va for about eighteen months, about three weeks ago my Psych doctor call me and told me she took the report and medical noter to the va neuro doctor, she told me that when i come in for my yearly visit, she wanted to see me, also the va Neuro doctor, i went to the va clinic two week ago saw my Psych doctor and the va neuro doctor did some test talk to bothe of them for about thirty minutes. i received the medical notes, to long to put in here, but the results are they both agreed that i have Dementia, along with PTSD and Depression, chronic, my Psych ask me if i ever put in a claim for Dementia, i told her no,she said to put in a claim now that i have been diagnosed by the Va neuro and Psych doctors. but i know i am going to run into a brick wall,and i am not up to the fight to try and get this S/C.
Also the VA clinic here in Manila have drastically cut back on medications, S/C and No-S/C., they said it was because of budget cuts, what a bunch of CRAP.
Patrick
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Well, dementia is in no way a psychosis. It is an organic brain condition in any form.
I have dementia due to head injury. I'm 39 years old.
I can't comment on the possible cause in your situation but here is the rating codes.
9300 Delirium
9301 Dementia due to infection (HIV infection, syphilis, or
other systemic or intracranial infections)
9304 Dementia due to head trauma
9305 Vascular dementia
9310 Dementia of unknown etiology
9312 Dementia of the Alzheimer's type
9326 Dementia due to other neurologic or general medical
conditions (endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders,
Pick's disease, brain tumors, etc.) or that are substance-
induced (drugs, alcohol, poisons)
9327 Organic mental disorder, other (including personality
change due to a general medical condition)
The code I'm rated under is 9310.
Also, I have had this for about 15 years and didn't know untill last year. Before diagnoses, some family members thought I had a drug problem I was keeping secret. I got lots of talks for that. Point is, I did not know I was different, that my personality had changed. And yes, I got mean. Only now that I can look back, can I see it. My cognative dissorder is not one that is easily noticed by average persons. So there is no social stigma attached.
I agree with Berta, see a Pro. I recomend neuro-psych testing. It will hold the most weight in the claims proccess and give everyone a better idea of what's going on.
Time
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Had my thyroid out about ten days ago, took everything except partial stem,feel like crap, had staples out about a week ago, hope to get strips out today,
Call the Va about claim under AO for thyroid cancer and it's side effects, like weight gain, chronic fatigue, hot and cold up's and downs, depression.
Va ask if i had AO exam--Yes
VA ask was i exposed to herbicdes like AO and where---Yes exposed to AO Korea 1969-70
VA ask if my unit was on the list of unit exposed to AO, Korea--Yes 2nd/10th Cav
VA said put your claim for thyroid cancer and it's side effects under AO-presumtive
I told them that even though Thyroid cancer is not on the list of diseases on the AO list
VA said does'nt make a difference, still put in my claim.
Anything wrong with this picture. Is this the playing game?
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rickb54
WOW,hate is apretty harsh word to use on a person you don't even know. the sport i was involved in was year round sport, your right the special duty did not get me the award for Arthritis, but the sport i was involved in did, i was diagnosed with traumatic Arthritis in military service at the age of 32. the trauma to my joints came from that sport. not only the joints but the muscles also.
i was with the 101st airborne division,{Air Assault}, Fort Cambell,Ky. when my Battalion Commander found out what i was capable od doing in my sport, i was called into his office, and was told in no uncertain terms what i was going to be doing for his Battalion, five day later i was on special duty. my life would have been hell if i refused. this was in the 70"s.
So i guess everyone will get some kind of Arthritis,as they get older, i had to stop my sport at the age of 35, because of so many injuries. i worked hard at my sport everyday, i brought a lot glory to my Battalion{that's what they wanted}. i traveled all over the states and Europe promoting the Army and the 101st Airborne Division, i recruited alot of guys into the military. and now at the young age of 58 i can harly walk because of the injuries i have to my body. If you want to call this special treatment, you don't have a clue.
As a supervisor, i will give you the benifit of the doubt and say maybe rickb54 was a working supervisor, because most supervisors i knew sat on there fat asses and drank coffee all day, then took the glory for the work that the soldiers under them did. HATE, WOW do i sence some jealousy, don't tell me you would not have jump at the chance of going on special duty, if you had the chance. i guess you were not athletically inclined. but then again i might be wrong, because i don't know you.
