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Thanks for the help folks! Yeah I will be in a splint for 2 weeks then when all the stitches come out I will be non-weight bearing (aka no driving either due to the cast on the right ankle) for a minimum of 12 weeks....YUCK! Thanks for all the help again!!!!

Thanks Baker...... How do I find out how to apply for this? thanks for the help

Good morning everyone.... It has been a couple years since I went through the battle with the VA on benefits. I consider myself someone who was one of the lucky ones that had my claim adjudicated in only 13 months. Here is my situation..... 1. Service connected as a total of 80% (debatable but gave up two years ago) 2. Rated at 0% for Right Ankle Instablilty My ankle has been blowing out for years....finally I simply cannot walk properly. 18 months ago I blew it out just walking across a parking lot and it took 4 months to see a VA doctor. MRI was taken and my ankle is shot. They said they would schedule surgery. Fast forward to 2 months ago .... I got scheduled finally for an ankle reconstruction! THANK GOD! In the meantime, my ankle is unuseable....walking more than 15 min or so is excrutiating. Fortunately for me, I have a surgery scheduled at the VA in less than two weeks. What I did not anticipate is that I will have to be non-weight bearing for 3 months!!!! No driving, no walking (Crutches), NO weight at all. To make things more complex is that my right hand has been essentially non-useable for well over 2 years. I got an approval through a non-va (Fee-Based) surgery but I will not be able to do this because I cannot put any stress on the hand....... So while at the VA a very nice fellow vet informed me that I should ask for an increase in VA benefits because of my ankle surgery. Is this true? Should I pursue it? I have a bunch of other issues that my initial claim dismissed but rather than pursuing them I decided to go on with my life. I was sent to the War Related Injury and Illness Study Center a little less than 2 years ago but the complexity of the Rheumatological issues (AKA...they still cant find a definitive cause for my problems) the doctors are still at their wit's end. My body is deteriorating and not one person can put their fingers on just what is going on.......long story I will spare. So in the meantime, is there a way to file for a higher disability rating for the ankle surgery? Am I just confused and got bad information? Thanks for the assistance......it is really appreciated. Mike

Pete, "keep plugging and don't give up" What do you mean by that? Also not entirely certain what you mean by the Form 9. My VSO has not been of much help and we are moving 500 miles away from this area in about 6 weeks. Also, some of the vets at the VA have said I should "Try for TDIU" but I explained to them that I have two areas that are 30%, nine that are 10%, and eleven that are 0%. Some may be, as I mentioned, should probably be at least 10% or at least reconsidered. Not entirely certain what TDIU is or if it is something I should even pursue. I do not want to waste the VA's time but to be honest, if I could pursue work at this time believe you me I would be! It is just really hard to have days that I feel good and then 24 hours later I am in the bed almost in tears. Pretty tough for someone who was always the first to volunteer and the last to go. Cheers :)

Hi Everyone, Just posting up a "Success Story" albeit a bit late..... I retired from Active Duty USAF last June. I was under the "Benefits Delivery at Discharge"..... The VA folks at the retirement briefings stated that this would hopefully allow members retiring to receive their ratings upon retirement ( or as the briefer stated within 6 months from the retirement date). I submitted my claim 3 months prior to my retirement date but was not scheduled for C&P exams until approx Aug.....two months after retirement date. However, they were all completed in September and my rating was delivered in January of 2011. There were issues....still are issues...however, it was a relief to get something in the form of a Yellow Envelope! Backpay was immediate and accurate. Are there some issues with my claim.....yes. Are they major....unknown. I was a bit concerned with the monthly "white envelopes" that stated my claim was still being reviewed. What that told me was that folks were at least aware of the claim.....good thing right? In the initial rating envelope (big by the way).......there were eleven items that were "deferred"......turns out that my C&P doctor (not the specialists) did not "hit the correct button".....he called me months ago and indicated that this was his fault and that my files were sent back to him. I was scheduled for several C&Ps with specialists after the records were returned and my SECOND letter was received in May. I will give credit to the VA for actually looking at my records. Even though there are issues, they actually DID read my records. How do I know this? (and for the rating folks please do NOT take offense as this is NOT intended).....well they actually told me to claim some things that I did NOT submit in the claim. The reason I did not is because they are minor issues compared to the health issues I have now. My fault for not claiming them but to be honest I honestly do not think they are major issues. After talking with some vet buddies at the VA on my med appts they stated to me unequivocally "CLAIM THEM". Perhaps I should........but to be honest, I simply want my health to get better. So to all of you that are participating in this program (retired in Jun 2010), every one of my peers that submitted their claims prior to their retirement had their initial ratings within 6 months (mine being the exception but I have some complex medical issues and mine was within 7 months). Best of luck and thank you all for your service.......it is FLAG DAY and I believe everyone should honor what it stands for...... I do NOT post links to things but I believe that this is a very worthy link....... For those of you that have not seen this please take a look at this YouTube from Red Skelton...........it is an explanation/meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance......

