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Rhodesia

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Posts posted by Rhodesia

  1. 1 hour ago, vetquest said:

    I am a retired Marine Corps vet.  I you are retired at 30% from the military I believe might be mistaken about your Tricare.  I have Tricare for life as a retired veteran at 30%, that is the magic number.  I hope your case moves along.

    Yea but the retirement office told me that since I will reach age 60 I can't get my military retirement because it has to be over 50% I checked my DOD records and they show 40% they also told me until I get 50% or more then they will make the adjustment in DFAS pay system until then no $$$$$ form the Marine Corps.

  2. On 7/25/2018 at 9:08 AM, Richard1954 said:

    They are much further behind my claim originated in 2008 just over 10 years ago... I have a BVA conference in April 2018 and I am still waiting for the decision.... everyone thinks their claim has been in the system the longest.. until you hear  about  another veteran claim.. and I would bet there are claims older than mine that haven't reached the BVA yet.....

    Sad part of all this is I have to forfeit my military retirement pay when I reach age 60 because I receive a VA disability of 40% the law says you have to receive 50% or more in order to retain your military retirement pay this also apply's to my TRiCare Prime because the VA is taking care of me so the only thing I get to keep is my grey ID card. kind of sucks in a way. funny thing when I went to my first C&P exam they had my medical records from when I was in the French Foreign Legion for 5 years. I was in the Marine Corps first then got out joined the Legion and then came home re joined the Marine Corps again. I guess they wanted to make sure I was not trying to use any injury's from the Legion and say they were caused by the Marine Corps, LOL I would not be surprised this is the reason why my claim is taking so long. Since yours started in 2008 have you have any movement? Mine is still stuck in Preparation For Decision that 1-800 number is a waste of time and also the Chat line on ebenfits as well, some of the people on there have been rude in the past. 

  3. 1 hour ago, vetquest said:

    You did not tell us if this claim is at the RO or BVA.  Either way if your claim started in 2016 it is moving along pretty well.  And yes they are behind BVA can get you backed up several years if not a decade.

    Well I assume it is at the RO not really sure I have been filing on my own, I had bad luck with using other organizations all they did was let me use their letter head and I had to make the calls on my own they would not even call all they would tell me is I know what you know they were nothing but a complete waste of time.  So I did allot on my own and I got 40% within 3 years except for my Malaria claim I'm going to have to get a lawyer for this one I was denied because I got sick in reserve status and could not show I was sick on active duty, but my records do show I have malaria, it's like the VA says I could have contracted malaria in portland oregon, LOL but thats another story for another time.

     

    The only thing I was having trouble with is that my current claim was they pushed it out to the end of 2019 from Pending Decision Approval to Preparation For Decision so it went backwards.

  4. Funny eBenefits now says my old claim from 7/2016 says "Pending Decision Approval" and they estimated close of claim on 01/2019 only took them 2 years this claim has nothing to do with my issues with my 2nd total knee replacement service connected and trying to get the 100% temp for the 13 months. So I have never seen a Pending Decision Approval statement so I take it that this will tell me if I was award serviced connected or denied right? 

  5. 49 minutes ago, broncovet said:

    Thank you.   Even tho I had a fracture in service, the VA has denied my claim.  It did not matter that much, because Im 100 percent, but now I am wondering if it would help with SMC

    Well don't fell to bad I was surprised I was turned down for Malaria by the VA because I contracted it on active duty so noted in my military health records but did not get sick until I went back into reserve status, thought I had the flu at first but the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego kept me for two weeks and treated me as as an out patient because I was not on active duty, and as always nothing was entered in my service record. So the VA informed me by letter that I have to be on active duty and show that I was sick and being treated on active duty so in another words they were telling me I could have caught Malaria in Mexico for all they care as the old saying goes in the VA if it was not documented it never happened. having Malaria is like having the Flu 10 times fold that's the only way I can tell people.

    well what ever you do think about it before you have the knee replace because it's all about the quality of life.

