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chr49
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Posts posted by chr49
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Terry,
Stents are used for coronary artery disease but they are also used for other vascular problems, such as carotids, peripheral artery disease (PAD), angina, etc. The IHD ruling states that the ischemia must be in the coronary arteries, etc, etc. so it's really hard to say. If he was told that his stents were for coronary blockage it's possible that he does have IHD. They did carotid and coronary testing prior to my stent surgery for PAD so I'd suggest that he request his medical records. Hopefully he'll find the answers within. Can his doctor tell him?
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Congratulations Justin! This is great news.
How long did the full process take for you?
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I am a diabetic. I take Metformin and Glipizide to control it. These two drugs are very effective and patients rely on them heavily. Now, I wonder how it came to be that doctors know to prescribe these drugs for diabetics. Could it be that many years back a sales rep walked into a doctor's office and promoted these drugs?
My point is this – there is nothing wrong with pharmaceutical representatives promoting their products even if it means visiting doctor offices to do so. I believe doctors are smart enough know which meds to accept and which to reject. Further, medicines, before they are dispensed to patients must be approved by the FDA. That means a drug has gone through testing and has proven itself to be effective against a given disease.
Many doctors do not keep pace with every development in the medical field. Representatives from pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, software and hardware manufacturers, etc., hit the road and make personal contact with doctors to let them know what is available. So, if you have chosen your doctor carefully, I am sure he or she is smart enough to look after your interest.
Stilt,
I completely agree with you and thank you for presenting the other side of the story.
My wife worked in a doctor's office for 12 years. She saw many pharmaceutical reps come thru and sat thru most of the new drug presentations because she was the office nurse and learned a lot in doing so. She said the only freebies she ever saw were the samples that were left at the office and a rare pre-arranged lunch for the entire office (for a new drug presentation). The drugs samples they left helped many people that wouldn't have been able to pay for the medications themselves. Many of these pharmaceutical companies have special programs for low income people that can't afford their drugs. The purpose of having reps see the physician was/is to introduce new drugs, teach the side effects and interactions, discuss any issues/problems with their medications and put samples of the product in the doctor's hands so he can try them. With the amount of new drugs being introduced on a regular basis, this is extremely helpful for physicians. If not for pharmaceutical reps, they could easily stick with the old products never realizing that there were newer and better options for their patients.
I'm not saying there's no corruption. There could be but there's a lot of good being done by pharmaceutical reps and the doctors that receive & prescribe the drugs too.
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I had knee trouble in basic training in 1969. I went to sick call and got an xray. There is no record of this in my SMR's. I spent two weeks in the hospital for some sort of disease when I got back from Vietnam. No record in my SMR's. I went to a army shrink for 6 months at Ft. Stewart before I was discharged. No record of that in my SMR's. I went to dentist to check my TMJ and had two teeth pulled. No record in my SMR's. Most of the medical treatment I got in the military is not in my SMR's.
I completely agree. In my SMR's there is a single page (properly labeled as mine) showing a B/P reading of 240/110 without any further documentation, reason, treatment, or follow up B/P's. I doubt that I was sent off without being medicated or re-checked, yet there is no evidence of it. My denial for hypertension said there was no record of hypertension in my SMR's...yet I found at least 6 incidents of elevated B/P that had no further documentation within my records. My SMR's show X-ray results that indicate I had a spinal fracture yet there is no documentation as to injuries, or follow-up, etc. I also had a severe reaction to a scorpion sting while in advanced training in 1969 or early '70 and was kept overnight for observation...there is no record of this in my SMR's. Essentially, my SMR's are worthless to any claim.
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Pete
Congratulations! It's sad that it took them so long to get your much needed funds. I can only imagine how difficult it's been to get in and out of that sunken tub.
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Great news! It's always good to read that a vet has received what he deserves. Best wishes to him and his family.
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I think a lot of Vietnam vets avoided the VA in the early days. I don't think they are avoiding it now especially with presumptive AO claims. I avoided the VA for about 20 years but when my disability got worse I started trying to get justice.
I agree with John's statement. My story is similar to John's only it took me 35 years to admit that I needed to get help. Luckily the right person was there to guide me.
My doctor told me that earlier vets (WWI, WWlI, Korean, Vietnam) were not always diagnosed with problems. PTSD was not a diagnosis back then. She worked in a California VA hospital in the late 60's thru the early 70's and saw many returning Vietnam vets. According to her, the vets that were seen were most often diagnosed with Schizophrenia for lack of any other diagnosis.
Everybody that knew me back then will tell you that I came home a completely different person. When I was discharged I was asked if I had any medical issues & I told them I was fine. All I wanted was to get out. I was offered a government job when I returned and turned it down. I didn't want anything to do with the VA, government or any authority. I had a new reality and avoidance was the name of my game.
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Congrats Ron!
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Not surprising to me....I've found little relief with the meds I've been given.
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Just got the big envelope today with a total rating of 90% and moved up to TDIU and P&T. I know this is the topic most viewed so I wanted to thank HADIT for all the help from so many member (jbasser etc...). It feels so good to have done it all myself and come back with this rating. I sent mostly the same info to social security and was approved at age 41 in less then 3 months. THANK YOU TO HADIT!!! I could not have done the application etc... properly without the members on this site. 100% P&T baby!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! This is GREAT news!
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The VA can "review" an award, suggest that it be reduced, etc. and pull a veteran in for a new C&P, etc.
