chr49

I hope you don't mind my chiming in on your question. I'm not very good with the A math but I've gotten pretty good at using the VBA combined ratings table.I use the tables to cross check a calculator I frequently use. The calculator I use says: 10 + 10 = 19 + bilateral factor of 1.9 (10%) = 20.9%. You'd be rated at 20% The VBA 38CFR Combined ratings table states 10 combined with 10 is 19 so I'm assuming the calculator is correct. I'll leave the question about 100% + 60% to those in the know!

Thrilled for you JohnJJr!

DuRock Congratulations! This appears to be a wonderful day for so many! I'm thrilled to be reading all of today's happy news.

Carlie Congratulations!....I'm thrilled for you!!

Happy Anniversary to Hadit,Tbid, all of the moderators and it's helpful members. Thank you for linking us to resources we can't easy find and offering support when we can't seem to find it anywhere. I would be lost without this awesome site. Tbird....you are awesome!

Good News....Congratulations!

"Well, I finally received my rating of 80% (very happy)!!!" Great news! Congratulations!

Since you've gotten some great advice already I'll just add my congratulations on winning your IHD claim. It's good to read that veterans are getting their long awaited benefits.

Congratulations Pigdriver!

Great News! Congratulations!

Hey Broncovet, I don't know much about the co-payment situation but I understand your frustration with the lack of COLA's. As explained, the VA has no control over them so we can be angry all we want but it won't do us any good. The lack of COLA's has hurt many people, not just veterans. I'm very concerned about my 80+ yr. old in-laws who receive very small checks each month and simply can't afford the increases in medical costs and the cost of living. We help them all we can but they live far from us and we don't have much to give. My heart goes out to them as they work to save every penny they can just to survive. Bonuses can go either way. I know there are abuses, by the companies using them and the employees earning them. I worked 23 years for a company that kept their hourly wages much lower than the norm and provided bonuses for those that earned them. It was their way of controlling each employee's income. They could discontinue the bonuses whenever they wanted to and did so 3 times (for 1-3 years duration) during my employment. When they were discontinued, it left those employees that worked hard for their company, with poor hourly wages to live on. The bonuses I received were never huge but I worked hard to earn each and every one I ever received. All in all, I think most employees are honest hard working people that deserve the bonuses they receive. I really don't have a problem with VA employees receiving bonuses as long as they were honestly earned.

Many Thanks to Tbird and Fanaticbooks for taking the time to pull of of this together and put it in one place! I know it took many days/hours to do and I truly appreciate all you've done.

I'm truly thrilled for you! Congratulations -- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WOW! Enjoy your success! Your story reminds us never to give up! Merry Christmas

Congratulations VetsLady! It's always great to receive news like this during the holidays. Hopefully it will be P&T.

Congratulations Usmc0105!

Tbird I think this is a great idea! As far as input goes....I'm not familiar with the software so please forgive me if none of the following are possible.....here's my thoughts: 1. Alert members that the movie could take some time to load at the link site. 2. Enlarge the image so it would be easier to see/read. 3. Last, if possible, slow it down a bit to give a newbie time to absorb the info. Thank you for even considering doing this...You are the BEST!

Thanks Bergie, Many still live with the old beliefs concerning diabetes. This is good info.

It's so refreshing to read your story. Congratulations on your success and your decision to give back by helping other vets in need. Thank you for your service!

Thanks for the HEADS UP Berta!

Sorry, I doubt I would ever consider anything like this, regardless of how good he/she is. To me it's simply a good way for doctors to get lazy and get paid for a service they don't intend to give. It's a win, win for him/her and doesn't give the patient any more care or services than he's had in the past. I think it's just another way to rape people that are having trouble surviving this economy already. That's just my opinion. Money wise, this doctor is assured of making $675000 per year without doing a thing...once he reaches 450 patients. Since he/she is an established physician the only difficulty is reaching that magic number and his current patients will most like do it since they are established with him and will fear finding somebody that will treat them right. Then he gets to bill the insurance company you are also paying for, that should take care of his practice running costs, plus some. He most likely won't need as many employees to handle his smaller work load...more money in his pocket. I realize malpractice insurance isn't cheap these days, but I really think this is an outrageous. Makes me wonder what this world is turning into!

Berta, Excellent article! Thank you for making it all easy to understand. When the new PTSD regs came into effect I had concerns that they stipulated there must be a VA diagnosis. The fact that medical diagnoses outside of the VA are being ignored is very disturbing.

Pat, This it is such a thrill to read about your success! Know you and yours will have a wonderful Christmas this year! Your friend...

Such wonderful news! Thanks for posting this Berta and my sincere thanks to Jim Strickland for taking swift action on this situation!

Hedgey, I'll be waiting to hear your excitement when you receive your official VA letter, hopefully this coming week. It sounds awfully promising at this point. An early congrats from me, just in case I don't get back to you later.