  6. 11 hours ago, broncovet said:

    How did your knee replacement come out?  Was it done at the VA?  I was scheduled for a TKR and delayed it a few months, but Im gonna go through with it this fall, probably.  

    The first knee replacement went ok, the worst part is after the pain pump is empty that's when you really feel the pain, I was on Morphine for the pain, and after one year I fell and damaged the knee replacement and had to go through another total knee replacement this is called a (TKR Revision) which means they are replacing everything that was installed again so I'm on morphine again. the second time I ended up with 60 staples this is due because they are opening an old scar tissue up best way for it to heal is with staples so I look like Dr. Frankenstein worked on me. The VA rep said I should put in for a secondary for the right leg since I have been using that leg more of support so I have wear and tear on that knee, but I don't know because the VA turned me down for having Malaria imagine that. if you have the knee replacement look on you tube they have allot of videos of the operations that will show you what you can expect. As for my condition now with my knee replacement I have lost about 30% of mobility this is due to the second replacement. I put in for an increase because the VA gave me 30% but the max for an increase is 60% for any knee replacement. Good luck

  7. I have a question I just had another Total Knee Replacement (Revision) service connected on my left knee this June 4th 2018 I applied for a 1 year temporary 100% disability one month prior to the surgery  with all the paperwork including from the VA approving another knee replacement and Tri West under the VA paid 100% of the claim on the same knee. My first knee replacement was back in Nov of 2016 I received the Temp 100% for the 1 year instead of getting an increase the VA took 20% away from my knee and gave me 30% so I still ended up with 40% I should of been awarded 60% so now I'm still at 40%. My question is am I entitled to another 100% Temp for 1 year with my second knee replacement? for some reason my claim says it was pushed back until 1/19/2019 and it has been under review since then with no change. The VA has been sent all required documents x-rays, photo's of the surgery just about everything you can think of I sent in to boost my claim as required.  My last knee replacement it took the VA 3 months in order for me to receive my 100% temp for 1 year, now I have a feeling this second replacement is going no where. But I did receive a retroactive back pay for the first claim 3 months later that is. I did spoke with someone from the VA and I was informed you only get 1 100% Temp for a service connected injury no matter how many times you go in to have surgery on the same injury, she more or less said I'm lucky that the VA is paying for this. She said the VA sent me a letter explaining why I won't get a second 100% Temp award for the second Total Knee Replacement and why they took 20% away from me when it was awarded in 2010 had something to do with the knee before I had the Total knee replacement. so in asking this question am I or am I not entitle to another 100% Temp for the one year because they did another Total knee replacement on the same knee? thank you

  8. I have a question I just had another Total Knee Replacement (Revision) service connected on my left knee this June 4th 2018 I applied for a 1 year temporary 100% disability one month prior to the surgery  with all the paperwork including from the VA approving another knee replacement and Tri West under the VA paid 100% of the claim on the same knee. My first knee replacement was back in Nov of 2016 I received the Temp 100% for the 1 year instead of getting an increase the VA took 20% away from my knee and gave me 30% so I still ended up with 40% I should of been awarded 60% so now I'm still at 40%. My question is am I entitled to another 100% Temp for 1 year with my second knee replacement? for some reason my claim says it was pushed back until 1/19/2019 and it has been under review since then with no change. The VA has been sent all required documents x-rays, photo's of the surgery just about everything you can think of I sent in to boost my claim as required.  My last knee replacement it took the VA 3 months in order for me to receive my 100% temp for 1 year, now I have a feeling this second replacement is going no where. But I did receive a retroactive back pay for the first claim 3 months later that is. I did spoke with someone from the VA and I was informed you only get 1 100% Temp for a service connected injury no matter how many times you go in to have surgery on the same injury, she more or less said I'm lucky that the VA is paying for this. She said the VA sent me a letter explaining why I won't get a second 100% Temp award for the second Total Knee Replacement and why they took 20% away from me when it was awarded in 2010 had something to do with the knee before I had the Total knee replacement. so in asking this question am I or am I not entitle to another 100% Temp for the one year because they did another Total knee replacement on the same knee? thank you

  9. 23 hours ago, broncovet said:

    Well, no.  Here is why:

     

    So by reading this the VA can still take my 30% rating back even after having another total knee replacement because the seconded knee replacement had corrected the issue in the first place from what I'm reading or maybe I'm reading too much into this. sounds like the same issue I was going through when I applied for service connected for Malaria which is noted in my medical records but the VA turn it down because I could not show I was sick on active duty and what part of Thailand up by the Cambodian border I was in what's worse is that the Marine corps. does not keep very good medical records back then but that's another story at a later date just got tired of fighting the VA over that issue.

