Brother Gate

Thanks for the reply! I also have DM2. I have been taking omeprazole 20mg capsules for my stomach for years. Also for the past 3 years I have been taking potassium chloride powder supplements because my body keeps wasting potassium. Did not know until I did some research yesterday and found that the power supplements also was eating up my stomach/esophagus with the acid. It seems as though medicine cures one problem but creates or exacerbates another. I am hoping to get my biopsy soon so that I can begin some type of treatment. I currently have 4 claims before the VA to be ruled upon. I think it is best I wait until all is decided before opening up a new can of worms. I have not yet filed for GERD but have been treated for about 7 years. When I do file I will add Barratts as secondary to GERD if I am able to connect GERD as SC or connect GERD as secondard to Anxiety/PTSD.

Thanks Pete for the reply. Just got the diagnosis today. Can't do anything yet until I get results from the biopsy. Believe me, treatment is optimum and I will pursue immediate treatment once I know the facts. Until then, question remains the same regarding claim. The only truth I know as of now is that it was caused by GERD which I have had since Vietnam. I think at the moment connecting is important to establishing effective date. I have had claims in the past that I slept on not recognizing the importance of immediacy dealing with the VA. Learning as I go. peace

Hello Everyone, I went for an EGD test today. The conclusion is that I have been told I have Barretts Esophagus Disease caused by GERD. They took a biopsy and will inform me of the results. Has anyone filed a claim for that? Also, how can I connect GERD to Vietnam; AO or PTSD? Appreciate your input. P.S. "this too shall pass" Bro' Gate

Congratulations on your award. It looks like the VA did include the percentages for your scars. Your new decision is of 30% 20% 20% 10% by VA Math is only 60%. The pre-existing scar awards of 10% 10% will only bring your total to 67%. The total is rounded off to 70%. Your award letter probably did not mention your scars but it was included.

Sorry about your encounter. Hope your c-file backs up your diagnosis beyond the docs lack of opinion. The quote "Unable to opine without resort to mere speculation" concerns me. I recently had a c&p and had the same words on the report. I was denied because the doc rendered an opinion of speculation rather than least likely as not. The word speculation does not work in your favor. It is the same thing as saying "I don't have a clue".

Carlie, I do fully understand the nature of PTSD. I have been a student of it for quite sometime. You are correct that PTSD does not discriminate but the VA has in the past discriminated in the application of the law to PTSD rulings. My reference is to my own situation as a combat veteran and to those that have been in combat but were denied with the burden of proof that is not in our records. I am in agreement with you; it does not matter how you got it as long as it is related to your military experience and you choose to service connect it.

Don, I can conceivably buy into what you are saying. However, I don't think the VA docs are that naive. For every regulation the government approves,; they have already had their indoctrination in the training manuals how to scruntinzie and still deny. The issue I think is that we bascially all get VA medical but I think the compensation will be that to a minimum regardless of your condition. For us vets who have real combat issues, I don't see any problems.

Great News! My question is even though pending claims will be covered under this new regulation; will there be retroactive compensation due to those vets who were already in the system pending a decision?

At this point, it really does not matter what you or I feel. The law is the law. We dealt with a law of inequity for years that was biased to deny the rightful veterans of their benefits. I don't share the burden of those who cheat but only the justified. For all of the veterans who have been denied unjustly, there was no recourse except through the courts. The burden of proof was always beared by the veteran. Now the table is turned. The VA is now faced with the truth of denial. I would be mindful not to throw the baby out with the wash. Peace and continual love,

I heard the news while riding to the VA to see my doctor this morning. I could not believe it. What we have been fighting for will be realized Monday. No more proving; no more stressors; no more triggers; and no more of the same games. Don't know all that is ahead but this I do know; "We have come a long way baby!" Thanks to all the brothers and sisters for their emails to their congressman and to the legislators and to the VA demanding our rights and benefits for the service we have paid for with blood sweat and tears. This time it is tears of joy. Let us all celebrate. It is just a beginning but this time we win!!!!! http://www.vva.org/ Peace and love, Brother Gate

I have not been employed for 2.5 yrs. The award did not say anything concerning TDIU. I have been represented by the DAV and I have nothing positive to say concerning them. There has not been any communication or no phone response. I will definitely change my POA.

Recieved brown envelope today. My original rating was 60% (30% anxiety, 20% dmII, 20% periphial neuropathy). The good news is I got an increase from NOD from 60% to 80% (20% DmII, 70% anxiety). However as expected the VA made some errors. I have been receiving 20% for periphial neuropathy for my legs but the VA failed to include this rating percentage on the award. There was no mention of it. Do you think this was a mistake and if so how do I correct it without another NOD? Also, they said they never receive the additional information I sent them which was express mail that they signed receipt. Maybe this part of it is NOD. Thanks to all for your support. Let me know what is best. p.s. waiting for the money.

Recieved brown envelope today. My original rating was 60% (30% anxiety, 20% dmII, 20% periphial neuropathy). The good news is I got an increase from NOD from 60% to 80% (20% DmII, 70% anxiety). However as expected the VA made some errors. I have been receiving 20% for periphial neuropathy for my legs but the VA failed to include this rating percentage on the award. There was no mention of it. Do you think this was a mistake and if so how do I correct it without another NOD? Also, they said they never receive the additional information I sent them which was express mail that they signed receipt. Maybe this part of it is NOD. Thanks to all for your support. Let me know what is best. p.s. waiting for the money.

Yes Sandra, I called the VA 1-800-827-1000. They will ask your c-file number, name and branch of service. Hope this works for you.

