ScottCGAS

Congratulations on your 1st Round in the ring. Stay with it, hadit.com has been a real help to me. All the posts and other Vets experiences with the VA has gotten me to 60% from 0% in Oct. 2008.. I cannot express how much the brothers and sisters on this site has helped. Much love to all !!

I was stationed on an Air Force base in California and I was not in the AF. I was in the CG and we had are own section of the base. We used alot of the services of the AF. We used there medical facilities like there Pharmacy, Flight Surgeon, Hearing testing, and all other facilities. After going through my medical records I noticed that some of my visits were not in my CG Medical records. Is it possible that the AF has some of these records?? How would I go about to research this and find out? I remember being given different prescriptions for different ailments that I cannot find. Thanks hadit.com

Thanks for the replies. I guess that is why the VA person wanted to know if I was claiming Chronic Pain secondary and Depression. Thanks jBasser for the link. You need to have alot of time to read all the decisions. But, after looking at the decisions, it is imperitive that your Primary Care Physician enter all that you say or get the report ammended. Thanks to all at hadit, Scott

I have been awarded 10% for Depression secondary to DDD. Can I also file a claim for Chronic Pain secondary to DDD?? The percentages, and the requirements for those percentages look like the same symptoms for the Depression Rating.. I had spoke with a VA supervisor asking why my claim was taking so long and they said that my original claim had mentioned Chronic Pain along with my secondary claim for Depression caused by DDD. They said that the Chronic Pain claim was holding it up. They asked if I was going to pursue that claim, it would take much longer to decide. I told them at this time I would not be pursuing it. The claim was then processed and received my rating and compensation within a month. Now that I am receiving compensation and now rated, can I now file for Chronic Pain secondary to DDD? I need to know how to proceed. Thanks to all at hadit, Scott

Thanks Vync and Carlie for your advice on dependent compensation and co-pays for meds. I have notified and filed the paperwork. I was wondering how long it should take to review the meds and get reimbursed. Also, how long has it been taking Vets to get the back pay on dependent compensation?? Thanks to all at hadit.com for the precious wisdom that I have found here. I need to stay on top of hadit more, but with working 70 plus hours a week it is hard just to manage my day to day routine. I guess maybe I should have studied more when I was a kid. I probably would not be driving a truck now! Thanks everyone at hadit.com

Thank-You carlie for the link. Enough reading to keep me busy... Thanks hadit.com, Scott

halos2, what is the DeNovo review?? Would you use a different form? Now that I have filed a NOD with my Missouri Vet Rep, can I go back or send one referring to the DeNovo review? Could you review the steps? Thanks to all at hadit.com, Scott

I finally received the news in the mail. I have been increased to 20% for DDD. I have also been approved for 10% Depression for DDD and sinusitis. I have been denied for ED and have also filed an appeal. In the denial the Primary Care, APN said, "I cannot resolve this issue without resort to mere speculation and further neurological for nerve damage." With those words is it actually a denial? I say he could not render a decision?? I am now at 40%. If I have 10% for Depression, can I also file a claim for Chronic Pain secondary to DDD? Or would that be pyramiding of claims? Need some advice. Thanks to all at hadit.com, I would not be here without all the knowlege of Navigating the treacherous waters of the VA system. Just by reading stories on do's and don'ts and how to respond to claims and questions has really helped. I am truly grateful for all the posts! Scott

As john999 has stated about trying to get an increase, the neurosurgeon that examined me said that I was at 10% for DDD and he said I should put a claim in for an increase. He did not note it in his notes. I told him I had already put a claim in for an increase about 1 week earlier. I am still waiting for an app't for a C&P Exam.. Thanks all at hadit.com, Scott

I just received the notes to my C&P exam for ED and depression secondary to DDD and sinusitis. The Nurse Practitioner said that he could not make a definite cause and that any answer would be pure speculation. I can see now that this one will be a fight. The Depression C&P was done by a Psychiatrist and in his report he opined that my depression was due to DDD chronic pain and constant sinusitus problems that I am having. He stated that my score of 60GAF was determined by tests. I hope that the final result will be in my favor, it has been hell. Neurosurgeon said that Veteran definitely has back surgery in his future. He put that in his report. As of today I have a sinus infection. This I believe is the 4th one this year. I have to call my Primary Care Team to see if they can send out some anti-biotics. I am set up for another CT scan 9/29/10 and a blood test, before getting consult with ENT in Little Rock,AR.. To get an increase from 10% to 20% for sinusitis, I have read that there has to be crusting in the nose and infection. Most of mine runs down my throat and occasionally in my nose. How would I get an increase if the PCT did not note crusting in there notes?? Hopefully someone can help me with the sinusitus questions.. Thanks to all at hadit.com, Scott

I have finally gotten ahold of a lady in Wsh,DC. and she had me fax her the paperwork. We talked for about 15minutes and it turns out that she was a Veteran and she took this to heart. She said what they will probably offer credit monitoring for a year to the Veteran whose paperwork was sent to me. She was going to have to contact ST Louis to find out exactly who sent it out and there supervisor so they can go through procedures to make sure everyone is doing things right. Maybe its just smoke, who knows? Hopefully someone will get reprimanded.

