Vync

I agree. This is part of the new wing they are adding to all of the VA urology clinics. Lava lamps will also be on every desk and funky music will play in the background. A bead curtain will connect it to the VA Canteen store. A 'special' novelty section will require proof of age before entering. The pharmacy will be downsized and replaced with Levitra vending machines.

ut2seabee, I am considering joining DAV, but have not yet. I went to the RO a couple of weeks ago, because that is where the nearest DAV office is located. The people there were friendly, but after waiting two hours, they only spent about two minutes with me. The guy simply told me to get an IMO/nexus letter. I came back and have learned so much here. I am gathering my C-file and getting all of my medical records before I do anything else. I want to make sure my stuff is in order first. Berta is correct. File for this asap. File for whatever conditions you have. This will lock in your EED, should you be SC. I think you have a good window to start submitting evidence and getting your IMO, if you should need one. You never know. The VA might approve you right away. Best of luck to you.

With that EED, imagine the back payment he will receive. This Veteran is probably about 80 years old now. I hope he lives comfortably for 20 more years and is able to enjoy it. That's persistence. You have to respect that.

PR, Wow, that sounds like a shocking experience. Are you serious about that? I looked at the checklist below, but must have missed that part. Genitourinary C&P Exam Checklist http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/disexm24.htm

As long as you blood pressure and/or psych meds are SC, you might have a shot. Here's what I was able to find. Here is a link to a BVA case related to "loss of use of a creative organ": http://www4.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0717935.txt "Impotence is tantamount to loss of use of a creative organ. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7522 (2008)." Master CFR list: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html Creative organ CFR: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOO...RT4/S4_115b.DOC §4.115b Ratings of the genitourinary system—diagnoses. Note: When evaluating any claim involving loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs, refer to §3.350 of this chapter to determine whether the veteran may be entitled to special monthly compensation. Footnotes in the schedule indicate conditions which potentially establish entitlement to special monthly compensation; however, there are other conditions in this section which under certain circumstances also establish entitlement to special monthly compensation. 7522 Penis, deformity, with loss of erectile power 20 (1) (1) Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under §3.350 of this chapter

If necessary, look into getting an IMO/nexus letter to connect your current condition to your service injury. There is a lot of good information on this site about this. I'm working on the same thing with my back. Had injuries in the early 90's, but it has become significantly worse over the past five or six years.

Yeah, I found that. It appears to be the only one they credit to children of both male and female Vietnam Veterans.

What about the children of male Vietnam Veterans? What about miscarriages of female Vietnam Veterans and wives of male Vietnam Veterans? Just curious if anyone has any info about these scenarios.

Chuck, Thanks for the detailed description of the condition. It doesn't sound like much fun.

Papa, I totally know what you mean about running out of spaces. I have about a dozen or so in-service injuries on my back alone. It is a miracle that anyone can read my handwriting, so I prefer to fill out paperwork online too. (Fillable form) http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526-ARE.pdf From page 5 instructions: What if I need more space to answer a question? You can use Part A of the 21-526, page 5, Item 29 "Remarks" or attach a sheet of paper to your form. Write "Continuation of answers" at the top of the page, your name, and your VA claim number. If this is your first claim, you will not have a VA claim number, so write your Social Security number instead. For each question that you need more room, write "Continuation of Item" and the item number. For example, if you need more room to answer Item 16 on VA Form 21-526, part A, write "Continuation of Item 16, VA Form 21-526, Part A." If you are planning on printing it, not submitting it online, you might just want to save multiple copies of the file and only print part B page 1 from each. If you have Adobe Acrobat (not reader) or another PDF editor, you can copy multiple pages.

It would be interesting to look up the thoracolumbar C&P exam and see if they actually followed it...

lowe, Thanks for the clarification. I'm still new here and am trying to help out. ;)

Is it just me or is the American flag no longer part of the web site? I see the VA seal at the top. Of the five rotating pictures, numbers two through five have pieces of it visible, but it is just rotating content. Wait, after going through all of the links under the Veterans Services topic, I finally found part of it at http://www.myhealth.va.gov and another one on the burial flag page. We served our country. We want to see our flag.

