verk

Hello to all. It has been nearly 18 months since I submitted paperwork for Disability Compensation. I did all of it on my own along with reading info here on hadit. Many times I was confused by the VA timeline for awards and it helped to know I was not alone in the VA Vortex. I received my award letter yesterday and I want to be honest, maybe it is just my own issues, but I was a little depressed afterwards. I was rated 90%. Now never in my wildest imagination would I have said that would be my rating. I honestly looked over my claim several times and gave myself a 50%, maybe 60%. That's how I feel inside my head about all of my problems. So the 90% rating floored me, I actually cried about it. Internally it aggravated my anxiety, that somehow I'm 90% changed. I don't know it's all a little crazy. Many times we tend to think disabled as severe physical problems and tend not to rate emotional turmoil with the same tool. Nevertheless, here are my ratings. On a surprising note, VA actually read my service records and awarded me for a few things I didn't put in my claim. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depression - 70% Stomach Ulcers - 20% Muscle Fasiculations - 20% Spondylosis cervical spine - 10% Degenerative arthritis hip - 10% Iliotibial Band Syndrome left knee - 10% Iliotibial Band Syndrome right knee - 10% Scars on face - 0 Breast neoplasm - denied (I should have let QTC do the breast exam (but the doctor was creepy) and I thought my history of lumpy breasts, although never any biopsies would suffice) Skin cancer - denied (i've had several skin pre-cancerous spots removed, but biopsies didn't classify as cancer) My retro pay is correct and I will have to submit paperwork for my 2 college students before I'm paid that money for dependents. I do have a question where is the "LETTER" that states I am 90% disabled vet, I don't think it would be appropriate to carry around this 8 page award synopsis to give to those that want proof, ie jobs, or banks. thanks to all for your help during the wait periods, I wish you all peace and patience in the VA vortex.

I just wanted to add a note or two about anxiety/depression/ etc... I've experienced anxiety for 11 years, you name it, I've had the symptoms. Tingling, heart palps and even flip flops, muscle twitching (every muscle in my body is subject to it), profuse sweating hands, continuous hot flashes, shortness of breathe, headaches for weeks and the list goes on. I have been to 4 or 5 doctors, neurologist, psych and so on. It becomes depressing because of the constant feeling of fighting an unknown entity and your body seems to be against you. Anxiety is creepy because it manifests as so many other conditions, however many symptoms are a sign of a serious problem. Even more unsettling is one does it to themselves. A "thought" triggers symptoms and even Morning body scannings to determine what I feel or if something has changed. I'm left always being or feeling 'watchful'. Nevertheless, it can all be settled down somewhat. Exercise is my personal mantra, I got to the point where I said "so what if I die and my heart bursts, I'm doing a run" , progressive muscle relaxation also helps. I've tried meds and not been happy with side effects, except buspar. I take it although not sure if it does it's job. I also take herbals St Johns Wort and Rhodiola rosea. Plus do massage therapy when I have extra cash. I hope you find relief, I hope it's something medical so that you fix it and never think about it again. Maybe it is a pinched nerve or muscles spasming to cause the symptoms. Good luck.

Berta - I called the 800 number about a month ago and requested a copy of my claims folder. I'm waiting for that as well. I assume that my c&p results will be in that. Also it seems to me that PTSD claims were streamlined due to them being a political hot topic over the past year, maybe that is all of the claims coming to the forefront.

Hello to All, Just updating for those waiting like me. I filed my claim in Nov 2009 for anxiety, IT band syndrome, and depression. I had a C&P in July 2010. In early Nov 2010 ebenefits shows my claim is at the Decision level phase. So it has been a month at that stage and I'm still waiting. Nothing has happened and I do not know how long it takes at this stage. I am amazed at how some people get a decision within a few months and others wait years. It is a mystery beyond understanding.

