1lonewolf

Just to let everyone know a Doc at the VA told me that the VA is sending out information telling Docs not to give anyone a favorable exam for conditions secondary to s/c conditions causing abnormal gait. I know this Doc and was even shown some of the info they are sending out. That is the system we are forced into. It is a shame this type of internal road blocking happens to us vets behind our backs but we all know it does. To bad we are not privy to this type of information normally as it should be brought to the light just to show how corrupt a system VA comp is. I will not say which Doc because I do not want any blow back or to jeopardize anyones job if someone from the VA monitors our posts but this is a fact. Of course I had to take my claim to appeal before this starting happening anyway but it is happening now and I saw it with my own eyes. There is no doubt why the VA has such a turn over rate in Doctors when they tie their hands and/or ask them to do the wrong thing instead of what the took an oath to do. This happens all over the VA in all departments from treatment to exams. Just a little information for my brothers and sisters who have service connected injuries secondary to lower limb injuries who are just starting this fight! Truth is truth and facts are facts.

Hello everyone. I wanted to update my post and let everyone know that my Video hearing with the BVA went well. The Judge was very pleasant and seemed to see the evidence for what it really is. I was also able to reference those diagnosis by VA docs already in my Medical records that have always been overlooked at regional. She skipped my hips and went straight to my evidence and my back as if she knew I had everything already needed to warrant a decision. She said I want to skip Ahead and ask you a few questions if that was O.K. With me because she had reviewed my case and everything seemed to be clear. She referenced my IMOs and had an attitude as if she didn't need to hear allot because she had it right there in front of here. In one stack she had the bad C and P exam and in the other stack in front of her she had the 2 IMOs. She asked me were and who in my VA records had the same opinion as my IMO and I referenced those opinions. My DAV rep ask her to review my evidence and if the decision is not favorable to remand me for an IMO outside the VA to alleviate any doubt if she had any. She said she didn't think that would be necessary. Then she explained the process and told me I would get a transcript with a few months and that she would review my evidence and render a decision in 3 to 4 months. Everything seemed very positive from her perspective. Guess I will wait and see if Justice prevails finally but I can tell you that it is hard not to be anxious about it with as positive as the hearing went. We all know better than to do that but I feel it went as well as one could and I was well prepared and got everything in I needed to even though it was pretty short. She also ask the witness I took a question which also went well. You never have to prepare to tell the truth but I was prepared to reference some things that had been overlooked before but she already had those same questions for me so I didn't have to even bring them up. Just give her the answers. So in closing I would say that the overwhelming evidence and IMOs should be enough by VA law to warrant the decision that should have ready made at regional and by her demeanor I truly believe she felt the same way. I will update everyone as things unfold and we shall see. I was in allot of pain from having to wait two hours because the guy before me and his rep went long and she even apologized for that and told me she was sorry about that and could tell I was in pain from having to sit that long! We shall see if a wrong which has been going on for over 3 years is righted this time around but I can tell everyone it sure seemed positive to me. Of course I had everything required by VA law to refute the bad C and P and was prepared. Get your IMOs and make sure they are done by VA standards. I am sure that it what it takes but get 2 or 3. Even if the other 2 are not done to VA standards they will sure add credibility to the truth. I will keep everyone posted!!

Thanks everyone for the support and kind words. Focusing on the evidence and issues will not be a difficult task. I have 3 IMOs and plenty of evidence and I am taking a few witnesses. It still boggles my mind how one Doctor can be so obviously biased when evidence to the contrary is overwhelming both inside and outside the VA. As we all know the system is set up that way but I can only stay focused and hope that justice and right prevails this time now that is has been taken outside regional and upstairs.I will update everyone after my hearing and let you know how it goes.

I finally have my BVA hearing via video conference on Feb 22nd. I will keep everyone posted on how that goes as well as the decision. There are apparently allot of cases very close to mine out there and several awards. I will keep a positive attitude and continue to update my post so if anyone else has secondary issues due to abnormal gait/SC injuries they will have a complete set of information on what I have had to do. Thanks for everyones support!

Apparently My DAV rep has transferred to another DAV office and I have been assigned a new Rep. The letter from my state senator from the V.A. regional office stating my BVA hearing was on Ocotober 29th was apparently a mistake according to my new DAV rep. I personally think it fell through the cracks in the shuffle when My rep left. Now I am being told my BVA hearing will be in January of 2012. So I patiently await this hearing as I have for quite some time now. In the interim I have now been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea which goes along with my other sleep issues. I have filed a new claim for that issue as I have been told by my Doctor that it is positively secondary to my G.I. issues. I will continue to update my post as things unfold with my claims. I hope everyone has a happy Holiday Season.

