RockyA1911

Hey Berta! We must be connected at the HIP. I downloaded the very same BVA case last night. I was up practically all night researching everything I could on Squamous-Cell Carcinoma and VA entitlements. Here's what I found out. 1) All Larynx cancer is Squamous-Cell Carcinoma and is not considered "Soft Tissue Sarcoma" Both Basal Cell and Squamous-Cell Carcinomas do not fall in the Soft Tissue Sarcoma categories as other skin cancers do such as melanoma. 2. The 38CFR3.307 list the presumtive conditions for AO. Larynx Cancer which is non other than Squamous-Cell Carcinoma in the larynx in lieu of the out skin, head, face, or neck. Therefore under presumtive diseases, larynx cancer is listed in () under Presumtive Respiratory Conditions. 3. The leading causes (highest incidence) of the SC Carcinoma is due to being over 55 yrs old, male, smoker, alcohol, sun exposure, UV exposer, and exposure to herbicides, nickel, and asbestos. 4. I doubt very seriously the VAMC would make a statement as to the exact cause. But I do feel the Onocologist will make a statement that it is "At least as likely as not" the the Carcinoma is due to military exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. I also spent two 6 month tours aboard old Navy Ships of the Gator Fleet back in 1966 and 1967, namely very old AKAs and APAs. So there is also a chance I could have gotten it from asbestos exposure as well as AO, or smoking, being over 55, I do not drink alcohol at all, and my throat close to my voice box definitely has not been in a tanning bed or exposed to UV rays. To me, I should win my presumptive claim in the least under the "reasonable doubt rule", meaning "As likely as not contracted the SC Carcinoma from AO. 5. From what I understand with VA and cancer is they award you 100% for a couple years and then reduce the amount of compensation after remission and treatment for the cancer to just the residuals......normally 10% as the BVA decision shows, or if one of the residuals is hoarsness, then 30%. But from what I gather as long as you have cancer of the larynx and it is being treated and you still have it, you still get 100% until it goes into remission... Am I correct about that? Ronn, Thanks for all the good info buddy. I really would love to be in remission myself and I really don't know what's ahead of me at this stage of the game since I just found out yesterday that I had larynx cancer. The VA is supposed to contact me the doctor said and give me and appointment and set everything up for CT and PET scans so they can provide a plan of treatment based on the density, size, and whether it has spread to other parts of my body. What I saw in my throat was just a small spot, that was a lot lighter color on my vocal fold. It was smooth just like the rest of the flesh in the back of my throat, just a small circle smaller than a dime that was a whitish yellow in color. That's the spot that had the Squamous-Cell Carcinoma. I am hoping they can just freeze it off and that it is just at the top of the outer skin and hasn't traveled. Wish me luck all and pray for me please too! Thanks everybody. Oh Berta...PS: Since I've been told that the VARO has made decision on my claims currently at the rating board on 19 July 2007, but was then given to a second rater on 24 August, 2007 for second opinion.....will the VA rescend their decision and put my claims and folder back in the develpment stage because of larynx cancer claim. The second rater has had my claim for a second opinion for almost 60 days and is close I feel to finishing up my claims that have been pending for almost 3 years.

Thanks VietVet, I submitted my claim for larynx cancer about an hour ago and received the confirmation number. Are you in remission or are you still receiving treatments. If you can please tell me what to expect. I hope your treatments were successful. How are you doing now? I just sincerely hope that my new claim will not delay my claims that are currently with the rating board and add another year or two to the almost 3 year wait already.

Hey this kind of cancer is not contagious, at least that's what I have read and been told. Surely there are some folks here on hadit that know about the Larynx Cancer that could help me find my way to it to file a claim.

I had biopsies done last Thurs at the VAMC in Iowa City. The vocal chords was negative but what they call the false vocal chord in the fold was Squamous-Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx. They are going to call me tomorrow for arrangements for me to get there and get a CT scan to determine the size and whether it has spread to my lymph node glands or lungs. The question I have is whether or not this falls in to the Presumptive AO conditions. I see where they have one that is "Respiratory Cancers (cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea)" and also "Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's Sarcoma, or mesothelioma)." Does the cancer I have fit in the Respiratory Cancer or Soft Tissue Sarcoma? Is the type of cancer I have presumptive condition for AO claim? After the CT scan they will know more about what type of treatment I will need. I plan to get a copy of the diagnosis and submit a claim but my claims have taken so long to get to the rating board where they are currently pending. If I do submit the AO claim under presumptive, will it delay my claims that have been pending for almost three years and with the rater as I was told yesterday? The diagnosis from the VA in Iowa City is all I should need to file claim for it right? Where do I find this type cancer diagnostic codes in the 38CFR4 that will show the rating percentage for it?

