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Nathan104

Second Class Petty Officers
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About Nathan104

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    Texas

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  • Service Connected Disability
    100

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  1. I sure appreciate everyones help. I am going to stick with what Ive got and have them drop the other claims. Whew! It feels great to actually be done. I already have SSD. Texas is a great state as when you are 100%, you do not pay property taxes on your primary home. Thats a great benefit when I paid $3000K in property taxes last year. I dont know much about the ChampVA and the education assiatance so will have to look into those. Between my wife and youngest, Im still paying on $7K in med bills from last year so really looking forward to the champva. Thanks again all for your help. I have received tons of great info from many of you over the last several years. You are all amazing to take your spare time and use it to help other. For those who are still fighting the fight, hang in there. I almost completely gave up at one point as it had me so angry and depressed but I got back on it and finally made it to the end. Im only 31 years and got medically discharged from the Army after 8 years of service at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 when I got hurt. I planned on putting in 20 years and retiring at 39. It just didnt work that way. That wasnt the plan God had for me. Im living my life for him now and he gives me strength to get through all things. Yall take care!
  2. So, I am to understand that are no additional benefits to be gained by being 100% schedular versus being TDIU permanent and total? I thought you received additional benefits or priviledges by being 100% schedular. If what I have now by being P&T under TDIU is the same, then I do believe I will go ahead and have them drop the claims on those two pending claims. Right now, in my claims letter it does state that Im permanent and total and that no future exams are required. Im just happy that this is all done. I actually gave up on it for a while and then picked it back up the last month of my one year window. Luckily, I had moved to Texas from Arkansas in that time. The Arkansas VA was a nightmare to deal with. If there arent any more benefits to be gained, I can be done and that will relieve a good bit of stress. Have another sinus surgery to have in the next month anyways and probably another back and knee surgery in the next year or so. I appreciate everyones help and if someone can confirm that no additional benefits are to be gained, then I will let it go at that. Thanks everyone, and Great thanks to God as through him all things are possible. Do not give up. Keep up the fight!
  3. Hello. Have not been on here in a while. But, After several years, I finally got my new rating. As of now, I am 80% schedular, granted the 100% rate due to TDIU, and considered Permanent and Total which makes my dependents eligible for the education assistance and ChampVA med insurance. This is all based off of several condition including postop back, postop knee, sleep apnea, and a few other small ones. Effective date on all this goes back to when I had my back surgery in 2007. However, for some reason, they did not give me a c&p for my claim of major depressive disorder secondary to my back, and for my claim of radioculpathy secondary to my back. Both of the claims in the decsion letter were deferred pending a c&p, which I just got the appt letter for. My question is, that I have heard that if you are rated for depression, you can not be considered permanent and total. I do not want to lose the education and especially the med insurance for my kids. But, with a favorable rating on both of those claims, I may make 100% schedular rating. Since I am considered permanent and total now without depression, will they take that away if I am connected and rated for depression? Is there even a reason to keep on with these claims? Not sure what 100% schedular entitles you to versus tdiu permanent and total. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
  4. My SSD is based off of all service connected disabilities except for the depression. The main issue with my SSD was my back though. The depression should be approved. I was treated in service, and have been treated for it by the VA since getting out. Im on VA meds for it. And, I also made the claim within one year of getting out which brings in the presumptive connectibility. I figured its a no-brainer for them, the only question was was % to rate it. But, they screwed it up and closed it instead of rating it. But, once that issue is connected, then everything I have SSD for will be SC issues. As for my incapacitating episodes, I spent all those weeks laying down simply because I could not get up and walk, not because it was prescribed. I did go to the VA dr, and the VA ER several timesduring these periods. The VA ER kept me overnight once and did an MRI. They have upped my narcotic meds twice. One thing I am hoping that will help is that I moved from Arkansas to Texas. This rating decision came from AR. I need to get my stuff transfered to TX. Im not sure what kind of problems that will cause with me filing appeals for the issues and for the TDIU. Id hate to lose 3 years of backpay for the TDIU. But, as this point, just getting everything done right would be so satisfying. If my depression is reopened and approved, I dont see how they can turn down TDIU if it doesnt happen to bump me to 100%. I know for the issues which Im not happy with the rating I can appeal (which I will do for my back rating). But, do you send in a NOD and appeal for a TDIU denial? Or does that go some other way? Also, Im not sure what all I need to do to get them to reopen and fix my closed depression claim. I sent in a letter several months ago explaining everything that happened and asking yet again for the c&p they mis-scheduled but apparently that didnt help. I guess I need to get the depression claim issue fixed before the TDIU can be granted. I sure appreciate all the help Im getting. There would be so many vets out there completely lost if not for the help and support of those that post on this board. Its comforting to no end when no one else around you really understand whats going on and how frustrating it is. I thank you all for your help.
