cowgirl

Can't imagine where I'd be without my Hadit family. although I had to take time off the keyboard and screen from time to time - y'all were here when I got back. Thats true freindship. Puppy? Colts? Kittens? Kids? Lambs? chicks and goslings...all remind me its really nearly spring - Yay~!

I am sorry for your freind and at the same time happy you are able to be there for him. I am curious about his SC conditions that render him 'unemployable' and what NSC conditions the VA referred to. Is this vet on SSDI? Is the back surgery SC? Did this vet request an Increase for his knee condition? How does this vets C&P report read for this main SC condition?the other conditions? Has the vet requested any care for this or any other associated condition at the VAMC? If so, was the care extensive and what do the clinical records show for diagnosis and treatment? Please understand, unemployability is difficult to get and even if the vet worked partime at a low paying job, it does reflect 'some ability' to bring income home. The VA used the last day of my low paying job as a 'start' date for IU. They recognized it as a non-gainful work, but they say the date represents work anyway. If the vet is eligible to file for IU by percentage, then other SC health conditions were probably considered as well. The c&p examiners report should be read soonest for validation. Hoping the best for the vet, Cg

Not sure if anyone saw or posted - Funky Weinkerbean comic is doing a series about a vet dealing with PTSD and the VA - who woulda thought? Cg

Writing is good, just careful about repeating the same story to self. Did that for a while, same ole same ole and decided to write forward-thinking until the next journal entry - helped me. Hope that makes sense. When I don't write, I read newspaper cartoons. Best to ya'll, Cg

Carolinda - You did it! Give yourself A BIG HAPPY reward for hanging in there to get 'whats due you'! Yes, two years is awesome timing. Please double check your decision effective date and any monies due you. Remember, you can now count on your self with a little help from your freinds here~! All the best to ya dear, Cowgirl'up,2,3,4......

I encourage you to continue with your steps. First, please find someone (doctor, PA, nurse, social worker) at the VAMC or Veterans Center that believes you. Then make sure tests,evaluations prove your medical condition exists for Service Connection. It took me a few tries over several years to find the counselor'psych with good fit for me, who believed and understood what I explained. I havent used a Vet Center but think there are pyschs there and if I recall the records are kept seperate from VAMC. Not sure if a vet can use them for a claim. Maybe other Hadit members can post how they 'proved' up MST or stressors. Bottom line, medical rationale and diagnosis tying it all together, military service and existing condition. Best to ya,

Aw Sharon, you are right on there ~ ! *So true, once had a 'doc' write out a medical support statement, included alot of 'patient reported' and 'patient feels'. Sounded good at the time, didn't help and I was denied my due. Medical rationale on paper is concrete, accept no less.

Good luck and stick with it. For instance, had all credits needed, got denied for lack of current credits, struggled to get those, got approved second time around. If I had understood about ALJ probably got SSDI earlier. Great information and experience here ~ ! Cg

Do you get SSDI? I added the SSDI decision and last employer release statement (VA used last date at *work for IU start date). I also submitted a handful of pages clearly showing in-service diagnosis, current VAMC diagnosis's, SC disability ratings - all to make processing easier for the raters. About six months later I had c&p exams. Best to ya, Cg *non-gainful employment but VA saw it as 'proof of some ability to work'.ha.

I also get curious about the process when it comes to the claims decider and/or author. I am not convinced that valid medical opinions are equitably weighed when it comes to disability claims. I have seen comments very and exactly selectively placed in the decision statements in VA ratings. I only know that because I get copies of my C&P exams and see whats written. I get copies of my VAMC clinical records. I have a complete copy of my Service Treatment Records (STR) and VA claims file (C-File). I also have most of my Service Personnel Record. Thanks to the VA, I have a copy of my private doctor records, because they requested them for the claims I filed. To keep current, I have to be a perpetual gatekeeper of my Veteran 'stuff'. To this day, I find the opinions contradicted, contorted and extracted - but mostly 'Paraphrased' and wordsmithed. Some are actually written to my benefit - great!! Some are written very negatively for two whole pages, only to conclude one factual statement and confirmation of the rating requested? oh yeah, some don't even reference the 'why' for the decision. Some decisions merely 'recant' the regulations, paragraphs and verbage as if I know it all. Two different decisions show the guidance only, one approved one denied - with no further discussion, thats all folks. Er, accept the opinion or appeal. Ok - my vent, I don't know how the rating scales work 'exactly' but have seen some of the guidance raters or claims processors are supposed to use. Its no wonder. Next topic? :o - those vague VCAA letters or my thought 'why waste trees?'. Cg'up,2,3,4...........

