retiredat44

here is the one I used.. and I got it notorized.. http://www.makeyourwill.com/

I appreciate the help here, and don't mind giving out needed info.. I think I already said this, in a post a while back. My IMO/IME was from a doctor who once worked for the VA. She now specialiazes in Medical exams and claims for insurance companies. She did my exam and I gave her medical records. I got back a package the size of two phone books. My VSO (veterans service officer) said what she wrote was exactly what I needed. She included some language stating it was likely my condition was likely a result of injuries and illness from my active duty service. This doctor knows her stuff. She specializes in toxic chemical injuries for those that worked with chemicals used in both petroleum industries and. and jobs that use petroleum chemicals, and chemicals made from petroleum chemicals. These chemicals are used in many industries and jobs. It is huge and at this time I really don't feel like reading through it... I just don't feel well... I have so many papers, I wish I could find everything I need faster to show different statements. If I put all my records together (they are close to each other, but hard to get through them..)..they would fill a file cabinet. If my health record was not so convoluted, I would be able to put down something easy to write and read. It is not. If I had, say one or two problems, like a heart and leg problem, that would be easy to write. (I don't mean this in a mean way, I am just trying to say that I wish... it was easy to put down my problems in an easy way..) I am a mess. Sussing out what/where/how is very difficult. I know earlier someone asked my record and the number for my hypertension readings (while I was on active duty), I still have not found the papers.. I should go look. again.. they are buried in huge stacks.. plus it depresses me to look through them. I still have unopened records I got copies from my stay in the hospital and they are the size of two phone books (no joke,, two large yellow pages). I am afraid to read them. I went through absolute horrific hell.. From what I have seen on the doctor's computer, I am in deep crap for my long term outlook.. that's more of what I saw when they look up your records during an appointment.. It had information that freaked me out.. I just want this nigthmare to be over.. I know some more info is always wanted.. I really just wanted to know if I will need go for an exam for my appeal.. they never asked me to go for an exam before they denied me.. This time my records will make all those VA claim people work their asses off.. They will need a team of many, and my records alone will make them work overtime for a very long time.. My father, a Navy disabled vet (now deceased, smoked and drank) they gave him 100% without question, the first time. He smoked cigs and drank (beer), never spent one day in a hospital until he died. I did not smoke and had very few beers, spent a long time in the hospital, yet they are putting me through the ringer.. It's not like I got to pick which diseases I would suffer from,, and chose a nightmare of diseases form some list... If so, I would have chosen : 1)none.. 2nd choice, some disease that the VA would not use to make my life more of a HELL !

I think I already gave my Fee Basis story here, a while back.. my main suggesting is to get prior written approval before you take any steps regarding Fee Basis.. so there are no misunderstandings.. ==============

The VA in San Diego has many surgeons that work both at the VA and UC San Diego.. so you get the best of both.. of course the type of surgery you need/get may not give you any choices.. I have had surgeries.. =================

yeah, I got a last will from one of those legal website for about $10.. it might have been on sale.. but still, shop around, there are several legal website, like legal zoom, legal zoom is a bit more expensive than some other websites with the same forms..

1) Just saying that I sent my IMO/IME in with my appeal, after the denial.. 2) I don't understand about the SSDI question, I only said that I am on SSDI (maybe I should not post that as it makes no difference about anything for a VA disability claim as far as I know.. and it was a convaluted decision..too much of a frakkin nightmare and hell I went through (20 years ago..) when I got that after I went through appeals..) SSDI for intestinal disease and depression.. They fought me with denials and appeals.. Back then I could not get a decent medical opininion, SSDI treated me as an animal..It makes me angry everytime I think about the abuse I took during the SSDI process. I have no clue if they know about it (it's in my VA records..), I don't know if they even asked... if was asked, I answered.. 3)TDIU ? I haven't been employable for 20 years and can never work again.. (if that what TDIU means..). No sure if I ever filled out whatever a TDIU form is.. It has been an unblelievable amount of paperwork and records I have had to go through,,, I could not even imagine anyone able to go through all my records, not sure if it's humanly possible.. Ok, so for my question and answer, I will be getting an exam by some VA doctor for my appeal? I have been having exams and operations and treatment for 20 years.. if they want one more exam on top of the truckload of medical records...

