sawgunner

June 27, 2011

I"m not in any kind of "police union".

It is a state department with a benifits package that includes a "long term disability policy". If I understand correct the short term pays 80% of my salery and the long term pays 60%.

I talked to a lawyer the other day who had me call Social Security asd ask them if I qualify and I do.

It may be an uphill battel but it's one I"m going to ahve fight at this point because I won't last at my job.

Gonna see what the doc says this mornning.

May ahve togo to another doc.

June 26, 2011

Thanks to each of you so far.

I hope to hear from more members here today and tonight, as I will be seeing my regular doc in the AM.

Cooter.

What did you mean by EED?

I know I should know that but I am soooooooo tired right now. I've not slept since yesterday and I'm running on fumes, but I can't sleep. Waiting to take my sleep meds cause I'd rather fall asleep a little later and stay out for the night.. Even though I work tomorrow night. :blink:

Also.....

My shrink is a super good doc and I think he will link the insomnia and anxiety to the chronic pain. He already mentioned sleep and momeroy and concertration in a nexus letter for the Chronic Pain claim. It was the sleep doc who stated that it was an (anxiety based insomnia). I thought my condition at that time was sleep apnea alone.

Anyway... I just got to many damn things wrong with me. All chronic. I take several RX drugs each day and I"m sure I"ll be taking something new for IBS. My bowls have been messed up for atleast the past year and I have tired over the counter meds. My doc told me if the last round of stuff she recomended didn't work, that she'd be sending me to a G.I. specialist.

I honestley should have gotten out sooner.

June 26, 2011

Ok.

I work as a police officer.

The other day I had an incident at work where I had a melt down in public, in front of the Chief.

A bunch of stuff that was not my fault led up to it and the Chief does not seem to blame me but other on the department do. Now, I don't really care to get into that right now except to say that I had to work 2 extra shifts and had to provide traffic control for several hours on my days off and the pain along with all the other crap just got to me. if I we're not in pain and on alot of meds, I may have been able to handel it differently.

I have never had any dealing with Social Security.

Let me tell you all my issues and then let me know what you think my chances are.

First off....

I'm 33 years old, soon to be 34.

I have the following.

DDD of the lumber spine. (service connected)

DDD ceverical spine. (service connected)

GERD. (service connected)

Snapping Hip Syndrome. (service connected)

Incomplete paralysis/reduced refelxes, arms & legs. (service connected)

8 total ratings of 10% each for a total of 60%.

I am also diagnosed with the following which are being heard by VA now, or soon will be.

Chronic Pain Syndrome with depression.

Insomina caused by Anxiety. ( gonna try to get the doc to link all that to the chronic pain claim)

Mild hearing loss.

Tinnitus.

Neuralgia/Tingling in my hands and fingers and my legs fall asleep.

E.D.

I am diagnosed with...

Mild positional Sleep Apnea. (Not sure if I can claim that with VA)

I am pretty sure I will soon be or can diagnosed with the following.

IBS.

Arthritis. (left wrist and shoulder)

The pain from my hip and back, along with my insomina and all other conditions are making it hard to work. i don't do well witht he public anymore and work night shifts, alone... By choice.

I have not been on the road now for several years and bassicaly have a light duty type of jjob that alot of retired cops do part time.

Based on my age....

What are my chances of getting social security at this point?

And from there... If I can get my chronic pain claim rating fairly... to the 60% or above level, what are my chances of 100% IU?

I seriousley doubt that I can last another year at my job and if I lose it, I"ll also lose my retirement and long term disability insurance.

That's another matter.. The long term disability insurance at work.

Ok guys..

What are my chances???

I"m at my witts end at this point.

Also....

When I file for SSD, do i file on everything I am diagnosed with or just pick the most serious conditon.

I dont know much about SSD and this is some scary sh**.

How much will my 60% rating help with SSD?

I know I"m rambeling but I'm kinda freaked out.

:unsure:

June 26, 2011

I had to go through my congresscritter to get my records.

Actually.... In one case I called up the medical records office on post and asked the lady I spoke with to give me her first and last name...

She asked... Why do you need that information??? I responded with... My congressman has asked that I document everyone that I speak with in reference to my VA claim... "He did not tell me to do that".. She gave me her name and within seconds I had the records that I had been trying to find for over 5 years. It was like magic.

Good luck to you.

Hang in there ans stick with it.

It sounds to me like you have a very strog case.

June 23, 2011

I am still working , allthough I am starting to think that I should not be.

