VetsLady

Several years ago my husband went to the VAMC received an examination to be included on the "Agent Orange Registry" - he had already been denied sc and an appeal had been filed. I located the report and EKG that was done that day by stopping at the local VAMC FOIA room and lo and behold, there is an EKG from that day indicating up on the top bar "Cannot rule out Inferior Infarct, age undetermined" and abnormal ECG I remember seeing this EKG before, long ago and pulled my copy out and this language was not on top. Whenever we asked his docs at the VA how his heart is doing, they all said "okay, within normal limits" The emergency room he was taken to early last year did an EKG and told us about the "inferior infarction" - age undetermined Took the report to his VA doc and she did another .... this was 4 days after the ER visit. The report indicated that compared to the EKG done at the VAMC 2 years prior, "The QT has lengthened" nothing else was indicated I think about what you went through Berta and immediately made an appt for my husband with his private cardiologist and we're dropping these four EKG's off at their office today so she can review them. Interestingly, I just found another piece of evidence ...... he saw the private cardiologist in May '04 on a referral for chest pain. Findings were a right bundle branch blockage. The Agent Orange Registry EKG was done in Sept. '04. Seems logical to me the silent heart attack occurred somewhere between those two dates. AO examiner also ordered a chest X-ray and there was left ventricular hypertrophy found to be present. I'd be most interested to hear any comments or ? that anyone may offer.

Most likely within the next 2 - 4 weeks but as many have said, check the bank account, your decision could show up as a deposit in your account before you receive the hard copy decision in the mail. Good Luck ...

Could be a review of the evidence already in the file or, ordering a C&P to establish the current rate of disability. Hang tight, at least there is activity on your claim. Good Luck ...

Here's to a very favorable rating decision ... hang in there, it's almost done. I will be looking for your "hallelujah" post in the success forum.

We just did this, AAFES price-matched AND saved on the tax. The commissary will also accept manufacturers coupons. This can be a huge savings (with a little time and effort put into the process of clipping coupons) and is well worth it.

Wow ! Wonderful news on your claim decision. Sorry to hear of the nature of the disease for service connection but victory prevailed, that is what matters. Congratulations ...

Somehow I missed responding to this post.... DM2 diagnosed in early '90's along with HTN and CAD. Filed claim in early '03 - service connected in early '08. (Had an uphill battle proving boots on ground but prevailed) HTN and CAD was part of the original claim but denial was not appealed (had a VSO then) --- Veterans, another GREAT reason to KNOW what is in your claim, on your claim and to keep track of the who, what and where of your claim. No one has a more vested interest in your claim than you. When a veteran is sick 24/7, a little paperwork is way too much to handle sometimes. EKG in early part of this year indicated Inferior Infarct, age undetermined and right bundle branch blockage (ER visit) EKG in late '04 at VAMC showed right bundle branch blockage - no indication of Inferior Infarct Silent event occurred somewhere between late '04 and early '11 --- pretty certain there was another EKG done in between these dates at the VAMC and I have the medical record but will pull it out tomorrow to check. Can say with almost certainty there was no Inferior Infarct listed. And, actually, there were 2 QTC exams involving an EKG -- am waiting to get this claim finalized before requesting a copy of the claim folder. Recently read somewhere on Hadit that neuropathies can diminish the feeling of a heart attack in a patient. I do recall specifically a day when he was sweaty, heart pounding, nauseated and out of breath. However, with all of his medical issues, it would not be uncommon for him to feel this way and, it passed rather quickly...lasted a minute or three and hasn't happened since. Except for the high BP readings: BP readings are consistently high, the ER visit early part of this year showed readings of 167/69 -- 167/68 -- 171/73 -- on BP lowering meds, my G-d if not his heart would explode. VAMC doc issued a BP cuff and it is checked often. VAMC doctor advised "everything is fine, don't worry" -- what ? "Don't worry be happy ... ?" Still lucky to have private insurance and the VA as back-up....my gut instinct is telling me it is time to get to the source.