A Ha!!!!! So my claim is an “Extraordinary Claim” because it has been pending for 31 years since original date of claim for skull loss. Now I think I should send my claim info to this guy at VA Watchdog so he can see how it has been 31 years since I officially claimed it and no decision was ever given until Feb 2007 and they did not provide the earlier effective date of 28Nov1976, but instead gave the effective date of 5Jul2005. The VA also used as the reason bases for service connection for skull loss was that “Military Service Medical Records detail the cranioplasty and skull loss of 4.5cm x 4.5cm provided to the VA on 28Nov 1976.” Wonder how the VA would like my claim on the news that would show severe incompetence in the employees abilities to read and interpret 38CFR4 used for rating compensation that details the percentage to award, the M21 Policy on rating claims, math, and basic common sense? With questions such as “Why does it take 3 years and over 90 days still at a rating board to determine that 4.5cm x 4.5cm is 20.25 sq. cm.?” It only takes a second or two using a calculator and less than a minute long hand. “Why does it take 3 years to award retroactive payment for 31 years of rightful entitlement to 31 years of compensation when there is a VAOPGCPREC 4-2004 dated May 28, 2004, Case Law on CUE Claims:?” “Is there a reason the VA cannot multiply 4.5cm x4.5cm within three years and comply with a case law precedent that is an order to provide me with retroactive payment.?” When case law is held as precedent, it is undebatable. The VA must provide the retroactive payment. No if’s, and’s, or, but’s. HELD: For a final Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or Board of Veterans' Appeals decision to be reversed or revised under 38 U.S.C. § 5109A or 7111 (clear and unmistakable error) on the ground that VA failed to recognize a claim for veterans benefits, it must be concluded that: (1) it is obvious or undebatable that, when prior filings are construed in the claimant’s favor, the pleadings constitute an earlier claim for the veterans benefit that was subsequently awarded by VA; and (2) VA's failure to recognize that claim manifestly affected the subsequent award of benefits. VAOPGCPREC 12-2001 is hereby superseded by this opinion. DAH! 1) I claimed the skull loss officially and VA examined me for it and reviewed the medical records in 1976. So since I was awarded finally in Feb 2007 that clearly means that it is obvious or undebatable that my prior filing was construed in my favor, the pleading constituted an earlier claim that was subsequently awarded by the VA in Feb, 2007. 2) Yep! VA definitely failed to recognize that claim manifestly affected the subsequent award of benefits. DA! Do the math. I was awarded 10% combined compensation effective date 28Nov1976 when it should have been 60% combined rating had they awarded the service connection for the skull loss at 50% in addition to the 10% compensation for Post Concussion Residuals awarded. I had been deprived of 50% compensation per month for 31 years. I think I will send my info to VAWATCHDOG to that Larry Scott guy and see if he will print my sad story with the VA and see if it get’s national news attention.

