Jim MAC

Cowgirl Call this number. Retirees may call DFAS toll free at 1-877-327-4457 with questions concerning their entitlement to VA Retro. When the machine comes on and ask if you got a letter push 1 for yes. You will get a real person who can answer your backpay issues for military retires. Jim

The bill is being put up again this year I read it in this weeks AF time. It is being sponsierd by Sen Daniel Inouye D-Hawaii. The bill he is sponsring is S66 for space avabile flights. You can connect your senators and ask them to sign on. I don't see what the problem is is does not cost the DOD a dime to allow a disabled Vet Space A travel. You will be a priorty six like us ROFS from the miltiray(retired old folks) who are retired. This bill might have a chance this year due to the good senator now being made the chairmen of the apporaptions commitee which overseas all funding for federal agenceys. Jim Source Air Force Times date 16 feb 09 page 6

Sorry to here what u are going thru. I used to be able to get a 90 day supply of meds at a time. Now here in Virgina I am told I can only get a 30 day supply at a time. I was told the VA changed the rules so every 25 days I drive to the VA clinic wait 3 hours to speak to a nurse who ask the Dr if I can have a refill. I tried calling the VA medical center but nobody picks up the phone. Jim

Pete thats the problem the only C+P exam I got was for my sinuistis which went from 0 to 10 percent. All I want them to due is look at my medical records from there own Drs. I receive 10 percent for cervical spondyloarthrothropathy. I don't know what that means I claimned neck and schoulder pain. Thats what they told me it was. I just know its gottem worse know up to 4 pills a day of oxicodine so I can get my butt to work jim

Finished the NOD today. I know I schould have done it a while ago but was so made I trew it in the closet and forgot about it. When I read thru it today and seeen they did not even look at the medical records from the VAMC got a little pissed off Jim So what do you guys and girls think I value your judgement Department Of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Office 210 Franklin RD Roanoke VA 24011 Dear Sir Reply to xxxxxxxxxxx 1, I received a rating decision dated 2 August 2008. Consider this letter to be an official “Notice of Disagreement” (NOD) regarding the following Decision. I am requesting a DE NOVO review by a new Decision review officer. I wish that the new Decision review officer use Sec. 4.3 Resolution of reasonable doubt. It is the defined and consistently applied policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs to administer the law under a broad interpretation consistent, however, with the facts shown in every case. When after careful consideration of all procurable and assembled data, a reasonable doubt arises regarding the degree of disability such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant 2. My shoulder, Sinusitis and back condition have gotten worse. I received all of my treatment both scheduled and emergency room at the VA Medical center in Hampton Virginia. Yet when I look at the list of evidence used to decide my case my records from the VA medical records are not included/ 3. My claim for tension headaches was decided without a C+ P exam or a review of my medical records at the VA medial center in Hampton 4. I have no other records other then the ones at the VA medical center please expedite this claim I have enclosed a copy of my DD form 215 which shows I am a Veteran of the Global war on terrorism 5. I fully intend to continue to appeal any further denials of this claim V/R JIM MAC VA Claim Number xxxxxxxxx

Congrats could not beleive it has happened that fast for you spend the retro wisely Jim

SFC do your self a favor call the 1800 number and ask what your current rateing is. I always had sucess what that. They might not say what your were rated on in each item but they can tell u wahat your current rateing is Good Luck my brother Jim

Perple no problem Thats why i am upset they showed have given me another Biopsey the reg clearly states I am reuired a mandatory examantion after 6 months. Tried calling the VAMC to make one myself can;t get thru the phones. Give me my exam and I biopsey make sure I am cured the cut it. Jim

Berta I applead the o percent with a NOD they went back to the third operation in January of 2008 and paid me Temp 100 percent rateing for a little over a year. I received that descion in Dec 2008 going to file a appeal today I beleive they screwd me out of a little over a 1 year reto. While my NOD was in had 3 more operations and was raised to the temp 100 percent. Just mad all I want is to be sure I am 100 percent cured before they adujst my rateing here is the reg they sent me. Remember my last operation was on january 25. 7818 Malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma): Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC’s 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or7805), or impairment of function. Note: If a skin malignancy requires therapy that is comparable to that used for systemic malignancies, i.e., systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision, a 100-percent evaluation will be assigned from the date of onset of treatment, and will continue, with a mandatory VA examination six months following the completion of such antineoplastic treatment, and any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination will be subject to the provisions of §3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, evaluation will then be made on residuals. If treatment is confined to the skin, the provisions for a 100-percent evaluation do not apply.

