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VetsLady
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Posts posted by VetsLady
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thanks and thats what I need is people that can relate and I wanna help other folks as much as I can that is where my passon is helping vets and there families I hope one day to be able to do that full time.
You are welcome.
While waiting for a very long appeal process that ended up in DC and was eventually won, I had many days where I didn't know if I could do another day of waiting patiently. Many times a rope was thrown my way by members of Hadit and I found great comfort and strength in helping others whenever I was able to.
Keep up the faith and when it feels a little thin, we'll hand you a ladder.
In the meantime, look through all of the forums, read what you find interesting and stay connected.
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Moody.....
You are smart to join, reach out when you need to. Someone here has either been through it, is going through it or, will go through it dealing with claims issues with the VA. This site has invaluable information, tons of research available and most importantly, a connection to people who understand.
Welcome...
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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)....
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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.
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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.
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Wonderful news for you NJ !
Now, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Your stood your ground and prevailed.
Carlie,
My desk is cleaned off, well .... at least the junk mail is tossed, bills paid and I have a neat stack of magazines set aside to look through later.
Thanks for the laughs !
Way to Go NJ !!!!!
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Laughter does wonders, doesn't it ?
Carlie, have you seen my desk ????
I'm cleaning it up today.
Good Luck NJ.....
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Ok now they have sent it from "The recommended decision is reviewed, and a final award approval is made." to Review of evidence, this ever happen to anyone else out there! I mean there C & P doc wrote I have 1 -3 Mets for CAD,
and for TDIU wrote, As a result of the veterans significant Coronary history and residual of Chronic Stable Angina, he would be unable to hold positions in either Sedentary or Active Employment.
What more would they want, Sorry just venting!
NJ
It's another layer of Quality Assurance the decision has to go through. Claims often go up and down the ladder as checks and balances are reviewed. Frustrating to say the least. Claims always have at least 2 layers of checks and balances (at least from what I understand).
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Listen, new here and appreciate immensely all the info. I have received ....thanks to all...not the most patient person in the world, and ihave all the time in the world to check for replies from you all....don't leave house much as I can't cope with knuckleheads out there....I always say there could be 500 people at a grocery store and if there is one ass---- there I can find them....goin to doc on Monday to up my meds as staying home just isn't cutting it anymore....thanks again for all your insight....still don't know what the hell 800 # meant when told my file scanned on Dec.7th...
A filed scanned by the VA = the information/file has been scanned into the VA computer system. It's how many large organizations and financial institutions receive and store information in the "digital era" we live in today. The paper evidence, letters, whatever it may be is scanned into the system for storage, every piece of paper is listed. ChampVa does the same thing as do health insurance companies. Still, I like to know there is a paper trail someplace and create one by sending inquiries in to the VA via IRIS and print them for our own file.
Hopefully this answered your question.
Any time you want to reach out or vent, this is a good place to do so. As I mentioned in a prior post, many a ladder was thrown my way before my husband received his decision ... some of those days were the darkest days I've ever had, except for those days when my hero is having a very bad day with ailments too many to list.
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Vetslady,
Thank you, sometimes it is just so hard, but I know we have to keep up the fight.
I will just try and think positive!
Wishing you and your Husband a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
NJ
Glad I could ease a bit of anxiety for you ... I've had plenty of life preservers, rope and ladders passed to me in our over 8 year battle with the VA.
Humor has a way of easing tension, here's a little for you. I was talking about the VA with another Veteran today when quite accidentally, when referring to the "VA" I said "BA" in error ! We both had a good belly laugh and wow, did I feel better !
Happy Holidays to you as well.
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Thanks Carlie, I went to look at it again, now it has me back to the Development Phase, I called the 800 number and the guy tells me, he does not understand what happened,
he tells me my claim was 100 % completed and then for some odd reason they sent it back to the Development phase and does not know why! I'm so confused! I'm just
so frustrated you finally have some hope and they tear you back down again!
NJ
NJ ...
These claims go up and down the ladder sometimes for no other reason than to make sure the t's are crossed and the i's dotted. Try (and I know too well how hard it is) to set it aside. My husband's claim has been doing the same jumping jack dance these past few weeks.
I hope you hear something soon.
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Thanks for advice...13 months is crazy though, don't you think....
Thirteen months seems like a long time, especially when waiting. Looking backward, the same amount seems like minutes.
My Veteran waited 5 years before his 1st exam, imagine that. Extenuating circumstances and alot of red tape got in the way, but as a timeline 5 years to receive a C&P exam was outrageously criminal.
I hope you receive your decision sooner than later and that it is favorable.
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Always "plan" to have another C&P and if none is needed, it's a bonus.
My husband had a extensive C&P in early January. In July, they called him back for another exam to "determine his current condition" - we still await the final decision for this part of his claim(s).
In a prior claim, one that went all the way to the BVA with a win-win, he'd had extensive C&P's ..... the BVA decision came back favorably and the Regional Office (RO) needed to rate him. Even though he had more than enough evidence in his file for a 100% P&T rating, the RO requested another exam "to determine the current condition" ... it had been quite awile since his last exam. And, at this exam, the doctor checked BP, conducted a 2 minute "hello how are you" exam and it was over. That was it.
Stay positive, it can be tough to do (I know from experience as many here do also) .... try not to worry about what hasn't happened and use that energy to remain focused and a step ahead.
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Well done, very happy for you usmc 1979.
Woo ---- Hoooo !!