Well, I'm looking at a $200K plus retro award for skull loss claim in 1976 and that the VA awarded service connection in Feb 2007 using under reasons and bases citing the same military service medical records that that they used in 1976 to award the Post Concussion Residuals. They never denied the claim for skull loss at all, just rendered a decision for the claim of Post Concussion Residuals and I claimed both the skull loss and Post Concussions at the same time on my claim form and had exams for both and the VA Dr's confirmed the skull loss and size along with the Post Concussion Residuals. The VA never mentioned the skull loss anymore other than stating it in the same decision narrative with the menition of the 4.5cm x 4.5cm skull defect due to craniotomy and crainioplasty while on active duty (which is 50% under DC 5296 in 38CFR at that time and still current to date). So I filed a CUE for 60% since I was awarded 10% for Post Concussion Residuals which is a combined rating of 60% with EED back to 28Nov1976. I used the below VAOPGCPREC 4-2004 Case Law on Cue Claims in my Cue Claim along with the award decision service the connecting skull loss based on the medical evidence of 1976 claiming it. I should have them in a vice grip on this one. I don't see how they can wiggle out of it since this precedent mirrors my claim exactly and meets all three of the things in the precedent. A precedent should trump any and all of the VA's slick tricks. My Cue has been at the rating board since 9 July,2007 and one rater made a decision on 19 July, 2007 with no deferrals. Then the CUE claim went to a second rater for a second opinion on 24 Aug, 2007. I was told this was done for a second opinion. They should be able to grant what I ask sometime in November I would think and I don't see how they can get out of not complying with a case law precedent. The case law precedent should trump all the VA's objections in my case anyway. Exhibit: VAOPGCPREC 4-2004 dated May 28, 2004, Case Law on Cue Claims Memorandum Department of Veterans Affairs Date: May 28, 2004 VAOPGCPREC 4-2004 From: From: General Counsel (022) Subj: Subj: Reconciliation of Moody v. Principi, 360 F.3d 1306 (Fed. Cir. 2004), and Case Law on CUE Claims To: Chairman, Board of Veterans’ Appeals (01) Under Secretary for Benefits (20) HELD: For a final Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or Board of Veterans' Appeals decision to be reversed or revised under 38 U.S.C. § 5109A or 7111 (clear and unmistakable error) on the ground that VA failed to recognize a claim for veterans benefits, it must be concluded that: (1) it is obvious or undebatable that, when prior filings are construed in the claimant’s favor, the pleadings constitute an earlier claim for the veterans benefit that was subsequently awarded by VA; and (2) VA's failure to recognize that claim manifestly affected the subsequent award of benefits. VAOPGCPREC 12-2001 is hereby superseded by this opinion. Tim S. McClain

Thanks sixscents! I am only concerned with the TIVA/IVAX manufacturer of the generic simvistatin that is in the VA formulary and what has been prescribed to me and other veterans. The pill is labeled just 93 on one side and 7154 on the other. TIVA/IVAX is the manufacture of the generic simvistating that the VA prescribed to me. The VA Pharmacist provided me with the manufacture of it and it is definitely TIVA/IVAX. So please just look that one up. That is the one I want to compare to the Merck ZOCOR. Thank for researching the ZOCOR and providing the info.

NO Berta, I had no problems whatsoever with the brand named Zocor and was taking it over a year. The problems started shortly after being switched to the Generic simvistatin manufactured by TIVA/IVAX and it got so bad I stopped taking it and took the remainder of it to the Pharmacy at the VAMC IC and told them to dispose of it that I did not want it at all and I told them how it had harmed me. They contacted my PCP right away and he emailed them the non-formulary request right away. The same Pharmacist that said they needed the non-formulary request is the same one that denied it. Go figure. JUst because it is the law that the generics must contain the same active ingredients etc and the same dosage still doesn't mean it is so or is always done. Take for example our Federal Immigration laws that state it is illegal to enter the US illegally. Well there you have it, they can't even enforce that so to me the laws mean nothing because no one will enforce them. By the way, I am Scotch-Irish, Indian, Swedish, and Dutch. The Indian in me is Cherokee.

