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Rhodesia

First Class Petty Officer
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Everything posted by Rhodesia

  1. I had a second total knee replacement on the same knee, I receive 60% from the first total knee replacement and now I just finished a C&P exam for the second total knee replacement which is called a revision to replace the original hardware, on top of my DBQ from the VA it says LEFT TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT (RFE) so what does (RFE) mean since it was not on the last exam for my first knee replacement. Thank you
  2. Thank you good to know. I was rated due to my second knee replacement on the same knee from 30% to 60% then I was rated 0% for the two surgical scars and the VA added a 10% due to one of the scars was over 10 inches long. Not counting what I currently have. I still take morphine for the knee pain (Around the area of the Knee) and still having issues with that long second scar which resulted in 78 staples I looked like a subject from Dr. Frankenstein's lab. I retired from the VA in 2016 and I don't work I have had 3 P&T's from the second knee replacement which they call a Knee revision because The Dr. had to go back in and replace all the hardware. My P&T's lasted 18 weeks long. I'm still having issues with the knee due to a constant stiffness, pain, constant left leg cramps at night, and when I walk there are times that I will trip because the left leg could not think before the right leg resulting in almost tripping myself. last but least during my last C&P exam in 2018 the Dr. wanted to know if I knew my leg was shorter due to the second knee replacement, I told him I was not aware of it, but after seeing the chiropractor he said my left leg was shorter about 2 1/2 inches but there is no paperwork on that. and last but least I might have to have a hip replacement due to shifting all my weight on my right side because of the knee injury's through the years while in military service and the five surgeries including the two knee replacements on the same knee.
  3. I have had 2 knee replacements on the same knee, one back in 2016 and another in 2018. I was rated 70% on august of 2019. I just finished my Temp 100% for my 2nd knee replacement now I'm being seen again for a comp & pension exam for my 2nd knee replacement by a private contractor through the VA. The letter says that I'm being seen for a reduction in rating or an increase in rating for the 2nd knee replacement. I'm a little confused because I have been hearing that the VA can reduce your rating if you are better or your quality of life was made better by the VA. I only know one veteran that his rating was reduced because the VA gave him a upgraded prostheses for his missing leg. Is this something new the VA is doing? I currently live in Israel and I had to fly back every year just for a 45 minute exam. I have not applied for a C&P exam the VA have been doing this on automatic since 2016. this is getting very expensive LOL
  4. No not a typo on my part or up late must have been a typo on their part because it does say 60% service connected 08/01/2919 as I look back on my last knee replacement they had it down early too while I was on the 100% temp then they paid me the 30% rating, the VSO was scratching her head why they did that she did call them and the date is effective for 8/01/2019 so like you said have to wait until the letter because she wants to see how they wrote that up but from the 100% temp letter I downloaded on ebenefits it does say 100% effective 12/01/2018 that's the date when by original 100% temp for my 1st knee replacement had ended I did get that for one year because my knee replacement was on 12/16/2016. By the way how did your knee replacement work out.
  5. So my surgery for my 2nd knee replacement started on June 4th of 2018
  6. I was just awarded 60% total left knee replacement effective 08/01/2019 My first knee replacement was effective on 01/01/2018 at 30% so I was given a 30% increase which brings my rating up to 70% as of right now what I need to know is I also been awarded 100% temp effective 12/01/2018 but as I look at my disability on ebebefits it looks like I will be getting the 100% up until 08/01/2019 then my 70% kicks in after that date let me know if this theory is wrong here is what I was awarded left total knee replacement 60% Service Connected 08/01/2019 scar s/p TKA revision 0% Service Connected 06/04/2018 surgical scar s/p TKA revision 10% Service Connected 06/04/2018