Hello Everyone.... I will apologize up front but things have been less than stellar on my end (not anyone's fault) but health is not doing so well..... BACKGROUND: Retired 1 June 2010 Submitted my claim under the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program with a VSO here in town. Had my C&P exams stretching from July 10 - Sept 10. They took a bit of time to get through but were professional and the providers that saw me seemed like they truly gave a darn about my conditions. I enrolled in VA healthcare in August of 2010. This was NOT an easy process and have shelled out several hundreds of dollars to see a doctor at times with the VA. (all prior to the rating decisions, some of the funds have been returned so that is a good thing)..... My initial rating (date on letter 25 Jan 2011) was determined to be 80% but 11 (eleven) issues were deferred...." We have deferred a decision on the following issues because we need additional information or evidence" I elected to just wait things out because of the 11 ratings that were deferred....not entirely certain (at the time) on just why these items were deferred but figured it was part of the process. In March (approx) I got an unexpected phone call from the VA doctor stating that he made a mistake and did not "hit the submit" button or something to that effect, on my claim. He indicated that the VA had sent all of my records BACK to him to review. I did not have an issue with this as sometimes "things happen" and we all make mistakes.....I was VERY appreciative of him taking the time to personally call me and notify me of the "issues" with my claim. Good on the VA for at least letting me know what was up! I underwent some other C&P exams, blood tests, etc later in March 11 and awaited the results. May of 2011....I received another "envelope" with more ratings on the claims that I had submitted originally. The overall rating of 80% had not been changed but there were several 10 and 0 percent ratings awarded. CURRENTLY: My health situation since leaving service has been on a downhill slope. I have two non-VA specialists that have been treating me for autoimmune issues for over two years. Getting the VA to talk with them has been a sore subject even though they are located within 10 miles of each other distance-wise. ISSUES: In the first "Rating Decision Packet" received in January 2011, I have some reservations on some of the information that they put forth. I was denied some claims that truly, I believe anyhow, were just plain incorrect. 1. Serologic negative auto-immune disease arthritis with multiple joint pain...... 0% I have had positive ANA tests while on active duty. I have also been placed on Methotrexate injections for the past 1.5 years to alleviate symptoms. Non-VA doctor has diagnosed this as Reactive Arthritis/Reiters Disease. There are many issues that are tied in with this to include abnormal hormone levels, elevated metals in the blood, strange red blood cell counts. The pain associated with this condition renders me incapable of even moving around the house about half of the month. Rating decision stated : A higher evaluation of 10% is not warranted because the VA examination and service treatment records did not show there is limited motion of a major joint or a group of minor joints. Comment: At the time I was being treated by a Non-VA Pain Management Doctor. 80 MG of Morphine per day and 10/325 Oxycodone 6 times per day probably had something to do with me NOT feeling extreme pain during the exam. I have subsequently stopped all narcotic medication, due in part to severe gastro intestinal issues, and simply cannot function for long periods of time walking, standing, etc w/o them but the relief from some of the gastro intestinal problems has been a good trade off for now. New Developments: Currently diagnosed with Raynaud's Syndrome....VA doctor (who did my exam for C&P stated I should file for this as it was not diagnosed at the exam time)....where my hands and feet turn colors and are extremely painful. Non-VA doctor states that this is part of my autoimmune condition. 