Vync

I can see how odd it must be to see {name} vs. USA. It's almost like you are suing yourself.

Anyone know if DRO requests and regular appeals go in the same waiting line?

Hey Cap, Don't forget that the VA is also creating a self-perpetuating need for "current" C&P-esque exams. By the time the VA gets around to reviewing your claim, NOD, or appeal, they will probably request another "current" exam because the original one is too old. More paper to stack on top of your ever-growing C-file.

Not getting my hopes up yet, but looks promising

Well said, Halos

Is the correct term "pay cut" or "reduced raise"? Either way, it looks like our troops will be getting the shaft.

Excellent! Super congratulations! Keep an eye out on your direct deposit bank account. Some peeps see the retro arrive a day or two before the award letter. Don't forget to change the rating from 80% to 100% in your profile.

A guy I work with has run into similar problems with his Sallie Mae-backed loan.

Hi Berta, Thank you very much for responding. I followed your advice and listened to the SVR show with Dr.Bash and it was helpful in clarifying some of my concerns. I am still employed, thankfully. My DAV rep tells me that he will not help unless the PFT's are included. This is frustrating because I have been SC for asthma for 17 years and my rating would not be based on FEV-1. My last PFT's are over a year old. I read somewhere that they should be no older than six to 12 months old. Should the doc include those values or should I look at getting new PFT's? The correct rating for my circumstances would be 60%, as detailed below. Thanks

Hello everyone, I have a question relating to the DBQ that is used for asthma claims (linked below). RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS (OTHER THAN TUBERCULOSIS AND SLEEP APNEA) DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960L-1-ARE.pdf My DAV rep wants me to send in a DBQ and says it must be filled out completely, including the PFT values. My asthma was rated at 60% because I received 3+ courses of oral or parenteral corticosteroids within a 12 month period. Because my asthma is rated due to this criteria, not the PFTs, would I still need to have the PFT scores? Should my doc send in the DBQ without PFT's or should they simply enter the values of my most recent PFTs from about a year ago? Thanks

I'm doing some initial research regarding possible claims so I wanted to toss this out to the Hadit team to see if anyone has any advice or recommendations. I am SC for chronic allergies and depression secondary to chronic joint pain. Last year I started having problems with urticaria (hives), angioedema, and cellulitis. All of it began within a few weeks of each other and I have had problems since. Urticaria/Hives The hives start out as itchy areas on my torso, arms, legs, or in crevices (under arms, groin). Eventually I get raised whelps which are warm to touch and itch like crazy. They begin to expand and literally make their way across my body. Some are up to a foot in length. They subside after a few days, but usually pop back up and the cycle repeats again. Angioedema During or after the hive breakouts, I have had swelling of my fingers, hands, wrists, and my throat (landed me in intensive care for almost a week). Cellulitis So far, this has been limited to my groin area and has occurred a few times causing swelling and pain. I sought treatment from the VA allergy specialists and they took me off of a lot of my medications, upped my antihistamines, added prednisone, and I tested negative for hereditary angioedema. Even after being off the meds, the problems persist, so the docs are slowly working me back on my regular medications. My wife noticed that when I am stressed, which is mostly due to the chronic pain, I tend to have more episodes. We have been documenting the episodes and have taken photos. I know that if I wanted to file a claim, I would need a nexus from a doc saying these are related. I will need to go back through my service records to see if I have and related records. Does anyone have any experience or recommendations regarding claims for these issues? Thanks

That's what I thought. I tried to explain it to my DAV rep, but he insisted pyramiding would apply.

Can asthma and sleep apnea be considered pyramiding?

Another overlooked issue is bruxism causing migraines

Is this an alternative to calling Peggy regarding our claims?

Phil, I had the same problem with mine. I followed up with the provider and they said it tends to happen when people are switched to the higher BIPAP pressures, but sometimes clear up after a couple of weeks. They also gave me a silicone strip to put across my nose. The mask was rubbing the bridge of my nose raw, making it more uncomfortable than it is normally.