  7. here is what I just received from an inquiry I made in my missing Documents and current claim, I guess the VA is having problems transferring eBenefits over to VA.Gov I'm missing my C&P exam from QTC that is contracted by the VA they don't keep copies because it's all done by interfacing with the VA servers, So I did get paid for travel so they can't say I never showed up for the C&P exam. it's just that my C&P exam is missing got to love this paperless society. Recently you requested assistance from VA. Below is our response. If you wish to reopen this issue, you may do so within the next 14 days. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. Response By Email (Dept of Veterans Affairs) (01/31/2019 05:28 PM) This is in response to your inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dated January 23, 2019. Thank you for your service to our country. We apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry. We are currently experiencing a large volume of inquiries due to missing claims and are working as quickly as possible to respond to each in a timely manner. It may take some time to transfer all records and ongoing claims as eBenefits migrates to VA.gov, for your claims and appeals to be visible in this system. For technical support, please call 844-698-2311, as they will be in a better position to assist you with this issue. It may be beneficial for you to contact your Veteran Service Organization (VSO). VSOs are not part of VA. VSOs are recognized national and state organizations that help Veterans and their dependents and survivors with their claims. These services are provided without charge. VSOs can help you with questions about your claim. They can also act on your behalf regarding your claim with VA. A review of our electronic records indicates that your current VSO is Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. You may also contact them to assist with questions about filing your claim. Thank you for contacting us. If you have questions or need additional help with the information in our reply, please respond to this message or see our other contact information below. Sincerely yours, J. Billington National IRIS Response Center Manager rs2 How to Contact VA: Online: www.va.gov www.ebenefits.va.gov By phone: (800) 827-1000 (844) MyVA311 (698-2311) Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) 711 By fax: Toll-Free: (844) 531-7818 Local fax: (248) 524-4260 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444
  8. Yea I can relate I worked for the VA then retired I have seen allot of bad things how the VA treats us Combat veterans and as employees as well, there are some good VA employees that will go out of their way to help but I also have seen them get in trouble for doing so. As a retired VA police Officer I have been on standbys where the C&P doctor is telling the veteran he is being denied and the Veteran goes ballistic, most people don't know this but the VA doctors that are contracted by the VA try to denies a veterans claims, they use the term "In the best interest of the Government" or "If it is not documented, it did not happen" after I got out of the Marines I joined the French Foreign Legion for 5 year enlistment then came back and re-enlisted back in the Marine Corps. The VA always trys to say that I'm trying to claim my injury's when I was in foreign service but but when I show them my French medical records it's all in French, and I was never injured or try to claim such a thing. I have a copy in English but I like to see their faces when they try to make heads or tails of it too funny. anyway I have had two female VSO's for my claims in the past so not much luck but maybe this last one I have will go the extra mile she seems she wants to help. As for help on the forums I was told this was the best one for help and questions most of the others that I have been on while reading their claims it's mostly while veterans are still in the military waiting to be medical discharged with a disability rating and some have over 20 years in and they get mad because if they are a retire and get less than 50% in VA disability they lose their military retirement pay, so they try to at least get 50% or more in order to retain their full military retirement who ever came up with that ruling should be spanked. The VA gives you a choice either take the VA disability pay non taxed or take your military retirement which is taxed because you can't have both.
  9. I never put to much faith in the VSO's to help some may be good and some not. I'm still waiting for my 100% temp pay after my 2nd total knee replacement service connected since June of 2018 I already received a 0% rating for my 15 inch and 1/2 inch wide scar from the knee surgery and here I was hoping to get at least 10% rating when you look under the CFR for it but I guess rules are changing.
  10. Mine now says All Active Claims Have Moved To VA.GOV
  11. Mine now says All Active Claims Have Moved To VA.GOV
  12. Did any view the new web site yet? I noticed that all my information is missing on ebenefits and says it was moved over to VA.GOV so I checked my documentation for my claims and they are missing all it shows is I filed a claim on Nov 15th 2018 but when you look under status or files all of my medical documentation I submitted for my total knee replacement and the C&P exam are not there it looks like I have never submitted anything. Has anyone looked at the new site now since the VA transferred everything over to the new site? Mine now says All Active Claims Have Moved To VA.GOV
  13. Guess I'm not the only one on here that received a 0% rating for my total knee replacement scar on my knee