An Ebenefits account needs to be opened first and from what I understand, veterans can sign up by calling the 1-800 line. From the Dashboard, navigate to "Access my Documents" .... this is where the letters mentioned are visible (if one is available) ... From the Dashboard, navigate to "View my Status" and from there a drop down menu opens where you can navigate to Compensation and Pension Claim Status.

The "letter" refers to a service connection or discharge as you mentioned, commissary privileges for 100% service connected veterans, application for 10-point veteran preference, etc. I'm not one to rely on the information 100% from Ebenefits or 1-800 however, there are notations of evidence gathered, receipt of a QTC exam (no results are shown) and the regional office handling the claim(s) and for that and that alone it would be worth getting an account set up. Oh, and perhaps having the ability to print off a letter of entitlement for the commissary or, a benefit amount letter if needed for a home loan. My veteran has a few claims still pending, interestingly enough claims with dates after this last and hopefully final claim are shown as complete, while the older one sits idle. The best way to find out information is a walk to the mailbox. Many veterans probably call the 1-800 and get a different answer from a different rep most of the time. Ebenefits, although it could be a great tool for the veteran to keep tabs on their claim(s) is not much better than 1-800 which is vague as Ebenefits until the claim is finalized. Just my thought on the topic....the claim is done when it is done and VA would not want to provide inaccurate or misleading information to the vetera via 1-800 or by signing on to the Ebenefits site. Setting these thoughts aside, it is still worth signing up for an account to obtain instant access to benefit letters or finding out which office has your claim.

Nice to wake up on the first day of a brand new year and read this happy news !

Moody... It is very tough waiting and waiting, especially in a dire situation. We too went through a horrible wait for eventual service connection and all cases are different. Still, it doesn't feel good to hear "be patient" when it seems like the only thing left is patience......BUT, patience is what you need right now, reaching out to others on this board, whether they are veterans or their spouses. Know that you are not alone and in the comfort of many, those who have gone through this process before and who are still in the midst of the whole shebang. You too one day will be offering words of strength to veterans waiting for their decision.... I know too well how hard it is to wait, be patient and let the VA do their part while at the same time taking care of a gravely ill person not knowing where the next meal is coming from. All I can offer to you is the same advice the others have, plus I would add: try to find something, perhaps a writing journal, writing freely about whatever and however you feel at any moment or, one thing I did was to visit bookstores and look through the travel section dreaming of places I have always wanted to travel to ---- I also set aside and made myself stick to it a certain amount of time to deal with VA crap each day. When the clock signaled my "VA time" was over for the day, I set it aside. It helped. I also set time aside each day for meditation or, just sitting quite for 5 or 10 minutes if my mind was running rampant on any given day. Doing mindless projects helped also as I was taking care of my husband at the same time (and still am).......and, proudly do so. For me, cleaning was a great escape. If we had a crystal ball the despair of the waiting game wouldn't exist. I do understand how a claim can overpower your life, if you let it. As you know, you are part of a great group of people who care...... I hope you receive your decision very soon.

Whoops in my last post, it should have indicated the rater disagreed with the QTC doctors report because ....... the doctor stated the claimed issue was on the wrong body part, the doctor reported the correct body part, the rater did not Looking back, I certainly could have and should have called the VA out on this raters incorrect statement of the facts. It's water under the bridge now, the rating ended up coming in at total but it took a BVA hearing to get it. Hopefully Veterans will see the importance of having a copy of their claim file and reading it. The posting error was because I was cooking and posting at the same time. Thanks for bringing it to my attention Pete so I could clarify and not impact the thought of a Veteran. Of course the Bloody Mary had absolutely no involvement.

If your pain is causing you severe depression then the IVDS is what is causing the pain, right ? As John writes, you have the service connection now and it can only go up from here. His advice is solid. Another possibility is if you are on medication that prevents you from doing your job correct or safely, that can add additional fuel to your claim.