To Quote Berta, "VA can order a review of a disability any time they want."
"permanent 100% disability evaluation"
P&T = permanent and total. 100% is total.
'No further exams" is also usually stated somewhere in the award letter.
You should get various other related docs as well with or following the award letter, or by calling the VA and asking for them.
Life Insurance Application and CHAMPUS Application for spouse, dependents, etc.
are just two of the forms. CHAMPUS benefits can be available back to the EDD date. If there were significant medical expenses in this period, or
other medical insurance is too expensive, you should look into it. If the government screws around with Medicare too much, it might be of benefit.
Form for applying for Base ID to access Commissary, Exchange, and MWR(commander's discretion at some bases)
Note: DOD is in the process of changing the ID cards (Again) a particular base may still be issuing DD Form 2765 IDs, or a newer ID Card Form.
The back of the 2765 ID has a "standard" bar code and a complex digital code section, as well as the usual dates personal statistics, etc.
The newest card has another encoding scheme as well. The application form provided by the VA is obsolete, but contains the needed information anyway.
That information along with a picture they take is transferred to a system that is used to generate the ID card.
Once the ID card is issued, you have the option (take it) of registering in "DEERS"
Most bases are doing away with the vehicle stickers, etc. With the ID card, a "visitor's pass" is not needed.
Generally, you take the stack of paper the VA provided, your driver's license, another valid picture ID to the base visitor control center.
They provide a temporary visitor's pass, and directions to the unit that issues the ID card.
They are sort of "ticky" concerning documents proving that you are married, etc. to obtain your spouse's ID
(Since we did not have a "certified raised seal" copy, I had to use state department records to show that we were married, etc.)
It is kind of ironic that the original marriage was an "interdenominational" marriage, per "Canon law" ( https://secure.wikim.../wiki/Canon_law )
(A form of marriage recognized by at least all western nations, and a long story behind that one!)
Chuck,
You did an awesome job of explaining everything! Thanks!
Besides all of what Chuck has listed, don't forget to check your state benefits. Many states offer hunting and fishing licenses, property tax breaks, etc.
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Congratulations Usnhmret!
It's good to hear that you found Hadit helpful.You didn't state whether you got a P&T rating. Be sure to check out your state benefits, etc.
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I've tried Methadone, Questran powder(Cholestyramine), Atropine, Oxycodone, Immodium, even bananas. Since I can't find peragoric, the VA is going to try Codiene tablets 30mg 1-4 times a day. Anyone had any luck with that?
Constipation is a side effect of Codeine so it is worth a try. It is the only pain RX my wife can tolerate so she is well aware of this side effect. I hope this gives you some relief.
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Hello All Hope All Is Well
I have an upcoming Exam scheduled for or on a Sunday I found this to be rather strange?
Has anyone ever had an exam done over the weekend?
I had my last 3 C&P exams done on a Saturday in Spring of 2010. I asked why since my past C&P's were during the week and was told that they were doing most of the C&P exams are weekends nowadays. The only problem was the fact that I couldn't request copies of my records on that day because all of the offices were closed.
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Congrats on your award Diver! It's a joy to read stories like yours.
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Congrats Handler! This is such good news!
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fellow hadit members. got my ptsd rating moved to 70% and got 100% for tdiu. thanks for everything.im not much on writing
Congratulations! This is great news!
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Oh Hedgy--This is such good news. Your husband's dad is very fortunate to have the two of you in his life!
As late as the award is, it will hopefully make a difference in your dad's final days and hopeful help his wife in the future.
God Bless you and your family.
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Huey Crew Chief,
Congrats! Sounds like you've got a good VSO. Don't forget to update your Hadit profile with your new rating.
Best wishes with your deferred issues.
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This is GREAT news Roly! All the best to you!
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Thanks for your help. The reason I was skeptical was I have been diagnosed with ptsd, attended groups, taken the meds. I have never been asked about combat stressors. This just seems strange to me based on reading other's response to c and p exams.
According to my paperwork my Bronze Star with V award gave proof of stressor...But I was asked about my combat stressors during my C&P. I was in Vietnam at the same time you were there. Best of luck with your claim.
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I loved reading your post and hearing that this fellow was so helpful. As dreadful as it is having such a visit, this one turned out in your favor and I'm so thrilled for you!
Best wishes to you and yours!
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Ok I got the letter 100% P&T no future exams. chapter 35 education benefits for my wife and son. Now I have to get enrolled in all this stuff. I've never been enrolled in a VA medical system before. Then there is the DEER card. I'm most concerned with getting my wife and son enrolled in Champ VA. How long does all this take and where do I start. I'm getting stressed out just thinking about it. I guess I need to go to the VA hospital and VARO. Is there someone who helps you figure all this out?
Baca,
Sorry I don't have the answer to your question. Just wanted to congratulate you on your win. I'm thrilled for you and your family.
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The serenity prayer pretty much covers me when dealing with the government.
Pete,
Thank you. I've been feeling my anxiety build over the possible government shut down and needed this one.
I reconnected with the Serenity Prayer in 1992 and it's helped guide me thru many issues in my life since then.
Woman Gets 33 Months In Prison For Embezzling From Veterans
in VA Scandals
Posted · Edited by chr49
I just can't believe what I've read here. This makes me sick!!
She got nothing more than a light slap on the hand. We all know she'll get out early on good behavior.