[I'm Tired Of The Run Around Please Help!]

soldieofchrist4id,

I'd still keep looking for your military records. In Jan 04, the Defense Department officially "rolled out" its electronic record-keeping system, giving it a new name – AHLTA (pronounced Alta). From this point on everything has been captured electronically. Fort Hood was one of those locations, I know because I was there from '99 to '05, between 4ID and III CORPS. There is a good chance you have medical records within the Darnell system, heck, technically you should be able to go to any military location (Army, Navy, or Air Force) and pull records becasue it's a DoD System. I'd go to patient records fill out their form and see if any records exist. Remember to ask for IN and OUT Patient records. Documentations is soooooo important in claims. Keep the faith.

[Received My Brown Envelope From The Va, And "boy" Was I Suprised.]

Carlie,

It makes no mention of "No Further Exams", but it does clearly say "100% Totally and Permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities"

It also does say under Chapter 35 and I was give hand-outs for other programs that myself, spouse, and children qualify for. I have also been looking into and taking advantage of State programs.

Thank you, everyone, for your responses.

Gent68

[Received My Brown Envelope From The Va, And "boy" Was I Suprised.]

:D I received the dreaded BROWN envelope from the VA, after reading hundreds, maybe thousands, of post. I immediately had a knot in my stomach. So much so I made my wife read it and tell me the results. I was shocked by the results, 100% permanent.

My situation was different than most on this site. Through the hard work, sweat, tears, and sacrifices of those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marine’s before me, which legislated to establish a program that benefits all those that follow, secured my decision. For those that are struggling, and continue to struggle, with the VA system, I need to stop and say “THANK YOU”. Thank you, for it not for all of you, everyone would be struggling. What you may not realize is your fight forced the system to adapt and evolve into a system that supports the newly discharged and retired service members.

I wish everyone success, not matter how large or small their claim may be. We must all stick together. We have seen and experienced things most in the civilian world would never understand. It’s unspoken amongst ourselves and everyone deserves this system to be on their side.

Thank you all again and I will continue to add my add my 2-cents on this site.

Sincerely,

Gent68

CW3, USA (Ret)

[Gulf War Testing Records Missing]

I needs some assistance in trying to track down my Gulf War Medical Records Jacket. Here is some background. First this was conducted while I was on Active Duty. In "93 I received a letter from the Department of the Army instructing me to report to my medical hospital (Brook Army Medical Center) for Gulf War Testing. Well, after being two weeks as an In-patient, one pint of blood taken, two CT Scans, MRI, and numerous specialty Dr appts later, they compiled two volumes of records. When asked where the documents were going, they said "To the GW study panel". The only instructions give were to follow up with the specialty Dr for my issues. And that was that. Years later, more mature, and still having problems for some of the issues identified during my testing, I have not been able to track down those records. I've attempted the GW Registry, St. Louis, Fort Sam TMC, and BAMC, with no results. I have been able to track down some of the specialty Dr reports from the follow-ups, but not the ones from the GW records. I started the attempt to find them three years before I retired from active duty in "09.

If anyone has ran into this problem, or can provide me information on additionaly avenues, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[All Hadit Members Read]

carlie,

Thanks, that was very very good training tool. Your right, anyone could understand. B)

[No Psych Eval Scheduled... Should I Be Worried?]

Pete53,

That's good to hear. I filed for BDD 7 months before I retired on Dec '09 and the VA only scheduled C&P exams for 11 of the 20 illnesses/injuries I claimed. I will say I had 2 volumes of Medical Records that was submitted (5 inches). Long story short, the VA waited so long I did not get my BDD, instead 20 days before I retired they placed me in a Quick Start status becasue they overlooked my BDD, and that was done only because I placed an IRIS after reading a bunch of posts on this site and educated myself.

[Sleep Apnea? First Time Poster]

According to several Sleep Centers, and Doctors specializing in Sleep Apnea, I've visited since being diagnosed in '94, while on active duty, a Deviated Septum can be an underlying cause for Sleep Apnea. In fact, using a CPAP machine is one of the least invasive techinques to treat this sleep disorder, another being a custon fitted mouth guard that forces your jaw forward keeping your air passage way open. Surgery's are also used, repairing a Deviated Septum and removing your Uvula, can sometimes help with Sleep Apnea.

However, surgeries sometimes do not work, requiring you to be re-diagnosed and still end up using a CPAP. Sleep Apnea is no joke, it can lead to other major health issues. If you believe you have it, I strongly suggest you get checked out.