Sixcents, Yes, please furnish the breakdowns of each if you would since you have access to that information. Zocor (Simvistatin) is made by Merck. The current generic product is made by TEVA/IVAX. Would like both the active and inactive ingredients for a 20 mg tablet. The Consumer Guide to Generic Drugs by the National Consumers League with grant provided by Merck-Medco states "the inactive ingredients may be different. Inactive ingredients are used to keep a tablet from crumbling, add bulk to a tablet to make it large enough to handle, and/or provide a pleasant taste or color. Differences in inactive ingredients are generally harmless, but SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE A REACTION TO THEM." I must be one of those people and so is Allan and Betrayed it appears so far on this site, along with me. So that is three of us in just one afternoon since I posted. I am sure there are a lot of other vets with the same adverse reactions besides us. Maybe we need to do a survey confined to ZOCOR/SIMVISTATIN users and see just how many in a week. Of course the VA stated they have had no instances or reports of any of the symptoms I experienced with the generic simvistatin. It's not in my head. I have never had a generic anything work for me. I needed CIPRO one time and was given CIPROFLAXIN instead, the generic and it didn't do crap for my sinus infection, took them all as prescribed. I finally got the brand named CIPRO and boom within 20 minutes the congestion broke loose and it worked. I had another kind of generic antibiotic that gave me a severe fever and headache and actually made me feel worse, and another that gave me a rash and almost hives. No! I'd bet a dollar to a donut that the generic stuff is not EXACTLY the same exact ingredients and exact forms of the chemicals within each. I know a lot more people that the generics haven't worked for them than I do that have. As you know there are many forms of Niacin and so is with the others but it is still Niacin, but the question is- - - Is the Niacin in the form of Hexatonic Nicotinate or one of the other multiple forms of Niacin? Niacin in the form of HN is flush free whereas a lot of the multiple other forms of Niacin are not and produce "Flushing". Oh, the patent time is 10 years. Zocor's had expired and from what I have read a judge decided which two generic makers could produce the generic and that no one else could produce the generics until after the two generic producers have been in production for 6 months. I believe the two generic makers are from India or something like that. I see on the news every few months where a generic medicine caused high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and even deaths. I've lived long enough to see many of them taken from the market because of the adverse effects. There is a reason that more people than not fear the generic medicines either by experience or media reports. I have BC/BS Federal Employee health insurance, but even they try to pawn off on you the generic brand even though your doctor writes the prescription for the brand name but doesn't state "No Generics" on the prescription. I still stand by that our veterans should have the same brand named drugs in the top 5 sellers made available to us just like the regular public and our so called representatives have. To give us AB medicine instead of the A list medicine. Come on now! That's like telling us "Thank you for your service and we honor you by feeding you a grade B steak instead of a Grade A Angus Beef steak.......and then insult us by telling us it is the same. Yeah it is both beef and remnants but we all know there is a big difference in taste and quality with the first bite without having to cut through the gristle. Grade A medicines is the least they should do for us, we are supposed to have the best health care there is under the VA, afterall the sport that slogan at least once a week. This country should be ashamed, no appalled to find that after all the sacrifices we vets have endured to be furnished second rate medicines only.....So after all we have done in the line of duty for out country we are denied top shelf or within the top five ranked medicines.

Morgan, I did start with the patient's advocate at the VAMC Iowa City. He is the one that stirred the pot and the pharmacy contacted my VA Dr at the clinic and told him to submit a non-formulary request for Zocor since I had adverse reactions with the generic. Later after I received a letter from the Director I called the advocate and told him what had happened. He said he was appealling it and would have a meeting with the chief of staff at the VAMC. Apparently the pharmacist overrides everybody, including my PCP and everyone else when it comes to administration of medications. Even the President wrote that 30% and above veterans are the United States very best citizens. They all claim to give us the very best there is in health care and medicines. Yet brand name drugs or drugs in the top 5 best to treat conditions are not even made available to veterans. I plan on taking that letter from the Director and going to both Congressman Phil Hare's and Senator Barrack Obama's offices in Moline, IL and file a complaint and that the VA is a fraud and since we are America's very best citizens and will be given priority health care, why are we treated like this over necessary medicines. The VA claims now that the generics are "equivalent", notice before they used to say the "same" as the brand name. But research proves on the Consumer's reports that the generics must have the same amount of active ingredient but have many differences as far as fillers and inactive ingredients used to form the pills or tablets and make the active ingredient stick to it. There are many forms of niacin and it may not have to be the same exact form of niacin used in Zocor and of course the fillers are definitely not the same. The consumers report also states that it is not recommended to switch from a brand name statin to a generic as your body is used to the brand name. Oh well, just another hill to fight to the top. What is strange is that I do get non-formulary Aciphex from the VA and they approved that one. I have been getting the brand name Aciphex for over a year now. I had adverse reactions to the formulary stuff the VA had so my Dr put in a non-formulary request and my private gastro guy also wrote a letter that I must have Aciphex as I tolerate it well. They still turned me down and I went on IRIS and filed a complaint over that. A week letter the Aciphex was delivered to my door by FedEx.