Just an update for everyone. Unofficially My BVA hearing is to be held via video conference on October 29th. In the interim I was sent to a chiropractor by the VA but he released me after 2 visits as my issues are not correctable nor can anything be done for me from a chiropractic standpoint. I am schedule for acupuncture later this month and I am in the hope that just maybe I will potentially get some type of relief. I have traveled the country inside and outside the VA looking for some type of relief but I have exhausted all avenues other than acupuncture. It is the only thing left I have not done. I will keep everyone posted on how my BVA hearing goes as well as any other updates I may have in the interim.

Yes.

Well I have submitted my Appeal and requested a BVA video conference. Does anyone have any idea how long that takes before you get one? My DAV rep says that even though there is solid evidence in my favor and the (Good at being bad) VA Doc has done everything to Stop me from what I deserve and what is right, I should have been awarded my claim as any time Doctor's disagree the Veteran should get the benefit of the doubt. I have obtained yet another IMO from my chiropractor to add to the pile making the total number of IMO's on my pile 3. One neuro-radiologist, one ortho surgeon who specializes in disability, and one chiro. This is the first time I have went to a chiropractor and The unfortunate issue is even though my chiropractor tries to help me I continue to go back to square one with any relief due to my abnormal gait mechanics and gravity. I did just get new shoes and leg braces which do help with my feet but give me no relief in my back and hipsI I have also obtained multiple cases from the VA appeals website which I will also submit and use in my appeal hearing. If in fact the Veteran getting the benefit of the doubt is true then I should get what I deserve after my hearing. Of course i will not count on it but I am trying to remain positive. If anyone has anything suggestions, etc.. please feel free to post them as I am an open book. The shock and awe of this whole thing never seems to be far from my mind but with the assistance and support of my fellow forum members I continue to stay the course!

I wanted to provide and update on my claim which continues to spin out of control. I have been denied once again and it clear in the denial that the original Doctor who started all this was directly involved in preparing this denial and report. This tells me that it is quite apparent that my claim is no longer about fair or evidence but more about the ego of one doctor who does not want to admit wrongdoing and a department covering for her to keep her from having to answer to all the complaints lodged against her for rough treatment. That is what this is all about. My last C and P exam which would have been fair is now another nail in my coffin as this Doctor got to my C and P Doctor which is also clearly stated in my denial. What started as a nightmare continues and it is apparent that my claim will never be decided fairly regardless of the IMOs I submit or the overwhelming evidence in my file. It is clear that in an effort to cover up a bad and unfair evaluation, the whole department is in bed together. This may sound like a conspiracy theory but If you read my denial I can promise you that not only is this evident but often referenced. A "Team" of Doctors including her and my C and P Doctor reviewed my claim and wrote my denial. Not a DRO rep but a team of Doctors from the Lexington VAMC to include my C and P Doctor, the department head, and the other Doctor mentioned previously. This is truly disgusting in my opinion and I can only wonder how many guys are going through this same situation and being met with the same denial using the same "Team" approach. It is sad when one persons ego or wrongdoing offsets the lives of Veterans who served without question and continue to be denied even when the evidence is present. The VA process is truly one of a kind but as we all know what has happened to me seems to be the rule more often than it is a unique situation. There needs to be a more direct and open process to review these types of biased approaches because it is not only apparent but obvious and should be stopped by someone above the regional offices when it occurs. Just my thoughts but I guess now I will put in my appeal which will most likely be another waist of time if this tact and approach are taken on it. Guess I should consider myself lucky and now I have a whole medical department who knows who I am but not because they are interested in my overall health but in covering their own asses and rallying to take care of and cover for their own. My claim will never be treated fairly as now I can count on a team to discount it and insure that one Doctor does not have to ever admit wrong doing. I wonder if I should even submit an appeal at this point. I am obviously in a situation that goes beyond the normal VA process and more focuses on what makes is so broken. Any thoughts? I am open to any ideas here and nothing will be deemed dumb or ridiculous at this point as now I am caught in a crossfire when all I ever really wanted is what is fair so I can try to live what is left of my life.

Another entry to the the ongoing saga that is my claim. A decision will not be made on the 23rd as the letter stated. They have now scheduled me for another C and P exam in early March. I guess after that a decision will be made based on the mountain of evidence set forth. I will keep everyone posted on how things go.