The BOLD part relates to tinnitus. Everything else is just for the ear. I could not find anything relating to hearing with 257 or 275 as part of the code. Hope this helps. Diseases of the Ear Rating 6200 Chronic suppurative otitis media, mastoiditis, or cholesteatoma (or any combination): During suppuration, or with aural polyps 10 Note: Evaluate hearing impairment, and complications such as labyrinthitis, tinnitus, facial nerve paralysis, or bone loss of skull, separately. 6201 Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with effusion (serous otitis media): Rate hearing impairment 6202 Otosclerosis: Rate hearing impairment 6204 Peripheral vestibular disorders: Dizziness and occasional staggering 30 Occasional dizziness 10 Note: Objective findings supporting the diagnosis of vestibular disequilibrium are required before a compensable evaluation can be assigned under this code. Hearing impairment or suppuration shall be separately rated and combined. 6205 Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops): Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus 100 Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus 60 Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus 30 Note: Evaluate Meniere's syndrome either under these criteria or by separately evaluating vertigo (as a peripheral vestibular disorder), hearing impairment, and tinnitus, whichever method results in a higher overall evaluation. But do not combine an evaluation for hearing impairment, tinnitus, or vertigo with an evaluation under diagnostic code 6205. 6207 Loss of auricle: Complete loss of both 50 Complete loss of one 30 Deformity of one, with loss of one-third or more of the substance 10 6208 Malignant neoplasm of the ear (other than skin only) 100 Note: A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, radiation treatment, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based on that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of §3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals. 6209 Benign neoplasms of the ear (other than skin only): Rate on impairment of function. 6210 Chronic otitis externa: Swelling, dry and scaly or serous discharge, and itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment 10 6211 Tympanic membrane, perforation of 0 6260 Tinnitus, recurrent 10 Note (1): A separate evaluation for tinnitus may be combined with an evaluation under diagnostic codes 6100, 6200, 6204, or other diagnostic code, except when tinnitus supports an evaluation under one of those diagnostic codes. Note (2): Assign only a single evaluation for recurrent tinnitus, whether the sound is perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head. Note (3): Do not evaluate objective tinnitus (in which the sound is audible to other people and has a definable cause that may or may not be pathologic) under this diagnostic code, but evaluate it as part of any underlying condition causing it. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155) [64 FR 25210, May 11, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 25823, May 14, 2003]

lol, submit an IRIS defect on the fact that nobody can find anything any more. I'll be the first to say it. Yes, the new page officially sucks. ;) It looks like they are trying to decrease end user transparency.

www.va.gov now looks totally different. If you think you knew where things used to be, look again. I don't yet know if it is an improvement or will make our lives more difficult.

Hey dav_marine72 That's 1-10 with good behavior. ;) Good luck to everyone with their appeals.

Alone, I am finishing up a Psychology course and have been reviewing clinical studies. Certain problems tend to be resolved better with long term care. Taking medication and attending counseling for a long time might be what's best. Be careful about coming off of the medication. The cold turkey approach may not be safe and can actually aggravate your situation. Some require you to be weaned off gradually over time in order for you to get the maximum benefit. I'm no expert, but this is what I know. Definitely seek help. If you do not like your counselor, ask for another. I hope you get to feeling better soon. You're fighting the good fight - don't give up.

No survey yet. Being that I am at the VA medical center several times a month, I am surprised not to be at the top of their mailing list.

I know. They indicated that the proposed payment of the $250 stimulus was, in effect, to make up for the fact that there would be no COLA increase in 2010. I posted the link for the benefit of testvet, who inquired about it, and anyone else you may also have been curious. :)

Here's a link to the proposed $250 check for 2010. Something like this is posted on another topic too. http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/01/pre...nt-with-2010-in

My house payment went down by $3 per month. My VA disability payments will receive no COLA increase for the first time since, well since I started getting them. My private health insurance supplement went down by 10% (meaning I have to pay an additional 10% of negotiated costs on everything after deductible and co-pay). My employer reduced everyone's salary by 3-7% (scaled on income) due to the trashed economy, to prevent layoffs. Well, at least my house payment went down by $3 per month. :)

I didn't read the whole text so I missed out on part of it. I separated in 1995 and agree that limiting this benefit to only post 9/11 veterans is unfair. I currently do not require in-home care, but know plenty of other Veterans probably will eventually.

Happy Veterans Day everyone!

That's great! Congratulations!!! :) B) ;)