Healthevet is good for meds reorder and history. Printed off the page of current meds to keep in the pocketbook for easy reference or just in case. Personally, I dont prefer to have any additional personal health information stored on a computer than needed. With Hippa, I can imagine there being statement saying what we see is private but doesnt hold up for anything legal. Sorry, skeptical here. Cg

What is your rating question related to depression, bipolar, etc? How do you think if fits the rating schedule 'descriptive' breakout within the percentages for mental health? Can you post some of the doctors description of your examination results? The gaf, diagnosis and wording all add up, but the rating is a turkey shoot. sorry, no educated guess yet. Best to ya, Cg'up,2,3,4...

Oh ALLRIGHT - Zippity Do Dah - Congrats Vync - ya done good ~ ! Cg'up,2,3,4....

Congratulations on your recent award of whats due you. Where did you get your information of not being total and permanent if rated for depression? The VA regulations or guidance I've read doesn't support that theory. Also, if you want to pursue getting those other conditions connected - thats a personal decision depending on what your needs are. I've read so many hearbreaking stories of veterans needing IU p&t - with only some succeeding, it gives me pause to be thankful. Not knowing your VA story, its important to remember that 'VA ratings are not protected" until certain thresholds are met. You can search for that here or at the VA website. (I usually always start searching Hadit myself!) All the best to you and yours. Cowgirl

Looks like you filed for increase for PTSD in 2009 and recieved increase from 50 to 70% in 2010 as well as TDIU/p&t. Congratulations on getting whats due! Do you have other service connected conditions that rendered you unemployable before the date given? Were you eligible for IU/P&T prior than 2009? If so, how? Best to ya, Cg

How important is submitting the PTSD claim survey to decision in favor of vet for PTSD? I havent found out how much 'weight' that survey holds exactly. So far, my guess is it considered personal testimony of experience and stressors involved. The weight I am looking for is in a claim with STRs. military and civilian reports. Is the survey required to be completed if the VA sends it out to the veteran?

If I read your post right, you have already filed an reconsideration for your back but not for your ankle? Am thinking on this.

Cowgirl here, IU is indivdual unemployability. Are your 15 issues non-service connected (NSC)? Meaning, have they been recognized as NSC with any prior claim decisions you've received? Do you have a current claim in, if so what for - a new Service Connection (SC) or increase for SC? Best to ya, p.s. Information on these terms or abbreviations are available in the search feature.

A copy of the examination worksheet is http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/disexm37.htm If you have a copy of your VA medical records read for mention of depression or diagnosis of same. Sure hope you get treatment for depression if needed, my primary provider (nurse) 'screened' me and got me to VAMC counselor. Getting little or no sleep is not good, just adds to disability woes.(jmho) Best to ya, Cowgirl

Congraulations on getting whats due you! Not sure about the 100% covereage time period, can you tell us more? Sure hope you are getting the care you deserve. Best to ya, Cowgirl

Yes, a good thing - the claim is being actively decided Decision, probably less than 3 months, I guess no more than.... Note:*see Carlies post above, better information.cg Next step - the decision will be mailed to you. If decided in favor, there will be a deposit. If denied, there are steps to take to appeal. see http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1513 will keep positive thoughts for you and yours, Cowgirl'up!

Here it is. Got examined for award not too long ago, doc report shows and validates a condition that has been NSC for several years. Its listed on current report second on Axis I. Does that matter? Ideas? It wasn't mentioned or referred to in recent decision letter and is not Axis II. I get treatment for this at the VA and its been denied before. Interesting? Cg

I liked and spent last years stimulus 'rebate' money, but I feel it built false annual expectations and was a political tease. Don't know if 'they' are handing out another rebate from last years taxes or advance on this years taxes, but my family can use it.

Part of the reason I posted is because I feel like the VA undermines veterans when it comes to PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma and clearly assigning a disability code and correct specific ratings. There is no specific code, there is no specific disability compensation and in my opinion - another way to be swept aside because the diagnosis's are buried in VA medical treatment records. I have read several PTSD reports and surveys lately, all come to the conclusion, PTSD is bad and PTSD (MST) is rampant and veterans deserve disability compensation and care for that. But, considering how the records are, where the records are, if they can be found, physically or media wise - the reports are probably understated and inadequate. On second thought, when I go the VA for care, the check-in clerk will see me and my records, coded for mental health and I guess I'm ok with that. One well referenced PTSD report I read was the recent one on VA Watchdog. jmh 'cowgirl' opinion

I question if diagnosed PTSD (9411) or PTSD (mst) are being properly acknowledged, treated and rated for VA disability. Is there a specific rating formula for PTSD? PTSD with MST? or is PTSD simply 'covered up' or 'combined' within Mental Health Ratings? For instance I am diagnosed for Depression and PTSD with MST, so I think at minimum I should have two seperate codes. I don't - yet . From what I've found there seems to be ONE General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders in CFR 38-4 and all codes are rated under code 9440 Chronic Adjustment Disorder. (*exception Bullimia) Is there a different way that PTSD is or should be rated soley for itself? Should I have a four digit code showing PTSD - 9411? or is there another code for PTSD (mst)? Thanks for any feedback, Cg