See Ya
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As a supervisor, I hated guys like you (special duty) they always seemed to get special treatment, and never came to work even when the season was over. Bu that is another story.
As far as getting arthritis, your being on special duty did not get your an award for arthritis, sc for arthritis is awarded due to trama to the joints. Chances are you would have gotten arthritis no matter what you did, or in your case didn't do while on active duty.
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As a supervisor, I hated guys like you (special duty) they always seemed to get special treatment, and never came to work even when the season was over. Bu that is another story.
As far as getting arthritis, your being on special duty did not get your an award for arthritis, sc for arthritis is awarded due to trama to the joints. Chances are you would have gotten arthritis no matter what you did, or in your case didn't do while on active duty.
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some people get service connected for arthritis, if they get pick for special duty in some kind of sport, i was on special duty for almost six years in the Army. i am S/C for Arthritis of all joints. due to my special duty.
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jstacy
Thanks, I was trying to see how some people had gotten Arthritis SC.
Gunny
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Vike
Sorry if i did'nt explain it right, i am not so much worried about my thumb, it is that on my discharge report from the hospital the next day, it states; diagnosis?impression: headeaches due to trauma from a car accindent. i am S/C for headeaches but as cervigenic headeaches secondary to cervical spondylosis. 20%. since that rating two years ago, i have medical documentation at the VA clinic and at my tricare doctor for headeaches 3-4 times a week, lasting up to 3-7 hours.
I have look at BVA claim and also from people on this sight stating they received anywhere from 40%to 60% for headeaches due to trauma.
It is just a point i was looking at. i guess what i am asking is would the VA consider an increase if i gave the them the hospital report from the accident and and the continued headeachs since my S/C two years ago.
Patrick
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Patrick,
I don't understand what you are asking. Are you asking whether or not the VA will consider a request for increase for a service-connected condition if the original claim wasn't submitted within one year of disachrge/retirement? If that's what you are asking, that's not the case at all. If you are already service-connected for something, you can request an increase at anytime regardless of when you first submitted the original claim. For an increased evaluation, the VA only needs to see medical documentation of how your condition is currently affecting you i.e. current treatment records from the recent past.
There seems to be a misunderstanding in regards to the presumptive service-connection criteria. Just because a veteran gets hurt or comes down with an illness within one year of discharge/retirement doesn't mean that it will automatically warrant service-connection. The only conditions that warent service-connection under the presumptive rule are those listed under §3.307 through §3.309 which manifest themselves within the prescribed periods.
Vike 17
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Hi To All
Now that my BVA hearing is over, i was going through abunch of papers that i don't need anymore. like downloades, stuff i can get at any time. I came across a page from my medical records, that showed i had a car accident within one year of my retirement, My friend was driving i was in the passenger side, we were hit almost head on by a drunk driver, he was a cop. my head hit the windshield and smashed the windshield into a cobweb crack, and i busted up my thumb. i was put in the hospital overnight and my arm was put in a sling for a week.. My friend busted his nose and broken wrist.
I am S/C for headaches, but it is tied into my cervical Arthritis.
Would it be a lost cause to put in a claim for a higher rating on my headeaches. since i did not put in claim within the one year after retirement?
Patrick
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Hi to all
Yes Berta, i guess since the North Koreans have been in the News lately, maybe the Judge decided to do some research on went on with the American soldiers on the Z. The guard post have change names over the years many times, the last time i was on the Z in 83-86, they were called Guard Post Collier and Guard Post Ouelette, but the hostile acts never stoped, the North Korean still play there loud speakers no-stop, 24 hours a day, seven day a week. it really messes with your mind. as i am typeing this i can hear them now in my mind.
I look up some BVA cases, but not to many vets received S/C for Thyroid Cancer, but i found one that stuck out. because it fits me, i have chronic fatigability, depression, and weight gain, Berta i have gain so much weight and i am in pain 24/7., i am only 5ft. 5 inches, seven month's ago i was at about 185 lbs that was OK with me, now i am 210 to 215 lbs, but my diet is the same, i am not eating anymore food than i did seven month's ago. and as you know i also have gastrointestinal problems.
