cowgirl

Just inquring how a Veteran is normally treated at a "Away' VA clinic while traveling or visiting another area? Did that once and was shocked having to 're-register' to that particular VA, Sure feels like the VA med centers aren't participating together on a single data base. A process that could take as little as 30 minutes took 5 times as long, going thru several receptionists/checkin clerks,,, My question is 'Whats Normal' about getting simple primary care at any VA ?

Please pass comforting thoughts to CC from Cowgirl and family. I've added him tand his care providers to our prayers. Just lil'ole Cowgirl here ~ !

Thanks all, Sure blessed and downright amazed with results of 'our' work here to get whats due. To answer justrluk - Short story, got SSDI, decade and half to get to 90%, After that, took about two years plus to get IU, thanks to VA comp exam confirmation of unemployability.. I Thank God daily for my Hadit family helping us through.

ok, small fix to my own dilema, I changed the 'view' to enlarge the page so I can read the skinny & light colored letters. Currently at 125% - may try 150% next :D)

Ok, I've been gone for a few, so the board had to change eh? Sure looks great, but I've got to adjust my screen colors the light/blue & black skinny letter fonts are a strain for these old eyes to read :D. Can anyone tell me how to adjust the screen fonts simply? I suppose bold would be most helpful (do eyes get worse with every birthday? ? ) Been missing all and will be climbing back on board this week, Best to y'all, Hadit's lil ole Cowgirl!

Please read this post - excellent! From one thats been there, done that and paid dearly for 'not knowing' or understanding how the VA works. My story is long, but thankful for Hadit, patience, DIAGNOSTIC codes, VA regulations and a loving God, I made it this far. I now have much needed care and some compensation for a life threating illness incurred in service. Life would have been so much better if I had the correct Diagnostic Codes entered into my FIRST claim after service. Best to y'all, Cowgirl'up!

Mental hug to you also. My claim I listed the 'perpatrator's' name, location etc. Tough as it was to write down, a month or so later when the VA started to work my claim, I started gaining encouragement that this was 'my turn' to get beyond their dark grip. Do something nice for yourself after having done the form? Reward yourself and carry on! in continuous counseling for MST - Service Connected disability, Cowgirl'up!

Halloo, you are your best advocate! Good advice given here, all the best to you. Note, on a claim of mine the VA rater 'portioned' out my Service Treatment Records (STR) to a limited time period - so heed the VCAA advice - the details do matter where its important. Keep at it and ask questions on any of the responded posts here. The ball is in your court to prove up so watch 'expectations' of large disability awards, I did that and got overstressed healthwise. Hadit elders helped me slow down, get realistic, on track and take baby steps to achieve my claim outcome using the VA regulations and clear medical opinions. Best to ya, Cowgirl'up!

COngrats ! Need to post this in success section - Yay, good feeling for you I bet. Of course, with your experience - if you can help others here that'd be great. Just another struggling veteran who has learned patience and persistence pays off thanks to Hadit volunteers! Cowgirl

Good advice on the responses. Recommend checking with a VA social behavorial health provider, they have tools to diagnose and care for those with PTSD. Also Service Medical Records aren't everything when it comes to PTSD and most often I hear vets were never diagnosed in service for PTSD, hence the 'post' for P-TSD. This condition doesn't usually appear overnight. Encourage you to continue to read about other PTSD claims work by using Hadit search feature, something may strike a bell for you as well. Best to ya, Cowgirl

Good question, I don't recall seeing anything saying a Vet can't apply & get approved for Voc Rehab while on state unemployability. Hope you get needed assistance. Cowgirl

I wish a fair outcome for your efforts! In the many, many years I've dealt with the VA medical compensation, imho its the employees who make or break the system. I have been to exams where I thought it a sure thing - only to be denied by wordsmithing. But I never gave up, struggled but not very heroically, and have laughed at myself for my studpidity and ignorance after getting help here at Hadit. Encouraged, continued the fight and got whats due. Have been to exam(s) where thought there was no chance in the world, only to be given a correct rating that changed my life and that of my family. And I continue to get health care at the VA, so far so good. Side note, with social'behavorial professionals, my opinion most are in the business they can relate to. <]:0 Another side note, the 'call center' is a nice diversion I've used but now prefer the IRIS inquiry email system for my own file copy. Once gave feedback on a exam during a call, clerk notes were listed in claim decision! What was your exam for? Did you get and review a copy of the exam worksheet? Sure helped me. As you can see by the discussion responses here - Medical opinions are key to success, and very important an outside medical opinion can really work in your favor. Funny, odd, but VA contracted compensation exams can be in your favor too Best to ya, Cowgirl

Thank you for the response, I am blessed but will always be in mental health 'recovery'. I put on a 'good face' when in public, but have little personal interaction aside from husband and kiddos. Thinking with ILP may help get a fresh start doing something.

