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pipeman043
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Posts posted by pipeman043
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but after reading your question on VSO...it looks like it will be a dead end for me to even ask the status of my claim if due to policy at the VA that they can't devugle that information to me...that I will need to go to the VSO office in town and tape a note on the door that if there is ever a replacement for this office to contact me...Frustrating as it may be...I am sure things will be as they should.
Just another thought, what if you were to contact that VSO's department...
in example, if the VSO is Al go to WEB: http://www.missourilegion.org
and ask about who is handling the existing case load and exactly when
you can expect to have actual representation.... the same holds true if it's
a different organization such as VFW, DAV, VVA.
Might be worth a try to rattle someone's cage and see what shakes out. jmho
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Hello,
In an effort to be fair and equitable here is the response
provided by the VA after some prodding by telephone both
in Washington and at the Eastern Area Directors Office.
I guess the phone calls moved my service complaint from the
"ignore" pile to the " Do something to shut him up" pile. B)
I did eliminate names to protect the "innocent". The Va's
response came yesterday afternoon, 05 Jan 07
Original Complaint sent 22 Dec 06 @ 0650.
Mr. XXXXXXX,
Good morning. After our conversation yesterday afternoon, I contacted the Veterans Service Center Manager, XXXXX XXXXXXX, at the Togus Regional Office (RO) who is now serving as the Acting Director since the retirement of Mr. XXX XXXXX. I asked that he prepare a response to your inquiry along with a status update of your pending appeal. While I do not think the response below will resolve your dissatisfaction with the VA appellate process and, specifically, scheduling of hearings, I am hoping this recognition of your frustration will, at a minimum, alleviate some of your dissatisfaction. We do understand your legitimate concern but are somewhat constrained by the procedures established by the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA).
I will also forward this correspondence to the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Service in Washington as C&P Service is responsible for the policy and procedures that govern how ROs must operate. In situations regarding our interaction with BVA, they must work with that organization regarding policy and procedural guidance. I do not want to mislead you into thinking that this will immediately change the current hearing policy, but it is at least, a step toward in the right direction.
Again, on behalf of James Whitson, Eastern Area Director and VA, I apologize for any inconveniences and poor customer service. It is our job to provide you the benefits and services you are entitled to, in recognition for your service to our country, and we should always do so with the highest level of customer service.
XXXXXX
Supervisory Management Analyst
Eastern Area Office
734-930-5800
Please see the below response from Mr. XXXXXXXX:
Mr. XXXXXXXXX
I am writing in reference to a complaint you submitted pertaining to a recent Board of Veterans Affairs (BVA) hearing you attended at the Togus Regional Office.
Please accept my apologies for any inconveniences caused to you. Additionally, allow me to express my understanding toward your dissatisfaction with the current policy regarding the scheduling of hearings before a BVA Law Judge. As you have clearly pointed out, there are times when an appellant will have to travel long distances in order to arrive at their BVA hearings. Once an appellant arrives, they may be asked to wait, based on the order of their arrival.
Unfortunately, BVA has mandated the scheduling policy to our Regional Offices. This policy is in effect at every Regional Office in the nation. The notification sent to you on 11-13-06 was a letter, which has been approved by BVA, and stated, “…hearings are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis…”
so sorry, but this above quoted statement is NOT in the letter
I can assure you that the employees at the Togus Regional Office, along with myself, are dissatisfied with the current policy set by BVA. The former Director of the Togus Regional Office, XXXXXXXXX, and I, have met with your local American Legion representative on multiple occasions to discuss this very topic.
Your claims files is still currently located at BVA and our electronic records indicate your case is pending transcription.
Be assured that it is our goal to ensure that all veterans and their dependents receive the best services we can provide. However, we must operate within the laws and regulations that govern our actions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 1:55 PM
To:XXXXXXXXX, VBADTRT
Subject: Fw: Service Complaint
Hello,
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
----- Original Message -----
From: Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: amcquery@vba.va.gov
Cc: BVAOmbudsman@mail.va.gov
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 8:36 AM
Subject: Service Complaint
Hello,
In conjunction with my ongoing appeal, I requested a Travel Board Hearing be scheduled at my local RO.
I was informed by the TOGUS RO that no travel board hearings were available or being scheduled in the
foreseeable future in an effort to reduce existing backlog, reduce expenses, and increase productivity.
I was then scheduled for a Video Conference Hearing that was conducted on Monday, 18 Dec 06.
Due to issues that arose involving that event, I forwarded the following service complaint via IRIS and
am providing this information in an effort to make you aware of the problem.
At bare minimum I expect written acknowledgement of receipt and indication of planned corrective action.
Thank you for you attention to this matter.
