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georgiapapa
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Posts posted by georgiapapa
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Buck,
The veteran you helped is lucky to have a friend like you. I am happy for the veteran and his family and I am sure he is appreciative of your efforts. I know it is a great feeling when you can help a fellow veteran. You are a good man with a big heart and a great example of paying it forward.
Take care of yourself and your family.
GP
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G Papa no pun intended but does it feel like something rattling in you head? Man that is a weird side effect and quirk but if you sleep better and no CPAP then heh it is well worth it.
Heck I'm still on my first machine. Eventually I will try to follow the same path. Good luck and I hope it keeps working for you.
It is just a mild clicking noise that I only hear for a few seconds at a time. It really doesn't bother me that much.
You should definitely consider the Inspire system so you can get rid of the CPAP. JMO
GP
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Also, my mother's first husband was killed in world war 2 and she received the same property tax exemption as a 100% disabled veteran even though her husband never actually received a 100% disability award. I believe the same would hold true for a veteran who receives a 100% award for open claims decided after their death, especially where the surviving spouse is awarded DIC benefits. JMO
GP
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I believe that each state has different laws pertaining to property tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. In my home state of Georgia, the surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran can receive the same property tax exemption as her veteran spouse. You should check with your local property tax office to see what the property tax exemption laws are in your state pertaining to 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. JMO
Good luck to you.
GP
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SARDOG,
It is my understanding that first time claimants who filed a fully developed claim (FDC) prior to August 5, 2015 would receive an extra year of retroactive benefits. This would explain why your effective date is one year earlier than the date you filed your claim. If you are not a first time claimant or did not file an FDC claim, I don't how to explain the earlier effective date. JMO
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Congratulations on your tdiu award and thank you for your service.
Take care.
GP
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I agree with USMC_VET. I brought my relevant medical records to my last two C & P exams. In both exams, the examiners reviewed my records and cited some of the info from the records in their C & P reports. Also, both of the examiners stated they had not been provided with records from the RO to review prior to my exams. They were simply using a computerized checklist of questions similar to a DBQ which in my opinion prevents the examiner from performing a thorough and complete exam. Both of my examiners seemed to appreciate having my records available. By all means, bring all relevant medical evidence you have supporting your contentions. The examiner may choose not to review your medical records but if they do choose to review the records, your chances of receiving a positive report from the examiner increase,
Good luck to you.
GP
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DIC Question
in DIC
Buck,
I agree with broncovet about DIC not reporting income.
Another thought came to mind regarding the widow. If she had health insurance with her former employer, she needs to notify Champva that she no longer has the insurance.
GP
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georgiapapa:
Thanks and it's always a pleasure to hear from you. I hope all is going well with you and yours? Thanks for your comments as that was exactly what I was looking for and the VBA search is nothing less than a brilliant idea. I'll work on the search....
Rootbeer,
Everything is going ok for myself and my family. I hope the same holds true for you and your family. I also hope you find what you need during the VBA search.
Good luck and take care.
GP
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Vync and Buck,
I failed to mention that I had severe obstructive sleep apnea prior to my Inspire procedure. If you have any questions about the procedure, just PM John or myself. John is the one who made me aware of the Inspire procedure and I will be forever grateful to him. He has answered my questions and relieved my concerns during every step of the way.
GP
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Vync and Buck,
Based on my own personal experience so far, I highly recommend the Inspire system procedure. Without insurance the procedure is quite expensive. John may have info on VA offering the procedure.
Also, for those who do not have insurance, check out www.imtheramedical.com
According to my ENT doctor who performs the imtheramedical implant procedure as well as the Inspire procedure, both procedures work well. In March, the imtheramedical procedure was being offered completely free to qualified candidates who agreed to participate in a five year clinical study which required 8 sleep studies during the first year after implant and one sleep study per year during the next 4 years. You can go to their website to locate the nearest participating ENT doctor.
Take care.
GP
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John,
Inspire is working for me. During my last sleep study on August 4th, the Inspire rep checked my implant device at different settings while I was sleeping and finally determined my best setting was 1.9 volts when sleeping on my sides and 2.2 volts when sleeping on my back. During the part of my sleep study when my implant device was on my best settings, I had 0 apneas, 0 hypopneas, AHI 0/hour and LSAT 88%. My doctor did not seem to be concerned about my LSAT level. They did note that I had moderate periodic limb movements during sleep. I am scheduled to have another sleep study in November at which time I will be recorded with my implant device only at my best settings during the study. I now keep my device on 2.2 volts when sleeping and I extended my pause time at night from 15 minutes to 25 minutes. By the way, the Inspire rep Tony Meinz, who flew down from Minnesota for my study, stated he recalled meeting you in Tampa.