Technology has advanced since I was diagnosed in '94 and had to carry around a 50 lbs boat anchor that forced air in your nose and sounded like 777 taking off. Now, the machines are very quite and weigh less than 5 lbs. Oh and I just retired from the military after 22 years and have taken my CPAP with me when I deployed to Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Iraq, Afganistan, and Central America.

It is not just about disability %, its about your health. :D

[Income Tax Question]

Sarge95,

Don't quote me on this. I retired in 09 also and have read numerous articles referencing disability pay and taxes. My take is what you mentioned was prior to concurrent Retirement and Disability pay. Before if you were 90% diabled and your retirement was, say $2000, then the taxable Retirement income would be on $200. Now, with being able to receive both, the legislative wording makes them both taxable. I'm almost 100% sure this is the rule, but I would check with your tax preparer. If you use a tax software, when you get to that portion it will ask you the questions and automatically apply what's required by law.

I know, its good to get both pays and bad you pay taxes on them. In the long run you should be better off unless all income puts you in a much higher tax bracket.

gent68

[Gw1 Vet?]

124th MI Co, 24th INF Div, 18th AB Corps

5 Aug 90 - 2 Apr 91

[First C & P Exam Scheduled]

John999,

Thanks, I'll ask for one and will ask for more advice in the future. Thanks again.

[First C & P Exam Scheduled]

John999,

Thanks, I received a cover letter from the VA when they returned some of my medical records that were duplicates that stated they were working on my claim for all the injuries/illnesses I filed on the VA Form and the Army Physical. So, it looks as though they have everything I claimed. I was just worried because the appts were for half of the claims, then with what my TVC Reps comments were I was just curious and wanted to get an azmyth check.

[First C & P Exam Scheduled]

All,

I have two C & P Exams are scheduled for 5 & 14 Jan and these are my first ever. I went to the Texas Veterans Commision (TVC) three weeks ago and signed a Power of Attorney. The VA called me and sent a letter because from an IRIS I sent. They scheduled me for appointments on 5 and 15 Jan, for hearing/tennitus and others. I contacted my TVC Rep and asked this question, but still not sure. Maybe someone can explain. I had applied a claim for 21 different injuries/illnesses, but my two exams only cover 11. The TVC said the appointments are for claims that need further exams; Range of Motion, Pain, Scars; and the others have enough medical documentation and require no further exams. This doesn't sound right to me, but the VTC are the experts. Any advice would help.

P.S. I just retired on 1 Dec 09 and provided the VA with 2 1/2 volumes of medical folders, about 500 medical document pages.

Thanks everyone.

[New Member]

Thanks everyone for you advice and insight. Bertha, I do have a Service Org (Texas Veterans Commision). Just signed a Power of Attorney three weeks ago. Since I last wrote I got a call and letter from an IRIS for appointments on 5 and 15 Jan, for hearing and others. I contacted my TVC Rep and asked this question, but still not sure. Maybe someone can explain. I had applied a claim for 21 different injuries/illnesses, but my two exams only cover 11. The TVC said the appointments are for claims that need further exams; Range of Motion, Pain, Scars; and the others have enough medical documentation and require no further exams. This doesn't sound right to me, but the VTC are the experts. Any advice would help.

[New Member]

Just recently retired as of 22 days ago, but have been dealing with the VA for over 6 months, I know after reading posts now where near as long as others. I submitted my packet to the VA under the OIF/OEF veteran program which was suppose to have had VA Disability determined before I retired. Well, just like everyone else on this forum, I'm still waiting. Apparently the Regional VA Office requested the Medical Appointments with the hospital, but they were never scheduled and it fell through the cracks, despite me calling every two weeks for an update. So on 1 Dec 09, my official retirement date, they placed my claim under a Quick Start Status, whatever that means, and I should receive official notice in the mail of the appointment dates. The Army doctors identified 21 injuries/conditions during my Retirement Physical ranging from Sleep Apnea to fusion of 5 of my 10 toes to benign liver tumors to pectoral major rupture, and the list goes on. My biggest problem now is arthritis in what seem to be my entire body, ankles, knees, wrist, fingers, and back, something I have not told my wife about because I'm only 41. But I guess being in every conflict and police action since 1988, except Somalia, can take its toil on the body. I guess as this goes along I'll be asking questions for advice and assistance from everyone's personal experience. Talk to some of you soon.