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georgiapapa
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Posts posted by georgiapapa
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I am sure you are not calling your VA regional office because they do not accept incoming calls from veterans.
Did you file the Fully Developed Clam (FDC) yourself or did your VSO file it for you?
If you filed your FDC, did you send it certified mail return receipt requested?
If not, what method did you use to file your claim?
Do you have written proof your claim was received by your VA regional office?
Have you ever visited your VSO office in person?
If you filed the FDC yourself and then called the local number for the Veterans Service Organization you designated as your POA, I can understand why you haven't heard from your VSO if you did not file your claim through their office. Veterans usually go to a VSO office in person and file a claim or they file the claim themself without the assistance of a VSO. It is not unusual for VSO offices to be located in the building housing the VAa regional offices but the VSOs do not work for the VA.
The more info you provide, the easier it will be for Hadit members to help you.
GP
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Bob,
Did you check "VA letters" in your Ebenefits account? Usually, the letters are updated once the claim is closed.
Good luck.
GP
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Julie1975
Have you tried calling 1-800-827-1000 to check on the status of your clam?
Did you file a FDC claim? If you filed an FDC claim, when you call the 1-800 number, ask if they are still showing your claim as an FDC claim or a standard claim. If it was changed from an FDC claim to a standard claim, it will take longer to be processed.
Regardless of whether your claim is FDC or a standard claim, if you do not get a reasonable response from the 1-800 number, you should email Undersecretary Hickey and request assistance from her to get your claim moving.
Her email address is: allison.hickey@va.gov
Undersecretary Hickey has helped a lot of veterans with their claims. Since you are in to your 6th month since filing your claim, you should have heard something by now. I hope you have proof (green certified return receipt card, etc.) of your claim being received by the VA.
Good luck.
GP
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josef7070
Personally, I would not recommend it since you are in the pending decision phase. Others may have a different opinion.
Good luck on your claim.
GP
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ranger,
I started having syncope last year and my heart rate dropped into the 30s. Since I already have IHD/CAD, I went to cardiology at Emory Hospital and was given a tilt table test which revealed I had sick sinus syndrome and orthostasis. As a result, I received a pacemaker implant last May.
Syncope is a symptom of several medical conditions so you may have to undergo several medical tests before they diagnose the medical condition causing the syncope.
Good luck and take care of yourself.
GP
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Jayco,
I was not aware you are outside US.
GP
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wingnut73,
Take copies of all relevant medical records with you to the exam. The examiner may or may not take them or review them. However, it is good to have them available. I have had C & P exams where the examiner gladly accepted the info because the VARO had only provided them with minimal info. The examiners used the info I provided to complete most of their questionnaire.
Once you know the doctor's name, check online and see if he or she is a specialist trained to diagnose and treat your specific medical conditions. If the doctor is not a specialist and your award for compensation is not granted, you can get an IMO (Independent Medical Opinion) from a specialist and submit it to countermand the opinion of the C & P examiner. JMO
Good luck to you and thank you for your service.
GP
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SDVIKING,
Sounds like you need an IMO from an oncologist/toxicologist or an oncologist with a strong toxicology background. It would not hurt to have more than one IMO. Perhaps your Mayo oncologists, as Berta suggested, would provide you with IMOs. If not, see if they know of an oncologist with a toxicology background they would recommend.
If all else fails, Google "oncoligist/toxicologist independent medical opinion" or similar terminology and you will see several websites pop up for expert medical opinions, etc. You need to find an expert who has experience writing independent medical opinions acceptable by the VA. The expert you choose will need to review all of your relevant medical records and state they have reviewed the records in your IMO. The expert must prepare an IMO containing certain terminology and meeting the criteria for IMOs as shown on the Hadit website. The opinion of the expert must be supported by reasonable medical rationale stated clearly in the IMO.
Good luck to you
GP
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mademike1,
Unless the VA pharmacy would permit you to designate another person to pick up your prescriptions, I think all of your options have been covered in the previous posts. JMO
Please follow your mental health counselor's advice and also take your meds. This will help you and others around you.
Good luck and take care of yourself.
GP
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Jayco,
PR is right about the VA taking care of all of your conditions. Since you have a combined rating over 50%, you are in group one in the VA healthcare system and are entitled to free medical treatment and free prescriptions for any medical condition (service connected or non-service connected) including your hypertension. You no longer have to pay copays for appointments or prescriptions. In fact, you can go to the business office at your VAMC and request reimbursement of all copays you paid retroactive back to the date your most recent award became effective.
