Leap

Just passed the (1) one year point of submitting my NOD, along with photo copies of Active Duty Medical Records with highlighted areas where Sleep Problems and Rectal Bleeding was reported, several times, to my Primary Care and Mental Health Provider while on Active Duty. How long are appeal taking now? I basically gift-wrapped all the information for them... even submitted a electronic PDF and uploaded to my EBenefits Site.... nothing. Thoughts?

I was Diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea in June 2014, VA Sleep Study. It took me 8+ years to get a Referral and Sleep Study by the VA. In the VA Letter of Denial for Sleep Apnea, they even recognized that I had a Sleep Study and was on a CPAP Machine - I believe the Appeal will be easy... I found (2) Doctor's Statements in my Military Service Records where I complained on Sleep and they even put me on a Low Dose of Trazadone to help with the sleep - while I was on Active Duty. I was on TDIU for 6 months, but as long as I'm Vertical, I have to work :-) It's tough, but I need to be working - I'm only 40 and too many of my Friends are in that Boat... not saying it's for everyone; I know some people truly can't work, but I know in my Mind I'm still able to Function - make sense? I went through Voc Rehab back in 2007 and got my First College Degree through that Program :-) My first step for the Appeal is to contact my Former Primary Care Doctor (of 9 years and is now a C&P Doctor) and have her write a Letter on my Behalf. She has done it in the past and is one of the Best Doctors I've ever had. I'm alaso going to have my Wife and Mom write a Letter in reference to the Sleep - the Hemroids are a no brainer, they just missed it in my Active Duty Military Service Records. I'll get a VSO and go from there - a Friend of mine who I met on HadIt back in 2005 is my Friend on Facebook - he responded to a Private Message over the weekend. We'll see what happens!

Good Evening Team HadIt and the Community Members, It has been a LONG TIME since I've posted or commented. Been staying busy and trying to Live "One Day at a Time" Question, this past June I applied for a Few New Service Connected Disabilities and to re-open a Claim for Sleep and Hemoroids. Well, the Great News is that (1) one of my Disabilities has increased from 10 to 20, received a New Rating for one @ 10% and another @ 20%. Honestly, I didn't think either one of those would get rated and that the Sleep and Hemoroids would. I was Denied Service Connected for Sleep and Hemoroids and when I originally Filed in August 2005, I was denied after receiving my Rating in 2006 - BUT, I did not appeal the Decision during that (1) one year period due to "Lifestyle" Choices I made - i.e. Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Homelessness, etc. So, I had no idea how to appeal, couldn't get to a VA Facility if I could, and Honestly, never received a Letter to Appeal. I just finished combing through my Military Medical Records, because I knew I had been seen for Sleep and Hemoroids/Rectal Bleeding while in Service - and wouldn't you know it, I found at least (1) complaint of me telling the Doctor I had problems sleeping and Mulitple about Rectal Bleeding. I'm going to make copies and HIGHLIGHT those notes on my Medical Records and send in my Letter of Disagreement. Is there anything else I need to do or anything else I need to know about? Do I need to get a Service Representative? This will be my first appeal and have had Success with all my other Claims and Increases. I'm currently rated at 90% - and I believe the Sleep & Hemoroids would put me over the Edge and at 100% - for me, it's not about the $$$, but the VA and Military Recognizing that this is a Service Related/Connected Issue. Thoughts?

Thanks Cooter! Honesty is what got me my Honorable Discharge... lets just hope the PD sees it that way :-)

Thanks Everyone! I received an Honorable Disacharge... BUT, my seperation code is HKK (Drug Use), my reentry code is 2C (don't even think about joining the military again - lol) and my narrative reason for seperation is MISCONDUCT (All in caps - lol). Yep, I used drugs while on active duty, and was command directed to pee... but since I was a Outstanding Airman (10 years and All 5's on my EPRs), my Commander and by the Grace of God gave me a Honorable Discharge - I guess the "Good" outweighted the "Mistake" I made. So, since I'm a honest person and there is no way around the coding on the 214, I've disclosed the isolated drug incident... I was a Cop in the Air Force and a Police Officer in Texas while on Active Duty... been out for 7 years and it's time to return to Law Enforcement - being a "Rent a Cop" Security Guard is ok, but not for the next 20 years... just thankful to currently have a Job and being able to "somewhat" function at work. Once again, thank you fellow VETS!!! Jason

I'm currently applying for a position within a Police Department... what military records will an agency/employer be able to receive? My question is, will they be able to get full copies of my service record, medical records, etc... or just my DD Form 214 and whatever I provide to them. I didn't know if there is a "by law" clause for Veterans on what potential employers can get from the military. Thanks

Any Cent in my Pocket is going to Help... Thanks for the Info!

