brokensoldier244th

Kelly-I found when I did lvl 2 authentication at the RO that my current info didn't jive with my Deers info, so they had some issues at first with providing me Lvl 2. If your records are old enough to not have been digitized yet, that may also explain why it can't be found. The message "application not available" is related to the fact that they have screwy maintenance schedules, not any one veterans login-I was getting that yesterday as well. CAS

What error do you get when trying to sign in? Being ID verified won't do you any good, probably, unless you are registered for Ebenefits first, and its the registration portal between MyhealthVet and Ebenefits that has been broken since July. i got in at the end of July, and the portal between the two has been broken ever since (must by my fault) It took me about 5 minutes to sign up and link the two sites, then another 20-30 to go to the RO (here in lincoln, where I live) and get ID verified for level 2-but i still had to be registered for the site to log in. The ID verify doesn't do that part. Do you know how to take a screen shot of your screen when the error is on there? (Press ALT and the PRNT Scrn key at the same time, then open MS Paint, then save as JPEG or JPG). Then post that screenshot at an attachment here on hadit so I/we can see the error. Maybe if we see what you are seeing it will help.

No, the RO probably read it wrong. I did the same thing on mine and the missed it, buried in the text. So I refiled it.

My increase right now shows up on Ebenefits. Is there anything about your PTSD submission, or is it just missing? I had a claim for ED that I submitted that wasn't showing up on Ebenefits , and after a week or so I emailed my VSO and he suggested resubmitting it (I had submitted both claims on one form, so maybe they missed that one). I re-did it separately and it showed up in a few days.

Yup, im getting 30.8 rounded to 31%. KIM that you can't just add the percentages though, just in this case it ended up being 30%. CAS

I had this problem when I got hurt during my last week in basic (fell from an obstacle onto my ruck, carrying the radio-two lower blown discs) during our final field exercise. I was 23 and told that I would have to be fixed and recycled, which could take months, and my family was back home taking care of my mom. I sucked on a bottle(s) of ibuprofen, did the final road march, got seen by BAS while clearing post to AIT, and started all over again there. It was almost 2 months before I got an X-ray or MRI. By that point they realized I wasn't making shit up. Then it was another 7-8 months to process the MEB/PEB. I was in for year and didn't do jack. My command got tired of me and finally issued me a permanent pass to move about post just so I could keep on all the stuff I had to do. I shudder to think what would have happened if Id been an 18 year old fresh from home trainee instead of 23 and college educated with life/work experience.

Will do. Its pretty well documented in my SMR's, too. Ive just not had an C&P where they basically make no decision at all. The other ones read pretty definitively.

So, since the C&P PA basically makes no decision what so ever, the rater will just have to go off of whatever else they have, or will they just ignore it since it's not "VA" saying it?

*LOL* So, wait and see, then rebutt, not get my doc to write up a 3rd grade worded nexus and send in now while pending? She wrote up a narrative already-that they have, but didn't spell it out conclusively and didn't write my prescription in the exam notes from that day for the Paxil.

I have my C&P results for radicular numbness and pain for my left extremity (for svc connection), and erectile difficulty. My right leg is already connected (10%, and 40% for IVDS). What is the point of a C&P if the PA's opinion of everything is "clinical record is insufficient......therefore an opinion is rendered moot." Isn't that, kind of, their job? So, im crazy now, or am just not reading it right? So, what does that mean? I don't go to the doctor every time my toe tingles-they can't 'do' anything about it. Same with the PME/erectile difficulty, this was the first time I brought it up (HA!) to my own doc, though my wife typed a statement as well, and my PCP noted my complaint about it in 2003 right after I got out. I guess I don't know how to generate clinical evidence for a noted chronic, course since onset progressively worse condition. The C&P doc a few days after my doctor's examination says there is some diminished sensation in left great toe, but reflexes are normal, "Course since Onset-progressively worse", plantar flexion normal, and "in regards to radiculopathy of the left lower extremity lumbar spine, there is insufficient clinical evidence of any acute or chornic conditoin or any residuals thereo and thus the requested opinion and rationale are rendered moot." She did note impairments to employment duties, inscreased abseteeism, and how it affects my home life and abilities there, but im sitting here right now and can't feel my toes in my left foot. WTF> *sigh* My claim is still pending, the results were just narrated a few days ago, but I have a list of stuff the screen the length of my forearm on Ebenefits-statements from work, my wife, my doctor, etc, that show diminished reflex, pain, numbness, weakness etc. The VA PA's physical exam was the same week as my doctor's, and my doctor notes diminished reflexes and weakness, antalgic gait, diffuculty with standing, difficulty doing toe raises, and she prescribed Paxil for PME, and states that it is most likely due to my lower lumber DDD. I also have current x rays showing disc space stenosis at L4-5, and L2-L3. She (my doc) notes "straight leg positve at 45% on the right, and 40% on the left. He is able to to and heel walk although he does this with some difficulty. He has limited amount of toe raises that he can do right foot and left foot but initially can't do them. The patients gait is antalgic. The patient has issues with sexual dysfunction and has troubles with PME." Okay, im done now, I think. Im just frustrated-I guess I wait for the decision and see what I see, right?

So....does one wait until your rating to rebut, or can you rebut if you already have the C&P copy?