IRIS SUBMISSION:
It is the standing policy of the VARO TOGUS to send letters to all individuals that are scheduled for
a video hearing on a specific day that their appointment is for 0830 and that they are to arrive one
half hour before their scheduled hearing time. There is no indication on any correspondence that
the actual hearings are scheduled that day on a first come-first served basis and depending on
how many hearings are scheduled the potential exists that the veteran will be waiting for an
extended period of time. This practice is very inconsiderate of the veteran and the VSO who
is representing the veteran. Clearly it implies a total disregard for the value of the veteran's
and VSO's time.
In MANY cases at this specific RO the veteran must travel great distance to get to the
RO and it makes the issue even worse if the individual veteran is economically or physically
disadvantaged and cannot provide their own transportation.
If you use the example that the Veteran who lives 3 hours away is using others for their
transportation and must arrive at 0800 and there are multiple hearing to be conducted,
you place the veteran in the position of having to be up and on the road sometime
around 0300 and having them exhausted by the time their hearing time arrives.
This places the veteran at an extreme disadvantage at the hearing and is blatantly
unfair and discriminatory.
The VARO TOGUS claims that it is due to the BVA directives and unchangeable even
though the RO TOGUS schedules all the hearing and can make the appropriate
change if they so chose.
This has been a long standing issue brought to the management's attention many
times and they demonstrate a capricious disregard for the people they are
supposed to be helping.
XXX XXXX, the Regional office Director basically told me that "this is the way it is".
He further stated to me that if I didn't like it I could leave.
Terrible customer service and a shining example of the pervasive attitude in that
office that it's my way or the highway.
I specifically asked about a timeline for a policy change and was ignored.
I believe it is reasonable that I be given a written apology by the
Veteran Service Manager for the poor conduct of his employee,
and a new policy be established following a complete review of
the scheduling process that takes into consideration the Veteran
and VSO's time along with other appropriate considerations.
-
Hello,
In an effort to be fair and equitable here is the response
provided by the VA after some prodding by telephone both
in Washington and at the Eastern Area Directors Office.
I guess the phone calls moved my service complaint from the
"ignore" pile to the " Do something to shut him up" pile. B)
I did eliminate names to protect the "innocent". The Va's
response came yesterday afternoon, 05 Jan 07
Original Complaint sent 22 Dec 06 @ 0650.
Mr. XXXXXXX,
Good morning. After our conversation yesterday afternoon, I contacted the Veterans Service Center Manager, XXXXX XXXXXXX, at the Togus Regional Office (RO) who is now serving as the Acting Director since the retirement of Mr. XXX XXXXX. I asked that he prepare a response to your inquiry along with a status update of your pending appeal. While I do not think the response below will resolve your dissatisfaction with the VA appellate process and, specifically, scheduling of hearings, I am hoping this recognition of your frustration will, at a minimum, alleviate some of your dissatisfaction. We do understand your legitimate concern but are somewhat constrained by the procedures established by the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA).
I will also forward this correspondence to the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Service in Washington as C&P Service is responsible for the policy and procedures that govern how ROs must operate. In situations regarding our interaction with BVA, they must work with that organization regarding policy and procedural guidance. I do not want to mislead you into thinking that this will immediately change the current hearing policy, but it is at least, a step toward in the right direction.
Again, on behalf of James Whitson, Eastern Area Director and VA, I apologize for any inconveniences and poor customer service. It is our job to provide you the benefits and services you are entitled to, in recognition for your service to our country, and we should always do so with the highest level of customer service.
XXXXXX
Supervisory Management Analyst
Eastern Area Office
734-930-5800
Please see the below response from Mr. XXXXXXXX:
Mr. XXXXXXXXX
I am writing in reference to a complaint you submitted pertaining to a recent Board of Veterans Affairs (BVA) hearing you attended at the Togus Regional Office.
Please accept my apologies for any inconveniences caused to you. Additionally, allow me to express my understanding toward your dissatisfaction with the current policy regarding the scheduling of hearings before a BVA Law Judge. As you have clearly pointed out, there are times when an appellant will have to travel long distances in order to arrive at their BVA hearings. Once an appellant arrives, they may be asked to wait, based on the order of their arrival.
Unfortunately, BVA has mandated the scheduling policy to our Regional Offices. This policy is in effect at every Regional Office in the nation. The notification sent to you on 11-13-06 was a letter, which has been approved by BVA, and stated, “…hearings are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis…”
so sorry, but this above quoted statement is NOT in the letter
I can assure you that the employees at the Togus Regional Office, along with myself, are dissatisfied with the current policy set by BVA. The former Director of the Togus Regional Office, XXXXXXXXX, and I, have met with your local American Legion representative on multiple occasions to discuss this very topic.
Your claims files is still currently located at BVA and our electronic records indicate your case is pending transcription.
