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smilen66

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Posts posted by smilen66

    Hopefully, Good News Is On The Way!

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    Will work for food :huh:

    At least you will work for it1 :P Some folks in the family are waiting for that day, also. Fortunately, this is one time I kept my mouth closed...they have no idea of when! They will probably sniff it out, though.

    On a serious note, after 11 months it has to be good news...riiiight, riight?

    Dealing With Pain

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I take my morning and evening meds which includes baclophen and naxproxen with milk (lactose free). Sometimes, I did't feel like eating a snack or meal before taking meds. so what worked for me is milk and sometimes a slice or two of cheese (if I run out of milk). I think the idea is to protect the stomach lining.

    In addition, my doctor prescribed ranitidine/zantac because of the baclophen. "Ranitidine is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. Ranitidine works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces." www.drugs.com

    Hopefully, Good News Is On The Way!

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    This morning I was told by Rep.(1-800 #) that my notification letter was sent on Friday (9-21-09). Of course, I was disappointed I didn't receive it today and of course I checked for a deposit in my account. I hope it comes tomorrow and I hope I get a good night sleep! As you can probably tell, I'm really excited/anxious.

    White Matter Brain Lesions

    in TBI Traumatic Brain Injury

    Posted

    "Anyone with neurological symptoms should study their diagnostic tests like MRI's & catscans very carefully."

    I agree. I believe some doctors (mine didn't) don't discuss all the findings of an MRI with their patients. My doctor only discussed c6 with me and wrote a prescrip. for physical therapy for it. I received my MRI report online and to me it seems a lot more is going on. Any thoughts on this report? Thank you.

    FINDINGS: There is diffuse straightening of the cervical spine. Normal

    bone marrow, cord caliber, cord signal, and inferior intracranial

    structures.

    --C3-C4, left greater than right mild to moderate uncovertebral joint

    degenerative disease and small posterior disc bulge cause mild bilateral

    neural foraminal stenosis. Negative for spinal stenosis.

    --C4-C5, uncovertebral joint degenerative disease and left greater than

    right facet degenerative disease cause mild left neuroforaminal stenosis.

    --C5-C6, posterior disc bulge with superimposed right paracentral and

    foraminal protrusion moderately narrows the spinal canal. There is no

    cord signal abnormality at this level. Severe right and mild left neural

    foraminal stenosis.

    --C6-C7, broad posterior disc bulge effaces ventral CSF without

    contacting the ventral thecal sac. Negative for spinal stenosis or neural

    foraminal stenosis.

    --C7-T1, there is no evidence of disk bulge or neural foraminal

    narrowing.

    IMPRESSION: C5-C6 posterior disc bulge and superimposed right paracentral

    and foraminal protrusion moderately narrows the spinal canal and causes

    severe right neural foraminal stenosis; this corresponds with a right C6

    radiculopathy. No C5-C6 cord signal abnormality.

    P.S. The cervical spine was part of my claim but I didn't have this report yet.

    Psych Doc

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Notice of Disagreement is the start of an Appeal although you really don't have to call it a notice. It really means not much at all unless you complete and fill in a Form 9.

    All Veterans need to study up on filing a Form 9 as you must include language that points towards your appeal including that all medical records including tests, and xrays and Doctors notes and SMR's be used to decide your appeal.

    It seems that iof you do not spell it out than the VA ignores it.

    Thanks, Pete53.

    In Rare Cases A Veteran Can Have Ssd For One Reason And Va For Another.

    in Social Security Disability Questions

    Posted

    Smile,

    Don't lose sight of the fact that SS and VA are two different organizations. SS's evaluation is can you or can you not work. VA's is service connection disability. Sometimes the two mesh but it sounds like not in your case. If you still cannot work, why inform SS. They are concerned with the stroke not the other stuff. The only time they would need to know of a change is if you get better and can work. If you were to go back to work and not let them know, that would be a big no no. Otherwise, it is just making work and stress for no reason.

    fanaticbooks

    Thank you very much for your input!I was thinking about the possibility of SSA terminating my benefits, since I have improved from the stroke. I can't work because the army injury was exacerbated by the stroke and the residuals of the stroke. I hope that makes sense. By the way, I have been told often enough that I'm my own worse enemy (think that's how it goes). I will leave it alone until there is a ssa reevaluation. Thanks again!

    Rating Board

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    "Just found out Friday that on Thurs my claim was at the rating board YAAHOOOO!!!! But before jumpin 4 joy, any feedback on how long it will take- 6 days, 6 months 6 YEARS!"