I never got an exam for my claim, then it was denied, now I am in the appeal process. I have never gotten an exam notice for my appeal. I have already posted lots of info, and have read lots of info,, but I am still unclear whether or not the VA will have me go for a medical exam. I have been under medical care by the VA for many years, so they don't need any medical records from any ourtside sources. The only outside sources I had hospitalization and treatment was from Kaiser many years ago after my active duty. I had those records sent to the VA so the VA has copies of my medical records from all sources. I then went full time to the VA hospital for a long term illness. I have been under a doctors care at the VA hospital for illness for 15 years. But, since I filed this claim, I was never sent for an exam. many years ago, I filed a claim, and was sent to a doctor. I got 50% rating back then. I also have SSDI. I am trying to get the full 100%. Should I expect to be sent for any exams? My VA Disability Claim appeal started in November 2009. Last letter I got was asking if I had any more evidence (February 2010). note: I also sent them an IMO/IME report I got from an outside doctor who specializes in IMO/IME's I have a Veteran's Serice Officer helping me with al my claim and appeal papaerwork. Thanx.. (I know this process can go on for many years.. from reading lots of stories here..)

I found some data on VA claims appeals: this data is a few years old.. http://www.vetscommission.org/pdf/Disabili...ration-ch-9.pdf

with all the of the responses it sounds like an appeal could go on for many years.. that alone will make my waiting miserable.. I wish, but wishing doesn't help.. :D

I suppose the worse thing that happend is when my operation went bad and I ened up in the hospital six months for an operation that was only suppose to last a couple hours, and then go home in a few hours.. instead I am now crippled with the necratizing pancreatitis.. but, there was a chance this would happen, and it happened, so I am not sure it's anyone fault,, except that my injury started when on active duty many years ago.. because of chemical exposure and illness... Oh yeah, when I was complaining about having the severe pain for many years, I then felt a very large mass.. nad it was pushing out of my stomach area under the ribs, and not only could I see the huge bulge, but it felt like I swallowed a softball and it was trying ot break out like in the alien movies.. the docotrs said they could not detect anything there even with their hands.. the next year.. it turned out to be a massive cyst on my pancreas.. 8 cm in size, pushing on my duodenum.. stomach, and intestines.. that was what led to the operation story above this paragraph.. which they finally acknowledged when the Cat Scan showed the massive cyst.. the next thing is having had I am HIV positive in my medical records when I am not HIV positive,, it's just they kept testing me and losing the tests,, then soemone entered that I have it in my medical records.. when in fact I am not HIV positive.. The VA hospital and nurses, and doctors have treated me very good.. ===========================

no I thought of this nose problem as totally indpendent of headaches.. , it is just one more on a long list, just caught my eye and since I do have it, and had it back then, I thought I would ask.. also this forums gives me info I can't get eleswhere,, I don't know other people with the same condition.. I never heard of anyone with this mucus like silicone substance,, very very odd.. it may take a month to get rid of with medicine, if ever..

Maybe the wait time is regional, I have no clue, but would also be nice if people stated a location, maybe by state... no need to be real specific, if you don't want to.. I have no desire to gather info, just wonder if these longs waits are in some states but not others..

I had sinusitis while active duty many years ago, I have it bad now. I have had it very bad epecially after spending 6 months in the hospital on a feeding tube.. I don't want to get gross, but the inside of the top of my nose is very swollen and fills with a puss like thick mucus every day.. they gave me antibiotis and spray, but it has not helped yet.. It will show up in my VA medical records whith my claim and appeal, my claim is very expensive and covers many problems,, so I cannot put it all down in a few words.. I had hypertension, excema, headaches, chemical exposue, was hosptialized with pnumonia and stomach disorders on active duty too.. I just am unsure how the sinusitis comes into this claim and whether they look at all illnesses or only what you claim on the form.... it's just all way to difficult... to many problems,, but all documented.. any other ideas on sinusitis ? how much weight it carries in claims and appeals.. thanx..

Please try to keep this as a survery thread.. thanx.. also trying to make sure that this is appeals, and first time appeals,, if 2nd, 3rd and 4th appeals are added this survey gets muddy.. because if this is say 2nd appeal, than it is not indicative of the length of time of the first appeal.. so please, state if it is an appeal,, maybe a just a little info about the appeal.. and length of time the claim has been on appeal. If you have a 2nd appeal, or more please use a new thread.. thanx..

I was truly thinking the average appeal would be about one year, no more than two tops. WOW! this is really sad..

How many people are waiting on appeal, and how long has your appeal been pending for an answer of approved or denied? I am in month 5. Appeal sent in about Novemember 2009, with help of my VSO. =============

I found out that you probably cannot get a VA doc to write an IMO You need to find a specialist for the area in which your claim is for. it maybe expensive, there may or maynot be travel if they are far from you. Look in the IMO section of this website. I myself like going through a VSO (vet service officer) but others do not. I did the research and did find an agency that found me a doc. info in the IMO forum My for claim I got 50% many years ago, I currently have a claim and appeal in for the ful 100%. I submitted an IMO with my appeal. Either way, it's along hard struggle and you have taken the first step here.. Good Luck!