I'm hearing Rumors of a 3.6 - 3.7 % Pay Increase... Social Security's website shows a 3.6% on the COLA, effective Jan 1, 2012. It's been 2 years since we've seen a pay increase, and VA Pay usually falls in line with SSI. Are we getting a Pay Increase on our monthly pay?

Thanks a Bunch! Links are AWESOME!!! Hope everyone is doing good today...

Can't find the link for the Do's & Do Not's

Willie... I was just awarded an increase from 10% to 50% for Major Depressive Disorder (recurring) and Anxiety Disorder with a GAF of 60. I was expecting 30% - this was the VA Facility in Waco Texas. You never know! Good Luck to you.

Migraines max out at 50% and I believe they go in increments of 10, 30, and 50. Documentation is key when filing a claim for Migraines. Here is the worksheet the Examiners use when doing/completing the Examination. I'm currently 50% for Migraines - every time I had one in the Service, I went to the ER (including civilian hospitals)... I can't find the criteria they need to rate each percentage. Neurological Disorders, Miscellaneous (Migraine, Tic, Paramyoclonus Multiplex, Sydenham's and Huntington's Chorea, and Athetosis) Name: SSN: Date of Exam: C-number: Place of Exam: A. Review of Medical Records: B. Medical History (Subjective Complaints): Comment on: 1. Onset and course - If flare-ups exist, describe precipitating factors, aggravating factors, alleviating factors, alleviating medications, frequency, severity, duration, and whether the flare-ups include pain, weakness, fatigue or functional loss. 2. Current treatment, response, side effects. C. Physical Examination (Objective Findings): 1. If Migraine: - Obtain the history of frequency and duration of attacks and description of level of activity the veteran can maintain during the attacks. For example, state if the attacks are prostrating in nature or if ordinary activity is possible. 2. If Tics and Paramyoclonus Complex: - Ascertain the muscle group(s) involved and obtain the best possible history of frequency and severity of attacks. State the effects on daily activities. 3. If Chorea, Choreiform Disorders, etc.: - Describe manifestations by impairment of strength, coordination, tremor, etc., with particular attention to the effects of the performance of ordinary activities of daily living. D. Diagnostic and Clinical Tests: 1. Include results of all diagnostic and clinical tests conducted in the examination report. E. Diagnosis:

Got it... Glad its finally over with! Time to pay some Bills... :-)

Question... they received my Claim on September 3, 2009 - So will I get back pay from that date or earlier?

I am going to school 3/4 time through the Post 9/11 GI Bill and work 24 hours a week - (2) twelve hr shifts on the weekends - I work by myself as a Security Officer in a Empty Warehouse - I do really well when I work by myself and don't have to deal with Customers :-) I tend to SNAP!!! Comes with the territory... I don't know what I'm going to do yet, as it pertains to my career - I would Like to think I'm ok to work in the workforce, but I know there may be some set-backs in going back into the Real World... its a scary thought for me! We'll continue to pray about School, Work, TDIU and Social Security... If anyone has some suggestions, my hears - actually my eyes are open!

10% for Tinnitus as claimed for hearing loss 10% for degenerative bone/disc disease as claimed for spinal/neck injury PTSD Denied Major Depressive Disorder & Anxiety increased from 10% to 50% New Service Connected Disability = 90% made it by the hair of my chin... 85.825 Thanks everyone for the continued support! Jason

Isn't VA Math wonderful!!! I'm not too worried about the Examination - the Mental Health Exam looks really good on paper and (knock on wood), first time I applied for benefits, 60%... 1st time I applied for an increase - Migraines Only - it went from 30-50 bringing it to 70%. So... going for 3 for 3 :-) The only problem I had was when I applied for TDIU when I wasn't working - the only reason I was denied was because I was currently enrolled in school - I understand their logic, but I was able to qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill with 24 months at 100% - used up all my VOC REHAB Benefits, so I have been Truly Blessed for the past 5 years when dealing with the VA. I am only able to work Part-Time, weekends/nights, and pull a Security Post by myself... I'm finding it harder and harder as each day passes to tolerate and work around other people... I start to worry about what will happen when my school benefits run out... I just don't know.