    Well I hope the VA did not lie to me about getting the 100% temporary for one year again for my second knee replacement all these VA rep's have informed me that I'm entitled to it but in the end it all goes south. Thank you for the information that you sent to me. 

  10. 1 hour ago, L said:

    I can only confirm it from a therapeutic standpoint: Meaning a knee replacement is like a new knee. - lasting 20 years or more based on weight and activity level.

    It also happens with a hip replacement rating too. In reading the last part of the post it looks like you had a temporary 100% rating...?( possible scenario would be they would give you a 100% for a year to recover and rehab) 6 mos is usual - so bonus 6 mos if this was temporary... 🙂 

    https://www.hillandponton.com/knee-disabilities/

     

    Well surprised enough I'm having the same knee replaced again this June because I fell again and did some damage to require a full left knee replacement revision (TKR) I was approved by the VA again to have a full knee replacement through Tri West and I apply for the Temp 100% again because comp and pension here at the VA told me I have to apply again all over for the Temp it is now shows up in eBenefits as Temp 100% disability for left knee replacement I assume I will receive the pay starting after this June. Comp and Pen did tell me that the VA can take away your ratings any given time and the 30% for the TKR also includes scars and pain that's why they took the 20% rating away from me and that why I'm still at 40%. I was also told I can apply for an increase up to 60% which is max for a knee replacement but from what I have seen in the news the VA is having budget troubles paying out disability's for all the Iraq vets that are just now filing for Disability including myself. To me it seems like you apply for a disability then they take another one away to keep you at their level.

  11. Hello I had a 40% rating then was award a 30% to add to that 40 % rating which would have come out to 60% The VA said that since I had a full knee replacement I no longer get the 20% for knee pain and scars so my rating remains the same 40% so this is what I was told this morning by the VA online Chat she later responded that I can confirmed this with a lawyer if I wanted to and he would tell you the VA can take back rating even if they are over 5 years old because she said that if you have a service connected disability that was corrected then your rating will be reduced or zeroed out  This is from the chat this morning: Evaluation of left total knee replacement, previously s/p surgical left knee with bicompartment DJD, ACL insufficiency, meniscus disease and surgical scars, currently 20 percent disabling, is increased to 100 percent November 29, 2016, and 30 percent effective January 1, 2018.

    So can anyone confirm this for me? 

  12. 12 hours ago, broncovet said:

    Hill and Pontoon does a good job explaining Temp 100 percent ratings, here:

    https://www.hillandponton.com/temporary-100-percent-va-disability-ratings/

    Im unaware of a restriction which says you can only be awarded ONLY "one" convalescent temp 100 percent rating for surgery. Its not that unusual to have multiple surguries.   If others have experienced this, please chime in.  

    Im very interested in the outcome of your TKR.  Did it work out well for you?  

     

     

  13. I have a question hope you can help, I'm going to have to have a Left Knee Revision arthroplasty Replacement this is service connected I had the full knee replacement back in December 2016 then I sustained an injury to the same knee resulting in Revision arthroplasty Replacement I just found out today. So question number one is, Will the VA put me back on Temp 100% since they are going to have to replace the left knee again? And how do you word the statement just right in order for the VA to start process this before I go into surgery? 2nd question is that the Doctor seen in the Xrays and MRI's that my right knee has a severe Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis to include severe medial compartment joint space narrowing and severe lateral joint space narrowing and severe anterior joint space narrowing on the Right Knee, The doctor said this is due to me favoring the right knee because of the injury to the left knee. So if this is true how does one write a statement to ask for a secondary claim or maybe a service connected claim due to the injury's to the left knee? 

