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brokensoldier244th
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Posts posted by brokensoldier244th
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He/She's right. I used to work for a security company and got catalogs from all over for equipment. As the 'director' of the site, all I had to do was fax my request on letterhead to order badges-legally, that covered the badge company and CYA. Its that easy. Most people don't know an official badge, anyway, so a prop badge off of Ebay or some such would also do. I wore a 'Bobby' Halloween costumed once from the college costume room once at a party and a few people thought I was legit and wanted to know about Picadilly. *shrug*
Good luck!
CAS
Anyone can buy an official looking badge.
"Today she called again, and I guess he went to see 2 of her clients. I have no idea what he asked them. They do know of me, but hopefully they filled him on that I was only there for a short time due to my condition."
Is there any way you can find out from these clients where this guy was from?
Since she gave out info about you to a 'stranger',then maybe she would give you contact info on these clients.
Then again.
Nothing here leads me to believe there is any real investigation going on at all.
If not-you are being targeted for some reason by someone.
As Hoppy said:
"If it were me, I would file a complaint with the local police department. That fact that you have witnesses to someone asking questions
about any type of your activities might be a form of stalking. I am not an expert on the stalking laws. However, run by your local
police and see what they say."
I had a similiar problem years ago.I went right to the NY State Police.
I really don't think the VA OIG operates like this at all.
"Asking if I have ever sold her my pain medication!!!!!! "
Why would any real 'investigator' ask a question like that,that is so incriminating if the answer was 'yes'? DUH!
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Unless she was up doing the funky chicken, or teaching classes, I don't see why she should be under suspicion for helping her friend, especially if she is pushing her brain around instead of doing something physical.
Impersonating an investigative officer (government) is a felony. It could have been a PI, though-who do you know that may have a beef with you receiving benefits? Any ex's? Relatives with ax's to grind?
Don't take what I say as gospel.
But the government is paying you to be be sick as in don't do anything
You better ask for a mods help on this...... Your Money is now at risk because you are out and about doing all kinds of things.
Think about what they are paying you for, are you acting like you have this disability ?
Ron
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I like the Resounds, but you'll want to be really conscious of them when you are fitted. They can adjust the tubes as they bend around your ears, but make sure you make them adjust them until you are comfortable, even if you feel you are being a pain. If you don't, those flimsy looking little tubes that go around in the bowl of your ear and into your ear canal can be torture if they rub or bend against your skin after a few hours.
What the VA is giving me. I am very excited I did not know I was hard of hearing in both ears. The audiologist says the correction is 100% and it fits behind ear with a small tube.
This is how the VA should treat all veterans. With respect, kindness and patience.
I think when VA does good we need to praise them. I am writing a letter to the Manager to turn in as soon as I get the hearing aids.
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The Resound Alera RC61 is what I have. I think all the Resound Alera models use the wireless transmitter and/or bluetooth.
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Why do you think an Exec Order signed by Pres. Carter has any weight now? Good luck, but I don't think you'll have much luck. This is a new law that most likely supersedes past ones.
-CAS
Ny college does not offer V.A. work study. Break pay is payable under an Executive Order of the President. Since President Carter signed an Executive Order permitting payment of Dependents Educational Assistance to students at schools closed for energy conservation, I will appeal V.A.'s decision not to pay me Dependents Educational Assistance for any break when my school is closed for energy conservation. I intend to provide written documentation of the reasons for the school closure with my appeal. My college is more than 70 miles from home and I travel there four days per week. In connection with my nursing program I also volunteer at a hospital two days per week that is about 45 miles from my home. I am taking College Algebra and Basic Nutrition so I don't think I can find the time right now to work.
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I have one. It is okay unless the TV is up loud-there there is an echo effect. It doesn't work for music very well-but that is more because of the hearing aids I have (Alera 61s behind the ear). There is no bass at all, its not like my in-ear earphones. i don't konw what it cost though, since it was issued to me with the hearing aids.
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A school closing on a scheduled basis is not a disaster or an emergency, and it IS within the student's control. They know about it for months. If you really need the money I suppose you could work on campus for the term, assuming you are doing the traditional student route for extra money. Break pay is no longer payable under the guidelines for the program. What is there to appeal? Not paying for breaks to build future funding for you or other veterans is a good thing.
