retiredat44

I have had several HIV tests all negative, they kept losing the tests I had and had to do them over again.. they thoughts I was infected because I was so sick,, also since I have pancreatic disease, hepatitis is a real possiblity.. plus, and at one time they had put in my records I was HIV positive, but I was not and had t have them fix my resords.. but I have only gone through the San Diego facilities..

When I went in for a checup after a very long hospital stay (5 months in hospital bed.. I was out for 3 weeks and was extremely weak, and would fal over and pass out if I tried to walk.. I made it to my checkup at my VA Clinic... they took one look, checked my BP, and called 911.. needless to say, I was in the hospital bed again for another month.. I have thrombosis of the Portal vein and necratizing pancreatitus..

first of all, free, or discount is helpful for many.. but, just some stories from my experiences... I used to hop around on Space 'A' alot when on active duty.. I cannot tell you how many times I was dumped at places that had no rooms to stay, or stuck for several days are some craphole... the price was right, but if you are not able to handle sleeping in plastic charis and psending several days in bad places... with/without a room or bed... then I would be very careful on using the space 'a' now, mind you about 30 years has passed since I went through this,, but I can't imagine that it has gotten much better.. but the price was good,, back when I first did it it was free, then they started charging $10.00 for flights to Europe... and they even threw in a sack lunch... IMHO

going into month 8 on waiting for my appeal hearing.. I appealed in October 2009.

I guess Thrombosis isn't common with most people that visit these froums.. or at least the Portal Vein or even the Splenic vein..

I went through years of appeals with SSDI because the doctors contiued to misdiagnose me. I was treated extrenely bad, as if I were a kook, and a druggie looking for pain killers.. I contacted my congressman, and went though indignity and indignity. I was trashed. I got screwed by everyone. The lawyers were scumbags. I had to fight it without help. I lost everything and was so damend sick. It's a horrible process going through any disability claim. You are treated like an animal, a drug seeker, a kook. I wil never forgive the scumbags and what I was put through.. I wish I could put my bad health into a needle and inject it into the scumbags... give the the problems I suffer from. The world is upside down. The worst people ever should get the disases, not the good people.

My VSO (Veteran's Service Officer) says to keep going for tests/treatment for all my conditions, including depression for my claim/appeal.. since I have to keep going anyways I don't find it any more work.. as I am in such bad shape that's the only way I can stay alive by always going for medical appointments and treatment.. a claim needs to show ongoing medical issues..

doctors at the va wil not give tests to help you support a claim... (through my experience..) you must be given a referal for a test for a problem that needs the test.. the doctor decides if you need the test..

I cannot figure out what the hell this means,, to me it looks like they are saying they can process more claims if they did not have to take the time to explain decisions.. is that what all this says?

I joined a class action lawsuit for heparin I received for about 6 months that was used to unclot my thrombsis in my liver.. a side affect occured that almost took my eyesight.. so I joined the class action,,

I have searched these froums several times for Hypertension and Portal Vein Thrombosis. Hypertension is common and also common for people who suffered from Hypertension in the service. I was diagnosed with Ypertension and treated fro it and also for chemical exposure while int he USAF. But I also suffer from Portal Vein Thrombosis along with the hypertension. It is in my claim and appeal. I am curious if others have Thrombosis too. I suffered from severe edema in the service from the jet fuel, and also suffer from it now. The swelling of the leggs (int he service I suffered from large swelling of my hands and arms from the chemicals. When I had an operation on my pancreas I almost died and suffered greatly from edema and huge swelling of my extremeities along with severe swelling of my stomach and leggs and feet. The Throbmosis was so bad I spent 6 months on Heparin to try to unclogg the portal vein (the veins in the liver from the intestines). Has anyone else included thrombosis, edema, etc.. in their disability claim? Just curious, as I have not found many people chatting much in these forums about these medical problems.. thanx,,

I to think of it as a savings account, but with these caveats.. I might die before my appeal is approved.. and I win. We are not doing well financially, my wifes' hours have been cut for a couple of years because of the lousy economy, and I am on disability.. Also, still trying to keep this as a first time appeals Survey thread.. I am guilty of talking a bit more about my thoughts though.. Wish I could have just put a Poll up, but the forum would not let me.. also like the ability for people to also post a bit more info... and expand on their circumstances.. It would also be nice if people post follow-ups to changes in their appeals.. It does appear it takes a year or more for an appeal to get a hearing date.. (for first appeal) =====