I have my C&P results for radicular numbness and pain for my left extremity (for svc connection), and erectile difficulty. My right leg is already connected (10%, and 40% for IVDS). What is the point of a C&P if the PA's opinion of everything is "clinical record is insufficient......therefore an opinion is rendered moot." Isn't that, kind of, their job? So, im crazy now, or am just not reading it right? So, what does that mean? I don't go to the doctor every time my toe tingles-they can't 'do' anything about it. Same with the PME/erectile difficulty, this was the first time I brought it up (HA!) to my own doc, though my wife typed a statement as well, and my PCP noted my complaint about it in 2003 right after I got out. I guess I don't know how to generate clinical evidence for a noted chronic, course since onset progressively worse condition. The C&P doc a few days after my doctor's examination says there is some diminished sensation in left great toe, but reflexes are normal, "Course since Onset-progressively worse", plantar flexion normal, and "in regards to radiculopathy of the left lower extremity lumbar spine, there is insufficient clinical evidence of any acute or chornic conditoin or any residuals thereo and thus the requested opinion and rationale are rendered moot." She did note impairments to employment duties, inscreased abseteeism, and how it affects my home life and abilities there, but im sitting here right now and can't feel my toes in my left foot. WTF> *sigh* My claim is still pending, the results were just narrated a few days ago, but I have a list of stuff the screen the length of my forearm on Ebenefits-statements from work, my wife, my doctor, etc, that show diminished reflex, pain, numbness, weakness etc. The VA PA's physical exam was the same week as my doctor's, and my doctor notes diminished reflexes and weakness, antalgic gait, diffuculty with standing, difficulty doing toe raises, and she prescribed Paxil for PME, and states that it is most likely due to my lower lumber DDD. I also have current x rays showing disc space stenosis at L4-5, and L2-L3. She (my doc) notes "straight leg positve at 45% on the right, and 40% on the left. He is able to to and heel walk although he does this with some difficulty. He has limited amount of toe raises that he can do right foot and left foot but initially can't do them. The patients gait is antalgic. The patient has issues with sexual dysfunction and has troubles with PME." Okay, im done now, I think. Im just frustrated-I guess I wait for the decision and see what I see, right?

Im going to go in and verify today, so we'll see how/if it shows me anything different when I get back to work from lunch.

My private doc noted antalgic gait (no leg favored listed) in my last exam that I got to build my case for an increase and for service connection that I had a month ago. Can gait alone be secondary? Im currently claiming for svc connection for left leg radiculopathy, right leg worsening, and ED as a result of DDD and medication. I didn't specifically claim 'altered gait'. Do I have to, or do they read between the lines? (ha) Hmm...that could be interesting if they raise my existing Rt extremity from 10%, or somehow figure the gait into my request to service connect my left extremity.

that is how it seems, yes.

Im rated 10% and from what I can gather you are exactly right-short of EMG findings showing permanent damage, mild encompasses everything unless you have muscle withering, foot drop, partial paralysis, etc. Im rated 50% over all-10% tinnitus, 10% Rt Leg radiculopathy, and 40% DDD. If you are in a wheelchair and can't walk on it you are an a lot worse shape than me, so you should have them do more than the touch test, tuning fork,etc, and have them do a nerve conduction velocity study and/or EMG. Its not pleasant, but I had one the other day and it's tolerable. At least I found out that despite the tingles and pain in my left (non-svc connected) leg, I don't have permanent nerve damage.

Thanks, all. We'll see what they say. CAS

I had one of each-id rather not again :-0 From what ive read here and on another board by some that have been raters, the test is only 1 piece of several. If there is is other subjective evidence over time of the issue it could be indicative of mild neuropathy and not permanent damage and so a rating can still be established. We'll see. CAS

Well, despite pain and intermittent numbness, my EMG/NCVS came out as 'normal'. Hmmm...now what? Probably a no go on the left leg, despite symptoms, im assuming. CAS

I take 1200 mg gaba and 7.5 mg meloxicam every day. Since I started ive noticed that at two times of the day-around noon-1 oclock and around 4-6 oclock I get really drowsy at work. I come home and almost every day after i hit teh door at 530-600 and say hi, how was your day and talk to the kids I end up crashing for between 1-2 hours. Does anyone else have dips like this on either of these? I wasn't doing it before I started taking them.

It will also complicate things if he ever has to file for an increase for anything, as there will be a sizable gap in the treatment record.

Thats why I carry it in, though im lucky that my office is here in Lincoln. Ive heard that sending it certified with an electronic or physical receipt helps 'date' the material you send in, but Im not sure about that. CAS

I submitted a claim on 21JUL, it showed on Ebenefits in 2 days. My supporting documentation after my C and P on the 10th showed on the 12th. Its just not consistent and if your RO isn't on the boat putting stuff in you'll stare at it all year. Their maintenance window is a PITA but they have to sync up the VA records with the DEERS records, most of which probably don't match.

That's where I know im blessed. I pass the RO every day on my way to work, and the VAMC in Lincoln, while not huge (no surgery) has its own imaging clinic and PTSD (for those guys) and PT/ambulatory onsite. Im really right at the center of where I need to be. I couldn't imagine living in TX or FLA or GA. YIkes. I did my inperson at the RO, corrected my DEERS info to match up with my VA stuff in about 40 minutes. The system works great, when it works-its the getting it to work that is a PITA> As a System Analyst I look at it and shake my head. More than once ive contemplated applying to work at VA in their IT section.......

Thats probably because the copy they are referring to was a journal/letter page from a letter to my wife about three weeks after I was hurt and had gone to AIT. I list in it some of my frustrations trying to get care at the BAS, to get my command to not think I was another malingering trainee. Its not on an official form, and its handwritten just as I did it then, in the dark, in my bunk, after CQ and FireGuard (right before about 3 hours of sleep). Its in there mainly as really anecdotal supporting info and other than my name at the bottom, doesn't look official at all. Its already in my Cfile, I just tacked it on with some of the other stuff I sent in to help establish a case for left leg service connection for the same thing as my right (that they rated after I discharged)