Be assured that it is our goal to ensure that all veterans and their dependents receive the best services we can provide. However, we must operate within the laws and regulations that govern our actions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 1:55 PM
To:XXXXXXXXX, VBADTRT
Subject: Fw: Service Complaint
Hello,
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
----- Original Message -----
From: Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: amcquery@vba.va.gov
Cc: BVAOmbudsman@mail.va.gov
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 8:36 AM
Subject: Service Complaint
Hello,
In conjunction with my ongoing appeal, I requested a Travel Board Hearing be scheduled at my local RO.
I was informed by the TOGUS RO that no travel board hearings were available or being scheduled in the
foreseeable future in an effort to reduce existing backlog, reduce expenses, and increase productivity.
I was then scheduled for a Video Conference Hearing that was conducted on Monday, 18 Dec 06.
Due to issues that arose involving that event, I forwarded the following service complaint via IRIS and
am providing this information in an effort to make you aware of the problem.
At bare minimum I expect written acknowledgement of receipt and indication of planned corrective action.
Thank you for you attention to this matter.
IRIS SUBMISSION:
It is the standing policy of the VARO TOGUS to send letters to all individuals that are scheduled for
a video hearing on a specific day that their appointment is for 0830 and that they are to arrive one
half hour before their scheduled hearing time. There is no indication on any correspondence that
the actual hearings are scheduled that day on a first come-first served basis and depending on
how many hearings are scheduled the potential exists that the veteran will be waiting for an
extended period of time. This practice is very inconsiderate of the veteran and the VSO who
is representing the veteran. Clearly it implies a total disregard for the value of the veteran's
and VSO's time.
In MANY cases at this specific RO the veteran must travel great distance to get to the
RO and it makes the issue even worse if the individual veteran is economically or physically
disadvantaged and cannot provide their own transportation.
If you use the example that the Veteran who lives 3 hours away is using others for their
transportation and must arrive at 0800 and there are multiple hearing to be conducted,
you place the veteran in the position of having to be up and on the road sometime
around 0300 and having them exhausted by the time their hearing time arrives.
This places the veteran at an extreme disadvantage at the hearing and is blatantly
unfair and discriminatory.
The VARO TOGUS claims that it is due to the BVA directives and unchangeable even
though the RO TOGUS schedules all the hearing and can make the appropriate
change if they so chose.
This has been a long standing issue brought to the management's attention many
times and they demonstrate a capricious disregard for the people they are
supposed to be helping.
XXX XXXX, the Regional office Director basically told me that "this is the way it is".
He further stated to me that if I didn't like it I could leave.
Terrible customer service and a shining example of the pervasive attitude in that
office that it's my way or the highway.
I specifically asked about a timeline for a policy change and was ignored.
I believe it is reasonable that I be given a written apology by the
Veteran Service Manager for the poor conduct of his employee,
and a new policy be established following a complete review of
the scheduling process that takes into consideration the Veteran
and VSO's time along with other appropriate considerations.
-
Hi,
You know maybe if there is an obvious error that you just discovered
recently such as the characterization made on the DD-214 you could
pursue a correction:
Correcting Military Records
Are there mistakes on your military records? A correction board may consider applications for correction of a military record, including a review of a discharge issued by courts martial. Learn more about it here.
The secretary of a military department, acting through a board for correction of military records, has authority to change any military record when necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice. A correction board may consider applications for correction of a military record, including a review of a discharge issued by courts martial.
The veteran, survivor or legal representative generally must file a request for correction within three years after discovery of an alleged error or injustice. The board may excuse failure to file within the prescribed time, however, if it finds it would be in the interest of justice to do so. It is an applicant's responsibility to show why the filing of the application was delayed and why it would be in the interest of justice for the board to consider it despite the delay.
To justify any correction, it is necessary to show to the satisfaction of the board that the alleged entry or omission in the records was in error or unjust. Applications should include all available evidence, such as signed statements of witnesses or a brief of arguments supporting the requested correction. Application is made with DD Form 149, which can be found on our Military Forms page.
Here's the url that you can copy and paste;
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt...fopage2137.html
Not at all sure it will work since it's a medical issue, however, it wasn't a doc who coded your 214
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Actually, what I did was after sending in the IRIS inquiry,
I took all that I had written and sent by email to the AMC
and the VBAOmbudsman with a note telling them that
this was sent to make them aware of an issue that has the
potential to be explosive.... If someone were to file a
brief with the CVAC saying that all decisions made that
were unfavorable to the claimant due to the vet being under
duress and fatigue that could begin a class action suit that
would not be in the VA's best interest. Can you just imagine
calling into question that volume of claims due to discrimination.
-
Hi There,
I just used IRIS for the first time and sent the following complaint,
chances are that I won't get an answer.