2. Major Depression.... I have been treated on active duty and through the VA (thank god for my doctors) with many types of medicines and counseling. These have had varying success rates and to be honest, things have been going down hill. It takes a great deal of effort to communicate with family/friends and even respond to emails at times. I am not certain WHY I am this way but I attribute a bunch of this to my chronic pain and other medical issues that leave me staying at home for extended periods of time. Currently: Doctor has had me use several medications (effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin) and has now placed me on different meds to try and relieve the affected mood/depression. Not particularly comfortable talking about these issues but they are personal and I have no idea why they are going on. 3. Tinnitus.... Tinnitus was diagnosed in service in 2008. I was sent to civilian audiologists (records submitted with claim) who also diagnosed the same thing. I was exposed to loud acft noise (crewmember on AC130s) in the form of props, 105mm, 40mm, and 20mm gunfire for numerous years and continued c-130 engine noise til my retirement (approx 18 years total). Subsequent to a surgery in 2006, the symptoms (tinnitus) became exponentially greater than it had been. I am not entirely certain if it is because I was not flying during this recovery period of about 6 months or if it was the pain medication I was on. I am not a doctor...just a flyer. The tinnitus increased significantly after the surgery on my leg. VA stated: VA exam you reported onset of constant tinnitus after respiratory arrest/major surgery in 2006. Objective findings at the VA exam showed a normal audio exam. VA examiner diagnosed tinnitus and stated your tinnitus is not related to military noise exposure. You reported tinnitus began after major surgery in 2006 so may be related to this incident. Without medical evidence showing a current diagnosed disability and link to an in-service disease, event or injury, we cannot establish service connection. THOUGHTS: The tinnitus was on-going since the late 90s. At the time, it was not a severe issue to preclude me from flying. However, the tinnitus increased exponentially after the surgery that was accomplished at a military hospital (where I experienced respiratory arrest and spent a week in the ICU)...AND.....continued to get worse while continuing to fly C-130s until retirement. I am NOT a doctor as stated previously, however, how can this NOT be service connected???? I have no beef with the raters or the VA. I am just a bit confused as to how this process works. Several vet friends have stated that I should be applying for things or resubmitting my claim.....a bit overwhelming for me at this point. I think that I have to do something within the year (if I recall from this site...thanks!) so I assume I have a few months to get things squared away if needed. Finding work has been a non-issue at this time. I just cant right now. My biggest job right now is getting healthy. VA doctors have actually recommended that I try and see the Mayo Clinic soon to evaluate the strange blood readings and physical issues (many of them not mentioned in this post). This is a serious consideration as both my civilian and VA doctors are at a loss and both suggest a more intensive workup. 4. Migraines: Awarded 10%..... VA stated that...A higher evaluation of 30% is not warranted because the medical evidence available for review does not show characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months. My question is.....I have attacks now down from 2 per week to about once every 10 days or so. The times vary but they happen at least "once per month"...sometimes they happen in succession over a week to ten days and other times they hold off for a couple of weeks. I am prescribed Imitrex for them, I was on Zomig while on active duty for them, so just what does the VA need??? I think at times they just look at VA healthcare records. As a note: I typically "suck it up" and hunker down in the house for the majority of the issues. I have not and probably never will be a person that runs to the doctor when pain or issues hit. Have I made a mistake? These are issues that affect my life, my family, and my livelihood. I was diagnosed with TBI on the VA rating at 0% but there is no link to the migraines to this even though they started 6 months after my aircraft incident where the TBI occurred (both shoulders and jaw damaged). Any suggestions would be appreciated..... Thanks for letting me vent folks..... My primary questions are..... What should I do? Thanks for the help and taking the time to read this. :)