Vync, try IRIS inquiry - it may 'remind' them of your request. Or send a letter in repeating your request? Sometimes I think things can get buried in paperwork or computer files. I know, if I don't follow up - no one is going to do it for me. Best to ya, Cg

Did anyone miss my questions? :D Here is one. How does the VA really determine the Vet who can benefit from Independent Living Program? For thoughts, if a vet is mobile-or-house restricted granting ILP should be a no brainer. But what about the vet that can drive, but struggles with depression and other mental health challenges, ptsd or anxiety disorders? what about if the vet is married, in a family but just doesn't have other freindships? Is the program a possibility? I looked at the application & regulations last year, just don't know if theres a chance. Thanks for reading, Just your freindly, yee-haw, ] Hadit Cowgirl ~ !

Dear Broncovet - please know I'm praying for your son and you'all. These are difficult times and the power of prayer helps so much. I occasionally read Guidepost magazine, it represents many faiths, the genuine goodness of selfless care for others and true stories reminding us - we are not in this alone. I have nephews, cousins and close freinds son there just now. Praying for thier healthy departure and return to the states. Blessings, Cowgirl'up,2,3,4.....

Oh right Phillip, a request can be made. my oops. Thanks to Hadit, I requested my entire cfile, took a month and later requested an update (specific timeframe) only took a few days. Cg'up!

Welcome to Hadit and Thank you for your service to our country. All I've read and learned, if a vets claim is in process, its not the best time tor request a copy. Do you have a particular and strong reason why you want a copy of your cfile just now? If not, wait until your claim is processed then submit. jmho All the best to ya, Cowgirl!

Excellent post on EP for McQueen and others, including my rusty brain, thanks James. Dsgsr - The VA has three main arms to 'handle' us vets, Veterans Benefits Administration - handles Compensation (CLAIMS), Education, Home Loan Guaranty by a VA Regional Office Veterans Health Administration –handles Regional VA Medical Centers, Ambulatory Care, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, etc.–and National Cemetery Administration -handles our dignity. Best to ya Mac McQueen, Cg

Congratulations! Did the decision paperwork state the amount or as of dates? Not trying to be funny, just double checking. I suspect you'll hear somethng in the next few weeks. Best to ya, Cg

Charleese, I suspect the veteran now (1985-2010 long time!) has advanced/or advancing effects of these conditions. If I read right, the NSC code of 5010 was for an injury ? Was the injury in service ? or connected to another condition? If you could find out what other SC conditions for leg, sciatic, feet or hips the vet may have. Bones are connected, eh? Mention this because of meniscus, muscles and all the other lil connectors we're built with. The second item you listed sounds odd to me, but not medical here. Sounds grouped together somehow, I think individual codes represent better, but the elders may have thoughts. Best to ya, Cg

Welcome Lonewolf, we veterans are honestly here for one another, thats the good news. Thank you for your service, I am sorry that you have endured needlessly for so many years but are finally getting some of the care you so deserve. Keep posting your status OR any question so we can see how best to help out. Remember, we've been there or we wouldn't be here! In fact don't know where I'd be without my powerful Hadit family covering my back'side. My kiddos and husband know that too. Best to ya, Cowgirl'up!

Hang in there Mustang, looks like good advice for you. Thoughts regards word 'retired' are similar - can't work. Are you retired = 'disability retirement'? SSDI? or did you retire normally but on your resignation state health conditions ? or specific health conditions? When you NOD consider targeting specific statements "quoted" from the decision page. In a NOD I quoted their statement, told them they were wrong, quoted part of the regulation on same, showed where the c&p examination they requested and other medical statements listed important information they missed. Facts, dates, conditions by medical name. Best to ya, Cg

Welcome Larry W - you're among family here too, looks like with your brood - you're sorta used to that. Feel free to ask, search and support - because thats what Hadit is about, sharing information to help get whats due you. Cowgirl'up,2,3,4..... :)

Thank you for the post and your dedication Carlie - ya know you're awesome =) ! Cowgirl