Vync

Vet12, I agree. It's only 100 miles each way for me. If you read further on the web site, it describes their commitment for security of our personal info. Too bad they just don't let us go to our local county service office. Isn't that why they have them?

Just got off the phone regarding not being in DEERS. Registering requires: - Physically going to the VA Regional Office - Providing two forms of photo ID - Proof of current mailing address (i.e. phone bill) - Original or certified copy of DD214 I'll have to take a day off work just to jump through those hoops. Last time I checked, they already verified those things.

From what I read, you register online and get level 1 access. You then have to go through an in-person verification to get level 2 access.

Just tried to register for level 1 access, but for some reason, I am no longer in DEERS. Will have to call their toll free number to find out what went wrong. From what I can tell, this looks pretty cool.

Merely getting a well-written strong nexus letter with the appropriate jargon could make a big difference. Try that route before getting additional imaging done.

Get with your doc and ask for an MRI and/or a bone scan. X-rays can only show minimal details. When I hurt my back, the x-ray just showed a slight change. However, the MRI showed I had herniation of two discs and other damage. Also, I had shoulder surgery. The X-ray showed nothing, but the MRI showed I had some serious soft-tissue damage. Also, for arthritis, they can also do a bone scan. Arthritis shows up on those too. It's better to have overwhelming evidence in your favor. If your doctor will write you a strong nexus statement, it will help. If you just pass along results, it might get interpreted incorrectly. Remember, the raters are not doctors....

CG, I would, but because my claims are in the ratings department, I don't want to hold them up.

Hey ddj6969, Basically, they want to have proof that you have had to use special steroids or medications a significant amount of time to treat your condition during the past 12 months. In my opinion: Constant = 7 days a week Near-constant 5-6 days a week Note: Ratings with the "during the past 12-month period" are typically considered temporary ratings. This will be spelled out on your award letter and you can almost guarantee they will take another look at your condition in a year or two.

Deltaj, It looks like the VA gave me the runaround and gave your husband the super runaround. I think the deal about the ex-wife apportionment was handled wrong. When your husband divorced his ex, they should have stopped payment of the excess allocation. When he married you, they should have started it back up. Of course, you have to tell the VA about significant life changes like that... Hawkfire, I agree about the "all they did was deny me a little quicker" part. I had a couple of denials occur so fast that it made my head spin. It has been a couple of months since my original post, so here's a current status: Requested copy of C-file 6 months ago Active claims at the RO as of 4 1/2 months ago * As of yesterday, my claim was still in the ratings department VA refuses to send C-file copy until claims are finished * This is understandable, as they are still working on my claim and I don't want an additional delay

Huff, Some of the elders here could probably offer you better tips regarding your PTSD claim, but here's my opinion regarding each of your main points. #1 I have heard of things like this happening. Someone must have been a real jerk at that shop. At the shops I used to use, the folks really never cared because they were too busy talking about cars. To me, this sounds more like some form of depression than PTSD, but I could be wrong. #2 I thought experiencing a kidney/bladder stone was painful enough. Sorry that happened to you. Definitely something to run past your therapist. #3 Arthritis is definitely a source of chronic pain, which can also cause anxiety and depression. Due to the onset period, I am not quite sure if this would be PTSD, but I could be wrong. Regarding other medical conditions: Sleep apnea - Do you think it is possible that this is a side effect of the arthritis meds? Also, did the arthritis cause you to gain weight (i.e. not really able to exercise any more, less active). People who gain weight tend to suffer more often from OSA. Do you have to use a CPAP or BIPAP machine? Without a machine, SC might mean 30%, but with it could mean 50% or more. ED - After issue #2, this definitely sounds related. Also, ED can be a side effect of certain meds and/or depression/anxiety/pain. If you get SC for this, it means $96.00/month extra, but it does not count as a percentage. Depression/anxiety/pain - Arthritis is definitely a serious source of pain and also leads to depression, anxiety, or other issues. It's really hard to tell what type of rating you could get, but it would be a good idea to look into this also. Just remember, you can be SC for multiple MH issues, but SC is only rated by the highest one. Did your therapist offer an opinion on your conditions? They would be more likely to tell you what is and what is not classified into or intermixed between specific conditions. I hope your claim works out in your favor.

You could always have your wife buy American Express travellers checks, or.... Pretty simple solution: Pre-paid card 1. Go to your favorite store (Wal-mart, Target, Publix, Kroger, K-mart, etc...) 2. Your wife writes a check (or brings cash) and buys a pre-paid Visa card or a pre-paid store card. Your wife will still retain the ability to 'manage' how much money she gives you. Pre-paid Visa cards are usable anywhere, but usually there is a very small fee to purchase the card, usually a few dollars. Pre-paid store cards are only usable at the store where you buy them. You can never go over your limit, like a credit card. It's just like plastic cash. Some of the cards can even be reloaded. Be sure to keep track of the current balance. You can go to a bank and ask for a checkbook register. 95% of banks will give you one for free. Just track the balance using the register. Be sure to secure the card when it is not in use. If it gets lost or stolen, you are out of luck.