I am service connected for eight 10% ratings for a total of 60%.

June 17, 2011

Vync.

The VA sent me the same machine.

June 16, 2011

I take it from another post that you are still in the Coast Guard?

How long has the bone been broken?

What have they done to try to fix it?

Give us a little more back ground?

June 16, 2011

I think I've heard of such a thing but I can't remember where I heard it.

I have a hard time remembering things.

:unsure:

May 18, 2011

Ham.. I may be wrong about that. It's been a LONG TIME since I read it.

Let me know in this thread if you find anything on it abnd I will try to look it up also.

About getting more for ROM... I don't know about that... I guess it depends on how bad it is. I only have 10% each for lumbar and cervical.. Infact.... I have am service connected for 8 different issues. All of them at 10% each for a total of 60%.

I would ahve thought that my neck would qualify for a higher rating based on ROM but again, I only recived 60%.

Also... I don't think the middle spine will show much in the way of ROM.. Not like the neck and lower back would. I don't think the middle spine moves very much but again.. I could be wrong.

May 18, 2011

I wqas medivaced to the hospital and recived several bags of fluid and was placed on light duty for the remainder of summer camp.

I was told that prior heat injuries are more suseptable to heat in the future. I know that I oeverheat very quickly and have to watch what I do in the summer months.

This took place while on state NG orders.. It happended at summer camp.

I remember that training got shut down that year due to heat injuries.

May 18, 2011

I was told I would nto be able to get my cervical spine service connected as secondary to my lumber spine.

I went to the doc and got a letter stating that the DDD in my cervical spine was at least as likely as not caused by the DDD in my lumbar spine.

Service connection was granted at 10% for my cervical spine.

I am going to have my entire spine x-rayed for DDD. I have pain in the center of my back that is tender to the touch during an exam... If an xray shows DDD there, I am going to file on it.

If you are having low back pain, sounds like you need to also have your lumbar spine looked at.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to recall reading somewhere that VA rates the entire spine at a minimum level rating of atleast 40 or 50% if DDD occurs in the entire spinal system.

I may be wrong about that... I am only rated at 10% lumbar and 10% cervical... I have more pain in my lumbar spine but I have VERY limmited range of motion in my neck.... I feel that the 10% is a lowball figure.

I am hopeful that if I can get my middle spine rated, perhaps my overall rating will increase. Overall rating for the spine that is.

In other words.... I believe that "if I read it right", even if that rate my middle spine at 10% also, it would not add up to 30% for my spine.. I think.. I THINK the rating is more like 40% - 50%, or mabey even 60% if the entire spine is affected by DDD.

I am going to try to go see several docs this summer to arm myself with letter to assist me with my next claims. Middle spine being one of them.

Good luck.

May 11, 2011

Does the VA recognize injury such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke?

I did not have a stroke but went down for heat exhaustion twice and I remember being told that I would allways be suseptible to heat injury in the future.

I have never seen it addressed here and was just wondering.

May 9, 2011

I have a stupid question....

Carlie... You said something about RX drugs.....

What does RX mean? I ahve seen that several times and I know that I should know what it mean but I don't.

Also...

To the OP....

If you are service connected for prostate cancer and have issuses with E.D., then you need to file for the E.D. also...

It pays a seperate ammount from regular disability but also is counted as 10%, if my understanding is correct.

I know the E.D. is common in prostace cancer victims.

May 8, 2011

Forgot to add this part in the ratining for my reflexes...

* We have assigned a 10 % evaluation for your decreased reflexes which are considered mild. An evaluation of 10% is assigned for incomplete paralysis below the knee which is mild. A higher evaluation of 20% is not warranted unless there is evidence of incomplete paralysis below the knee which is moderate.

So... Again I ask the question.

Can i still file for Neuralgia or a nerve condition affecting the nerves running down my legs and arms, or would they have allready been covered in this decision.

Thanks alot guys.. I know this is a tricky one.

At least it is for me.

May 8, 2011

Ok...

This thread will kinda tie into my recent thread on Chronic Pain Syndrome.

Back about a year and a half ago, I filled for Chronic Pain Syndrome as secondary to DDD in my lumbar and cervical spine, as well as to my IT Band Syndrome/ Snapping Hip Sundrome in my left hip.

Most recently, I was denied for Chronic Pain Syndrome and Depression secondary.

However....

Prior to being denied, I was give an award for increase of my original conditions.

It all went down like this...