I can share my experiences with the VA and private medical. The VA did a sleep study a few years back that didn't find anything significant. Over the past year, I was seen by a non-VA rheumatologist who went over everything and requested a second study. A few months ago I had the study. It was positive for OSA and also had neurological readings consistent with fibromyalgia. I came in for a second study the very next night and they got me on a BIPAP. They had to get my numbers well above 20 for it to make a difference with the fibro, which is a problem in itself (will explain in a bit). My private insurance did provide me with a really nice BIPAP machine, complete with remote monitoring so the sleep clinic can make adjustments without me having to bring in the unit. Not sure what the VA would have provided. Having pressure numbers above 20 means the mask almost has to be bolted to my head to prevent air leaks that make fart-like noises all night long. The tension from the straps sends my TMJ pain through the roof, even penetrating any sleep or pain medicine I may have taken. Waking up in the morning is now a mixed bag, never knowing if I will feel even partially refreshed or in horrible pain. It's better than before though, because it was just all pain. My insurance only provides replacement parts roughly about every 10 months, but I had to get a replacement mask because the thin silicone/plastic film got torn while I was hospitalized recently. Luckily, the vendor had a spare and swapped it out no problem. If it happens again before the 10 month window, it will cost me like $75 for a replacement. I actually have a VA primary care visit coming up soon and was going to inquire about having the VA sleep clinic supply replacement hoses and mask/cusions. I didn't have high hopes for them to say yes, but after reading about your experiences I at least expect them to be less cooperative.

OMG I feel bad for this guy. Looks like the VA is following their standard operating procedure of initial denial: Nash initially pursued compensation under the Federal Tort Claims Act - a civil procedure which requires a person to file a claim with the government and prevents them from suing until the claim is resolved. The Department of Veterans Affairs reviewed the claim and rejected it in July. "It is our opinion that there was no negligence on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs or any of its employees in connection with the claimed loss; therefore your claim is denied," wrote Melinda Frick, Indianapolis-based regional counsel for the VA. Jones said the extent of Nash's injuries are what prompted the lawsuit. "If this was someone who had a little frostbite and a little burning for a couple of days, there would be no suit," Jones said. "I would not wish this on my worst enemy."

http://fcw.com/articles/2012/10/01/va-conference-resignation.aspx

Thanks for the help everyone. I plan to call the American Legion today. I brought this up and the guy said it could be changed back before the NOD clock expires. Yeah, right..... Researching Legion info now...

They guy recommended I change my DRO request to a reconsideration of reduction of my asthma rating because I have about 3 months left. Granted my issue was related to them screwing up my rating, when I submitted my packet earlier in the year I provided copies of all necessary records to continue my previous ratings. This guy is also recommending I provide the DBQ (7 pages) to my doc to get a current assessment. My doc agreed to write an IMO, but not sure what they say when they see the longass DBQ, My asthma rating itself is protected (17 years SC), but I merely want them too look at the clear cut evidence showing I meet and exceed the 60% asthma requirements via steroid use. I apoligize if I sound sound a bit frazzled, but I have been in the VARO ER three times in the past week and was pumped up with IV steroids again today (for angioedema). Sorry, but thank's for helping

Not sure if what I was told was true, but I just talked with my DAV guy. He said the Montgomery VARO is not working on any appeals until the end of the year. He said all staff, including DRO's, are exclusively working claims. Anyone else hear anything about this?

Agree. When I talked with Peggy a few days ago, they said filing claims while waiting for NOD would not slow things down because they would be worked separately. Personally, I don't buy it. For veterans who submit certain presumptives, certain well-developed, or soldiers who have records are in the system solely in electronic form, maybe, but again personally I don't buy it.

One thing to remember about TMJ ratings: Like tinnitus, it is only rated at 10%, even if it affects both sides, but that is under 9905. Malunion or nonunion of TMJ are separate under 9904 and 9903. Not sure it that could be considered as a completely separate rating or just higher of the two due to same body pare (mandible).

Papa, I hope they are able to find some medication or treatment to help your PD get better. I had several EMG's in all extremeties, but sometimes they showed more problems than others. After "neuromuscular junction testing (procedure code 95937)", which was luckily covered by my private insurance, my surgeon recommended surgery instead of this medication because I had lost a significant percentage of function. One leg done, one leg down, two arms to go. I don't know if surgery is a potential path of relief, but hopefully your doctors can do something to help you feel better. I was prescribed this and a couple of other meds by the VA in advance of a sleep study. When I got there I asked and was told not to take it unless directed, because it is also used to treat restless leg syndrome. I was never told to take it, but they did not confiscate it either. When I got home, I introduced the leftover meds to mr. toilet bowl.