I wanted to provide another update on my current claim status to everyone. Based on the current letter I just received a decision is going to be made on my claim on the 23rd of this month. Currently they will be using records from Social Security and the new IMO from an orthopedic surgeon along with the evidence already contained within my medical records. Halo2, sorry it has been awhile but in answer to your questions I did in fact file timely, they did take away the 10 % for my right hip. In the process I was awarded compensation for my Esophagial issues. I am currently rated at 60. The biggest most disabling issues I have are what is currently in appeal. My lower spine and my hips. I will update everyone as soon as I hear something! I am keeping my finger's crossed and hoping that truth and justice prevails. I guess we never know what to expect in this situation as nothing is clear or straight forward in the VA claims process. I will update everyone as soon as I hear something new. Thanks for all the support!

No doubt but I guess I was really referencing the 8 doctors versus 1 doctor issue. My issues are clear and are clearly secondary to every doctor I have seen inside and outside the VA. I will await my decision and truly hope that my DR officer (Who seems to be a fair guy) brings justice to this situation. We shall see.

Hello everyone and Happy New Year. I thought I would update my Post with the current "goings on". In review I did have a DRO hearing in October and from that Hearing I told the DRO officer I would be providing another IMO. I have provided that IMO from an orthopedic surgeon as well as the Letter I received from Social Security approving my SSDI claim, which by the way took less than two weeks and the decision was based solely on my VA medical records! I then also provided this approval Letter from SSDI which listed all my SC issues to include the issues that they are still currently denied and in the appeals process. So in review currently I have a new IMO and my approval letter from SSDI in the hands for the DRO officer for review. I followed up with my DAV rep earlier this week and currently the VA has requested my records from Social Security. I assume this is to prove that I am providing them with accurate information about the decision they made in such a short timeframe based on my VA medical records. I would also assume they are verifying what conditions Social Security based their decision on even though it is clearly listed in the approval letter I sent them. All conditions are in the approval letter in order and not one is missing. In my opinion this yet more crystal clear evidence in support of my claim and it also verifies that another government agency was able to easily determine my disabilities and their cause by reviewing my VA medical records. As I have stated before any individual,including someone who has never seen medical records before, can review my records and will not even get 10 pages in before they have found not only my conditions but also multiple doctor diagnosis to verify them and their cause. To date I have submitted multiple letters from individuals, 2 IMO's, several letters referencing the multitude of diagnosis in my records from 6 different VA docs, my SSDI letter of approval which includes my conditions in order, and a letter sent every month from my State Senator's Office The only reason that I am in this fight is because of one Doctor's biased and incorrect opinion in the original C and P exam. So in review that is a mountain of evidence in support of my claim proving my conditions, both SC and Secondary, versus one doctor. You will not find this type of issue with any other government agency that provides compensation or pension so I ask you. why is it this way for us Veterans who should be this country's number one priority? A question I ask myself everyday when I strap on my ankle braces and my orthopedic shoes and grab my cane. A question we all ask ourselves as veterans seeking what we deserve and what was promised to us the day we joined to serve our country! I will update my post again when I hear something back worth a read to everyone. Until then I hope everyone is doing well and keeping up the good fight against the Machine that is VA Compensation and Pension.

Thank you for the support. I really do not know what else they can do to deny me now but then again I thought that initially! All I can do is wait until I receive my next decision and hope that right prevails and that finally someone at the regional office says "Hey, why are we denying this guy over one Doctor's obviously incorrect Opinion when there is a multitude of Doctors both VA and private who all have the same opinion?" I can only hope that the Decision Review Officer assigned to my case just takes the time to look at my records and my IMO's, That is all it will really take to right this wrong I am currently dealing with. It is really that simple and had that been accomplished initially, I would not still be in Limbo trying to figure out how in the hell They can continue to deny me. The evidence and Opinions were there initially as well but all that was mentioned was the C and P exam and that is what was used to deny me. Incredible to say the least but common practice from what I hear from others on here and abroad. So this whole thing continues based on one bad evaluation and the obvious denial of facts as contained within my records, of which most information is recent over the last 2 years. I will continue to keep up the good fight as this is more than just pursuit of justifiable compensation for severe injuries incurred while serving my country but also just a plain out fight of right and wrong. No one should ever be penalized because they tried to do the right thing like work for as long as possible. Especially not Veterans like us that are the main reason these people even have a job or a country to have it in! I will keep everyone posted on my progress and Thanks to everyone for your continued words of support.