I go the VA pain clinc very often and under both physical and mental treatment.. I go to meetings for help.. I can truly say I broke down many times.. there is no quick fix... you can only do what you can do... 20 years of extreme suffering.. follow the advice of many others and get into a program.. they will not give you any magic, but you have nothing to lose..

A doctor may not write a nexus unless they know the process and have the knowledge about the process the condition, and your condition. The VA will not accept a nexus from a doctor that does not specialize in the field or medicine that the nexus is for. Their specialty needs to be the knowledge and experience of the nexus condition. Any doctor could write a nexus, but it will not carry weight with the VA unless that doctor has the professional credentials and knowledge for the condition. These doctors usually do nexus work fro insuanrce companies, and not for private individuals. But, some wil do the IMO/IME for a high fee. You need to bring that doctor all of your records and info. They may examine you. They may charge per inch of papers (records). I wish it were as easy as some people suggest. It maybe for some people, but for others, the condition maybe complicated, hard to find a doctor for many reasons. Like the condition for which the nexus is needed. The fee, whatever it costs, can be negotiated. But, in the end, it is up to the patient to decide. I have sumbitted a nexus from an IMO, and am still awaiting the decision from the VA appeal. It is a long and difficult process. You just don't know anything until you get the responses. having a VSO is of immense help. Especially being very sick and very difficult to think. I posted a comment (in the IMO section) on how I found place that specializes in finding doctors who write the Nexus letters. You contact that agency (free) they help find a doctor for you. The doctor (if they find one..) will tell you what they need from you. Good Luck.. :) You tell them your situation, they try to find a doctor that meets your needs.

I am not calling it negligence, I am calling it an outcome. The surgery went bad. The outcome was bad. I don't want to say something that maybe not true. There was a small percentage of possibility of getting this disease from surgery. And I got it, it is permanent. There is no cure. just clearing things up.. ===========

I have no teeth, they were disased and had to be removed. Intestinal disease destryed the teeth because they could not get the nutrients and lost the enamal because of the intestinal disease. The VA refused to help, as I am 50% rated disabled by the VA. So, I went outside the VA healthcare system and hyad them all pulled at one time. There was no chance of saving them at all. I have dentures. But, they need adjusted. would the VS cover asjusting my dentures, are they prostthics, I mena covered as prosthetics, and not dental? It probably sound slike a stupid question, but they are prosthetics and not teeth.. thanx..

it is a permanent condition.. so it all boils down to if it is SC. thanx.. I guess I will find out in the coming months in my appeal.. =========== convalescence definition con·va·les·cence (-ləs′əns) noun gradual recovery after illness the period of such recovery

If a vet has surgery and a condition gets worse. Example: I had lived with illness from intestinal disease and was also already rated at 50% fror chemical exposure and illness from when I was on acticve duty. But I had a cyst on my pancreas, 25 years after I was dishachaged. I just recently had sugery at the VA hosptital to remove the cyst. It deleveloped into full blown necratizing pancreatitis with many complications from the surgery. Does the necratizing pancreatitis count as a condition as if it happened on active duty or does it not count as service related. I am curious, as I was readfing about surgery and medical conditions, and whether they are service related or not, and can be if they are done while under care at the VA hospital. thanx.. I hope I did not make this confusing.. :)

I was turned down last year. I originally filed for my 50% to be increased to 100%. I filed around June 2009. I was denied around October 2009. I had an IMO/IME and submitted it in repsonse to my Denial in an Appeal two weeks after I recieved the denial. I have a VSO helping me. My IMO was around $1,600. It was very extensive and was the size of about 2 phone books. I was getting the IMO during the summer of 2009, and this was while my first application in 2009 was still in the process, but was not complete and ready to submit until October 2009, just in time to submit with my appeal. I am still awaiting for a decision on my appeal. note: I am shocked to see people with 100% that look far healthier than I am. Of course I do not know their medical histories, though sometimes they tell me some details. But, still, if I was on the same scale, and they got 100% I should get 500%. Just my feeling on how some people get rated. Some people just get 100% without a fuss, others suffer for many years and never get more than 50%. Only thing you can do is live and try. IMHO I wish I could tell you all that's wrong, but I would crash the hadit.com server..

The VA removed one of my catracts in 2007. My other catract is still not bad enought to operate. I also have a Choroidal Nevus in one of my eyes. They are sending me to specialist to have it photographed again. ====================== '