*I filed for chronic pain as a condition in and of itself.

* VA saw it as a claim for increase in DDD and Left Hip based on increase in pain.

* Recived C&P exam.

* Was awarded 40% increase based on VA eximaners opinion that I suffer from "reduced reflexs" in all my extrimities. 10% for each arm and leg as secondary to the DDD in both the lumbar and cervical spine.

At the time of this rating award, i was rated at 30% total. 10% for DDD lumber, 10% DDD cervial, and 10% left hip.

I have sense been awarded 10% for GERD as secondar to DDD for anti-inflamitory drugs.

OK....

I am going to file a NOD on the chronic pain decision.. VA stated that chronic pain was not a condition but a symptom. I know better.

But here is my question for this thread....

I told my VA doc about the fact that my fingers have been tingeling of late and that my feet and legs forr asleep pretty frequently.

He sent cream that is used for neuralgias/nuralgia.

Question.... Can I file a cliam for NEURALGIA since I allready have a rating for decreased reflexes in my arms and legs????

The VA rated my decreased reflexs in the following way...

*Service connection for decreased reflexes of extrimities has been established as related to DDD. It lists each one seperatly.

It goes on to say.... This disibality is not specifically listed in the rating schedule, therefore, it is rated analogous to a disability in which not only the functions affected, but anatomical localization and symptoms are closely related.

So.... With all that being said....

* Can I file for Neuralgia for the nerves in my arms and legs as secondary to DDD, or will that allready be covered in the decesion that gave me to 40% for reduced reflexes?

April 18, 2011

Carlie.

I"m not sure what all the letters mean but the doctor is a psychologist. He also teaches psychology at the college level.

As far as my original rating goes, pain was a factor in deciding my claim. I recived 10% for DDD in my lumbar spine and 10% for the IT band syndrome in my lefts hip.

Pain was used to establish those claims but I have never been service connected for just pain. And my understanding has been that Chronic Pain Syndrome is a seperate condition and rated under mental health.

I guess the question now is... Can I file for the Chronic Pain Syndrome since pain was used in the first decision?

I just got back from my service rep's office and she began to prepare the NOD. She thinks the CPS should be rated as an issue by itself and that depression should be rated as secondary.

I am going to go back to my Doc and get him to refer me to someone for a 2nd opinion, someone who will write another letter.

I also have an appointment with VA mental health for the very first time this week.

I am going to ask the VA mental health worker to give me an opinion on this denial.

April 16, 2011

File an appeal. Chronic pain disorder is a psychological and physical condition that results from the experience of chronic pain. It is usually accompanied by depression, insomnia, effects of pain medications and other problems. You can only be rated on one mental disorder and chronic pain syndrome is considered a psychological disorder. I am SC'ed for it. Do you use the VA pain clinic? Do you see a psychiatrist at the VA?

I am seeing a VA psychiatrist this week for my sleep condition that has been diagnosed as an anxiety based insomina.

VA doc asked if I was ever deployed, then asked about the anxiety/sleep condition. Then stated something about stress and being National Gaurd.

I figure I will tell the VA psychiatrist about this situation and see if I can get a letter from her for my appeal.

But I would like to know exactly how any such letter should be worded in order to combat the VA's denial letter in a most effective manner.

April 16, 2011

Hello all.

First let me say that I am stunned and in a bit of a state of shock to learn that I have been denied.

I thought I had all my ducks in a row and had VERY strong evidence in my favor.

I am service connected at 10% each for the folling conditions.

10% Iliobial bany syndrome, "Snapping Hip Syndrome".

10% DDD Lumber spine L5, S1.

10% DDD cervical spine at C5, C6.

10% GERD secondary to lower back and hip for the use of pain meds and anti-inflamitory meds.

10% reflexes for each arm and leg sceandary to the DDD in my lumbar and cervical spine.

I have a total of eight 10% ratings for a total of 60%.

Last spring I was diagnosed with Chronic Pain Syndrome with depression by a private Psychologist. He wrote a wonderful letter on my behalf stating that my CPS "IS" caused by my service connected condictions.

I will post that letter in this thread.

At the time of my diagnosis for chronic pain syndrome, I was only rated at 20%. 10% for the DDD in my lumbar spine and 10% for the IT band in my left hip. The VA had used "flet pain" to determine my first cliam that got me my first rating of 20%.

The folling is the letter I used in support of my claim for Chronic Pain Syndrome.

To Whom It May Concern at VA.