Thanks Pete, I have been surfing and ran across a previous posting dated 11/08. "Here is the question you want to ask your service rep, or someone in Public Contact; "What does MAP-D show is going on with my claim right now?" It usually says things like "Open- Development needed" or "Ready to Rate" or "Completed- Continued at Authorization" or something like that. If your claim is waiting on evidence, or waiting to be checked for quality, or is marked ready to rate and waiting on attention, MAP-D is the program used to track it all." Hopefully this is a good sign. But with the VA, you never can tell. Thanks

Called Va today to followup on NOD for anxiety with new diagnosis of depression when I went to my c&p. The only thing they could tell me was "continued authorization". Can anyone tell me what this means?

The reason for my question is because of an earlier post. I will paste it here. I was denied ptsd in 2006. Did not at the time know the process. After being on this forum for months and months, I have learned so much. I Thank all my brothers and sisters for your care and concern for all of us. I was in the Signal Corp in Viet Nam with the 4th Infantry in Ankhe and the 1st Cav in Pouc Vinh For the issue at hand, I want to pursue my ptsd claim. I was diagnosed in 2006 at my C&P exam for ptsd but was denied because my stressors were not validated. I am currently 30% Anxiety, 30% AO(diabetes) with a 60% total rating. I had a C&P in March for NOD and came out with a new diagnosis for Depression. Still waiting on decision from VA. I have been for the last 2 months going to outpatient PTSD classes every week and seeing my shrink once a month. I have many stressors but my main one is no doubt related to my PTSD. On base camp, my captain told me to burn the foilage on the perimeter line. As I was doing this, unexploded ammunition started going off and I believe one of them was a claymore mine. I came back and reported the problem but was ordered to go back. I refused for my safety and was arrested and jailed in a Conex trailer for over a month for Court Martial (I believe AR-90 disobeying a superior officer and assult). I WON MY CASE IN COURT! My commander company was embarrassed and immediately demoted me and shipped me out to a different part of Nam. My question remains, what is the best approach to reopen my PTSD claim? Will it be retroactive from 2006 since I didn't file an NOD or will I have a new file date? Appreciate your feedback!

What regulations can I refer to that determines what the meaning and time frame of the word "current" in the VA determination of "current diagnosis of PTSD directly related to his in-service stressor". What is current?

Sorry about the ommission. Here is the link http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/...tml#commentform

Here is the link I believe that you are refferring to. This legislation is buried in Senate and has not moved.

According to the VA the answer is no. I did receive a combat certificate from the 1st CAV

I was denied ptsd in 2006. Did not at the time know the process. After being on this forum for months and months, I have learned so much. I Thank all my brothers and sisters for your care and concern for all of us. I was in the Signal Corp in Viet Nam with the 4th Infantry in Ankhe and the 1st Cav in Pouc Vinh For the issue at hand, I want to pursue my ptsd claim. I was diagnosed in 2006 at my C&P exam for ptsd but was denied because my stressors were not validated. I am currently 30% Anxiety, 30% AO(diabetes) with a 60% total rating. I had a C&P in March for NOD and came out with a new diagnosis for Depression. Still waiting on decision from VA. I have been for the last 2 months going to outpatient PTSD classes every week and seeing my shrink once a month. I have many stressors but my main one is no doubt related to my PTSD. On base camp, my captain told me to burn the foilage on the perimeter line. As I was doing this, unexploded ammunition started going off and I believe one of them was a claymore mine. I came back and reported the problem but was ordered to go back. I refused for my safety and was arrested and jailed in a Conex trailer for over a month for Court Martial (I believe AR-90 disobeying a superior officer and assult). I WON MY CASE IN COURT! My commander company was embarrassed and immediately demoted me and shipped me out to a different part of Nam. My question remains, what is the best approach to reopen my PTSD claim? Will it be retroactive from 2006 since I didn't file an NOD or will I have a new file date? Appreciate your feedback!

I am confused about the word "speclative at best to separate". Need feedback MORE THAN ONE MENTAL DISORDER: The following is accurate for this veteran: More than one disorder was diagnosed. If more than on Disorder was diagnosed, explain the relationship of symptom of the two or more conditions and their relationship to Veteran's Military Service time. If this can't be done, please state this and explain. He has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder since VN and it is therefor more likely than not related to his military service. In terms of his depression, which appears on this interview to be his primary difficulty it is speclative at best to separate this from his anxiety disorder as well as his military service. The seperation/conceptualization is made more difficult with the history of alcohol and substance abuse.

The Va will only compensate you for one MH diagnosis whichever is the greater percentage. Hope this help.

This is report from my c&p NOD for Anxiety Disorder which is already rated 30%. Any ideas? EMPLOYABILITY: Poor DSM-IV DIAGNOSIS Axis 1: 296 Major Depressive Disorder: 300.02 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Axis 11: no diagnosis Axis 111: Diabetes, HTN Axis IV: Marital Discord Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF): 50 MORE THAN ONE MENTAL DISORDER: The following is accurate for this veteran: More than one disorder was diagnosed. If more than on Disorder was diagnosed, explain the relationship of symptom of the two or more conditions and their relationship to Veteran's Military Service time. If this can't be done, please state this and explain. He has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder since VN and it is therefor more likely than not related to his military service. In terms of his depression, which appears on this interview to be his primary difficulty it is speclative at best to separate this from his anxiety disorder as well as his military service. The seperation/conceptualization is made more difficult with the history of alcohol and substance abuse.