Hey all, A little history. Back in Feb 2006 my VA PCP wanted me to take ZOCOR (The real stuff by brand name, not just simvistatin). My cholesterol at that time was 205. In March of 2006 I decided to go ahead and try the medication as I was encouraged to by other VA doctors including the neurologist. I called the VA Clinic and asked the doctor to go ahead and prescibe the Zocor. In late March of 2006 I received the brand named ZOCOR, small triangle pink pills with ZOCOR embedded on them. I was to take 1/2 a tablet (10 mg) daily. So the last week of March of 2006 I was taking them faithfully. In May of 2006 I had another fasting blood draw of which my total cholesterol was 147. I felt good and didn't experience any adverse side effects from the ZOCOR. In August of 2006 I had another VA Clinic visit but they did not tell me that I was going to have blood drawn so I did not fast. The lab result was total cholesterol of 171, but I had eaten a big breakfast such as bacon, pancakes, scrambled eggs, orange juice, and whole milk. The Dr said it was ok. I continued to take the Zocor and in October of 2006 and my fasting total cholesterol was 158. At this point I was taking Zocor for over a year up until June of 2007. I still had not experienced any muscle weakness, joint pain, etc. All was well. In the middle of June 2007 I noticed my second refill was not the brand name ZOCOR and had no name on them except 93 on one side and 7154 on the other and instead of being triangle shaped they where round and pink. It was a generic form of Simvistatin. The first week in July I started getting cramps, and a stiff neck. Then my wrists hurt while riding a motorcycle. The last week in August I could not bear taking the generic crap anymore. I could not feel my left hand and couldn't squeeze the clutch or even feel it. My left foot got numb etc., so I quit taking the crap. I also had a blood draw on 17 August 2007 and my cholesterol was up to 191 with triglycerides up to 387 from previous 147. Not only did the generic cause me harm, but it raised my cholesterol instead of lowering it. Point it doesn't work as it should and it is also harmful to me. I had no problems with the previous over a year long taking of brand named Zocor that was previously furnished by the VA. I complained via IRIS and requested I be prescribed the now non-formulary ZOCOR due to the problems and adverse reactions I had with the generic. My VA PCP put in a non-formulary prescription request for the ZOCOR. I received a letter from the Director of the VAMC which was written by the VAMC Pharmacist. The Pharmacist denied any problems with the generic and stated it was equivalent and also got her way and denied my doctors non-formulary request for ZOCOR. I wrote them and tole them they should not be messing around with statins and that I had been ok with the ZOCOR for over a year, no side effect, cholesteral well below normal and don't understand why they will not go out and buy it for me as the regs state there must be a procedure to request non-formulary drugs within each VAMC. The Pharmacist then recommended I try some of their other generic statins that were in the formulary and also stated that my cholesterol has been fluctuating but not mentioning that the 205 was before I had even taken any statins. I am a believer of if it ain't broke don't fix it. Since the generic simvistatin hurt me and scared the crap out of me I am more than hesitant to try any more generic statins period. I was lucky this time and have my feeling back after almost a couple of months without any statin drug. I have been without medicine since middle of August. I refuse to be a guinea pig so I guess I can't get the ZOCOR unless I buy it myself I was told at the clinic. I happened to recall the last line of the letter from the Director in Iowa City stating "The VA strives to provide the highest quality of healthcare and medicines to our veterans". Kind of an oxymoron isn't it? Yet, top shelf medicines and brand named medicines are not even made available to veterans at all. What do I need to do the get the VA to give me back the ZOCOR I had been taking for over a year with no problems?

Oh but Contrair! See attached BVA decision on Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD. In that decision the BVA stated "FACT: There is competent medical evidence that Sleep Apnea is secondary to PTSD." The vet had no incidence in service and claimed none. There were several IMO that stated it was "As least as likely as not" and several VA doctors that opined that "It is not likely" and blamed it on the obstructive sleep apnea, his being overweight and the like. The reasonable doubt rule was applied by the BVA and ordered service connection of Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD. http://www.va.gov/vetapp01/files01/0102100.txt Sleep_Apnea_BVA_Decision.doc