Guys I really did not mind the reduction if I am cancer free thats the way its supposed to be. I just want them to follow there own rules. Give me a appt give me another biopsey let me know I have no cancer let me have piece of mind. John I am still working I do not know how much longer I can due it vecause of my SC back and neck I want to work at least 2 more years and be debt free. Jim

Wish you luck carlie there new excuse will be that Margaret Harrison does not work here never worked here she was a temp volunter and they are not responabile for her and the paperwork was lost. Hope you know I and my wife are praying for u told her what you were going thru. Thats one of the reason I come to hadit. When I am pissed of at the VA I come here and get inspired by you people who never quit. Good Luck carlie Jim

Ok I was rated at 100 percent backdated from Jan 08 thru Feb 1st 09 No problem with that. Here is where I get mad in my Statement of case it said I would be 100 percent intil Feb 1st 09 ok no problem there. Then what do you ask is the problem? In my statement of case it said that i was to be rexamined after 6 months guess what no exmation. This is the same VA office that left me at 0 percent for my skin cancer for 4 years saying I was cured. Now 5 operations latter I am rated at 30 percent for disfigurment but we all know 80 plus 30 does not = 90 in VA math. but 50 plus 30 plus 30 plus 10 plus 10 plus 10 plus 10 = 80 No wonder I can not help my 5 year old with her math homework from kindergarden My question and I know that I am rambling is can they cut my disabilty without a follow up to make sure I am cured? I mean there own regs say a mandatory follow up at the VA Thanks all Jim PS I found out I was back to 80 percent by calling the 1800 you are screwd if you think we will give you the truth number

I am trying to help a Vietnam Vet ( my old Boss.) He is currently rated at 80 percent in VA math 60+30+20+10. He was just approved for the 20 percent for type II Diabetes for Herbicide Exposure. He was also turned down for I.U we are working on his NOD. I want him to go straight to a DRO hearing since I have had lots of luck there. Is there a way to ask for a hardship to make it go quicker? He lost his job due to them closing the place where he works and no one will touch him now due to his age and SC conditions. Jim.

Ok As some of you know I am rated 100 percent for my skin cancer. When I recvd the award letter it said I will be paid for 100 percent till Febuary 1st 2009. Ok I have no problems with the reduction. The problem I have is before the reduction I am supposed to be seen for a mandatory VA DRS Appoiment. Can they reduce it before the DRs Appt. If they due not schedule it? Here is what I am talking about. this is word for word from my award letter. If a skin malignancy requires therapy that is comparable to that used for systemic malignancies, i.e., systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision, a 100-percent evaluation will be assigned from the date of onset of treatment, and will continue, with a mandatory VA examination six months following the completion of such antineoplastic treatment, and any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination will be subject to the provisions of §3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, evaluation will then be made on residuals. If treatment is confined to the skin, the provisions for a 100-percent evaluation do not apply. Thanks Jim

Thanks all for your kind words Going to take a month to rexlax than go for A DRO hearing think they screwed me on about a years retro Jim\\PS stll have not got the descion letter supposed to be dated Dec 9th 08 GOT THE MONEY THOU LOL

jbasser' I tried to get a Job at the Elizebeth City coast Guard base NC in civial service the job was in Aircraft mainteance. Had my 10 point perfence had 24 years experince and a degree plus a Federal licenise as a Aircraft and Powerplant mech. The job did not require a A+P mech licenise and a lost the job to a non vet who never worked aircraft in his life. How did it happen? The good old boy network the can all KISS my A** He was a car mechanic Jim

Quint I went from 60 percent to 83.8 (in VA math) useing the DRO APPROACH i WILL KEEP MY FIGURES CROSSED FOR YOU GOOD LUCK jIM

Mags as a member of the USAF retired you are 100 percent correct. If you have CRSC then you can collect under 50 percent. This is also leading to a big backlog at the VA. Retires keep pushing till they hit the 50 percent level. I know 4 who are Jim

Poolguy I am rated 100 percent for a temporay condtion ( 6 months after surgey) There is no problem with me still working is there? V/R Jim

Boats was a Denovo Review Filed May 18th 08 Descion made Dec 7 08. Got statment of case but not descion letter yet. I am happy with the rateing think the VA did me fair. Just got a few more items to appeal going to due the DRO letter today. They turned me down for a few items on increase. How long have you been waiting? Jim

Wings it was direct I had my first skin cancer operation 6 months after discharge. I got 30 percent for disfigurment. Bought my wife a nice ring today for christmass going to stash the rest for a little while Jim

Well as some of you know I have been fighting with the VA over my zero percent skin cancer after 5 operations. Well got SSOC yesterday and retro check yesterday. Rated 100 percent from Jan 18th 08 thru Feb 1st 08 due to 6 months after last operation. Then 30 percent on Feb 1st 08. Six months after last operation. I really beleive it was the picture I sent in that did the trick. Even with the 30 percent I will still be rated only 80 percent because we all know 50 + 30 + 30 + 10 +10 + 10 + 10 = 80 still one more DRO appeal for the low ball of my back and sinuitis, Thanks all Jim

You need a combined rateing of 50 percent for a retire to receive CRDP. Do you have a vet rep? Jim If it was me I ask for a DRO hearing

All I can say about this is God Bless Larry Scott. Look at the motto of VA watchdog keeping an eye on the VA because someone has to. Well they sure due the right thing.

I live 13 miles from one of the largest Navy bases in the World and 5 miles from Langley AfB. The problem with the military is even if they did everything right and bought a home the could afford what happens now. We are in the 2nd or 3rd year (depending on who you ask) of housing prices decline. Sgt Joe or Chief Mary buy a house then can afford. Then get orderd to move overseas. Can't sell there home because they owe more then its worth. Its a bad cycle. I know when I bought my house and they told me I could have a 300000 dollar house I said thats nice how would I eat. If you deploy to a war zone at least you come home to your house but If you PCS and own a home your screwd