navydoc2

Papa, I am currently 70% SC'D for depression. No I have never been tested for PTSD, I'm sure my depression as well as my high blood pressure which is curretly under appeal for service connection have something to do with it too, in addition to my weight gain. I know if I give my blood pressure as a contributing factor now the VA will just deny based on my BP not being service connected. I wish I could get an IMO, but I just can't afford one right now.

Thanks for your reply Bergie. The abilify was for a service connected issue; depression. I am not taking it now, but thats what I thought I was doing claiming it secondary to side effects of meds i. e. weight gain. Is that not how you see it please clarify. Thanks again. /doc

How long did you take rehabing your knee. When I had surgery for my knees in 03, 05; the VA paid me at temporary 100% for 1 month, you may be entitled to at least that. Like Bravo said I would get a copy of the C&P so I could see the measurements as they are key in deciding percentages.

I have submitted a claim for sleep apnea this month. I am claiming that my sleep apnea is secondary to the weight gain from my meds; mainly abilify. I just received a letter from the VA stating that I have to prove that the sleep apnea goes back to when I was in service. It wasn't and that is not what I'm claiming. I have evidence that the meds caused my weight gain and I did not have sleep apnea until I had gained 70 pounds. I'm not sure where to go from here. Any thoughts? thanks /doc

Congrats to him, and thank you for helping. That is what it takes vets helping vets; each one teach one.

MEPS is the place where you went to get a physical, fill out all the paperwork, get sworn in to the military. I don't know if they had them in the 60's lol I was 5.

Do you have a copy of the C&P results; I would take a copy of it to my PCP and discuss it with him/her. Don't panic. Lab test have certain values and it could be that you are below or above those values in certain areas, it is required for them to let you know you need to follow up on that.

Thank you for your service. Others will chime in if I'm wrong, but here is my two cents. I think you can prove exposure to noise in service especially since you have combat exposure; the VA may concede that. They did with me for my tinnitis since I could prove I was in combat (Somalia). Tinnitis is rated 10% whether one ear or both. It will be difficult proving hearing loss since with the VA you have to be almost deaf to get it. You said you didn't have a hearing test when you separated; how about when you entered through MEPS, do you have a copy of that? If you can get a copy of that, it may be possible to draw a nexus with the help from your audiologist/doctor now. Hope this helps. Good luck. /doc

Berta that was an excellent post. I agree with Jbasser you should try for IU. It seems you have a nexus for being unemployable based on SC'd injury. I also think at the very least you are depressed because of your service connected issues. I am fighting to get my high blood pressure sc'd. I wish you the best and hope you keep fighting and living to spite the VA. Good luck. /doc

Allan, I don't know of any other treatment other than providing meds. My PCP told me the reason the VA uses levitra is because it has less adverse reations with high blood pressure, and diabetic meds. You still only get four per month. Vync I wish I had other health insurance, but right now it would be coming straight out of pocket entirely. I'm hoping to hear from SS soon and maybe use medicare.

I think the NOD advice has been covered. I would also make the suggestion that you go ahead and file for SSD while waiting for the VA to make their decision. You mentioned you were 55, it is possible that you could a favorable rating from SSD in a year or two. That would be well before you hit retirement age. This would also help if they decided you were disabled based solely on your service connected disabilities. I would recommend you using the date you last worked as your filing date as this gives you the best chance of getting the quarters you need, that with your service work history. Good luck. /doc

Whatever decision you make is entirely up to you! I'm sure you have thought it out and came to this conclusion. I do agree with the others you may be able to do it, however; trying to get it back may prove difficult. I would also consider that the VA could possibly claim fraud for the time you did receive benefits and try to get that money back.

Congrats! Did the tech wake you up in the middle of the night and give you a mask to wear during the sleep study?

My daughter gets chap 35 education benefits and she get 925 a month. I don't know if vets get more; I do know they pay vets for their dependents too if you have any. Good luck. /doc

I did not know this! I will ask next year, I live less than a mile away from two subway's. Golden Corral was good today; packed with vets.

I was awarded IU in Aug 09. I was given an exam date of five years too, but I filed a NOD in Nov and was awarded P&T with chapter 35 bennies in Aug 10. You could probably use your SSD award to request P&T, as long as its for service connected issues, don't want the VA looking for a reason to reduce you. Good luck. /doc

In my IU claim they waited for a responce after sending out the request twice. It took an extra 6 weeks; but after I talked to them via the 800 number, The proceeded without one of my two employers. The only emplyer that did respond would only say that I worked there from stated times, and would not comment on any issues that I had such as being late, or not showing up due to depression and chronic pain. So I don't think it played that big a role in the decision. I did have an unfeasibility letter from voc rehab though that went I long way I believe. Good luck. /doc

My PCP told me that viagra was not on the VA formulary, but I was given levitra. Less complications with high blood pressure meds. I got my PCP to write a script for cialis. I was going to get filled on the outside out of pocket; but it was way too expensive almost $250 for ten pills. I refilled my levitra and called it a day lol /doc

Your VocRehab counselor is right. They will only see you in dental from VocRehab if it is a dental emergency. You know what that means yank the problem out; no more emergency. I was in VocRehab a few years ago, and had a tooth pulled; when all that had happened was the filling had come out and i needed replacement. Good Luck What are you rated? /doc

That is good news! Congrats bravo! I am also waiting on reconsideration; the waiting is driving me crazy. You give me hope, to keep on keeping on. What a way to find out; I bet you keep checking that bank account lol. /doc

I was rated 10% for tinnitis, because the VA conceded that I was in combat; therefore exposed to noise that created a nexus. I was denied hearing loss claim though. I didn't pursue it anymore after being granted IU. I've heard you really have to be almost deaf before they will grant for hearing loss, at least thats the concensus of what I've found. Good luck. /doc

I received IU in August of 09, I then requested P&T shortly after that; on advice from this site and was approved. I agree the VA nor the DAV said anything to me about IU I just spiraled downward physically and mentally the last three years. I would not have even know what IU was let alone request it had I not come here. The DAV didn't tell me they just put in the increase on my request; without saying "hey you may be eligible for IU if you get increased to 70%." /doc

I went to Golden Corral for the first time last year and enjoyed it for that same reason Kelly. Good to see more and more places supporting vets.

That was funny John, serious but still funny.

What is the rate for SMC "S" anyway. I can also assume the onslaught of new C&P's if I request it right?