C&P man, The examiner probably used a "goniometer" which is like a protractor of sorts that measures your range of motion in degrees. As far as the tendonitis/degenerative ankle disease, I have no idea on how that is assessed. From my limited knowledge on the way the VA does evaluations Range of Motion (ROM) is how the assessments are made. I am very new to this so perhaps someone else will chime in shortly with some more information....

Phoenix, You are NOT alone my friend! I am sure many of us have regrets leaving the service and "letting down" your buddies. I would suggest, as others have stated, that you may want to request another MH professional if able. I have been seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist for issues that I have....if you are NOT comfortable with who you are currently seeing (as I think I get from your posts) then PLEASE try to get someone who you can honestly talk with. CommanderBob, Nice gunship photo! Did you photoshop it or did you get it that way? Right hand turns are a NO NO...LOL....I have spent many hours in "'68"!

Sorry for lack of participation here folks but life has tossed a few curves at me recently.....This thread (now that I have some time to devote to these issues ) really got me TICKED off...not at ANYONE here whatsoever, but this REALLY got me upset.... Carlie stated: Heck - a vet can have just a few days of active duty, suffer a TBI in basic training - and their whole life goes down the toilet. To Carlie... I agree with you MORE than 100%!!!!! I am currently trying to help someone (young airman) who I believe may have been "tossed by the wayside" because of only being in the service for a little over two years. I will take this to the GRAVE when I say this....ANYONE, and I repeat ANYONE, who serves this country in the armed services is a VETERAN....period dot. 99% of the nation has never had to write a blank check with their lives to defend the freedoms WE ALL enjoy in this country. LarryJ stated: ..... And, since that time, I have dedicated almost every waking hour that I have, to trying to help fellow veterans in their STRUGGLE with a recalcitrant VA system..... To LarryJ... I have "lurked" on this site for a bit and I am a relative "newbie" with regards to the VA/disability/claims/veteran's issues. What I have seen since you posted your "letter" a while back to help Veterans is that you are a NO BS type of person and truly care about your fellow vets. I thank you for this and I am glad that some people will be well served by your continued service!!!! My thoughts... Now my 2.5 cents. I do not know the individual or the intimate details of her claim, I too am a "reasonable man" and find that just appealing her case WITHOUT offering ANY new information is a travesty. As mentioned previously here, it is a waste of time to have to go through this while other veterans could be having their issues worked. If this was INDEED a "shotgun" w/o any new information, it was wrong. However, I do not know the individual NOR do I know the circumstances surrounding the appeal (aside from the link and the info in the thread). I can not pass judgment without knowing ALL the facts....nor should anyone else for that matter. Perhaps there were issues that we (folks here in this thread) do not know about. The issue that LarryJ brought up, is the KEY to this "discussion". The individual did NOT provide ANY information (that I have seen) that would have warranted an appeal. If that is indeed the case, and again I do not know, then it is simply a travesty that time had to be spent on the subject. This "waste of time/resources" could and SHOULD have been spent addressing issues that veterans do have...NOT simply a "let's see what I can get". One last thought to ponder, as Carlie mentioned time in service (in this case about 3 years) MAY not be a good indicator of an individual's medical problems. A TBI could cause a litany of problems associated with a single incident that might have NUMEROUS claims. (This is a generic statement that does not relate to this BVA issue, but more of a general comment).

Berta/Fanaticbooks, I will be one happy camper when I finally turn in all of this stuff. Still going around to offices to get the civilian records of stuff. Since I am still under their care for quite some time in the future, should I ask them to write some sort of a summary on what they think may be wrong with me? For all of you that have been down this path, and those who might be in the future, it sure is a stressful time. Simply gathering my thoughts and my records are one heck of a job to do. Also actually reading some of the stuff in my records tends to 'sting' a bit and bring back memories I would rather just assume forget. To me it would just be easier to have it all over and done with (claim) and await for an envelope than to go over all of this stuff again...but as you have all indicated, now is the time to do things the RIGHT way and make sure I have all my ducks in a row....if not, then (and I am sure something like this may happen) the appeal process may have to begin. I am very fortunate to have a beautiful, understanding, compassionate wife....she understands the stresses and puts up with me....LOL.....I wouldn't trade her for the universe! Regards, Mike PS....Is it acceptable or suggested to have your spouse attend the C/P exam???? What are your thoughts?

Agreed Broncovet! I would like to see just what is proposed BEFORE sending my support/opposal for this.

WTG ALPHAHEC! Congrats on the award for your dad!!!! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for YOU!

Vync, I can sympathize with your pain. I started out on Nexium and then the Gastro doc switched me to Aciphex in the morning and the evening. I was prescribed Zantac (150mg) to take at bedtime. The docs and pharmacist all stated that you should NOT take them together as I assume they interfere with each other. While the aciphex was not doing much for me, the doc put me on Omeprazole (prilosec) 40 mg in the AM and PM and continue the Zantac when I go to bed. I am not sure why any of this stuff is not fixing the problem????? What I despise is the nausea/dry heaves I have in the morning when I wake up......there has to be something else to do right? I have found that when it gets simply unbearable, I drink some "pink juice"....aka Pepto and that seems to alleviate the immediate symptoms but the effects go away within an hour. Mike

