John46

I need some good advice from someone more knowlegeable than me. I am currently rated at 90% SC. I plan to retire in the next several months due to my ill health. Should I apply for Voc Rehab before I file for TDIU so it will hopefully help the claim or go ahead and file for Voc Rehab and TDIU at the same time.

I have 2 SC disabilities that are rated at 0%. Went and got a copy of the exam and was denied again. The PA doing the exam stated it was her first one and acted like it. Put things in there like that could have caused the problems but there was no record of those causes. She listed two things that sounded like it was information from the internet. She listed "UPDATE" and "Healthy People 2010". She left out the test "that she ordered" that indicated a tilt of the right hip causing the limp thus the back pain. I plan to appeal but I'm getting tired of those folks who say they are here to help you. Plan to tell my wife to put APPEAL for the headstone. (just kidding).

Ischemic heart disease is the same as cornary artey disease. File a claim for it as related to agent orange. As far as falling under the Nehmer rule I don't know because the original claim was too general. Other with more knowledge will chime in. Good luck and file the claim ASAP. Good luck

In July '10 I filed for increase for 3 SC disabilities. I had a total knee replacemnt (SC) in September '10 and filed for the 1 year convelesant (sp). I called the 800 number and was told that all the claims were being lumped together. Does anyone know why they would lump all of the above together. The knee issue is automatic, I thought.

If the knee is service connected you will get 100% for 12 months. Unless there are problems afterwards your rating will be 30%. I had my first of three total replacements in 1998 and just got bumped up to 60%. The service connected knee has been operated on nine times. I said all that to say this. Before you leave the hospital try and get a copy of the Dr's procedure with dates and etc. That should be all you would need in filing for convelesant. The faster you file the quicker the money comes. Good Luck!

Completed the C&P yesterday for increase of DVT and Pulmonary Embolism. The exam was complete and the examiner was very nice. She spent a lot of time examining my lower legs for feeling. There seemed to be problems. Here is my question. Would there be a link between 2 SC knees and the nuropathy? (spelling ?) My PC doctor has already listed the nuropathy of the legs in the list of my medical problems.

Thank You Pete

Just got back from a C&P for two SC conditions currently rated at 0% each. Talked to the C&P supervisor and he was aware of my current 70%. Told him I was trying to get 100%. He advised me that my best route was TDIU. Here is my question. He stated that I could work part time or as he said "marginal employment". Does anybody know the dollar amount of "part time" or "marginal emplyment" per year?

Pete 999 I am currently rated at 70% for knees. 60% for RK and 10% for LK. With bilaterals that is 70%. When the LK is replaced it will go to the 30% rate and thus 80%. When the IHD is approved that will put me at 90%. The DVT and Pulmonary Embolism is already SC but are 0%. The back issue has been denied as SC several times but I won't give up

I have another C&P exam next week. It is for DVT currently rated at 0% and Pulmonary Embolism currently rated at 0%. Also still trying to get SC for back which has been injured several times from falling due to SC knees. If I can get the C&P Dr. to state that the back was caused by the knees then I just might be able to get 100% if the DVT and Pulmonary Embolism are increased to 10% each. For this to happen the back would have to be rated at 20%. Any ideas as what I should expect on the back exam? I had a PC appointment and Cardilogy appt. today and they noticed and I hope noted a knot on my forehead and black eye from falling. I got the clearance for another (4th) knee replacement later this month. Before anyone chimes in about TDIU please be advised that I am still employed full time. Thank you for any advice or information.

My Mama called diarrhea "the can't help its"

I filed for an increase for Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis. I was granted SC for the two back in 1994. Was given 0% for each one. Had a green filter in '98 and filed for an increase but denied.

WATERBOY! (movie)

Sledge is not your real name! You're busted. You are really Larry the Cable Guy! Tell Jeff I said hello.

Thanks Larry J and Carlie

After reviewing my most recent C&P exam the examiner stated the following: "It is this examiner's opinion the Veteran's combined service connected and non service connected conditions prevent the veteran from being gainfully employed for light or heavy duty." He goes on to list each one and gives "light duty" for each disability individually and no for "heavy duty." He lists knee condition (SC) He lists IHD (pending) He lists spine condition (non SC) What do ya'll think? Still working but my health will cause me to retire later this year. Appreciate any input based on experience. Thanks

Is it possible to get the effective date from the date I first filed for SC for left knee as secondary?

I have been told numerous times that when a denial is not appealed then it becomes final, that is not the case here. Everytime I have filed for an increase for my SC right knee I have always filed for SC for the left knee. Always denied but not the case this time. I had a C&P for IHD and an increase for right knee and again SC for left knee. I had my exam for both knees and IHD and received a second letter for another C&P. I went to the exam and told them that I didn't know what the second exam was for. The examiner stated that the exam was to determine whether or not my left knee was SC (secondary). The final result was in my favor even though I had submitted no new edvidence. I said all that to say this: Never give up, never back down, and pray that you have a C&P doctor who cares. When I found out that I was getting an increase from 30 to 70% I was very emotional and my wife thought something was wrong. Never give up and file again if you think you have a case. I plan to file for an increase on DVT (green filter) that is currently rated SC at 0%. I am still working and am determined to get 100% without TDIU. P.S. I love this forum!

60% for R knee and 10% for L knee. Yes on bilaterals. Have appointment this month at Ortho. Have discussed total on left knee with them. Will give the OK now that it is SC. Will enjoy the 1 year 100% while I wait on the IHD for AO

My 70% is for both knees only. The two episodes of clots came after surgeries for knees. The Vena Cava Filter was placed prior to first knee replacement. The VSO at the VAMC is the one who filed on the clots and the favorable claim was SC for Deep Vein Thrombosis and Thrombosis in lung both were 0%. Yes, I am able to work for now. My part time job is a guinea pig for the VA Ortho doctors. I appreciate all the help. Just wish I had known then what I have learned on this forum.

OK thanks

Prior to 1998 had a claim that was granted for (deep vein thrombosis) 0%. Then in 1998 I had a Vena Cava Filter implanted to protect against any more clots. The VA doctor then took me off of the blood thinner because of the filter. I applied for an increase due to the filter but was denied because I was off the thinner. Here is my question. What do I need to reopen the claim and possibility get an increase? I am on thinner now but is for heart and stents. I was ignornat of the claims process and relied soley on the VSO. Any info would be appreciated. I have not had any more episodes of clots.

When I had my C&P for IHD (AO) the PA who did mine went back and added an attachment to his report changing his estimation of my METS. He was a Vet himself and shared his frustration with his prior claims also. His change in the report was in my favor. Said that I should be rated at 60% when the regs were changed. The other C&P PA gave me a favorable result on a knee being secondary to the other (after many years). Found out that she was a military brat and seemed to like veterans. She thanked me for my service. (first time that has happened to me at the VA).

Thanks for the help. I was recently awarded an increase for R knee to 60% and L knee 10% (secondary). Total % including bilateral is 70%. I am going to have a total on L knee which would bring them to 80%. I am going to file for TDIU tomorrow. Thanks for the help again.

If and when my IHD goes through I will be rated at 90% and plan to apply for TDIU. If I am awarded TDIU will the benefits be the same as P&T? Especially the health insurance for my wife?