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This is good news to hear and, yes, there is so much help and support on this site to aid Veterans and their families it is overwhelming. I too know those tears, the salty and the sweet ones...and, believe me, a ladder has been thrown my way more than a time or two.
I heard your sigh of relief as I read your post. Very happy day for you indeed. For the entire Hadit family.
It does feel good to share the knowledge and pay it forward as you say.
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No one really knows how long it takes, every case is different, complete evidence on submission, another C&P exam, then later (if the decision takes too long) a C&P exam (YES) for none other than to see if the Veteran is still standing (happened to my Veteran) - we asked the doctor why he was there, he said the VA wanted to know his current condition (after numerous exams 6 months prior).
I am sure I'm not alone when I say "I feel for you" --- and won't go into how long it took my husband to receive his sc for his first condition (the 2nd went to DC via an appeal that he did win) - HIs first C&P exam was 5 years AFTER he filed. Go figure. Some may wonder why 5 years. Initial decision denied. Filed DRO. Let the VA obtain all of his records (who really knows how long this took?). Denied again. Field appeal. Proved in-country service in RVN. Partial win. The rest of the claim went to DC.
As Carlie mentions and so many others, be sure to get a paper trail (via IRIS) --- 1-800 is not reliable as is the ebenefits site. We still await a decision on a couple of deferred issues and AO IHD, at one year and counting.
I really hope you get a decision soon. The waiting is the worst. At least if you get a decision, whether it's to sc or deny, you can move forward from that point. Never give up.
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Terrific news Commander.....
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I think Berta hit it on the head again. It is apparent that they do not "read" .
My last IRIS stated they had to send my file to the VAMC for a medical opinion on if the Diuretic that the VA perscribes me for my Cardiomegaly/Hypertension causes frequent urination?
Yes that is what we are up against folks!
Best regards,
Now this is called, "Hoop jumpin' bass ackwards" at its best..
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Berta,
At your suggestion, I did contact NVLSP and they do have my husbands name on their list from the AO DM2 decision (sc). Still waiting for the heart disease rating. The attorney that called me was extremely helpful, very considerate and said to call when the decision comes in for the heart disease.
I'm glad I made the call. Thank you.
VetsLady
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Terrific news Carlie, super dooper terrific news !!!!!!
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I just called them and left a message. I had contacted them a couple weeks ago via email, but have not heard from them yet. (I made a notation in my notes)
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I am glad you are contacting NVLSP.
I am as well.
Perhaps the claim was 'closed 'because a IHD decision is coming too- but hard to know-
I have 2 separate Nehmer claims pending- I am hoping the CUE claim will be rendered moot by the AO IHD or vice versa-
but I do expect both decisions in the same letter.
I am sure NVLSP can look into this-
He does not get any rating or SC now at all for heart disease. is that correct?
Yes, not sc for the heart.
They never awarded for secondary CAD to the DMII???
No. The DMII was denied on the original claim but not appealed - Denied because they said he wasn't in RVN. We proved he was, they sc him for DMII.
"1-800 just told me that he filed for hypertension as it related to AO (original claim)
and it was all in the wording of the claim whether it would go back to the file date or the date of August 2010 when they said he did file a claim."
Yes that would be a Footnote One Nehmer claim.If the HBP is directly due to his IHD by medical evidence and a claim for the HBP was denied and not appealed in the past (between Sept 25th 1985 and the AO reg date in 2010.) then the EED for that claim would be the filing date of the denied claim.
My understanding exactly, that the EED would be the original date he filed his 1st claim.
Still-if that is the case why are they saying the claims are "closed".
Because "someone" made an error when they closed it without adjudicating the IHD. That is what I was told by the RO when they called a short time ago, and I thought it was odd. The Rep who called said it was odd as well.
Very odd.
NVLSP has already determined the VA has made multiple errors in the EEDS of these Footnote One claims.
A good reason to contact NVSLP.
I bet there are more errors than EED errors.
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RO just called, the file is on its way back from San Diego and Rep that called said "someone made a mistake by not addressing the IHD" ......
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"We received 1 decision on reopening via the 1 of 3 new presumpt(s) added last year via Nehmer"
I assume you mean he got A formal Nehmer letter from the VA some time ago.
Yes, we did receive a letter notifying my husband his file was flagged for IHD and anemia.
Did he contact NVLSP at their email addy I posted in the AO forum many times when he got that letter?
No, I have not yet. I will asap. He was a very sick man last year and still dealing with advanced illness issues.
I will call them not later than tomorrow.
"I have already contact the VA and they have no clue why a decision wasn't sent out"
They just told me that a decision on the anemia was made (which we rec'd) and the entire claim was closed "without" addressing IHD.
An inquiry from 1-800-voice was made to IRIS with specific details as the IRIS response rec'd only addressed anemia. He received one
letter identifying him as a Nehmer Veteran and his claim would be looked at again. The letter indicated that anemia "could be" a symptom of
leukemia (yes, knew that) ........ and then on the other hand, 1-800 just told me that he filed for hypertension as it related to AO (original claim)
and it was all in the wording of the claim whether it would go back to the file date or the date of August 2010 when they said he did file a claim.
Something is amiss. He is sc for AO related issues. He has heart disease, diagnosed hypertension and EKG's done at the VA and an exam
for AO to be added to the AO registry which indicated enlarged heart and a prior silent heart attack.
Do they show on their PC that a CAD decision was made?
No, they show the claim was closed in its entirety.
Narcotic Pain Meds
in Medication – Prescription Drugs-Health Issues
Posted
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?