The VA appeals office sent a letter asking if I have more evidence,, I took it back to my VSO and he helped me fil it out, and with the NOD (which I had filed last year through the VSO, he also made double sure I am asking for a Hearing (DRO) (I hope I am getting al the abbreviations correct) so when I do get to the stage of the appeal, it wil be a local hearing, and the VSO wil represent me at my hearing. My VSO says the IMO I supplied and filed with my appeal is going to be the thing that get my appeal and claim approved. This wasn't the first time they have asked me to send in more evidence and medical records. My VSO tha tis just a delaying tactic to send letters out every few months to ask for more documents. My VSO keeps records of al the documents they sends out to who/where. and the date. The VSO (Veteran's Service Officer) aslo says that they have no idea how long it will take.. to get a hearing date, But, we send the NOD in late last year with the IMO (I paid the specialist doctor about $1,600) for the IMO/IME and go a report back in my focor about the size of 2 phone books, which was copied and send with the NOD to the VA appeals office. So, basically, I am still waiting on the hearing date. I just hate getting those letters int he mail asking if I want to send more evidence in. They have everything, and what I didn't send it, the VA hospital has records of everything. I could never file and fight this al on my own, I am way too sick.. Thanx all..

you proably had some service at some outside clinic and a long time has passed, and they finally got around to try to collect from you after they never got payment from anyone else int he chain... That happened to me, after I spent some time in an outside hospital,, I was getting letters f and billing from 3rd party doctors for services I never heard off. finally fee basis did agree to pay them.. Have you ever had services from some outside doctor besides the va... in the last couple of years?

I recently put the info of an organziation who finds IMO/IME docs to fit your needs.. they don't charge anything, you pay the doctor at the time of the IMO/IME. This info is in the IMO sectionin this forum. The organizationis in Southern California. You didn't say whwre you are located, and I am not sure if they do out of area referalls.. Good Luck note: there might not be near enough time to find a referal, get an appointment, and then have the exam, have the report typed up, in time for submittion.. mine took several months to get all that done to get it to submit for my appeal..

I put the info of an organziation who finds IMO/IME docs to fit your needs.. they don't charge anything, you pay the doctor at the time of the IMO/IME. This info is int he IMO sectionin this forum. The organizationis in Southern California. You didn't say whwre you are located, and I am nopt sure if they do out of area referalls.. Good Luck

I have been there, my wife is Colombian, I spent one week there in Cartagena, and a month in Colombia,a long while back..

I wonder if the longer the appeal takes, means that it has a better chance of being approved.. maybe if you get rejected it takes less time because you don't go through as many hoops.. but if you get approved, it means you went through so many hoops, it takes a longer time.. just thinking,, waiting sucks.. ;)

I put up the contact info ( a year or so ago..), for an organization that will research a doctor for you, and they don't charge a fee.. it's in the IMO section of these forums.. you tell them, what you need, they find a doctor, you see the doctor and bring records. You pay the doctor the fee. The docotr wrties up a report and sends it to you when done. This organization is on Southern California. I would like feedback from anyone that used it. I used it, and got an IMO/IME. I sent it in with my appeal last year. I am still awaiting word on any decisions made with my appeal.

I had my first claim approved on the first try 15 years ago.. but only got 50%, and now trying to get the full100%. and am on my appeal, after it being denied.. oops, I didn't understand what msr meant, I now read it .. 'medical records..' I had my medical records when I first filed my first claim..

When I went for an IMO, the docotr aske dme in depth about my work record and ecucation.. I had a neurologist asked me about my education and work record too How would they know, all they have is your word on everything.. Does the VA conduct in dpth investigation on your peronsal history, absolutely not, unless of course if you lie about soemething big ... and they have good reason, other than that they just take your word for everything.. They neuologist was trying t find out why I shake, trmor, etc. and he asked about my education,, he said that people with Dystrophy have learning disabilities.. I was trying ot find out if I have MS, and have been searching for answers for many years.. This neuro doctor says it isn't MS, but Dystrphy that cuase sme to termor and shake and unvoluary movements.. I do have several degrees.. While I was on active duty I was treated for tremors.. While in the hospital they kept asking if I had parkinsons disease.. I said I had no idea, I was stil trying ot get a diagnosis.. I am stil not satisfied, but at least I had some diagnosis.. I have a ton of problems and getting answers has been a very long time in coming.. P

50% is great! not as good as 100% but great because now you can have all your medical paid for by the VA! Excluding Teeth (more requirements are needed for dental care..).. and the money helps greatly.. IMHO

I have bene totally freaking out waiting on my claim too, and am afraid to look in my mailbox each day.. my last action was the appela and was submitted October 2009. So, seeing as to how you are getting some news on movement, that is very encouraging.. Just waiting is very hard... it always is.. Letdowns are extremely devastating.. Whenever they send those letters asking if you have any more evidence to submit is encouraging, as the last time I got one of those was March 2010. I am scared to call and ask anyone, I don't want to jinx anything.. Just hearing your info and progress.. gives me hope, and probably other people too.. :D

Ask your VA Hospital/Membership/benefits office about Fee Basis, they will give you the contact info.. I have no clue if Fee Basis has regional offices or just one.. Contact them and ask if you might be covered and get it in writing before you do anything.. or else you might end up not being covered.. if your back surgery is an emergency the VA should be able to expedite any needed care.. IMHO

if there are new laws, how are they they be enacted to clams already submitted.. retroactive, effective date? etc..etc..