I really hope this works out for you in the end. My VAMC's Release of Information office swore up and down that I had no imaging (CT/MRI) results, even though I could tell them the exact date when they occurred. After fighting for two months, I discovered that the radiology department has their own library and that's when I got them. Regarding the teleconference, I wonder what the Vets who chose to remain in Europe do in similar situations? For something this serious, have you considered contacting your state Congressman or Senator?

Hoppy, The docs are supposedly given 10 business days to post their C&P results. After that, they can be obtained from the VAMC Release of Information office. I just did this last month, got mine about 6 days after my exams, and the clerk printed them on the spot. Please note that my C&P was done by VA staff physicians, not QTC contractors.

I requested my C-file in early Nov 2009 and filed some claims in late Dec 2009. I got reaponse back from one claim, but still waiting on others. I still have not received a copy of my C-file.

Hughie, Congratulations on the increase. Btw... which RO processed your claim? I'm curious because my C&P exams were about 5 weeks ago and my claim is still in the ratings dept. Berta, I don't mean to detract from this topic, but are they really supposed to do that? If they identified a potential secondary condition and even diagnosed it during a C&P exam (which was never provided to the Veteran), what recourse would the Veteran have and would they be able to get a corresponding EED based on that?

Bishop, Check your 10% TMJ award letter. Look at your range of motion. In some cases, you have sufficient evidence of injury that they will ignore it and grant you the 10%. The VA does not rate TMJ based on pain, it rates it on range of motion. There are some other dental ratings which may apply if you have more advanced problems, but let's look at generic TMJ for now: What's your current range of motion for your jaw, both vertical and horizontal? You measure the vertical (inter-incisal) range by the distance between the incisors when you open as wide as you can. Don't try to pry your mouth open. Just open it as far as you can. You measure the horizontal (lateral excursion) range by the maximum distance you can move your jaw left right. Measure from between your two front teeth, but add the distances for left and right movement together. Compare your totals (in mm) against this table. §4.150 - Schedule of Ratings - Dental and Oral Conditions 9905 Temporomandibular articulation, limited motion of: Inter-incisal range: 0 to 10 mm 40 11 to 20 mm 30 21 to 30 mm 20 31 to 40 mm 10 Range of lateral excursion: 0 to 4 mm 10 Note: Ratings for limited inter-incisal movement shall not be combined with ratings for limited lateral excursion.

I'm trying to find someone who was in my basic training unit, so I don't think they will have a web site. Berta, that's a very inspiring story. I will give it a shot. I appreciate the tips!

It sounds plausible as long as it is considered new and material evidence that the VA previously did not have when they made a ruling.

bump

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to locate former fellow service members in order to cooberate a stressor? If the VA is told who the person is, would they try to track them down and confirm it or is that something which has to be done independently?

Some Veterans have indicated receiving copies of their records on CD (possibly DVD). I checked with the local VAMC Release of Information Office in Birmingham, but they only provide printed copies of records. Has anyone had any success in requesting a different VAMC provide records on CD or DVD? Also, if your VAMC was able to provide data on CD or DVD, which VAMC was it? If my VAMC cannot do it, I am sure another VAMC could... Thanks

This is the best info I have heard all week: "I also told him, that in the REAL WORLD, people with a sore throat, do not see a Gynecologist, so why should I see someone w/o Ortho specialization?" Note: In my 1997 C&P exam, they did not use a goinometer. However, in my C&P exam last month, they did. I didn't ask them too either.

My VAMC C&P office told me the docs have 10 business days to complete the C&P exam report. Sometimes they finish it earlier than that, depending on the circumstances. This gives them time to dig through your C-file and medical and prescription records.

The C&P office at my VAMC told me that the docs have 10 business days to complete the C&P exam report. Sometimes they finish it earlier than that, depending on the circumstances. This gives them time to dig through your C-file and medical and prescription records.

They don't always do bloodwork. However, they will ask you a fair number of intimate questions. With regards to returning some functionality, visit your primary care doc or a urologist. Depending on your heart condition, you might be able to get some meds. The VA docs typically will give you some levitra, about 4 or 6 pills per month, along with a pill splitter. If you go to a private urologist, some of them will give you a 'party pack' which contains samples of levitra, cialis, viagra, etc... Each work differently for different people, but common side effects are headaches and that list of stuff they ramble off on the tv commercials. You might need to find the right one which works for you. If you can't get samples, ask the VA doc to write you a paper prescription to be filled in a civilian pharmacy. If you have decent private insurance, they tend to pay for some, but not a whole month's worth. Getting the SMC-K award for ED means $96.00 per month, which can come in handy if you want to pay cash at a civilian pharmacy. I hope things turn out for the better for you.