Errors do occur in C&P Exams, they also occur during the rating process. In my husbands claim, the QTC doctor got it right. The rater disagreed with the QTC doctor and denied the claim - again. He/She had the audacity to state in the SSOC the QTC doctor was wrong...Can you believe that ? We filed an appeal, won the claim and he was eventually sc for this single denied issue at 100% on its own merit. In the meantime, we obtained an IMO/Nexus from his private doctor and that was the the clincher. We probably could have filed for CUE, or something to the tune of a CUE, but at that time my husband was very ill and his health was the primary focus. Having an IMO and/or Nexus from a private doctor or, obtaining one from an independent source proves invaluable in some cases such as my husbands. The advice here is to remain present as you are in your claim, no one has as vested an interest in it as you do.

C file = Claim file

So many disabilities are invisible - ignorance is the biggest disability of them all.

This is good news H-man ! What a terrific day to receive splendid news.... If the letter states benefits for Dependents Educational Benefits and ChampVA, your award is P&T... If it states you are eligible to apply for TDIU, then it's not yet a P&T decision but would suggest you pursue it. Again, outstanding Santa surprise for you ~ have seen many awards come through this month.

Moody, This is a great forum to be involved in and yes, it does help add a sense of "something is getting done right" at the VA...... It was a frequent stop of mine during the waiting in line process.

NJ..... Yowzers !!!!!!

Absolutely NOT ! never feel bad, ever ...... as many have said, you have earned these benefits and pfff---tttt to those who scoff, ignore them. Once, we were parked in a disabled spot with a placard on the rear-view mirror. We had our bicycles loaded on the bike rack on the bumper of our car. We got out of the car and started to walk into a restaurant when an elderly lady parked next to us in a disabled spot exited her vehicle ( and was ignorant for a moment, until I educated her ) .... scoffed at us, saying loudly "Pfff...tttt, how can a handicapped person ride a bike ...?" Ah, I politely told her " The only handicap was hers in assuming a disabled person could not ride a bike" ..... my dearest can barely walk but enjoys a bike ride on flat ground, even if it's only for 15 minutes, it's his joy. When we went to pay our bill we found out it had been picked up by the same elderly lady. These are your benefits....the only reason to feel bad is if you don't use them. Please, please do.... (((( hugs ))))

Congratulations on receiving your award and, thank you for your service ! It's heartwarming to read of the many awards that are coming through this month...., a friend of mine finally won a 7 year battle with Social Security Disability, receiving the news and $$ yesterday. Will hope that all those still waiting will start receiving news as well. I'm very happy for you....!

A family member was advised by a home health care worker about the best way to discard of medication that is outdated or not being used is to pour it into a bottle or can, add kitty litter or coffee grounds and shake. The medications dissolve and can be thrown in the regular garbage. I haven't tried this yet......anyone else here about this or another way to destroy old medications?

VA RX told me to phone in the refill request for my husband's pain contract medication a day or two after he receives his current month. Since I have been doing it this way, he hasn't run out. (knocking on wood)....

Doing a Happy Dance for you ! I remember the day we received this same news and what a sigh of relief it was for our family. As Carlie said, not great news you need this benefit but terrific that it finally came through for you. Highly reiterate .... spend wisely.

NJ .... With your 100% SC will come many other benefits such as Chapter 35 educational benefits for your spouse and/or children (not sure if you have a spouse or children), ChampVA medical for your family members and, depending on your effective date, you can re-coop any out of pocket expenses for medical deductibles, co-pays and prescription co-pays or if no insurance coverage, then any out of pocket medical expenses. Relax and enjoy now, this is something to do another day or, save it for early 2012. Very happy you received this news today although, officially it will arrive in the form of a deposit or via US Postal Service. Instead of checking e-benefits you can now check your bank account ! Much more positive of an experience.