Complaint:
It is the standing policy of the VARO TOGUS to send letters to all individuals that are scheduled for a video hearing on a specific day that their appointment is for 0830 and that they are to arrive one half hour before their scheduled hearing time. There is no indication on any correspondence that the actual hearings arescheduled that day on a first come-first served basis and depending on how many hearings are scheduledthe potential exists that the veteran will be waiting for an extended period of time. This practice is very inconsiderate of the veteran and the VSO who is representing the veteran. Clearly it implies a total disregard for the value of the veteran's and VSO's time.
In MANY cases at this specific RO the veteran must travel great distance to get to the RO and it makes the issue even worse if the individual veteran is economically or physically disadvantaged and cannot provide their own transportation.
If you use the example that the Veteran who lives 3 hours away is using others for their transportation and must arrive at 0800 and there are multiple hearing to be conducted, you place the veteran in the position of having to be up and on the road sometime around 0300 and having them exhausted by the time their
hearing time arrives. this places the veteran at an extreme disadvantage at the hearing and is blatantly
unfair and discriminatory.
The VARO TOGUS claims that it is due to the BVA directives and unchangeable even though the RO TOGUS schedules all the hearing and can make the appropriate change if they so chose.
This has been a long standing issue brought to the management's attention many times and they demonstrate a capricious disreguard for the people they are supposed to be helping.
XXXXXXXXXX, the Regional office Director basically told me that "this is the way it is". He further stated to me that if I didn't like it I could leave.
Terrible customer service and a shining example of the pervasive attitude in that office that it's my way or the highway.
I specifically asked about a timeline for a policy change and was ignored.
I believe it is reasonable that I be given a written apology by the Veteran Service Manager for the poor conduct of his employee, and a new policy be established following a complete review of the scheduling process that takes into consideration the Veteran and VSO's time along with other appropriate considerations.
-
Hi Max,
Gee, do you think it might be possible that the VA automatically assumes
that if you claim PTSD that you have a substance abuse problem? Perhaps
that visit to the clinic is to make sure you are still having symptoms, like
there is some magic pill you can take to make it all go away. You know what
Sgt. Friday says "Anything you say can and will be used against you" Jmo.
-
Let me tell you a story.....
a little bit of background first, I have been playing this game since January of 2004,
my SOC is about 14 pages long, all of the claimed stressors have been verified by
the VA, I filed this claim at the direction of the psychiatrist who wrote in my treatment
record that I had chronic PTSD and that I was told by him to initiate the claim. He had
been treating me for about 6 months prior to this and had written that his impression
had been PTSD at every prior visit. Axis I = PTSD. the GAF varies from 39 up to 53
depending on my mood I guess. 3 months after I file my claim I show up for my
appointment and the psychiatrist I had been seeing has been terminated and I get
a new psychiatrist who says that while I have signs and symptoms of PTSD I also
have a major depressive disorder NOS (not otherwise specified). Due to other medical
issues such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure , hypertension, bilateral
demylinating peripheral neuropathy in all extremities I filed for both Non service connected
disability and for service connected. both got denied almost immediately. Filed for reconsideration
by DRO on both and S/C was denied and the NSC was granted 16 months after the original
filing date. Filed a NOD. My "C" file got lost in transit after it was certified to the BVA.
Jump ahead to yesterday, was supposed to get the travel board hearing that I requested
but was scheduled for the Video hearing. The RO does all the scheduling and notification.
Letter says that hearing is for 0830 and to arrive half hour earlier. I show up at the RO
and am told to go see my VSO first. I go over to his office in a different building and he
tells me that everyone is scheduled for 0830 and that he has to find out when hearing is
REALLY scheduled for. He can't get anyone at the RO to answer the phone so we return to
the RO. Person behing the desk says that because I was not there @ 0800 that I go to the
end of the line and that all hearings are on a first come, first served basis. I get really ugly
and demand to speak to someone in authority. So as I am waiting here arrives a VA cop
that they requested be onhand to supervise me. There are other people also waiting there
so they try to get me into an office with the door closed because " I am disturbing the other clients"
well their ploy backfired cause I wouldn't move off my chair. They had me talk to three different people
before they finally got the regional office director to come talk to me. All I got was the same BS rhetoric
about how the BVA scheduled all the hearings and I would have to contact them.....So
here we are, the VSO and myself sitting there having four people in a row come out and tell
us lies that both they and I already know are false. Hell of a system, we finally get through
the video hearing about three hours later. I asked the VSO how I am supposed to provide the additional
documents that I brought with me to the hearing, letters from my family and such. He tells me just
hold on to them for when you go to court. Don't you know that all these people are paid from the
same budget to say NO. They kept the cop right there to babysit me until after the last office person
spoke to me. then the cop left. I guess I wasn't a threat as long as someone wasn't lying to me.