  5. Got a call from the VA today. Sigh... Well, first a little back history. I was medically discharged after 8 years. Initial rating 50%. 20% hypertension, 10% lower back, several other 10%'s. Since discharge two years ago, my back has gotten much worse. Had lumbar diskectomy few months after getting out. Didnt go great. Been in and out of the ER several times, gone several months not able to walk. Use a cane and a wheelchair when needed both issued by VA. I was approved last year for Social Security Disability. Have sent VA all my records and SSD paperwork. I had filed for TDIU, depression, OSAS with use of CPAP, and ED. This has been ongoing for almost two years. During this time I was approved on appeal 10% for tinitus raising me from 50% to 60% Talked to the VA today and he said everything was done and told me over the phone all the decisions. OSAS with secondary insomnia rated at 50% ED rated at 0% with special monthly compensation approved Post operative lumbar spine increased from 10% to 20% Hypertension redused from 20% to 10% TDIU DENIED Depression claim shows CLOSED with no rating Total rating increased to 80% So, Im not very happy. Because my BP meds help lower my BP, they reduced my rating from 20% down to 10%. Obviously I should have skipped my BP meds the days I went to the VA, but did not think that was necessary. If I go off my meds, my BP shoots back up. It is retarded that they would reduce me because my meds are effective. How can they only give me 20% for my back? My ROM was severly limited at the C&P. The Dr made me scream when he tried to make me bend farther. I requested copies of this c&p twice but never got them. I have had several episodes where I was in bed for over a month. Multiple ER visits. Several MRI showing multiple herniations, nerve root suppression, reherniation of the disc they operated on. They denied TDIU. I wont know more on that until I get the paperwork. I havent been able to wrok since I got discharged from the army. Social Security rated me as disabled since I had my back surgery right after I got out. My mobility and everything I do is affected. Im on high doseage narcotic meds daily. I just dont get it. The depression thing makes me sick. I originally filed Oct 2006 (within 1 year window of discharge from service). I requested they wait on the rating until I got my mental health records from in service. They said they would hold it. They didnt and denied the claim based on no evidience. Got my records and sent them in with a request they reconsider based on new evidence. I had seen mental health in service and have continued treatment since with diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Been on depression meds since discharge. Well, after sending in my records, they sent a C&P appt letter back in july of 2007 but it got to me two weeks after the appt. Called them and told them what happened. They said they would reschedule. I called 7 times over the next 6 months. They said it was in the computer what happened and another c&p would be scheduled. Now I find out it was closed one year after the initial denial. This is insane! They did give me 50% for OSAS but I had it in service and now have a CPAP from the VA so that was a no brainer. Glad the ED got connected. Id rather have the use of that certain part of my body than an extra $90 a month but whatever, at least it was approved. So, technically I am at 78.74%, rounded up to 80% total. In order to be raised to 90%, Id need a rating of 30% for depression, or my back raised to 50% or higher. Both of which I feel should have already happened. Im disgusted that they completely screwed me with the depression claim. Im disgusted that they lowered my BP rating because I took my pill the morning of my c&p. Im disgusted they denied my tdiu when social security finds me totally disabled. Im disgusted they feel my back only desreves a 20% rating when it is the single most disabling thing I have and it alone keeps me from working, holding my kids, and enjoying life. Im disgusted that I spent two months in a wheel chair unable to walk at the beginning of this year and making multiple trips to the ER and that is only worth a 20% rating. Im just disgusted with the VA system and everything it stands for. I cant believe they can be so incompetent. I seriously want to go burn that place down. I could blame it on the PTSD my psychiatrist says that I have(which I didnt even claim, because I only think I have major depression). Basically, Im just disgusted. I dont know where to go from here. How do I correct the closed depression claim they botched? How do I appeal the TDIU denial?I should have gotten two years of backpay for the TDIU. IS it going to disappear now they denied it even if Im approved for an appeal? Can I appeal the Hypertension reduction and go off my meds to show them my BP will go back up? I am so tried of warking all this stuff. I feel lost, overwhelmed, just let down and again, disgusted by it all. I really felt that when they finally just sat down and read over all my stuff that everything would be approved and I would either be rated at 100% schedular or probably 90% and approved for TDIU. Im not sure what my next move should be.
  6. Finally found out today that there will not be a premium I have to pay for part A. They said usually, you have to have 40 work credits, but if you are younger, they take that into account and if you have an approved disability. Apparently the person I talked to before who told me I may not have enough was smoking something that day. So, thats a relief. Now I just need to try and figure out how medicare exactly works.
  7. Ive been wondering about this as well. I got the medicare info in the mail and I become eligible in May. I will be having another back surgery in the next few months. Im not sure how the medicare works like this but wanted to see about holding off on my surgery until after May and then picking my own surgeon through medicare for my surgery. But, I dont know if something like that can be done or how much co-pays would be. Ive gone over the medicare site and just dont seem to find it in a way that I understand it. Im also not sure for me if the part A would be free or not. I think I may be right under the work credit amount needed in order for it to be free. I was disharged for my disability at 27 so the only work credit I have is the 7 years of Army. I will have to call medicare/ssa to find out my current total. I think you have to have 40 to qualify or you have to pay a monthly premium. Any help with this would be great.
