USMCMustanger

Just a short note on this topic to all AO Vets with DMII. I included dental exams and proceedures I had and had my dentist write a letter stating it was more likey than not, that periodontal desease stemmed from the DMII diagnosed years ago. The VA Dentist wrote "as likely as not". Both being 50%>, my pcp set an appointment for treatment and new teeth (I am 100% TDIU). Also, there is plenty of research about DMII and connection to periodontal desease throughout various websites. I know there are many Vets with this dental problem with a nexus to DMII, and they should jump on the research train and get the dental work done courtesy of the VA. They earned it!!

Last week I got the initial retro check. I assumed that the effective date was the date I originally filed my claim. My VSO was surprised by this and immediatly had me sign a form requesting disability payment for one year PRIOR to the affective date. She showed me a ruling that provided for this (sorry, I forgot the chapter and verse) I will get it from her next week and post it here. Apparently, the VA is authorized to make retoactively one year PRIOR to the normal effective date date IF the condition(s) verified by the VA were noted previously. In my case 1987. I will not get retro $ back to 1987, ( I filed in Dec. 05), but the VSO stated she had been successful doing this for other veterans she has assisted with original claims filed many years after the initial diagnosis of a service-connected disability. If any HADIT member knows about this, let me know if you are aware of it, and where I can get more info. For now, I believe my VSO, but it does sound "too good to be true. USMCMustanger

After waiting for 4 weeks, I went to the local VAMC to inquire WHEN I would get copies of the C&P (and other records I requested). I was told that my request was "pending". So, I ask for them on the spot. Lo and behold, I had all 578 pages (including the C&P exams) in less than 15 minutes. It pays to go to the source--in this case the Records Office. Your VAMC patient advocate can also assist you with this, also the VAMC Social Services. Specialty records, such as x-rays, MRI's, CAT scans, ERG's, etc are worth the trip to the Radiology department where they were done. Since an e-mail, letters, and phone calls are so often "lost", or "pending", if you can go there in person, you can save an unneccesary long delay. Keep in mind that C&P's normally take 2-5 weeks to get into the records (from the date of the last C&P exam). After 30-45 days, the C&P's are meshed into your main records. GOOD LUCK

Hey Steve, Yeah, you are correct. Re-reading the award letter, it sounds like the VA was just talking out loud. Further explaination-- it was an answer to all that I filed for, not an additional award. I didn't have a clue as to how much schedular I would get, hence the filing for TDIU. (Just covering all the bases and crossing the "Ts")

"no known cure" GREAT!! No there's a desease I can live with. Rick

Berta, thank you for the advice....again. I got the SSDI thing in December and I see nothing but the green light ahead. Thanks again to all of the HADIT community Rick

Tears of joy and relief.....The brown envelope arrived yesterday. Retro check in 15 days. I went for everything I thought would affect my claim, including a few that were kinda "iffy". They denied the "iffy" ones (only one will I NOD), but everything else was approved, CVA 60%, DMII 40%, PTSD 30%, eight others at 0%-10%. Ended up at VA math of 96%, added TDIU, 100% P&T. I think I hear the salmon in Alaska calling my name!! I read the comments, suggestions, advice, FAQs, questions and answers on HADIT. You guys/gals made it happen for me without any gliches. Lots of reading, lots of research, and all the ducks lined up easily. No, the job wasn't easy, but all the info I needed was on this site. If there is one bit of advice I can share, it would be to attack the wealth of knowledge on this site as though it was a full time job. (Of course it helps to have a GREAT Regional SO). If you are in Oregon, Columbia County or Washington County, Katie Harris is your best bet. Her 11 years of being an advocate made the process very smooth. Like most of us, I was sinking into the financial abyss. Now, I am able to get back on stable ground and will actually be able to relax-- the stress will completely be gone from my life when the check clears. THANK YOU HADIT, A donation will be coming soon, Rick, USMCMustanger