God forbid that they would actually be forced to do what they are paid to do.
I thought that calling the cops on me was a little extreme, but especially so
since according to them I don't have rage issues and problems with
authority figures..... imagine that....
Thought this might be good for a chuckle, if I didn't think it was so funny and
stupid I might still be angry
-
Allan,
""Hello. I am a vietnam era veteran. I have applied for a service connection and it is now in the hands of the BVA in Washington. I recently discovered my Rating Decision. On it there is something called Pension Entitlement Decissions. Then it says Permanent and Total for NSC from 06/22/1995""
Has this just been recently recieved? If it's only been a few weeks it does take them
awhile to get their fingers working. from the time I got a decision to my first check
was about two months and then another three weeks for the retro to arrive.
If you are earning money or are recieving SSDI or SSI they will reduce your
amount dollar for dollar what your already existing household income is.
""And then it says Combined Evaluation For Pension: 70%""
I have written to the VA several times but I don't get a response. Any ideas on my situation or could you refer me to someone. Thanks Alan Gosink
If you have had time to write them with no response then two questions...
where is your POA if you have one and does he or she know what your situation is?
second is have you considered contacting a congressperson to investigate?
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To clear up these two questions and one from the other thread...
first shrink I went to @ the VA said no doubt PTSD and wrote right
in the narrative that I was advised to apply for SC compensation.
Kept seeing him for several months. Suddenly he was gone and I
was assigned to a new staff shrink. He said he was unsure if it was
just PTSD or a depressive disorder NOS with anxiety components.
So they send me to see someone for a PTSD eval. That guy was
downright hostile to me and acted like I was taking up his valuable
time so I just shut up and left. They then schedule me for a C&P
but cancel it two weeks later and then call me on the phone with
a new appointment the following day but not at the VAMC but
rather at a vet center 60 miles away. I arrive 15 mins prior to
appointment set for 10:00 and wait. at 10:25 this gal rushes in
says she will be with me in a min or two, that she needs to grab her
coffee and messages. I am called in 8-10 mins later and she starts
peppering me with questions. We didn't hit it off right from the get go
and things went downhill fast. She said this isn't working and that the
interview was over. I was back on the road by 10:50. She wrote a
wicked nasty eval saying that I had a personality disorder, nothing
more. So I had applied for SSDI and SSA and they sent me for
testing. that guy says yes I have PTSD and that the MEDs they
have perscribed are masking some of the symptoms. Meanwhile
things in my life are not going so hot... Had an bad anxiety attack
and was refered to vet center(different one) so I send them a letter
telling them my situation. They have me come down and it's now
been over 9 months every other week I go plus still see the VA
shrink. Vet center sent report to the RO and to BVA about how
badly I was affected by the PTSD. RO ignored the report and certified
my appeal to BVA. After two months of no word, I email to ombudsman
and find out that my appeal was sent to the DAV even though my POA is with
the AL. So I raise a stink. that was in July. TODAY they said that
my appeal just returned from the AL and that it had a october 05 docket date
and that they were currently working on November 04 dockets but they had my
letter requesting a travel board hearing and didn't know how long it would
take for the remand but to be patient...
As to the stressor letter and all the various items that needed to be developed,
yes they all checked out and they have ample documentation, plus photos and
court hearing transcripts. they have no wiggle room in that regard, so in
the SOC it says that while all my stressors have been verified, there are
conflicting diagnoses and the question of equipoise does not enter the picture.
They didn't even look at the vet center reports or the SSA paperwork.
So as I see it I will simply have to wait it out till the board sees the evidence,
in maybe a year from now
-
To reply to Berta:
The vitamin that I was told to take is
"Alpha Lipoic Acid" 200-600 mg's per day
has been shown to help injured nerves
regenerate their insulation.
The new problem is the Demylinating
Neuropath that has just been diagnosed.
The caths were done at two local
hospitals, some were done at the VA's
instruction. Nobody can say when and where
the damage was done...just that it exists.
I hear opinions from various doctor's all
too frequently, none like to put those things
to paper.
NSC is not much money but it's better
than nothing.
I am of the opinion that the major
part of my issues started from the
PTSD that has been there all these
years causing problems at home and work.
It's only after several failed relationships and
lots of different jobs that somebody other that just
me started to see that I had a big problem
with the world around me. anger, stress...la la la
No I wasn't in-country or exposed to AO.
I was in the Coast Guard and exposed to a
different type of fire... some people do almost
anything to avoid going to jail...
My most recent s/c claim started in Jan 04
for an aquired anxiety disorder to include PTSD
and cardiac issues secondary to that. It made it
to the BOA but since the RO didn't provide the SSA
paperwork and my award of SSI that I can't get
cause the VA pays "TOO MUCH".or any of the records
from the Vet center that has been treating me for 9 months
my file is headed back on a remand...