Treatment is well documented, through the VA Mental Health Care System and Private Counseling as well... weekly & monthly meetings in combination with those wonderful medications they give us... plus Doctor visits every other month. I try to cover all my basis, but most importantly, getting the help I need to live with this disease... I was just re-reading the Examiner's Notes and they seem very optimistic... nothing like the initial exam that granted me the 10% which I currently have for Depression; which is named "Undifferentiated Sonoform Disorder" (or something like that)

Treatment is well documented, through the VA Mental Health Care System and Private Counseling as well... weekly & monthly meetings in combination with those wonderful medications they give us... plus Doctor visits every other month. I try to cover all my basis, but most importantly, getting the help I need to live with this disease... I was just re-reading the Examiner's Notes and they seem very optimistic... nothing like the initial exam that granted me the 10% which I currently have for Depression; which is named "Undifferentiated Sonoform Disorder" (or something like that)

Greetings everyone! It has been SOME time since I have posted on Hadit, but I have been following everyone's walk within our Wonderful VA System - - - Currently I am 70% SC for Migraines (50) Skin Disorders (30), Depression (10). On September 3rd, 2009, I filed a new claim for PTSD, TBI, Hearing Loss & Spinal Injury to my neck & shoulders. That being said, we have passed that Lovely (1) One Year Mark and would like to get everyone's input on what the Examiner's Notes Read... if you don't mind; I'll just write up what they read per the Examiner. PTSD - The veteran does not meet full criteria for PTSD - as he does not meet avoidance criteria But these are good things, I think... Diagnoses AXIS I - 1. Major Depression AXIS IV Exposure to Combat & Academic Problems 2. Anxiety Disorder AXIS V GAF 60 Major depression is considered the primary diagnosis. Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is a seperate condition and independently responsible for impairment in psychological adjustement and quality of life. *NOTE* All conditions were most likely caused by or a result of Military Service *** The doctor further states, he continues to experience depression, and so he has been diagnosed with service-connected major depressive disorder. The only change between the current examination and the previous examination is that his depressive symptoms not warrant a diagnosis of major depression, as opposed to depressive disorder not otherwise specified. Additionally , his GAF score is somewhat lower, representing the somewhat worsened condition since the last C&P Examination. There is reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder signs and symptoms. The TBI, Spinal/Neck/MRI, and Hearing Exams I believe speak for themselves... at least I hope they do! But I will add the Diagnosis from my Spinal Exam to get any input from you all. Being 36 years old, the Doc, after reading the MRI and conducting the Exam stated, "No 36 year old should have these type of symptoms this early in life." Thanks Doc! I feel much better :-) 1. Degenerative disc desiccation at C5/6 and C6/7 2. Posterior Osteophyte at C5/6 3. Cervical Spondylosis ***and of course, most likely than not these injuries occured from or as a result of military service*** I know its a lot Hadit community... what do y'all think?

Very Interesting... Y'all are going to hate me for writing this, but my experience with Ch 31 was totally different. It started in 2007, before I even came in, they gave me all the necessary info over the phone. The month I was about to start the program, my counselor ordered the Dell Laptop, Printer, Carrying Bag, the Whole 9 Yards - Heck, that is the computer I'm using now - I didn't even have a Training Video, Class, nothing! There was a Less Than 1 Hour Orientation and that was it. Well, I graduated from the University of North Texas in May with my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and currently using the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Ch 33) and going to graduate school... It's so disheartening to hear of the troubles fellow vets go through - especially when the last 5 years since my discharge have been smooth sailing. You will be in my Prayers M.

Reading Sgt(s) post and I'm simply amazed. My PCP is Dr. T Brown and has been for the past 4 years... and like Pete said, I believe she hung the moon as well! Gets me in to all the consults I need in a timely fashion - In fact, have a Pain Consult for the 24th of this Month - MRI this summer revealed neck/spinal damage I never knew I had from a IED blast 5 years ago, who knew! Dr. Robinson in Poly Trauma is truly awesome when it comes to treatment and care - My Headaches are rated at the max of 50% - Bit of Advice - keep that tracking log accurate and current - if a migraine occurs, immediately seek emergency treament (if possible and medicine fails); this shows the severity of the pain you are suffering. Here is what they use to determine SC for Migraine Headaches: 8100 Migraine: With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability 50 With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months................................................ 30 With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months 10 With less frequent attacks 0 As far as daily headaches, that may be due to TBI - or other injuries received in service - Hope this helps.

Great News Kappa!!!! I received my Envelope on Saturday with an increase to 70%~~~ Filled out the 21-8940 (following the advice of my Government Teacher, Friend, and FORMER Rater, board member for the VA) and mailed it Yesterday... Appeal & Fight!!!