    I sincerely don't want to put a damper on your high spirits but this is "my experience" so far. In June 09, my claim went from rating team to post-determination, then back to rating team in same month. On July 17th, a decision was made on my claim...I haven't heard any new news since that time frame. I guess it is safe to assume they are doing what they need to do in order to finalize the process for my claim. Just think... the process is all down-hill now! Yeah!

    I wish you well!

    Student Loan Discharge

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I receive SSD and I applied for federal student loan forgiveness and was told that my income was over the national poverty level (I think$13,000.00 yearly). I tried to explain that my income was less on disability than when I worked and the money wasn't there. However, they still denied me. I will continue to follow this thread to see what others are saying and doing in this situation.

    Thanks

    In Rare Cases A Veteran Can Have Ssd For One Reason And Va For Another.

    in Social Security Disability Questions

    Posted

    Pete53: "In rare cases a Veteran can have SSD for one reason and VA for another."

    Pete53 and Other Members, the above statement applies to my situation. My SSD was awarded because of a stroke in April 2007. I have not recovered completely from the stroke. It left me at being a high risk for fall,right sided weakness, intermittent numbness, expressive aphasia, and nerve pain in right hand and arm.

    A decision has been made on my V.A. claim however, I have not received anything official.

    My claim was for DJD in neck (bi), back, hip, right shoulder, tear and cyst in rotator cuff. Bony abnormaltives were found in neck, shoulder, and back. In addition, bursitis in both hips (right mostly). My most recent diagnosis since this claim was filed is a bulging disk in c6.

    All of the above are mostly (90%) problems with the right side of my body but I am now having problems with left knee and ankle because I favor that side when walking.

    I don't want to rock the boat with SSA by updating my claim (if it is possible to update) but I don't want to lose my benefits after a reevaluation with SSA for stroke. What should I do...any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance!

    Claim Rated!

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    If I was hurting for money I thin I would wait on dog taxes.

    Good Luck I hope it comes quick

    I did have to wait 5 and 1/2 years for mine and I had a simple rule. I paid my mortgage and my utility bills and told the bastards that called on credit cards they had to wait on Uncle Sam. Most of them got it and I caught up later. I bought a 5 dollar id for my dogs but did not pay the 35 dollar city tax for my dogs and I get the divination for the dogs in the country and still don;t pay Dallas City Dog Taxes. When they start making cat owners pay the fee I might start.

    "If I was hurting for money I thin I would wait on dog taxes." I agree. unfortunatedly I've received notification ( 3 weeks ago) informing me they were garnishing my check in 30 days. All I can do is wait it out...it is really out of my control.

    Thanks for your wish of luck!

    Claim Rated

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    Great balls of fire! I got my white envelope on 7/17/ 2009.

    My recondsideration claim came in on 7/17/09 & my spine was increase from 0% to 20%. Great! My disabilities increased to 60%.

    My hip condition was 10% but it was not increase. Not good. This means I will file a reconsideration claim for an increase base on N&M evidence.

    Also, I will file a recon for my depression which was low-rated at 10% on 2/9/09. This recon will be base on N&M evidence that I had in my possession. I will fire my DAV rep tomorrow for giving me bad advice.

    Recondsideration claim is the best way to go. I filed this recon on 4/20/09 & got a decision & rated on 2/17/09. This is great! Praise God! Chow!!!

    but did not use because my DAV rep told me not to use & I followed his advice.

    Congratulations! I happy for you!

    Claim Rated!

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    I hope by the time you read this...you have already received your official letter and big fat deposit. Unfortunately I am going to unintentionally burst your bubble.

    I received my rating on May 18th, it is now July 27th, I have yet to receive my retro pay or my official letter. I have been bounced back and forth to from finance, authorization, and the rater 3x since May 18th.

    Rest assured the info you have received is most likely correct, it just may take a bit longer to have in hand. I pray for yours to come this week and that you don't go through the anxiety that I have been through. Some day it will be done :rolleyes:

    Many Blessings!

    4myboys, thanks for bursting my bubble! On a serious note, I'm so very thankful I'm not in dire straits yet. I have a few unexpected bills (car and dog taxes)that need to be paid and I applied for a deferment on my student loan just this morning. Other than that, I'm holding on by a thread but still holding on.

    Which VARO is handling your claim? Maybe, since some handle claims faster, one of us will get theirs this week or maybe both. My prayers are with you too!

    Oh yea, I did call the 1-800 number and gave them my banking information.I guess veterans don't make that kind of call often because he got off the phone and came back to say he would take the information.

    Pleasant dreams about lots of $$$$$$!

    Claim Rated!

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    You can call the 800# and they will take your bank information over the phone.

    Wow, I make that call later this morning. Thank you sooooo very much! Thank you, also Cowgirl your response sparked this one! Brainstorming is POWERFUL!

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