  8. Thats crazy. I got roughly $40K in backpay and got the backpay within a few days of my first monthly check. Not sure why it would take so long.
  9. Im sorry to hear this. Im also out with my back. Had lumbar diskectomy of L5-S1 in 2006. Pain is horrible every day. It is not right but from what I have found, the VA will rate this condition pretty much completely based off of the measurements from the goinometer. If you go in there and touch your toes, you are done for plain and simple no matter what surgeries youve had or what your on or what you say. The measurement is what they use. When you go in for your C&P, you need to show them what your reach is on a bad day. If you happen to have a great day, dont go in there and touch your toes. Go in there and it needs to be one of your bad days. You should get your private Dr to give an IMO and state how bad your condition is and have him remeasure you with a goinometer. The measurement is basically the rating. Thats what Ive found out over the last few years of dealing with it. I applied for and received SSD when the VA only had me rated at 10% for my back. I had my private Dr write a letter for me and had my family write letters. Sent all my MRI reports and surgery paperwork. Was approved in 5 months. You should apply if your back keeps you from working. Good luck.
  10. EXACT same thing happened to me. The guy working my claim finally hinted that my claim was approved by saying it was a decision "Id be happy with". But, it had been picked up for the QA. Took about two weekd to get through the QA before I finally found out a definite. I was very worried about the QA and from what I found out, it IS random and it pretty much just checks to make sure that the guy working your claim did everything right. Sounds like you should expect a letter soon. For me, I just got a huge deposit into my account before any letter or anything. I would imagine you will be doing the happy dance very soon!
  11. Was on Lisinopril for Hypertension. Around Nov of 2006 I got the flu and clogged all up. It never seemed to go away though. I had daily sinus distress, with constant blowing and running. My left sinus was completely blocked for almost 7 months. I had to breath out of my mouth, it was horrible. I was scoped into my nose several times and had several CT scans. They said everything was swelled up and they gave me steroids, and nasal sprays, and had me squirting solutions of stuff into my nose. It was a horrible time. I had asked before about my meds as my Lisinopril dosage had been increased around the same time I got sick. They all said that Lisinopril can not cause this. Well, FINALLY in July, I saw a new ENT Dr and he said that Lisinopril can cause this in 1 out of every 100 people. He switched me to Felodipine and put me on a course of prednisone steroids to reduce the swelling, and after 7 months, I was finally able to get air through my left nostril. I have lost a good amount of my sense of smell but Im so happy my daily misery of the sinus stuff is better. So, just know if you take Lisinopril that it CAN cause sinus trouble. Wish I had a Dr who knew that 6 months ago.
  12. I filed in April 07. I was told by phone about two weeks ago that my claim had been initially approved with a dec 05 effective date but that it had been picked up for the quality review board. Ive been sweating it because they said the QRB could overturn the approval or change my effective date. I called earlier this week for an update and they told me it could be another 60 days before the QRB was finished. Then today, I open the mailbox and there is a check from treasury for my soc sec backpay! The amount would be just right for only my benefits from dec 05 so it looks like they did not change the effective date either. Now, I just need to find out what I need to do to add dependents and get their backpay. It sure feels good to finally get somewhere. Im still dealing with the VA with a pending TDIU claim. Ill be sending in my soc sec approval info as soo as I get it straight to the VA. This was my initial SSD claim and it actually went pretty quick. I know many out there have been fighting for a long time and I urge you to keep up the fight. These are benefits you have earned. And, with me being 29, the SSA is predicted to be out of money by the time Im old enough to draw so go get your benefits wwhile you can, lol. My 6 year old asked me about the check and I told her what it was and what it was for. She said "wow, good thing your back is messed up so we could get all that money". I had to explain to her that no amount of money is worth having to give up what I have and deal with all the pain and disability at my age. I told her they are paying me because I cant pick her up and carry her like I should be able to. No amount of money will make up for losing that. It is losing something that can never be regained once the moment is lost. Ill never be able to go back and play with my kids or pick them up while they are little. The loss of these moments build up in me and become overwhelming. Id give every penny I have to be able to do those things like a father should be able to. Yall keep up the fight. You have earned it.
  13. Well, I guess my case made it through the QRB pretty quick as I got a big honkin check in the mail today! Which is wierd because I called earlier this week and they said it could take another 60 days in the QRB. Havent gotten any letter or anything but the check says its for soc sec. Its only my benefits though so Im guessing Ill have to send in additional information to get the back pay for the dependents. Im very happy this went through.
  14. I had been having some chest pains and requested an EKG. Well, didnt hear anything for three weeks so while at the VA hospital for an ENT appointment, I talked the EKG tech into giving me one on the spot. He gave me the printout. Problem is, I cant get in to see my primary care dr for a while to read it. Anyone here familiar enough to let me know if this thing is normal or not? I scanned it in and have it posted here http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/the...ff/EKGLarge.jpg Once you go there, you can just clik on the image to make it bigger. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. thanks.
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