  14. Good answer, I'm still waiting to hear about the 100% temp for the second knee replacement I still have one pending disability claim still open suppose to close on 01/13/2019 so far nothing has moved since the government shutdown.
  15. Too funny since you mentioned Whoaaa, HOSS! Tatoo this on your arm, if you need to remember it After I finished my 5 year enlistment with the French Foreign Legion I had a hell of a time re-enlisting back into the Marine Corps. because of the Tattoo's from the Legion LOL
  16. I had two total knee replacements on the same knee my first one was in 12/2016 and my second one was in June 2018 I think that's the issue that the VA will not pay out the 100% temp under 38 CFR 4.30 for the second knee replacement maybe that's why the VA is telling me you only get one per service connected injury for a major surgery. I'm still waiting to see if the VSO's statement claim for reconsideration for the 13 month 100% temp will be granted but she says don't get my hopes up because she has been seeing this throughout the VA. So I told her if a Veteran has a serviced connected injury say a heart transplant and 10 years later he has to have surgery on that same heart including opening his chest up again he is not entitled to the 100% temp under 38 CFR 4.30 and she said as it looks like right now no until she can research why the VA has changed their regs. From what I have been seeing and reading it looks like the VA is consolidating their serviced connected injury's into shorter category less payout under one rating for the injury for example like my knee replacement I get 30% but if they added scars from the surgery's into that category then your rating would still be 30%. Since I was rated 0% for my 15 inch long 1/2 inch wide surgery scar for my second knee replacement with no compensation award.
  17. Well I was rated 0% for a 15 inch 1/2 inch wide scar on my knee due to a total knee replacement, the VA cited that there were some changes to how the VA rates scars on the body due to service connected injury's, that's why my 20% was taken away last years for scars due to this. My surgery scar was not in a visible area meaning your clothes will cover the scar but if your scars were above the neck line face etc then the minimum rating would be 10%. My VSO is trying to find out why and if this has changed then I can't file a NOD. I will not be receiving any award for the 0% either but the VA has to take care of my scar because it was service connected related. So that was a waste of time filing that claim. I still have not heard from the VA on my 100% temp award for my second total knee replacement the surgery was done on June 2018, but I have a feeling I will lose that fight since the VA informed me that you only get one 100% temp award per service connected injury and my last total knee surgery was back in December of 2016, the VSO has ask the VA to reconsider it on my last claim I'm waiting for. funny thing is I still can't find anything that says you are only allowed one 100% temp under CFR 38.4.30 for the same serviced injury. This whole system is so out of wack makes you feel it's not even worth taking the time to file a claim anymore.
  18. Well my claim just changed this morning even the wording to it so this it what it says now Status of Your Claim PREPARATION FOR DECISION Submitted: 11/15/2018 (Compensation) Estimated Completion: 01/13/2019 - 02/08/2019 Disabilities Claimed: post operative surgical scarring due to service connected left knee surgery in June 2018 scar is 15 inches long and 1/ 2 inches wide (Increase), reconsider total left knee replacement (Revision) 100% temp total (Increase) Representative for VA Claims: OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Current Status: Preparation for Decision
  19. My exam was on the 11th of this month it took 45 minutes and I received my travel pay in a form of a check from QTC 3 days later that was fast and not from the VA I'm assuming they have a contract with the VA to pay out travel expenses. other than that I have not seen anything updated in ebenfits on my claim for my 2nd total knee replacement all the Dr, would tell me is that Yes I had a 2nd knee replacement, and the scars to go with it, he did measure the scars and my pain level from the scars and he did some measurements on how far I can bend my knee, he said he sends this up electronically to the VA they don't mail anything to them so it's a hurry up and wait. But on ebenifits it says that Documents are over due (Not From Me) must be from were I had the exam.