No QTC did not say why I needed a stress test, nor did the people giving the test know anything. I was hoping I would have those infrequent heart palpitations while doing the test, but as things go I did not. I'm going to call the 800 number today to see what they say. Ebenefits is pretty annoying because nothing ever changes on that web site it seems. So just know I am waiting like everyone else.

Well it's been 3 months since my C&P for a number of issues, most notably panic disorder and IT band syndrome. In todays tech world it is frustrating that something takes soooooooo long. Anyhow while all this waiting, I was called last week by QTC "You need to get a heart stress test" come in tomorrow. Ok well don't really understand that, but I went. All good I guess I wasn't rushed off to the ER during the test. :) This waiting is craziness! Wait 3 months, oh wait we need another test, now wait again. I filed my claim back in November last year and I guess it takes a year to decide i need a stress test. Well Yeah, I'm stressed from this f-ing waiting.

I saw a psychologist. It went alright I guess. Just review your issues before hand and what you want to say. I was bombarded with emotions and in the end should have mentioned things I had neglected to say.

Can someone explain the difference between a QTC C&P exam and a Vet Hospital C&P exam? Why would a person have one from QTC vs the other? How long does it take for the exam results to get to the VARO? How do I request a copy of the C&P exam if done by QTC? When should I do that? Does it hold up a claim? Does an exam by QTC have equal weight to a reviewer as one done by the Veteran's Hospital? Once completed how long does it take for a decision to be made?

Yeah... I guess I will see. I keep thinking about the shouldas and wouldas I 'should have said this', 'why didn't I mention that', 'could have said this' etc... I think i was just not prepared... she asked me at the end "Is there anything else that She hasn't mentioned that I want the VA to know"... I actually drew a blank. gawd I think I mentioned just my support group is non existent or something along those lines.... *eye roll*

I was really scared and anxious leading up to this day. I tried keeping busy and went for a couple of runs to clear my head. On the day of the exam I was really feeling sickly. Just nerves.. The examiner was a female and friendly. "Deep breathe"... First question dealing with my condition and the tears flowed. Great I thought. But the questions got easier even though the memories never do. So I basically cried and answered. With my conditions I feel like a total basket head, thoughts of suicide yes (it's nice being asleep and not thinking about anything), thoughts of harming others (repeatedly) (yes, scared to death I would hurt my children or even someone driving down the road). I feel and felt awful! It is the hardest to tell what you feel because inside my head I feel worthless to even think about the thoughts and ashamed for having them. It was a difficult time to go back and forth and how the condition began to where it is now. Because there seems to always be residuals with it. Some days are better than others, some it is constant. After the interview with questions about how it affected my job, my family support, my parents etc... it was over. She tells me that QTC will put together the package with my other physical issues and submit it to the VA. She said it is her job to evaluate me and I my emotional status is basically what I have claimed to have. I should hear from the VA in a few weeks. (:/)

Well went to the physical part of my exam, the mental appt is tomorrow. I have Leg/hip pain (IT BAND) from exercising as recommended by my military psych doc to help with anxiety. I also have ulcers (anxiety and pain meds for IT BAND), I also experience muscle twitching. My visit to the C&P doc really felt like a slight over view of the issues. He hardly talked about the IT issue, moved my legs a bit, almost like he was afraid to touch me. He measured my hip rotations and then I went for xrays and a ekg. (palpitations). I also had cbc bloodwork done. Took about 3 hrs total. I don't know how doing what he do he could determine anything. The exam felt really superficial.

All of my medical problems occurred while active duty. I do have most of my records, but accidently sent my copy of records from my primary care doc. I'm not sure what nexus is or what I must prove really. It is all documented in my medical records I sent. If i've been seen over and over and over for a condition and it is in my medical record, is'nt it proof?

Right. On another note, there are a couple of 'conditions' that are listed in this QTC paperwork that I did not claim in my original compensation request to VA. Where did the VA get these? Are they really READING my medical files? As it happens I do have some issues with those other conditions, I just attributed to old age.