-
Hello All,
To go along with what others have said, I'll add my 2 cents worth.
Back in Feb of 2000 I went to the local hospital ER with shortness
of breath and chest pain.... they did the blood test and the ekg..and
all that routine.....Sent me home saying that I had indigestion. That
was on a Friday night. The following Monday while out walking I collapsed
in pain and called my wife on the cell and told her to come fetch me.
I went back to the same ER (up here where I live there are limited
health care facilities) and they did the same work up plus did a stress
test with the thalium tracer. Lo and behold found three blockages,
on 90% and two 70% all in the LAD, plus determined that I had had
a heart attack sometime recently... Imagine that....This is the point that
I entered the VA health care system, had no insurance, medical bills
mounting up, perscription costs out of sight, ect...
Just happened to luck out and got a really good NP who kept sending
me for tests. That's when I learned about PTSD and how it had been
plaguing me all my life. Learned that I got CHF and sub-clinical COPD
So far I've had 9 caths and they have placed three stents. One of those
stent caths went bad and they nicked the nerve bundles...that caused
PN which is now in both legs. Just three weeks ago I was told that I
now have demylinating neuropathy and it was suggested that perhaps
the heart meds that the va provided worked against my metabolisum
causing the new problem. The VA neurologist said that the damage
has been done and it's irreversable. I can slow down it's advance by
taking a vitamin but that they best they have to offer.
Point of the story is you can get good or bad care regardless of where
you go. The cardiology dept at the VA here is good but way understaffed.
The outside cardiologist that I go to has a great rapport with the VA,
in fact one of the doc's from that practice serves as a loco tenents
doc at the VA. So all in all I believe that the VA has provided very good
care but everybody doesn't get the same service, alot depends on your
PCP and how much they push the system to deliver.
The RO on the other hand has fought me every step of the way. I have
already given up twice before after getting denied. This time around the
post here have helped be find the motivation to fight harder. To thier credit
they did grant the NSC pension, but that took some battle too.
Sorry this is so long, but just wanted to balance out the perspective
so to speak....Thanks for all you people do!
-
Terry,
The reason that I ended up with a NSC pension from the VA
was due to the fact that I have some disabling medical issues,
and by virtue of the fact that I am a vietnam era vet that
served during a time of war I am eligible for the (so called)
war pension because of no income. The NSC is a needs based
pension that takes into account what your available household
income is and considers what you have for dependents. In my
case because I have school aged children and spouse they are
considered in the monetary determination. There is a set amount
based on your dependents and then they subtract household income
and arrive at a monthly amount.
Hope that answerd your question.
-
Cavman,
Been to two C&P's one for the PTSD and the other for COPD
both were denied for SC. As to the other items, I have been
going to the VAMC since my Heart Attack so they already
had all my medical records in their own files. Plus they
got copies of the medical files from my outside cardiologist
that I made sure they mailed directly to the RO and to the
VAMC. The VA diagonosed the GERD themselves so it was
hard for the RO to deny it. I have had three stents put into
my heart arteries, each one due to restenosis and the VAMC
has those records as well. I have found that the best bet is
to be proactive and keep them supplied with a papertrail
Good Luck in your endeavor!
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Hi there,
I haven't been able to locate an answer to my question so
I'll ask it here....
I am currently recieving a Non SC pension from the VA.
I initially applied for SC but like everyone else have been denied.
The SOC stated among other things that the C&P examiner determined
that the Board certified VA staff Psychiatrist who had been treating me
for PTSD didn't know much and in one visit the C&P examiner decided that
despite all the other evidence to the contrary that I didn't meet the criterion
according to the DSM-IV. I did the NOD and was denied again. my appeal has
been sent to the BVA and I have asked for a travel board hearing so I expect
that the file will be remanded to the RO. I had applied for SSDI and SSI as well.
the RO didn't bother to get the records from SSA or even include the treatment
records from the Vet Center that has been dealing with my PTSD for the last
nine months.
Having provided that background material the question is...
Will the VA have to give TDIU for SC PTSD considering they already decided
that I am total and permanent for my other health issues, which I claim are secondary
due to the PTSD...( Cardiac, Past MI, COPD, GERD, ect.) thats why I get the NSC pension.
This is such a messed up affair, the RO has determined that all my stressors are
verified, and they have the documentation to prove everything I have told them.
The SSA decided that I am medically eligible for SSI but get too much money from
the VA. Since I have been unable to work for several years I no longer qualify for
SSDI due to lack of recent work quarters. I honestly believe what many others
have said in the past, that the VA tries to run you down till you lose the will to
fight or end up dead before you can win. I count my blessings that I am fortunate
to be getting something from the VA, although the price paid to be eligible is a bit
extreme.