Please be advised I have evaluated the above named Veteran for his complaints of Chronic Pain.

I understand his service connected injuries are now well documented in your file. I will opine as to the presence of a chronic pain syndrome and wheather it relates to his service connected conditions. Mr. sawgunner has provided for review medical records pertaining to his injuries and medical treatment.

A review of those records indicates the presence of a service connected iliband syndrome of the left hip and DDD L5S1 conditions. I have also reviewed and evaluated Mr. sawgunner's complaints of chronic pain.

It is my opinion that sawgunner's complaints of pain constitute a Chronic Pain Syndrome and that this chronic pain syndrome is directly related to his service connected medical conditions. The intensity, duration, and frequency of his pain are consistent with this diagnosis and the nature of his service connected medical problems.

I additionally believe the medical problems and resulting Chronic Pain Syndrome haas a significant impact on his day to day functioning, affecting concentration, momory, irritability, frustration tolerance, mood and mood lability, and his ability to interact socially. There is a negative impact on Activities of Daliy Living and result in a Global Assessment of Functioning in the 60 range.

I also believe Mr. sawgunner manifests depression as a direct result of the chronic pain he experiences. The prognosis is now gaurded, reflecting the chronicity of his condition. Mr. sawgunner has agreed to being outpatient treatment for his Chronic Pain Syndrome.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

sawgunner's doc, Ed.d,LPC,NCC

Next if a follow up to that nexus letter from my primary care who is a PA at my local clinic.

To Whom It May Concern at VA.

This letter is to acknowledge the receipt and review of Dr. ********", Ed.D, LCP, NCC, letter in regards to the said patient, sawgunner. Patient is currently under my care with a diagnosis if iliotibial band syndrome, being treated with medication regimen conjunctively with physical therapy. Sawgunner began taking Pamelor 12/2009 and has been taking this alongside and NSAID, Voltaren, most recently. Past treatments of primary pamelor did nto provide total relief. If there are futher questions, please contact my office.

They forgot to mention the Lunesta I take for sleep along with the several injections and oral steroids.

Here is the letter I got today from VA.

We determined that the following conditions were not related to your military service, so service connection couldn't be granted.

Chronic Pain Syndrome secondary to ilioban syndrome of the left hip and DDD, L5-S1.

Depression as secondary ro all service connected conditions.

We determined that service connection for the purpose of establishing eligibility to treatment is denied.

Blue pages...

The records reflect that you are a veteran of the Gulf War Era.

We made the folloing decisions on your claim.

1. Service connection for chronic pain syndrome secondary to iliobial ban syndrome of the left hip and degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 is denied.

2. Service connection for depression as secondary to all service connected conditions is denied.

3. Service connection for the purpose of establishing eligibility to treatment is denied.

( I don't even know what number 3 even means and did not know I filed for it).

1. Chronic Pain Syndrome left hip and DDD L5-S1.

The evidence does not show that chronic pain syndrome secondary to IT band left hip and DDD L5-S1 is a disability in and of itself. It is a symptom associated with iliobial band syndrome and DDD and has been considered in those service connected evaluations.

Rating decision dated September, 2009 granted service connection for iliobial band syndrome of the left hip as well as service connection for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1. Each of the evalutions were assigned using pain as the reason for the grant of 10% service connection. Aseperated evaluation for chronic pain syndrome of your back and hip conditions would not be warranted as you are already reciving compensation due to pain for these conditions. A seperate evaluation for pain would be (PYRAMIDING). An evaulation using the same symptoms under a seperate diagnosis is to be avoided. Therefore, service connection for chronic pain syndrome secondary to IT band syndrome left hip and DDD L5-S1 is denied because you are already service connected for these conditions due to symptoms of pain.

Service connection for chronic pain syndrome is denied on a direct basis because chronic pain is not a disability, it is a symptom.

***** ( That last part is news to me as I understood Chronic Pain Syndrome to be considered a mental health issue, rated by itself) *****

I smell a rat with that last part.

2. Service connection for depression as secondary to all service connected conditions.

The evidence does not show that depression is related to any service connected conditions, nr is there any evidence of this disibility during military military or post military service.

A review of your service treatments show that on January 26, 2003, during a pre deployment health assessment you stated that you were under psychiatric care at that time. There were no detail regarding the care nor were there any additional records to show further treatment. No other mentions were made regarding psychiatric care in your service treatment records.