I believe everything is completely out of context. First of all, those of us that have PTSD and are S/C and have received a rating can all confirm that you are not being singled out "Just because you do not have CIB, CAR, PH, or other combat medal or award." All of us and the VA requires in claim for PTSD based on a combat stressor is the stressor event must be furnished and the VA must be able to verify the stressor event took place via Buddy Statements, Unit diaries, journals, and/or from personnel and medical records. This is true for every veteran that files a claim for PTSD. That is called the "Stressor". The VA can contact the Center for Unit Records Research (CURR) when the stressor furnished is not documented in the vets records or documented by receipt of specific combat awards on DD-214. As far as the PH, CIB, SS, BS, CIB, and CAR they are CONCEEDED stressor that is verification up front and automatically conceeded that the vet was exposed to a stressor event. If you have one or more of the listed combat awards you are not required to prove that a stressor event occurred nor provide a stressor letter that is verifiable. There are only two ways to go to get the VA to accept a verifiable stressor event and that is if you don't have a "Conceeded stressor" then you must provide a detailed description of the stressor event or events, if you have one of the medals or awards then those are your proof of stressor event. There are three things that are needed to be successful in a claim for PTSD and they are: 1) Verifiable Stressor Event 2) Diagnosis of PTSD 3) Nexus of service connection If you have all three of these the VA cannot and will not deny your claim for PTSD. You are not being singled out nor treated any differently than any other vet that is claiming service connected PTSD. And your VSO is full of mumble jumble. He in fact lied to you. Whether you furnished a stressor event or the conceeded stressor medals is immaterial as far as VA treatment and benefits are concerned. A stressor is a stressor be it documented handwritten letter or documented receipt of combat award or medal. That's all they are used for period......to document the stressor. You don't get any higher rating for the stressor or stressor events or even if you have twenty medals. All they the VA are looking for is just ONE stressor event. Your rating is based on your CURRENT (Today)occupational and relationship impairment and ratings are based on the severity of those alone. Don't be cornfused! :^D

Yes, I have had success in getting Aciphex and I am now working on getting back the REAL ZOCOR instead of this new generic zocor crap that doesn't work and causes headache, muscle, and joint pain. Here is what you do to get the PLAVIX: First your outside cardiologist is a specialist and needs to write a letter "To Whom it may concern" and provide a statement for the need of the PLAVIX. Have the cardiologist write a prescription for PLAVIX also. FAX or mail copy of the RX for Plavix and your cardiologist's letter stating the need for the PLAVIX. Your VA PC doctor must input it into the system and you will get the PLAVIX from the VA. It is not a non-formulary so there is no reason for your VA PC doctor to not prescribe it. Make sure you make copies. If there is no success and you have not gotten the Plavix in a week to ten days after providing the letter to the VA PC doctor, then take the original letter and RX to the Patient Advocate at the VAMC and file a complaint.

Here's the weblink for the Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD BVA decision. http://www.va.gov/vetapp01/files01/0102100.txt

This is how! ORDER Service connection for sleep apnea is granted secondary to service-connected PTSD See attached BVA decision. Sleep Apnea is not caused by PTSD but it is secondary to PTSD because S/C PTSD aggravates the non-S/C Sleep Apnea. Sleep_Apnea_BVA_Decision.doc

The VA will tell you 30 to 60 days once the claim has gone to the rating board. My personal experience has been 120 days or more. I have a claim at the rating board now since June 27th, 2007 and nothing yet. I don't expect a decision until late Sept or Oct.

The Vietnam Campaign Medal (Green and White with 60- device) VCM eligibity criteria is the veteran must have served "IN COUNTRY" in Vietnam for at least 6 months to receive the that medal. Neither the VSM nor VCM are listed as a conceded stressor medal. But the VCM is evidence of "Boots on the Ground".

Doc! Sorry if you got the impression that I had been a Corpsman, but I wasn't. I was platoon sergeant for the 1st PLT, Echo 2/4 "The Magnificent Bastards". I was a SSgt USMC, not Navy. You may recall this as I filed a claim over chloracne that was denied. At that time a whole bunch of us were clawing our arms and shoulders to pieces and they said it was too much chlorine in the water in OK. We had to seep with white gloves to keep from gashing ourselves from the itching, could not use soap at all. I think for a month or so we had to wash with mineral oil (no water at all) and take I think it was Atrax tabs. They were small little square pills and kind of blackish looking. I was treated several times and my SMR showed the sickbay records diagnosing chloracne and severe rash over entire body as did the other Marines.