Yes it happened in service. Yes it is in my treatment records and I was receiving meds and on again/off again counseling until I got out last Fall.

I was going through my medical records and found an old diary I was writing in at the beginning of my Panic Disorder. My question is should I submit this diary as evidence to the VA at my upcoming C&P exam. All of my military mental health records show when my Anxiety disorder began. I'm confused on why I need an exam for that as it is. I just was curious about the diary and not sure what to do with it. thanks

I retired last Fall and filed for VA disability compensation. I just received a big packet of forms/questionaires about each of the conditions for which I have applied. The VA is using a private facility (QVC) to contract with doctors to perform exams I guess. Anyhow, my C&P consists of seeing two Docs. One for the physical problems (IT Band Syndrome, Ulcers, Fasiculations, Benign Breast Neoplasms, and facial skin cancer scars) my second appt is with the Psychologist (GAD, Panic Disorder, Depression and OCD). I am confused about the mental health appointment, I have already been diagnosed with GAD and Panic Disorder which is in my records and documented. The questionaire for that is not too bad, just condition and meds. However I'm sure the doctor's appointment will be grueling and I am dreading opening up the Pandora's box on my emotional health. The emotional issues are tough and although the rest of the world would agree that stress for prolonged times causes significant changes physically, I guess the burden of proof is on us all. Back to the forms and reason for my post. I feel overwhelmed with the paperwork, I don't have a good VA rep in my area and pretty much did all of the va forms previously on my own. These med forms I just received ask pertinent questions about treatment and dates and doctors diagnosis and I am feeling bogged down with trying to sort through my med records all over again. Any suggestions from you guys on how to respond on these would be appreciated. As far as the psych visit, I am really nervous and worried, I don't want to fall back off the wagon so to speak by talking about it, but also want to let them know how my conditions had and continues to have a profound effect on me. I feel strong, but yet I know what an emotional and physical process it was to get to feeling this way (normal or close to it) but there are also times when functioning and mind chatter takes control and throws me off balance into the abyss. Has anyone received paperwork from the contract specialist for c&p. Any advice for the worry/nervous vet?

Hi to all. I retired last Fall and filed a Disability claim for my numerous issues stemming from Panic Disorder acquired in service. I have mental health records to back up this condition, along with Depression and OCD tendencies. Part of my treatment for Panic disorder involved daily exercise. THis has resulted in me developing chronic Illio tibial band syndrome that has also been treated throughout my service as seen in my records. There are 2 conditions that are a result of the panic disorder, ulcers or rather gastroenteritis, and muscle fasiculation syndrome. Anyhow, I have filed my claim back in December, I have sent and re-sent info to the VA, the last being in February. Does everyone get a c & p exam? Most of my issues are a result of the Panic disorder. I'm not sure what the VA will rate this at. I haven't been to a VA rep except to start the claim, maybe this is bad judgement on my part. I'm not sure what my next steps are for this claims process. I would like to start back in counseling and the cost is scarring me. It seems I have to prove to the VA all of this is a result of the disorder and show the connected dots, however any search online shows all of these issues are related to the Panic Disorder. It sort of makes me crazy this whole re-invent the wheel process.

I'm sort of at the beginning states of my VA disability claim. I suffer from anxiety/panic disorder. I also have insomnia and ulcers I know are a result of the panic disorder. I am not very good at going to doctors and I hate meds. I'm not sure how to prove to the VA my secondary conditions. My recent letter from them states "Submit medical evidence on your current insomnia and ulcer disabilities as well as evidence showing a connection of these and your panic attacks condition. We will consider service connection for insomnia and stomach ulcers as secondary to panic attacks. Note: temporary or intermittent flare ups of a condition are not considered aggravation, unless the underlying condition as contrasted by symptoms has gotten worse"

:D I have a question about the VA Form 21-526. What type of info or how do I answer the question in the Section III how disabilities related to military service? thanks for any thoughts on this