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Hi There,
I have to agree with the previous posters, I recieve a
VA pension because I am unemployable. I have been
fighting my battle with the VA since Dec of 2003. I filed for
both NSC and S/C
The RO acknowledges that I have disabilities that make me
permanate and total, they just don't want to let me get
the S/C cause I claimed that my heart attack was
secondary to the PTSD so if i get awarded the S/C it's
going to be 100%..its all a matter of money.
Since your wartime there should be no issue getting the NSC,
just got to get that thought in the right heads at the RO
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Hello,
I've looked around here and in the FAQ's but didn't see my specific issue
so I'll ask here.
Recieved a letter from the RO saying they certified my claim to the BVA.
Letter also said I would be contacted by the board acknowledging reciept
of my claim file. After 45 days of no contact from the RO or the BVA, I
sent an email to the ombudsman inquiring about my claim file. Took a week
to get a reply, but was told they sent my file to the DAV for review. Problem
is my POA is the Legion. Sent them back a email copied to the AL SO at the local
RO. The ombudsman responded that there was no 21-22 in my file. I faxed down
copies of both the 21-22 appointing the Legion as well as the 21-22 revoking the DAV
both stamped by the RO with an effective date of Aug 2005, a year ago. I asked
in the fax letter to the ombudsman what procedure is available to make sure that
they have my complete file as it is obvious that there are some pages missing.
The only response I recieved was that they pulled my file from the DAV.
I have been on ignore ever since. The BVA or ombudsman have not responded
to the fax or to the email. What do you do in this situation?
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Having had several spect tests done in the past few years this particular article from the FDA
caught my eye and may be what some are refering to:
FDA is issuing this public health advisory to inform patients and health care providers that Palatin Technologies, the manufacturer of NeutroSpec (Technetium (99m Tc) fanolesomab) is voluntarily suspending marketing of NeutroSpec effective immediately due to serious safety concerns. NeutroSpec is indicated for radiologic imaging of patients with unclear signs and symptoms of appendicitis who are five years of age and older.
FDA received reports from Palatin Technologies of 2 deaths and 15 additional life-threatening adverse events in patients receiving NeutroSpec. These events occurred within minutes of administration of NeutroSpec and included shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and cardiopulmonary arrest. Affected patients required resuscitation with intravenous fluids, blood pressure support, and oxygen. Most, but not all, of the patients who experienced these events had existing cardiac and/or pulmonary conditions that may have placed them at higher risk for these adverse events. A review of all post-marketing reports showed an additional 46 patients who experienced adverse events that were similar but less severe. All of the reactions occurred immediately after NeutroSpec was administered. There is no evidence that patients who already safely received the drug face any long-term risk.
The relationship between NeutroSpec and these events has not been definitively determined. However, the consistent characteristics and rapid onset of these events following NeutroSpec injection makes it likely that they were due to administration of NeutroSpec. NeutroSpec is an antibody radio-labeled with technetium-99m. There is no indication that the radiopharmaceutical component of NeutroSpec, technetium-99m, was related to occurrence of these events.
The decision to suspend marketing was based on the life-threatening nature of the events and the availability of other means to diagnose appendicitis that do not carry these risks. FDA urges health care providers to discontinue use of existing stocks of NeutroSpec and to contact Palatin Technologies regarding their return.
NeutroSpec was approved in June 2004 for imaging of patients with equivocal signs and symptoms of appendicitis who are five years of age or older. Market approval was based on a total of 523 subjects; and adverse events of the severity described above were not observed pre-marketing. The 17 patients who experienced the serious events received NeutroSpec to diagnose infections other than appendicitis. It is not known what, if any, risk factors might increase the likelihood of such events. The FDA will work closely with Palatin Technologies to evaluate these adverse events and their potential relationship to NeutroSpec. The FDA will notify health care providers and patients in a timely fashion as new information becomes available.
The FDA urges health care providers and patients to report adverse event information associated with this or any medical product to FDA via the MedWatch program by phone (1-800-FDA-1088), by fax (1-800-FDA-0178), or by the Internet at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html.
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Wow... Thanks FLHRCI,
So what do I do with that? Just print it all out and send it along
to the VA with the other report from the SSA examiner who
says my symptoms might be PTSD related?
I didn't bother to mention that I was an EMT licensed in
NJ while stationed at the SAR station in Atlantic City. I
did my training weekends that they freed me up while in
the CG and trained at Shore Memorial Hospital. The CG paid
to send me to be an EMT and I trained with the CG Group
Commander who was taking the same course.
The twenty some years that I skipped over were spent
going thru two marriages, about 14 Jobs and a whole
lot of just plain oblivion. I did LE for about three years
after discharge and just couldn't do it anymore. Laws
are written in black and white but it's mostly just all
gray out there and I really resent authority so I let
too many people slide and was always getting crap from
above for it.