**** ( That part is pure bull-crap) ***** The reason I was psychiatric care at that time was because of the deployment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Grandmother, who I had lived with my entier life and was very, very close to.. Had become hospitalized upong hearing that my National Gaurd unit had been deployed for the war.

***** My Grandmother died as my unit was making deployment preperations and I left home within 2 days of putting her in the ground. I was in a state of shock and utter sadness that i can't begin to describe to you.*****

*****It was the only time in my life when I can say that my thoughts were not my own.. I was not able to focus my mind in any one direction. I was totally numb.*****

I also WAS under psychiatric care for Ft. Eustis... No.. It was not included in my medical records, no was the PT I was in over my back and hip, or anything else that pertained to my back and hip.. It took years and my Congressman before I could secure those treatment and medication records. THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN MY MEDICAL RECORDS.

Back to the VA's letter.

Treatment records from Dr. ***** show that you were negative for anxiety and depression in December 2009. We have no additional information regarding a diagnosis or treatment for depression. Since there is no current treatment for this condition it is determined that the mention on psychiatric was acute in nature. A disibility which began in service or was caused by come event in service must be considered "chronic" before service connection can be granted. Although there is a record for treatment in service for psychiatric care, no permanent residual or chronic disability subject to service connection is shown by the service medical recordsor demonstrated by evidence following service. Therefore, service connection for depression is denied.

3. Determination of service connection.

Gulf War veterans who develop an active psychosis or any active mental illness during or within two years from the date of seperation from such service or within two years of the eand of the war period, whichever is earlier. You were discharged on June 7, 2003 and served during the Gulf War period. There is no diagnosis for a psychosis/mental illness. Entitlement to treatment is not established because a psychosis/mental illness has not been diagnosed and /or was not diagnosed within 2 years from your release from active duty.

Ok.......

I would like to point out at this time that I did not file for depression due to the events of my Grandmother's death and my deployment. However, I might if I am able to do so.

The VA states that they did not know the details of my care back in 2003..... The deployment was the whole point to my care then and the Doctor I saw then, the same Doctor who wrote the above letter.. (The first one) Recomended that I not be deployed under the mental conditions I was in at the time. I was deployed anyway and pent 5 months with my Unit at Fort Eustis VA before having our orders cut.

During that time I re-hurt my hip and back that I first injured at Ft. Leonard Wood back in 1998.

It's odd that I saw my VA doc for only the second time at the local VA clinc yesterday and we were talking about my sleep apna like conditions that were deteriment by the Sleep Specialist to be an anxiety based insomina. The VA doc made me an apointment to see VA mental health for the very first time next week.

Should I bring all this information up to the VA mental health doc????

And how should I counter-attack the VA's letter with new letters of my own???? I want all my ducks in a row before I file my NOD.

If anyone here would like to discuss this case with me via e-mail orover the phone, I'd be more than happy to post my phone number in a PM.

If you guys need any other information... Ask away.

Thanks so much.

sawgunner

April 1, 2011

Should I have recieved my benefits pay yesterday on the 31st?

I allways thought it went out on the 1st of the month.

February 7, 2011

I thouhgt we were not allowed to discuss politics??????????

I once mentined in a thread something about a certian leader who had abandoned vets and was shot down for it real fast.

But I do see a pattern here.

I suppose whats good for the goose is not for the gander.

September 13, 2010

How much is the funding fee?

How much can you save?

September 3, 2010

I won't get political....

But there is no way in the world that this site or any other like it should encourage you to be silent on the mater of politics.

If a leader promises veterans that he will walk on water for them and turns his back on them as soon as he takes office....

THIS MUST BE DISCUSSED!!!!!!!!!

It is fool hearted to ignore it.

September 1, 2010

Thanks you sooooooooo much Berta!!!

Yes.. He was in Vietnam.

His Sepsis was cause by a urine infection... He had to wear both bags after his first cancer opperation.

I"m not sure what kind of colon cancer he had. I will be trying to find out.

He had never been to a VA hospital.. "refused to go to the VA" And he had not filled a claim.

sawgunner

September 1, 2010

What does it say on the death certificate as cause of death?

Sepsis infection.... This after fighting cancer for 2 years.

September 1, 2010

Can a vet's widow file for comp on a husband who was exposed to AO in Nam and died of cancer?

My uncle past away last moth and WOULD NOT have anything to do with the VA. He was terrified of the VA.

He had prostate cancer, which is covered byt the VA as presummed.... But his cancer started as colon cancer.

Is there any hope for my aunt to file on him now?

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