cowgirl

Judy, I have a question related to what you stated 'could have been' - did they not give you a specific reason? Also you said he was rated 100% by the VA and USAF. How did that work? did he recieve benefits from both - or which one took the lead? You posted the VA reduced him to 30% at the same time they denied you for ED (education benefits?). That sure has me puzzled too. Did you/he recieve a denial statement then? I can't imagine it being much wording wise. In the late 90's when I recieved a few denials from the VA I was lucky to get a single, vague sentence. But, at least that is in my Cfile. Forgive me if I asked already, what was his specific job title? bases did he serve on? or travel to on temporary duty? Those years PMEL labs could have been closer to the flightline than todays offices. And could be probable exposure to jet fuel like JP4 (think Benzine) or other fuels. Best to ya, cg'up2009!

Big Hugs and Happiness coming your way! Do think - dependents, VA copays, possible tax benefits, etc.... Yippee, once you get the paperwork check back in with Hadit to make sure its all set. If it weren't for some quality control on this board, I'd be in the back forty still today. My best thing with the claims process, I tended to my health better than ever. All the best to ya'! Cowgirl'up2009!

Recieved this not too long ago from the source, can you imagine - just love the cartoon pictures! http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/010202A.pdf

Did the VA compensation and rating office schedule the exam for you?

Shark, I wish you the best and have a positive feeling for you in getting what you deserve and need. A few questions. Do you get SSDI? Can you share a bit of how the Pyschiatrist discussed PTSD 'industirial impairment'? And does the VA still respond specifically on your EED request? I have similar claim process going and curious how TDIU should be inferred the way you describe it. For instance, IU for me should have been inferred, I think. I get SSDI. Ihave strong ratings on two of several service connected chronic/medicated health conditions. My strongest one lowballed on first claim, increased years later, and with evidence EED.(thanks to Hadit!) All the best to ya, Cowgirl'up2009! P.S. Thank you James B. for hanging in here with us and explaining what you can.

Also found on American Tinnitus Association page H.R. 2506 - The Veterans Hearing and Assessment Act On October 1, 2009, The House Veterans Affairs Committee - the Veterans Hearing and Assessment Act, at its legislative hearing. Sponsored by Representative Harry Teague of New Mexico, the bill would mandate hearing screening for all veterans deployed to combat, and increase tinnitus research by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Worldwide Online Tinnitus Survey Coordinated by The University of Iowa Individuals with tinnitus are invited to participate in this survey to help researchers better understand the complexities of tinnitus: https://survey.uiowa.edu/wsb.dll/127/iowatinnitus.htm

Yes, Tag.dear, comforting wishes to your wife. I am glad that your intuition and dedication proved miraculous. Regards H1N!, I'm not sure what I or my family had, sinus'es all around, but could have been that. The kiddos will probably get the shot unless a huge flag goes up. Haven't ruled out getting the vaccine myself, CHF, allergies and seasonal asthma. Here we are in constant prayer for a year old little girl and her family, who is pulling through just now two weeks later. We'll continue praying for no long term effects after the encephalitis, temporary paralysis and near coma. So glad I was sitting down when the teacher told me, I froze, the hair on my arms, neck and all stood up before the tears escaped, the shock just tore me up the rest of the day.

Thank you Mountain, thats very helpful and a direction to pursue the answer. Having talked to other women with dysfunction issue in past years, not a regular issue that we share, just occasional mention, no one knew what to call 'it'. From what I understand, this malady of the spirit and its symptoms depend on variable factors, physical heatlh, age, marriage or other relationship, close freindships, underlying causation (medicine, physical impaired health condtion, ptsd or mst), pyschological comes to mind as well as having children or not, etc. 'Is FSAD or other forms of female sexual dysfunction recognized or treated as a rateable service connected condition?' I feel service connecting female sexual dysfunction is as important for women as is a condition of ED is for gentlemen. Clearly, no offense. Thanks again, research continuiing...

This is an inquiry post and not meant to offend. Is there a diagnosis for sexual dysfunction caused by or related to MST?

My simple opinion - could be. Its all individual and up to the professionals really, the way I see it. The GAF % numbers only seem to 'categorize' the GAF 'definitions' to a individual. The GAF definitions seem to connect one description of the client and that seem to connect to the ratings - but again, the professionals and the raters connect the 'wording.' I haven't seen physchological conditions 'numbered' exactly, because each is so specific to the individual. (example 60% gaf doesnt equal 60% mh rating). Maybe someone else can discuss the depression and anxiety - could be they arent related? dunno here. Best to ya, Cg'up2009! p.s. what diagnosis was given on your C&P?