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Hello Berta,
To answer your questions:
The report that I got out of the Americal Legion SO was not
provided by the VAMROC, I had the SO find it in his files
and give me a copy. At the top of the report it said...
Comp and Pen Exam Report for Initial evaluation for
PTSD Exam. In the exam provider block it has her
name. The report says it was done at VAMC Togus
but it was not done there. At no time have I ever been
tested at the VAMC with any shrink tests. The neurologist
at the VAMC told me that I most likely had a stroke
along the way while my outside cardiologists were doing
a cath to place another heart stent.
I got the NSC because of my combined heart/lung issues
and the shrink I talk to at Togus says I have a depression
problem. I haven't really been able to work since the heart
attack more that just part-time due to fatigue and loosing
my balance and stuff like that.
About the test that was done, that was at the request of SSA
and was three months BEFORE the C&P so the AL SO told me
that it was worthless unless I could get two more Doc' opinions
that I has PTSD related symptoms to upset the C&P report.
Without money it's hard to get an outside doc to do anything.
As yet the SSA has not awarded me anything, the last time I
applied they rejected me and I didn't bother to appeal cause
I was so depressed and fighting to maintain... I just didn't
want to uncover all that crap all over again. This Jan I did
make a new app for SSDI and SSI. I'm still waiting for the
results...
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Trying to clairfy what I was saying, I did produce all the
necessary evidence and the VA RO had independently
verified everything I told them. I even provided photos
of some of the search and rescue incidents. I had more
than adaquate evidence of verifiable stressors. My medical
record from the VA points to PTSD as a cause of many of
my symptoms. LE/interdiction is Law enforcement and Drug
Interdiction where you get shot at, not by design. Something
the Coast Guard does every day. You just don't know then
what it might do to you later. The female examiner was a VA
employee and obviously they acccepted her opinion in the face
of otherwise overwhelming other opinions.
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Hi All,
Kinda lost here but guess that asking never hurt too much. Hard to find a good starting place
to begin this tale so I'll begin by saying that I was in the CG from 11Feb74-10Feb78 and was
across the pond in the med on an isolated/restricted station when the broken arrow went down
between the kennedy and the belknap in Nov75. just a little stress there. returned conus and went
to a SAR station for the remainder of my tour. Been in some wicked nasty sorties plus did a lot of
LE/Interdiction work under fire. Fast forward to 2000, had spent the previous 20 plus years being
just plain miserable, moody, snappy, drank heavy for a while, most of you know the drill. 2000 is
significant cause bang out of nowhere comes this heart attack. Then all kinds of things began to
mess up, breathing, stomach pain, water retension, and the list goes on. I have no money and
no insurance so I go to the VA for help. Get medical coverage and a great NP who just wouldn't let
any crap slide by. she kept sending me for tests and what come up is a strong suggestion that
my problems are and had been PTSD related. Whatever. I know nothing about this so I ask at the DAV
and they tell me I got no case...All this crap keeps up and is getting worse. On 08Jan04 I finally decide
what the hell and file a claim. Then they start making me dig up all this stuff that I buryed deep years
ago and taking the lid off was a nightmare just beginning...I finally got a NSC in may of 05 and an
SOC and denial for S/C. I had also applied for ssd and have been tested and get a report from
that doc saying that my problems might be PTSD related and that My GAF is 51. I appeal the
Va's decision and get sent for a C&P exam by some Female at the Vet center who after
making me wait for 25 mins shows
up has me wait again so she can get a coffee and I then follow her into her office. She starts off
asking me about combat and I asked her what she knew about the CG. I'm there another 20 mins
and she says the interview is over. I'm out the door and travel back home the 60 miles or so ugly
as all getout. Couple weeks go by and I get another denial from the VA. When I read the report from
this "person" she states that I have a personality disorder, no signs of PTSD and a GAF of 65. She
is very specific in stating that I have no PTSD symptoms. I go to the AL SO who says that she went
out of her way to kill my chances for a rating. My phys at the VA mental health clinic says I have a
PTSD related problem. Next appointment he's no longer employed there. Get a new shrink who decide
I have a depression disorder....Where do I go from here? I made the case with all the verifiable
stressors and every other thing asked of me and along comes this gal who makes a one person
crusade to shaft me....What am I suppposed to do next?
Wash. Dc Vba
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
Now that would be outstanding news! My claim has been remanded and returned so many times I was beginning to think it's not a claim file but really just another ping-pong ball. Seriously though, my claim has been "stuck" at the AMC since July 2007. The AMC email people must know my name by heart by now, not that it makes any difference. I am hard pressed to believe that some of the bodies down there even know HOW to tell the truth let alone answer any question with an honest, truthful response <_<