Wow, I expected a long wait, but (for some odd reason) the VA system seems to have screwed up and actually worked like it should. First check to arrive in 15 days, 100% P%T, VA math of 96%, TDIU added, only one questionable decision.(I think I can easily NOD that one also. I have a GREAT Regional SO, and with her 11 years of assisting Vets, she made it seem easy. If you are lucky enough to live in Oregon, Columbia County, or Washington County, Katie Harris is your "go to" gal. She is more of an advocate than a paper shuffler. Thank you all for posting and responding and helping other Vets. I voraciously read all the advice and pitfalls that were answered, posted, and the archives as well. The HADIT site was invaluable in lining up the ducks before I turned in my final required documentation. THANK YOU

CONGRATS TERRY !!!!! Let me know when you are available for some DMII and secondary diagnosis questions on my claim. But, NOT UNTIL YOU'VE TAKEN A WELL-DESERVED REST !!!!!!! Rick

John, T-bird, Thanks for the info. I have an appointment next week with the Social Worker at the VAMC. Over the phone, she gave several options for transportation and will have more answers next week. REALLY HELPFUL. Meanwhile I'll wait for outcome of the % of C&P then apply for housebound. Makes sense John. I guess the stroke has made the VA a little jumpy--I have so many home health visits I'm having trouble keeping up with when-I-go-where and when-they-come-here.

Berta, I agree with your asessment. I wasn't willing to take the chance of letting the VA view my not showing up for the other C&P exams under thier own rules. Hence I got out of the VAMC just in time to make the two remaining C&P exams. (I can be a real bastard of a patient) Even got the VA to get me a ride to the C&P center. I wasn't able to get extra info on the PTSD C&P exam. But gathered what info I could get from hadit past posts, and I think it went okay. I guess it's normal to break down during the question/answer of the PTSD examiner. Just wasn't a hell of a lot of fun. Thanks again, Berta

Hey John, Thanks for the info. I hadn't thought of it that way till now. Maybe I should wait until I can get copies of the C-files, then start another direction. If the Dr. seemed so very concerned, maybe she truly was concerned and it would help my claims regarding GM C&P. She is also doing the Neurology C&P from the same day even though I was, by then, in the VAMC. Never though having the stroke could ever be tiltled a "fortunate event". AAHHH, into theBreach"

My dentist told me that the reason I have lost most of my teeth is due to DMII perotadontal (sp) disease. Would that be an entitlement to dental benefits?? (assuming DMII is service connected) thanks again, Rick

Since my last two strokes, I have been receiving home health care visits for occupational and physical therapy. I also still have several more appointments at the VAMC. The Nuerologist sent me home with a letter stating that "by law, I am being reported to the Department of motor vehicles as a danger to myself and others by driving. I had a stroke while driving to an appointment. I did not lose conciousness, have a wreck, or anything close to that. My RSO has said that I will probably receive a letter from DMV to surrender my license. Question: The VAMC is 70 miles away, C&P exams are another place 60 miles away, and I have numerous appointments until late July. There is no bus service from the town I live in, so if I lose my driver's license, How can I make these appointments? Where do I get an answer from VA? Do I qualify as housebound for this?? Just another fun day in paradise Rick

Well, the day arrived for my GM C&P exam, and the Neurology C&P exam. Just out of the hospital for another stroke, my name is called to go in for first exam---- SH___!! another stroke in the Dr. office. Off I go to VAMC instead of getting either exam. I thought I had every possible bit of information and evidence needed (thanks to you folks at hadit). Okay, get this: The Dr. said she will respond to the requests as far as GM and Neurology exams are concerned if I will only agree to go with the paramedics. (I wasn't so easy to convince that I should abandon my place in line for a 911 run). She stated she had enough info in my C-file to do the job. HEMMMM, wonder if this will turn out. Anyone one else ever had a collosal screw-up like this?? The only thing I can add to this is the Dr. appeared genuinley concerned and actually refused to do the exam if I didn't go. Tomorrow I have Muskuloskeletal system C&P and PTSD C&P exams. Do I just wait for the 1st two exams results, or re-schedule for these exams even though the Dr. has already rendered an opinion?? It is my understanding that I will not know of any results until the letter is sent (pro or con) for the disability claim. ANY info on this will be hugely appreciated. Thanks again, Qwen