Judy, I am reading here and there but thought I'd ask - do I understand that cancer wasn't listed on his death certificate? What was diagnosis listed on the initial claim for DIC? And in the VA's initial response on the denial? (if you posted that here already, can you point me to it?) To get an earlier effective date, its a matter of knowing what the regulations and procedures were in effect at that time and their wording. Then if your claim clearly fits into the criteria, along with the information the VA had on hand at that time and wasn't appropriately rated, getting the date corrected is possible.(er, cgho - cowgirl's humble opinion!) Best to ya, Cg'up2009!

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06309.pdf report on managing Unemployability Benefits http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlere...i?artid=1839595 discusses templates on disability exams http://www.va.gov/vdl/documents/Financial_...RI/capri_um.pdf Vet computer records.

Dont think the political rules were broken. Just wonderin here! Happy and sad for the Veteran.

Yes - mindboggling! amen. Is that your governer putting the award on?

Wings, nice - certified Hadit paralegal trainer! Thanks for the simple and necessary lesson. My jaws tighten when I see the terms well grounded, gets ambiguous to me and returns nightmares of my earlier failed claims. Can't tell you how many times I've gone back to reread my claims decisions after many of your helpful posts. Sorta hits me like, Gee, I shoulda had a V8!

If you have a ongoing or valid new find diagnosis to an a service connected injury, with in service treatment, private care or VA care, the records should support your request. Just my experience, good to have diagnosis clearly stated before requesting increase. The veterans 'Claim' is the master record, after that 'claimS' , like increases, reopens, appeals, etc simply modify the original. (I think thats the way I see it.) The modification requests are claim for increase, reopened claim, etc.

Thank you Wings, you are so timely and helpful. I am praying 24/7 that this dedicated rater will make the correct effective date decision for unemployability if at all possible. Never in my life had I ever planned to get to a stage such as this, asking for compensation benefits. Thank you for being a intregal part of Hadit, the facts you provided are just right. Sometimes when I think its nearly time to give up on 'stuff', my Hadit family reaches straight out, grabbing and carrying me forward. Humble, Cowgirl'up2009! (Stressed and depressed here, but know that too shall pass...)

Awesome! Ya gotta know I've been rooting in the grandstands for you and everyone else that gets what due and what's needed! Best to ya and your family, cg'up2009!

Well, hope alls well, she last talked about a few things visiting family, reclaiming her goods from exhusband, eradicating vermin and a few other things. All that, her sons and health issues may be keeping her busy. Nice check up, didn't see her on Roll Call. Tbird, maybe there is a way to do a monthly or quarterly 'hello and how are ya from Hadit' to registered users email addresses? ( I miss Donenews too ~!)

My VSO printed out a code sheet of my particular sc disabilities for me.

Terry you send shivers all over! Wow - Ya done good and earned another pair of angels wings! I am so very happy for the other veteran too. Congratulations ~ ! Cg'up2009!

I agree being organized and submitting records is important. Honest, theres been times where I know the rater has read my SMRs because they returned what they considered my 'duplicates' of SMRs. With submitting information, I've learned the hard way to add a lead page that clearly indexes my attachments. Basically recording what I have submitted and where to find the particular attachment. Helps when I submit extra stuff through my VSO, thier cover letter simply has 'additional information submitted by veteran attached' but doesn't detail. Example, Attachment A. pages A-1 through A-5 'Service Treatment Records dated xxxx showing diagnosis on active duty for xxxxxxxxx' by Physician Smith. Best to ya, Cg'up2009!

I don't believe that is true since big is already connected. I think I used a Statement In Support of Claim, 21-4138 when I filed for another condition to be service connected and submitted it through my VSO. I requested for increase for said condition. If you have proof like selected portions of your SMRs and or a physicians diagnosis, you could add that as an attachment. The other form is for the first time a vet submits a claim, other requests are part of the original. Best to ya, Cg'up2009!

Hello and welcome SupportMyFellow to Hadit if I hadn't already said so. Again welcome and trust me, I will continue to share lessons learned and will for as long as possible. I'll look forward to seeing you around the site, just post... Best to ya, Cowgirl'up2009! p.s. My sense of humor keeps me going most days, if not I glean others on the social posts! .

Congrats Kelly, way to go!!! I didn't have an attorney for my ssdi. I extracted info from a few stressor letter examples, probably a similar one to yours, I didn't study many cases at all, just read ssadisability info on the internet, presented the truth, va medical records, old smr copies, spouse letter, prior pay stubs. The interviewer said I had it together B)! When the functional packet came in, I filled that out in detail. The prereading on ssa and advice from here probably helped me succeed without any denial. Again, am glad you got it together and succeeded~!! Cg