    I still have an open claim for some other issues so my original claim has not been closed as of yet so far e-benefits shows me having 10% for hearing, 10% for High Blood Pressure, 0% for that special (K) award and 20% for the left knee for scars and pain, and 30% for the Total Knee Replacement, but for some reason I'm still getting my original 40% the 30% has not been added in yet unless they are waiting for the claim to close out which they keep extending. My claim started 7/16/2015 and it was pushed up to 01/18/2019 have no ideal why? but anyway before I submit for a temp award again what's the best wording or statement to use without it getting rejected, and also for my right knee as well? I have all documentation to send in but I wanted to see if anyone has a good ideal on how to write out the wording in support of my claim and another Temp award to 100% again.

    Thank You

  14. On 2/17/2018 at 6:20 AM, Berta said:

    Rhodesia, has your hearing loss gotten worse or the HBP since their last rating?

    You said " Ok now after 1 year of getting 100% because of the knee replacement and now getting 40% I found o" etc.....

    Was this a temporary convalescence award? as to the 100%?

    If so that seems like  a very long temp comp award....it makes me wonder how the surgery went.

    I shouldnt compare this to anyone but a civilian school teacher in my church had the TKR and was back to work certainly well within a year of the surgery.....she came to a church  luncheon within a month after the surgery - we have an accomodation  elevator and she had help getting down to our lunch room, in a wheel chair, in the elevator, then someone help elevate her leg when she got into a regular chair and she had a pack of frozens peas to put on it for pain.

    Can you define what the 100% award was for? I sure might be interpreting this wrong as to the " because of " part.

    "Ok now after 1 year of getting 100% because of the knee replacement and now getting 40% I found o" etc.."

     

     

    Last rating for hearing loss and HP was in 2008, my knee replacement was a 100% temp convalescence award I received 13 months of 100%. after that I re-injured my knee with the replacement and it has to be replaced again due to the injury, the VA says they will pay for the replacement nothing was defective in the for the TKR. So I have to give the Doctor a surgery date for now. I was awarded 30% for the knee replacement on 01/01/2017 then I noticed that in e-benefits I see that they took the 20% away from my old award for having two knee surgery's on the same knee because I had to wear a knee brace, but since I had a TKR in that same knee there was no reason for the VA to continue the award for the 20% because per comp and pen said it's because I had a knee replacement that corrected the old injury in order to award me the 30% for the knee sounds confusing I know. 

    I could not get a strait answer if I had the knee replaced again that the VA would put me on the Temp 100% for one year or not hate to have this done and find out I have to put in for an increase after the fact. I get better care in the private sector then I do going to the VA Hospital, I feel they treat Veterans better than the VA does. I have worked for the VA and I have seen first hand how Vets are treated in clinics and Hospitals it's sad but true, on the outside you get that one on one doctor to patient care but with the VA it's like going to an auto shop you are in and out and good luck. As what the VA will tell Veterans "If it is not documented, It never happened". The Marine Corps health records are a prime example of this. 

  15. On 2/17/2018 at 5:07 AM, broncovet said:

    The VA can not "reduce" you without following the proper procedures, or it can be voided by the courts.  

    Did they give you 60 days notice of the proposed reduction?  Did they offer you a hearing?  

    Do you have documentation (that is, the letter of proposed reduction)?  

    If you moved and did not give VA your new address, then this may not apply as its not VA's duty to "locate you", but instead your duty to keep VA informed of your addresses.  

    I have not had a TKR, but, have been informed by VA doctors I need one, and am considering same at this time.  Im not currently sc for knee problems even tho I applied in 2002, and the VA never adjuticated it.  Since Im at 100 percent, it seems unlikely that TKR would be  enough to make me eligible for SMC S, altho, I have not ruled this out in the future. For that reason, I have not persued my "non denial" of conditions for my knees, noting the only thing VA did was list my knees as "not service connected" without a decision.  While I know this is error, I doubt this will affect my compensation, so I "leave this alone" and try to free up resources for other Vets where it will make a difference.  