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I understand that. I was hoping for more than 1 person's opinion. I have submitted a 21-4138 and we'll see where that goes.
I told you what I thought you should do. My last comment on this.
pr
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Someone in another forum said that SMC is no longer granted automatically for ED unless its for a prostectomy. My ED is due to impingement (as least as likely, according to the wording) of the parasympathetic lumbar spinal nerves.
So,...do I submit a claim again?
CAS
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Is this normal? I was granted ED on appeal, with a 0% rating, but there is no mention of SMC in my rating decision. I posted it in general claims, not realizing there was an SMC subfora, so here is the link:
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Ill go dig. Thanks, Phillip.
All the info should be here. I posted it yrs ago under my name of "Flip." So I know it's here, I just don't know how to find it and it was on an old computer, that has since crashed and is gone. A past VA employee, that used to post here, shared it w/me to share here.
pr
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Am I looking for nothing? Is there not SMC-K wording, and its just assumed as part of the ED rating?
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Radiculopathy translates to pain caused by such things as invertebral disc syndrome. I'd appeal, particularly if pain was not mentioned in the C&P. (Inadequate C&P, etc.)
I assume your medical records have some pain related entries. SMC K is usually awarded for ED. It may be that the RO used the 0% (which I'd argue about), as an excuse to say that no compensation was appropriate. Would you mind mentioning the VARO's location? The last time I looked, SMC K was commonly awarded for missing or non functional sexual organs, with ED being one of the not otherwise rated conditions.
Harrisons' Illustrated Medical Encyclopedia is one of the accepted references. AN EMG or other tests might not show conditions that are sufficient to cause intermittent high levels of pain. The root cause, invertebral disc syndrome, has pain as a common symptom. Nerves are often impacted, and complain - sometimes a lot! I'd talk to a non VA specialist, and see what they think. (It's even possible that the RO decided to deny, in order to reduce paperwork, and get credit for the disposition before the end of the RO's accounting period.)
Do you have a copy of the C&P? If not, obtain one. You can usually get your treating VA facility or clinic to print a copy, once it's in your electronic file. Since C&Ps are often less than they should be, review by an outside doctor, (Board Certified Specialist preferred) can result in an IMP that refutes the C&P.
Just a letter to your VSO may not be in your best interest. A prompt and detailed NOD is likely your best bet.
Lincoln, NE. This appeal was filed under a NOD in October, I just don't want to drag it out more, I guess. I have a copy of all the C&P's, and consultation notes. Ive been rated for my other leg and lumbar spine for about 6 years. C/P said decreased sensation of the left great toe, but otherwise nothing, that she noted that would be radiculopathy, even though im already rated for my right leg. She said the C&P was specifically for radiculopathy not my lower back or pain, so the pain and other things were things she didn't need to hear about since it was in the treatment notes. Her C&P and the EMG were the basis for the original denial, and for the Statement of Case denial. I was taking 3 gabapenten twice a day when I went in for that C&P (1800mg/day) and meloxicam for pain, so I don't know that I would have been able to tell her a whole lot anyway. I referred her to my medical file, and gave her a 5-6 page concise version with a top sheet saying what page/date of exam each of my concerns was from. I thought I was making her job easier but she didn't seem that interested in anything but my left leg, and nothing else. Her finding was that there was no clinical evidence-my contention was that was why I went in there to see her in the first place- to make that decision, based on 6 years of stuff, and in service records noting 'bilateral dyasthesias'.
I feel pretty good now that I take them, but that, in part, is probably what messed up my C&P. ive read that EMG's are hit and miss, though.
That's not here nor there, though-really im more worried about the ED, since I DID get rated for it, and why its not noted in my rating decision that I should receive SMC-K. ill think about getting an IMP for the other leg, though.
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Like, an official 'Statement of Claim' note, an IRIS note, a note to my VSO? (already emailed him.....)
What would be the best/fastest way?
Thanks, P.