  20. I had a total knee replacement revision due to a serious fall which ended up replacement of the whole knee again that why I'm still having issues I'm on my 3rd physical therapy for my knee since June and the pain level is around 6 to 7 and I have issues sleeping at knight due to the knee. The surgeon said if the therapy does not work then he will need to replace the spacer that is between the knee to give it more support. as for the morphine I can't take the other pain killers I get sick so that's why I'm on Morphine. Their are times that I'm bleeding inside under the scar when going through therapy my scar is 15 inches long and 1/2 inches wide. as for the 100% temp for the second knee replacement I was still denied again the VSO does not under stand why because I'm suppose to get it but they keep telling her that you only get one 100% temp for service connected injury that involves in a surgery she submitted a claim to have the VA reconsider the 100% but don't get my hopes up, she is trying to research why the VA has change there reg's under 38 CFR 4.30. for a knee revision. I hope I won't be rated 0% for my scar like most veterans are complaining I say this because the VA took back my old scars serviced connected from 2010 I was awarded 20% now I get nothing.
  21. Ok made it to the exam spent about 45 minutes in there he had my file up from the VA on his computer I guess the VA can do these now send your file just about anywhere. He was doing allot of typing and asking questions, then he evaluated my 15 inch scar and asked questions why I had to have a second knee replacement and so forth. wanted to know if I'm having any pain from the scars and are they intermittent or constant showed him my last 3 prescriptions for Morphine prescription for the pain, and do I have troubles sleeping because of the knee replacement due to the post surgery scars. in the end he did tell me that he concurred that I have a second knee replacement or a TKA as they call it and issues with the post surgery scars, he did tell me that he found 4 scars from past knee surgerys Hopefully I will get a rating for the scars and not end up with o% like some vets have been getting after their knee replacement.
  22. Thank you I leave this morning I will keep you posted how the exam went, but I find it odd that I have to fill out my own DBQ exam. Also as a side note the VSO asked the VA to reconsider my 100% temp for the 13 month for my second total knee replacement under 38 CFR 4.30 as a second claim. I have not heard anything on that issue or anything that was posted in the bank account. the VSO said I should receive retro back pay from June 4th 2018. that's IF they approve it. All she said was just keep checking your bank account because you can never tell when they will post it.
  23. I'm going up to Eugene, Oregon to be seen by a private Dr. for a C&P exam for my total left knee replacement Scar which is 15 inches long and 1/2 inch wide and there has been Constance pain on the scar itself since the surgery on june 4th 2018 I have been given Morphine to deal with the pain I'm on my third prescription since June 2018 from the scar, this is my second knee replacement on the same knee and this time I had 72 staples to close up the incision. I have been reading on here that most of the exams people have been given a rating of 0% I hate to travel 200 miles for a 10 minute C&P exam for my post surgery scar and get a 0% rating. Plus I was sent a DBQ form to fill out myself and give it to the examiner, but the questions are written as if the Doctor was performing his view of the exam I find that odd, and they did tell me on the phone I'm to fill it out all the Doctor is going to do is evaluate my total knee replacement scars. The place the Veterans Choice contracted is called QTC Medical Services. I have been told NOT to bring any medical documentation, photographs or any medical reports, concerning my second total knee replacement surgery The Dr. has access to the VA files from what they told me over the phone.
  24. Ok can anyone tell me what I'm looking at here? from what I can tell it looks like they have canceled all 3 request to my Total knee replacement claim that I had to refile all over again because they denied me under 38 CFR 4.30

    • Optional Documents 11/30/2018

    Please submit any supporting documents. Include any documents that we requested when you submitted your application for this claim.

    To see all uploaded documents associated to this claim, select the "All Uploaded Documents for this Claim" tab above.

    Note: Supporting documents uploaded before January 26, 2015 are not displayed.

    • Request 1

    Due Date: Not available Status:  No Longer Needed

    DBQ MUSC Knee & lower leg

    • Request 2

    Due Date: Not available Status:  No Longer Needed

    DBQ DERM Scars Disfigurement

    • Request 3

    Due Date: Not available Status:  No Longer Needed

    Exam Request - Processing

    Thanks for any input

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