    Well if the VA can deny my Malaria claim I contracted while on active duty but did not get sick until back in reserve status, they cited that I had to show I was sick on active duty even through my records show I had Malaria on active duty I got a lawyer on this issue they can also take back a claim if you had or shown any improvement due to the SC issue, I have not received any letter as of yet and I have not moved. 

  16. I have a question for anyone out there because the VA could not give me an answer nor the local VA Rep. So I had a knee injury while on active duty overseas in 2001 I had two operations which the VA gave me 20% I get 10% for loss of hearing because I was a Tanker in The Marine Corps for 22 years and 10% for high blood pressure and 0 % for (ED) which I was awarded 40% Now lets move ahead to 2016 which I had to have a full knee replacement in the same knee. I was awarded 30% for the knee replacement but since I had the knee replacement on the same knee I had the two surgerys which gave me 20% the VA decided to take the 20% away because I had the full knee replacement so instead of getting a total award of 60% I'm now back to 40% I was not aware that the VA can down grade your disability like that. 

     

    Ok now after 1 year of getting 100% because of the knee replacement and now getting 40% I found out today that I have to have another full knee replacement again in the same knee due to an injury that requires to have it replaced, so my questions is will the VA put me back to the 100% for another year since I'm having another knee replacement? or will they leave it at my current award and tell me to file an increase after I heal from the knee replacement? Because the max for the increase for a knee replacement is 60% no more than that.

    Thank you

  17. Does anyone out there know how to read a Audiological Evaluation form? I can't make heads or tails of the numbers.I have been in Tanks for 22 years and I was turned down for hearing loss in 2006 the VA says I was border line for hearing loss, so I was denied but at the same time I was issued hearing aids in 2009, I just completed a Audiological Evaluation in 2016 the same test they give for comp and pen exam, and was told that from 2009 to 2016 an increase in hearing loss, so I was tested and I will be getting new hearing aids. Now my question is I would like to submit a new claim for hearing loss along with this form. The Dr. says my left ear shows a greater loss since 2009. How does one read the numbers and convert to the rating systems in order to see what rating you will be looking at? the form says Bone Conduction (right ear) 1000 (30) 2000 (45) 3000(45) 4000 (40)  the left ear says 1000 (60) 2000 (70) 3000 (75) 4000 (60). I was told you have to convert these numbers into roman numerals in order to see what your rating could be. anyone know how to do this? thanks for your help.

  18. 19 hours ago, mdrn said:

    Yes full month pay 2906 i think;)

     

    19 hours ago, mdrn said:

    Yes full month pay 2906 i think;)

    Ok now I get 20% for my knee so after having the knee replacement they will increase it to 30% in another words the VA will just add 10% to my 20% claim to make it 30% am I right on this? or is the 30$ separate from my 20% I currently have for the Knee. Thank you 

  19. 4 hours ago, mdrn said:

    Been there with bilateral TKR's. My first was service connected, I was young at 53. I was a nurse. My civilian ortho Doc stated its all about quality of life, so he did mine, 2 yrs later i had the second done. I was awarded SC for the 2nd thru CAVC remand. If you get your care all thru VA then, then yes they are going to deny it. I went the civilian route and had no issues with my pay or increase in ratings. Reality, if you have civilian insurance as the local vets told you have it done then file for your permanent increase to 30%. Don't live in pain and loss of quality of life. As far as VA paying for it, i think they gave you your answer whether locally or 200 miles away they're not going to do it till 60. They will also pay you 1 year at 100% for convalescent pay.  If you have chronic residuals of moderate to severe pain , loss of range of motion after the 1 year per as they will do a follow up c&p you could go to 60%... Others may chime in on eligibility on your circumstances. The moral of this is do what you need to do to work around the VA bureaucracy to take care of yourself and collect the benefits due you. The convalescent pay isn't immediate if civilian and prepare yourself for 4-6 months till your paid once you file. When your surgery is completed get your surgical report of operation and file for your pay.