Were you awarded the Combat Action Ribbon for the Cambodia operation? I too was in Okinawa during 1974 and 1975 and went aboard the USS Blueridge and participated in the evacuation of Vietnamese in I believe it was very late Feb or or May of 75.....hard to remember the dates. I did serve in Vietnam from April 1968 to May 1969 and was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) when it was first authorized later. This all seems like a bunch of nonsense they are pulling on you to me. I know what a Field Med Corpsman does be it CONUS or OCONUS. It is appalling they could even think of denying you PTSD. Of course I am still fighting with them because they combined my PTSD rating with a previous Left Temporal Lobe contusion, chronic due to Brain Trauma when they both should have been separate. They called both of them the same, mental disorders when the left temporal lobe is physical injury causing permanent physical damage with encephalopathy. Anyway, I would make appointments with my Congressman and Senator and demand this horse hockey be turned around. If a Corpsman doesn't have PTSD then there was never a John Wayne! I see you were assigned to "The Magnificent Bastards" I was with Echo 2/4, I might know you. RockyA1911 USMC Feb 1966 - Nov 1976

My Cousin told me he has had ED for two years now and that he HAS tried Viagra but to no avail and could still not get an erection. I'll inform him about the "penile deformity" thing. Also, thanks for the diagnostic code 7522, don't know why I could not find it. We are awaiting his service records as he stated he was hospitalized for two days while on active duty and treated for a back injury. He has severe back injury problems to this date. I plan to submit all of his claims at once as I am aware of the roadblocks and bottlenecks caused by piece milling additional claims. The plan is to get all his service records and MD diagnosis, send him to the Vet Center for screening and diagnosis of PTSD. What is the DC's for chronic back injuries, pain and motion, etc? Since he has never filed a claim before he is not under the health care system yet and they are not excepting priority 8 at the current time. I assume the Vet Center, after screening and diagnosis will refer him to the VAMC Psychiatrist for another diagnosis with GAF score and prescribe medications for PTSD? I forgot about that one! I will inform him to have his wife also write a statement regarding his Erectile Dysfunction and have it notarized as additional evidence. Thanks all for the quick response. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

My cousin was in the AF and in Vietnam 68-69. During that period he went TDY from Ton Son Nut AFB in Saigon to I Corps and found me and my unit (I was in the Marines) and spent 3 days with me before returning to Saigon. During that 3 day timeframe we were attacked, rocketed, and mortared almost the whole time and spent most of the three days sharing a fox hole with me. He literally crapped his pants and afterwards participated and helped with the bagging of bodies also. He now has DMII and has had erectile dysfunction for the past two years. He has never filed a VA claim and didn't know. I am helping him file his claim for DMII and I found the DC for that under endocrine system. However, I cannot find the body etiology for the ED. Where is it in the 38CFR4? I did not find anything under reproductive organ. I want him to also claim the ED as secondary to DMII and also PTSD. We sent off for his personnel service records and service medical records the other day. He has two different MD IMO diagnosis letters confirming his DMII, but is on oral medication, not insulin so I assume that is rated at 20%. I need the DC for the ED if anyone knows what it is. I am also helping him file claim for PTSD as he has all the symptoms. I haven't seen him or been in contact since 1972 after he had moved to Calif. His mother and my aunt had an emergency stent so he flew in to St Louis last week. It was great to see and talk with him again. I assume the ED is connected to the DMII? Anyone know what the rating is for ED? Thanks.

When Sleep Apnea is aggravated by a service connected condition the "reasonable doubt" rule normally wins the claim in favor of the veteran. Read the attached BVA decision where in there was nothing to prove it is and nothing to prove it isn't. The vet wins the claim. Sleep_Apnea_BVA_Decision.doc

This is it. I know your problem. I have a freind that must have the email address listed and approved in his email software first. If not the replies will not be acknowledged or received unless the addressee is preloaded first as an approved recipient. A lot of folks that use the computers at the library etc have to do this also. They can ask a question of iris via the website but will not receive a reply without knowing the iris email address first. So they have to have the email address in there first or they cannot receive the reply.

I wasn't aware that you could buy back your military time under FERS, only CSRS because under CSRS you do not pay into SS and in the military you do pay into it. Before I retired under CSRS I paid a little over $12K with the interest as I had 11 years of Marine Corps service and didn't know about the "Catch 62" until a year before I retired. I didn't think FERS was connected to the "Catch 62" at all, just those under CSRS that affected the Vietnam Vets mostly because the the WWII and Korean era vets got away scott free with not having to pay anything back. I think my last SS printout showed I only get about $550 per month when I am eligible for SS anyway. Of which I think there is an 80% offset of it, so I think I'll only receive about $110 per month SS. Correct me if I am wrong.