CAS
I believe it is an inferred issue. I'd just send them a note stating they made an error, in not awarding an SMC "k" award, and requesting that they correct it, promptly. jmo
pr
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I got my response from VA for my appeal of Erectile Dysfunction/Sexual dysfunction and Radiculopathy of the left leg.
I was denied on DRO for Radiculopathy due to a C&P and an EMG that didn't find sufficient clinical evidence. Okay.
I was GRANTED 0% for ED/Sexual Dysfunction,secondary to invertebral disc syndrome (already rated), effective date 31AUG-SO.....The letter says my rating remains unchanged-I get that, because its a rating due to etiology and not physical deformity.
The letter says that my compensation payment will continue unchanged. Is SMC not considered 'compensation'?
-I thought ED/Sexual Dysfunction fell under SMC-K and was compensable that way? What happens now? When, how does SMC-K kick in, or does it?
Since its not mentioned in my rating letter, do I appeal again, or apply for it separately, or is it 'inferred' as party of the rating as VA Watchdog seems to say? (near the bottom)
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I wouldn't assume anything, Dean. I prepared my claim like a thesis paper, with 18 pages cross-referenced to included medical records and bullet point summation. If Id thought a Flip cam video would have helped, i'd have done that too. I'm currently on appeal for that claim, submitted in August, denied in October 2010.
Good luck, Dean.
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You can call the 800 number and get a rep to set it up, or go to the Regional office, too. As of 2010 all current recipients have until next year I think to convert to DD, and new recipients don't have the option of a check anymore.
You can go to any bank, pretty much, and request a special direct deposit account just for government benefits-they have a name, but it escapes me. Provided you don't co-mingle other monies in there, its somewhat more protected from attachment should you find yourself in financial straits, too. good luck.
Ok thanks for the information. The date on the award letter was dated Feb. 08 so its been a month so far. How would one set up direct deposit with the VA?
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Those are really open ended questions. Your rating for BiPolar will depend on many factors, your GAF score being one of them, your mental health person's notes another.
As for how long it can take-im in Nebraska and our RO is small and on the ball. An initial claim, well thought out and documented, can take between 4-6 months to a year. An appeal, well, thats a whole new ball game that im playing right now. I'm at 5 months for my appeal and im pretty sure im not out of the first inning.
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Every RO updates it themselves. The Lincoln NE RO is, for the most part, on the ball with this. Others, YMMV.
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Ive seen documents appear in the submittal list in the middle of the day, that weren't there that morning.
CAS
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Yes, it was restored, but I think this vet got lucky. VA themselves have a weight loss program, and even if one didn't move at all or exercise, you can still eat enough to maintain without gaining weight unless you have some of the most specific of situations (hormonal/thyroid, stuff like that). Unless this vet was paralyzed (and even that is a long shot) I don't feel that obesity should be service connected. Im 50% disabled for my lower spine/discs, Im in constant pain, and my maintaining my intake to be less than what my body needs for 320 lbs ive lost 20 lbs in 2 months with little more than a walk at work and drinking more water.
Obesity is a side effect that is easily controlled with little more than mental effort. I mentioned such cases to both my PCP and my regular doctor and both first looked at me like I was kidding, and then said that they would probably never write a connective letter like that because it would irresponsible.
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It may be, but their answer will most likely be that in the absence of water exercises or some other non-weight bearing activity that diet mod is manageable by you, and therefore the obesity is caused by that and not your SC disability. Good luck!
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I don't know about 'better' but it can be a lot shorter (months or more, not years) and its handled locally, not by the BVA in D.C. They have to look over the entire case and re-adjudicate it De Novo "from the beginning".
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Isnt that test fun? I had one of those a few months ago. Mine came back inconclusive but I have small fiber neuropathy, I think, not large fiber, just in my lower extremities from a back injury. Good luck!
Va Billed My Blue Cross Blue Shield
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
If you have other insurance you have to tell the VA-its been that way for awhile, but you still shouldn't be being billed by BCBS for things, unless it's non-SC stuff (but you are 80% so that is covered too, for you) What does BCBS have to say? The VAMC asks me every time in there for my insurance card along with my VA ID, though anything that the VA 'charges' gets put towards my deductible.