Congratulations and good luck to you.
GP
- Buck52 and Philip Rogers
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K9MAL,
Congratulations on your award.
Go to your ebenefits account and click "VA Letters" and then click "Benefits Summary Letter." This letter should show if you are P & T.
Good luck to you.
GP
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PR,
You may be right. I guess I was looking at it from a career law enforcement officer's perspective. If I had been held at gunpoint and detained for six hours for something I know I didn't do, I definitely would have been stressed but I don't think my stress would have been long term and risen to the level to justify a claim for PTSD seven years later.
However, after seeing the video of the shooting of Walter Scott in South Carolina, I can see how some people today might experience PTSD even after a traffic stop. I have known and continue to know a lot of cops and feel comfortable saying a majority of cops are good people and would never do what the stupid cop did in South Carolina.
In one of my previous posts I stated I was in favor of body cameras on all police officers. I still believe the cameras are needed. This will protect honest cops, protect honest members of the public and create a video record of interactions between cops and the public. Sorry to get off subject but I really get pissed when I see all cops being painted with the same brush and labeled as bad guys because of the actions of a few bad cops or the misstatement of events by cop haters in an effort to get honest cops in trouble and create tension between the community and the police. JMO
GP
- Buck52 and Philip Rogers
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Jaymega,
As far as the rating for tinnitus, it doesn't matter if the tinnitus is only in one ear because the maximum rating for tinnitus is 10% whether in one ear or both ears.
GP
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magnolia_318,
Unless I am reading your post wrong or misinterpreting the doctor's comments, it appears the doctor stated in both C & P exams that you were able to maintain substantial gainful employment. I don't see a different conclusion from the doctor as far as your ability to maintain substantial gainful employment.
First C & P exam, the doctor stated "it is least as likely as not that veteran is able to maintain substantial gainful employment based only on his service connected myasthenia gravis."
Second C & P exam, you stated "the doctor now says I am absolutely fine and I am able to maintain substantial gainful employment based on my service connected myasthenia gravis AND pericarditis."
GP
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Fat,
Your buddy can call the Provost Marshal's office at Ft. Bragg at (910)396-5589. They would have the answer regarding the records.
I hope the incident with the MPs is not your buddy's only stressor. It just doesn't seem to be much of a stressor. JMO
GP
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SeattleShay,
As a marine veteran exposed to the contaminated water at MCB Camp Lejeune, I understand your frustration and sincerely hope you and other Ft. McClellan veterans eventually get justice and receive the compensation you deserve.
GP
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josef7070,
Periodically go to your ebenefit's account and go to "VA Letters" and then click on "Benefits Summary Letter." Your award rating will probably be listed in the summary letter before you actually receive official notification from the VA.
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Totally agree with lotzaspotz.
I would be concerned about the attorney using an FOIA request to obtain the evidence, especially the video tapes, in a timely manner. By the time the FOIA request is processed by the VA, the video tape may have been taped over. I am not an attorney, but it seems like the attorney would go to the U.S. District Court that has jurisdiction over the VAMC where the fall occurred and ask a federal judge to issue a TRO or other type of court order directing the VAMC to immediately turn over the video tape to the court where it will preserved and safeguarded until further directed by the court. JMO.
GP
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hammer,
I am not sure I understand your question. If it relates to income taxes on VA disability compensation, VA disability compensation is not taxable.
Good luck.
GP
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RSG,
I would think any VA employees who are familiar with you or your cfile would think twice about messing with you because of the fact you did not give up in your battle with the VA. If I was a VA employee, I would be thinking "I do not want this guy mad at me." The VA employees who screwed up your claim are probably worried about retaliation from you and discipline from the VA. JMO
Good luck and enjoy that retro.
GP
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You are welcome.
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RichL
I don't use it and I don't plan to use because I do not want the VA to have access to all of my private healthcare records. If I feel like the VA needs some of my private records, I will get copies and provide them to the VA when I go for my annual VA physical exam. JMO
I use private healthcare providers for all of my healthcare.
GP
Administrative Review?
in VA.gov Questions (formerly E-Benefits)
Posted
mcarter985,
An administrative review allows VACO (Veterans Affairs Central Office) to review a decision that has already been made. More than likely they are reviewing your decision for errors. This is not unusual.
Good luck.
GP