     

    PS: Having a bad knee, if you have or develop problems with your back / hips / opposite knee, depression due to chronic pain etc , be meticuous in documentation and getting treatment to establish history / paper trail for possible SC down the road ;)

    Is that 1 year convalescent pay the same pay they would pay a veteran that has 100% service connected disability? 

  20. I just came back from the Ortho doctor in town he said I need a full knee replacement for my service connected injury after looking at past 11 years of x-rays from the VA and what he just took today. The Marine Corps. somehow don't keep x-rays after a certain period of time. The VA says they will not do one until I'm 60 years old, all they wanted to do was give me injections for the pain. What I have now is a Torn ACL and I'm running bone on bone, and my knee cap is just about gone so here is the question. I already receive 20% for my left knee, due to the past 3 surgery's. So after having the knee replacement what will I be looking at? for an increase? Does the VA have to pay for this since I live 178 miles from the Nearest VA hospital? because they are still telling me if you were injured on active duty you must go to the VA hospital even through the VA says They will not do a knee replacement until I'm 60? I already talked to two Veterans in town at the Vet center and they had the same problem but they paid for it out of their own pocket for the surgery then filed for an increase award. So far they are still waiting for the VA to answer them back. any ideals on the best route to take? I hate to get this done out in a local hospital then fine out the VA will not pay and give me an increase for the full knee replacement. Thank for any information on this subject.

  21. I wanted to know what's the max for a total knee replacement. Right now I'm at 20% on my left knee, and I have just been told that I need a total knee replacement from Ortho Doctor at the VA. I here to many things like you get 100% (Temp) for 1 year, plus you can only max out at 30% total, which means they would just add 10% to my 20% to max it out as 30% for a total knee replacement. Thanks for any information.

  22. This was her final statement at the end of her notes: I think this is what killed it,  This is what she wrote at the end. (Medical Opinion) As per above HTN is not a risk factor for the development of varicose veins, nor is it the treatment of HTN. Thus it is less likely than not that the veterans current varicose veins are proximately due to or the result of his service. The condition claimed is less likely than not ( less than 50% probability) proximately due to or the result of the veterans service connected condition.

     

    What is really weird is that e-benefits added under disability's new claims that I have NOT nor have I ever mention or claimed for. It was like someone just added these in for the hell of it.

    Gulf War Syndrome

    Seizure Disorders From Anthrax Vaccines

    Exposure To Depleted Uranium

    Exposure To Agent Orange

    And last but least Anxiety claim.

    Which they all were listed as NOT SERVICE CONNECTED.

     

  23. I have my claim at work since I work for the VA, I will bring it home, and post what transpired in her notes, as for the second opinion for the notes all I wanted to do is get a second look to see why it was turned down at Portland. He did NOT re-examined me for the claim in question. But when you look at my section under says disabilities Portland added those claims in that I have mentioned above. The agent Orange really got me I don't remember ever being sprayed in the jungle, hell I came in the Marines in 1975, they stopped spraying in 1972. is there a standard form to file for a NOD notice of disagreement ? I don't see that in the VA forms listing here at work. I was also told I need to wait until I receive my denial letter first. The Marine Corps is really famous for not keeping good medical records I see allot of that here. I went to jungle school in the Philippines and since the base closure the Subic bay Navel base hospital it's almost nearly impossible to get records, because most if not all were destroyed or missing. I see allot of NO Records Found/Located.

     

     

  24. Well I was turned down for my varicose veins claim, for some reason they turned it down before the comp and pension doctors Exam notes ever made to the claims office up at Portland, Oregon. Also they added that I was claiming Gulf War Syndrome, Seizure Disorders From Anthrax Vaccines, Exposure to Depleted Uranium, and get this also says Exposure to Agent Orange, I have never even said anything concerning these claims. How all this ended up in my Comp and Pension claim for varicose veins claim I have no ideal, anyway they said Not Service Connected. I'm at that point in writing to the local congressman. Her notes does not state anything about the items I have mentioned above but I had a second comp and pension doctor look at her notes and from what he can read I should have received a service connected claim for Varicose veins.  

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