Cowgirl, Thanks for the information. I attended the Vets Benefits briefing this AM but started getting a friggin aura and I know what comes next within 45 min....you guessed it....sitting by the throne with a bag of frozen peas. Good thing that I keep and "emergency" vial with my needed scripts in it and was able to stave off the worst of it by popping a zoming and a naprosen. Feeling a bit better the past hour so figured I would post. What was awesome is that the woman from one of the VSO agencies was at the briefing. I chatted with her for a min or so during the brief in the back of the room She asked me if I would like to set up an appt with her to start my process. I explained to her that I was recommended to her by one of the VA folks that is actually using her to help appeal some ratings from the Desert Storm timeframe (apparently the VA person did not have a very good situation with another VSO agency in town and she told me point-blank to use this woman from this agency). I carried as much as I could from my medical records in my backpack....it was full and weighed a ton. I was pretty nervous because I have problems asking for help. I am getting over this rapidly, as I most certainly need some assistance with this pile. She indicated to me to 'remain calm' and don't be 'anxious'. I explained to her that I truly need some help sorting through all of this and that the backpack did not contain all of my information. She was VERY "to the point" and set up an appointment for the third week in February. I asked her what I needed to do to 'prepare' for the appointment and she stated that I should just bring ALL of the information that I have. I stated that I could review all of my stuff and list what I think are my most troubling conditions. She stated that we would go over EVERY PAGE of my SMRs and civilian records. I should just to fill out the VA Form but to not date it OR fill in the claims. I recall asking her, aura from the oncoming migraine was happening, if I should tab them etc....she said if I wanted to that was OK and would help a little but she really has to go over it all with me. She blocked out the entire day for this. I was surprised at how much time she wanted to spend....makes me feel a bit better that she REALLY seems to take her profession VERY seriously! Good vibes/first impressions go a long way with me and my gut says that this VSO is one I will be able to work with very well. I cornered a young airman that had just turned in his requested package (by the VSO) and she was going to present it to the VA today. I asked him how he felt about using this VSO. He stated that this VSO was THE best that he could have ever had assist him. Again that made me feel very good. I am relieved that I have finally gotten up the courage to get some assistance. My plan of attack is to get my "official" SMRs on Friday (that is the date the office stated they would be ready). 1. I will have two copies AND the 'unofficial' ones my friend made. 2. I will list all of the things that I consider most important and then tab the records themselves with sticky notes color coded referring back to each mention of anything related to the conditions. 3. I will also create a 3 ringed binder that will contain my notes on each subject with references to each of the stickies. 4. I will make copies of each of the pages that I have tabbed so that I have another set of "just the facts ma'am" for my own sanity. 5. One of the "official copies" of my SMRs will be put in our firesafe where we keep all important docs. 6. Soon I will make another copy or two of the "official SMR" and have them kept with my parents....just in case something were to happen to my 'fire safed ones'. Some may call me a bit paranoid, but after seeing some of the things here on HADIT, I want to be extra safe. Any recommendations or advice on my "plan"????? Regards, Mike

Sgt Sandman, As someone who is about to undergo the C&P process shortly (I believe I will soon) I have no idea what the instructions for your exam were. I do know that when I had an emergency endoscopy in December 09, my esophagus was sloughing off skin for about 1/2 of its length. The stomach looked as if it had 'salmon roe' coating the bottom to a 1/4 inch. With that being said, when I have had many BLOOD tests that required fasting, the doctor instructed me to take my regular medicines with just a sip of water. I am not familiar with the C&P instructions for what you have. What I would do is try to call someone who is conducting the exam...did they provide a phone number? If so express your concerns to them and make sure you tell them about all your current medications and ask what should be done. I am positive there are folks here that have already done this and they can probably chime in. As far as a Tinnitus exam....again I have not undergone C&P stuff for my tinnitus as I am still on Active duty, but when I was diagnosed with tinnitus the audiologist asked a myriad of questions....medications, exposure to noise, blows to the head, etc....what she was able to determine after sitting in the booth ( a no kiddin' QUIET ONE) was that I put up my hand when the tones put through the headset seemed to match the 'sound' of the tinnitus. She then zeroed in on the frequency that I indicated and increased the volume to the point where I stated it was at. The good thing is that mine was NOT as loud as I perceived it as.....I have been frequenting the American Tinnitus Association for a while and am trying everything to get the dang T-37 "Tweet" out of my head. Let us know how your C&Ps go!