But in this case they never ask the vet about AO or Radiation but it granted S/C .
this is the case.
Citation Nr: 0534553
Decision Date:12/22/05
Archive Date: 01/10/06
Docket No" 01-05-509
Patrick
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Patrick-that is very interesting that she knew about PFC White-this hearing might have gone well for you- in any event-I certainly regret you have this cancer but as long as it falls into the AO regs -I am sure that you have a very valid Agent Orange claim.
You right about the patrols,of course, and this put you there as exposed to Agent Orange- this mentions the rotations:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...91/ai_112687395
It makes sense too- to patrol the DMZ (AO was not sprayed on the Demarcation line itself) the military did all they could to keep down growth of weeds and grasses for good clear lines of vision towards the DMZ.
Cybersarge has an interesting BVA claim mentioned here Patrick. I never saw this before on his sight.
http://cybersarges.tripod.com/aoinkorea.html
There is a Camp Casey soldier mentioned named Benbow who apparently got the first Korea vet AO award from the BVA.
Does the name Guard Post Gladys mean anything to you? Where the runoff went into the canteen water?
This is a good site Patrick- and there might be something there to help you- but- with the STS type of cancer and your unit's known and established exposure-this claim should certainly be very valid for an AO award.
Men and women the gov says that as many as from 4,000 to 12,000 men might have been exposed to AO when they patroled the DMZ.
The spraying was done by Koreans but the effects certainly have been disabling to veterans.
Who would have thought , after the Korean War ended, that patroling the DMZ would give one a AO disability?
I still believe that AO was used in many other ways, even on US bases, to control weed growth and to affect veterans with AO diseases.
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Hi Berta
Yes my unit is on the AO LIST. my unit is 2nd/10th CAV, i have already sent to the VA pictures which shows where i was on the Z and off the Z, and the secter that my unit was responsible for patroling, which was sometime almost the the whole lenth of the Z. the Cav was a tanker unit[ 60 day rotation] our down time was at a place called Warrior Base or Tent City across freedom Bridge, that was aplace where alot of agent orange was sprayed, it is not really orange,it is like a red mist or dust, it was all over the tents and our clothes, we never knew what it was.
Also your right about the soft tissue carcinoma, man there is so much involved. i look up some radiation sights, and raditions is associatd with Thyroid Cancer. but it involves Atomic sights, or New Mexico.
PS. The picture i sent to the VA, i am in the pictures.
When i had my BVA hearing, the judge seem to know alot about the DMZ.. and the guard post and Worrior Base. and she knew about PFC White who deserted to the north, that was a shock.
Patrick
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If this falls into the Soft Tissue Sarcoma regulation, it could possibly be found as service connected-and I believe that your unit in Korea was exposed to AO and is on the Korean AO exposure list.
Patrick- this is a lot to deal with but I just read two BVA decisions regarding Thyroid cancer.
The thyroid cancer fell into adenocarcinoma type (a soft tissue carcinoma ) and the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange. And this claim was granted.
In the other claim a medical opinion the veteran had obtained supported that the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange caused the thyroid cancer.
If you can pinpoint your exposure as being with the area on the Korea DMZ where AO was found to have been sprayed , you could support this well- if it is adenosarcoma or any type of Soft Tissue Cancer (there are many medical names for these types of cancers- I posted a list of about 34 here some time ago.)
Korean veterans exposed to Agent Orange:
most recent list from NVLSP
http://www.nvlsp.org/Information/ArticleLi...O-aoinkorea.htm
Hypothyroidism
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
I had a total Thyroidictomy on 2006 Nov,15. I put in a claim in March 2007 for Thyroid cancer under Agent Orange,i am also on Levothyroxine for the rest of my life. i also had weight gain,from 190 to 220, fatigability , mental disturbance, muscular weakness.
I don't know if it will be S/C right now but maybe down the road it will put on the agent orang list, at least i will have a retro date as to when i put in my claim.
Patrick