I have decided to call Homeland Security. I called them and I am waiting on a call back from Inspector Generals office. What if this info was sent to someone who decided they needed to join a religious group that was for terroism? They could use the info to take on that persons identity. I know its far fetched, but it could happen.. Thanks to all at hadit.com, Scott

It took forever but I finally received my medical records from my military service. I was going through them, (It looks like a Los Angeles phone book) and I saw a prostate results test and I thought, I didn't think I had one except for the stool sample screen. I then noticed that the VA Records had sent me another Veterans Records mixed in with mine. It had his SSN, DOB, ect.. This is not acceptable, what if this info got into the wrong hands?? Would an identity theft be passed off as a hacker probably hacked into a data base? This needs to be publicized, who do I contact to get this in the news? I would have to say that this is not the first time this has happened to a Veteran. Who would want there personal medical records sent to another individual? If this fell into the wrong hands it could be devastating to some poor unsuspecting Vet.. This needs to be heard by the public on news. This is why Vets get so angry with the VA.

Thank you folks! I just wanted to update my hobbies. I was going to put "coffee drinking" as a hobby, but I didn't know if it was a hobby or a sport.. Thanks for the quick responce to the fix. Thanks to all at hadit.com Scott

How do I edit my profile. I need to edit my "Hobby." I hope someone can tell me step by step. I have been working long hours, and have not visited the site since the site had a Facelift. Change is always hard to understand for us human beings, just like when there is a Change of Command at a base and the new Commanding Officer changes the rules! Thanks all at hadit.com, Scott

When I go in for blood tests they always end up billing my BCBS for the tests. They never cover it all, and they always have a section that says Patient's Responsibility. It would say I owed money to the VA. I called billing and they said they do not collect that part, they are glad to get the other part. But now the money I was responsible for, the insurance company counts that towards my deductible for the year, Sweeeet! ;)

I am really not an expert to give advice, but I am still fighting my denial for tinnutis. I went and got a Vet friendly IMO from a MD who was also an Audiologist. I am now waiting for the decision from the VA. All I can say is that you should fight all denials for all claims. I flew in HC130's for 7yrs and was an Aviation Machinist in the Coast Guard. I worked on an Air Force Base doing Line Maintenance next to the runway. During a hearing test performed by the Air Force(CG was to small to have own facilities on McClellan AFB) the Airmen came into the hearing booth and told me to quit pressing the button, the test had not started. I told them I was hearing tones. They told me it was tinnutis(This was in 1987, not much was known about it) but I don't think they ever noted it in my records. I will fight this claim to the end, because I know that my tinnutis started in the Coast Guard. I know I was rambling, but just fight for what you believe in to be true! ;)

Just an update. I have received letters from the VA that they are working on my claim for Chronic Pain, Depression, DDD for an increase, and ED. I have referred to the dates of my visits to the VAMC for my substantiating the claim and records from my own Dr. and Neurosurgeon. I hope to get a C&P exam schduled in the future. Sorry for being away from hadit.com for such a long time but work has been demanding, I am not as fast as some of the young guys and to make the same money as them I have to work 6-7 days to there 5 days! Scott Thanks all at hadit.com

Since you are trying to relax and enjoy the moment. I will do the Happy Dance for you! Congrats!!

I have been to MH for ChronicPain. They also listed depression. I was put on 75mg twice a day, and trazodone at night. Going at the end of the month for a follow up visit. I am so forgetful lately. I drive truck and run the same route everyday. I was driving along on the phone with a good friend and hung up, I then freaked out because I did not know where I was for about a mile or where I was going? I had no problem driving and operating the truck, then all of a sudden I saw a landmark and knew where I was. Today I forgot to take my lunchbox with me, I did the old "What am I forgetting?" Didn't realize it was missing until I was reaching for it going down the and realized it was not with me. I suspect she will increase my dosage. Thanks all at hadit.com

Went to my app't at the VAMC in Fayetteville,AR.. The Neurosurgeon and I looked at my MRI and he said I had foraminal narrowing at L4/L5, a bulging disc, arthritis at same location, and other medical stuff. I did not get the actual report from Patient Records because he did not finish up until 5:05PM and most offices were closed. He said he wants to put me on a drug called Tramodol and Prilosec. I will have to see if it is allowed for my job. I have to pass a DOT drug screen for truckdriving. He also confirmed the pain I was experiencing was consistant with the MRI. He said to put off surgery until the pain radiates down my leg further, said the surgery is major and would require a fusion with screws and a rod. Told him I was going to mental health for treatment and wanted to know the meds. He said with the chronic pain it can cause depression. Hopefully the pain will get managed and the depression under control. Will go to mental health at the end of the month. :)

Commander Bob, I have been waiting on my records since Oct.2008.. I filed for an increase on my 10%DDD. Also Depression secondary to DDD, Chronic Pain secondary to DDD, and Loss of a Creative Organ. I think that my records will take a while. I am going to try and get a Neurologist that another doctor told me about, he said he may do it.. How long would you wait to get records before getting a Nexus?? Thanks all at hadit.com...

If I were to get a civilian DR. to write a nexus, would I have to have my military medical records?? I have ordered them a year and a half ago online, and SF180 mailed to them about 3months ago certified mail per advice from the folks at hadit.com.. boy it sure is hard to find a Dr nowadays. I will have to search my friends locally to see if they know a Dr. around here.. If there is anyone who knows of a Dr. around Joplin,Mo. feel free to send me a message. (Within 100miles) I guess some doctors want to make the easy office visit money and not have to read through a bunch of notes from other Dr.'s and write a nexus, to much time.. Thanks all at hadit.com.....

Since that I am pretty new to hadit.com, I have to ask, what is VA IRIS?? How do you get to the site?? Thanks, Scott