Take care.
GP
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Say it isn't so. Man GP, I am jealous, as today I ordered some more filters for mine ResMed, the washable ones. John had done it some time ago, how are you feeling? Any corks or issues come up yet? I may look into it again.
ArNG11,
I am sleeping good and I feel better during the day, So far, knock on wood, I have not had any issues other than an occasional clicking noise caused by tongue movement against my teeth. The crazy thing about it is I have only heard the clicking when my implant device is off. I actually believe the clicking may be related to a nerve in my tongue and not the implant device. The clicking doesn't bother me that much and I would prefer it to a CPAP anyday of the week.
GP
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Buck,
According to my ENT, the oral appliance (mouth piece) for sleep apnea works about 20% of the time in mild sleep apnea cases and is useless in moderate or severe sleep apnea cases. They also cost around $2000.00 which is usually not covered by insurance.
I highly recommend the new surgical procedures involving implants. I had my procedure and was released from the hospital the same day. The surgical procedure was painless and I had minimal pain during my recovery. As a result of the procedure, I no longer require CPAP.
GP
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Congratulations to you and your husband. Berta is right, the Chapter 35 and Champva benefits are great benefits. Your husband will probably also be entitled to some great local benefits, depending on your state. The benefits include but are not limited to property tax reductions, free disabled veteran auto tags, free business licenses, free hunting and fishing licenses, etc.
Please express my appreciation to your husband for his service.
Take care.
GP
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Rootbeer,
One way of finding conditions that are secondary to your medical conditions is through the BVA decisions search. Go to the BVA Appeals website and click on the search decisions section. In "the exact word or phrase" section, type in the words "secondary to (insert your medical condition)" and click on the block to search all years. You should get hits on VA claims for conditions that were previously claimed as secondary to your medical condition. In the claims that were successful, you may also find info on what evidence was used to support the claim for the secondary condition.
GP
brokensoldier244th:
Certainly, I would use those that apply for my particular case but I've seen lists that folks have provided in the past. For instance, I have neck, back, cardiac and sleep apnea but the secondaries seen to be fairly complicated. I have a couple of secondaries that the VBA assigned after reviewing my case. But, I'm trying to learned if there are common secondaries for area like cardiac issues for kidneys. Take Care, Rootbeer22
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I can't scan and attach, but this is what it says:
A special review of your file was mandated on August 18th 2015. Based on the review and evidence we made the following decision. A clear and unmistakable error is held to exist, therefore it is proposed to terminate entitlement to individual unemployability and chapter 35 benefits.
This was what was listed as evidence.
In regards to decision rating dated October 2012 we have granted entitlement to individual unemployability and chapter 35 benefits in error. You did not response to the letter and did not submit evidence of your employment history and what disabilities cause your unemploybility. The VA examinations do not show any evidence that you are precluded from employment.
I sent them that form completed before my C&P exam for IU and they had it three years ago when they gave me my rating and when they conducted my IU C&P exam.
If you have documentary proof that you sent and the VA received all of the information and documentation requested by the VA, you should be OK. If you do not have proof, you have a big problem. JMO
GP
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Is preneisous Anmia <ms AO related?
I have it and been told by a VA Dr that because I have it is because I am (missing my intsric-factor) thats the part inside you around the esafugus,<ms) that take in your B12 as you eat.
so I have to take the B-12 injections the rest of my life
and the only known medical reason a person would not have there'' instric-factor'' is if they use to consume alcohol in high doses or have a form of Leukemia?
I don't drink alcohol
so I was wondering if it could be AO Related.??
Buck,
According to the Mayo Clinic website, lack of intrinsic factor may be due to an autoimmune reaction or it may be inherited, Has anyone in your family had this same condition? Hopefully, you do not have leukemia but if you do have a B-cell leukemia, it would definitely be AO related.
Let us know if you find out what is causing you to have a lack of intrinsic factor. Take care of yourself.
GP
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Rick,
Congratulations on your increase in rating.
In regards to your spouse, there was no disability pay differential for your dependent family members until your combined disability compensation rating reached 30% or above. If you have not already done so, follow the good advice given by USMC_VET and send a request along with the required documentation to have your wife added to the VA's records so you can receive the additional bump in your compensation for your spouse. Also, make sure you notify the VA and submit required documentation for any additional dependents (children, dependent parents, etc.) in the future so you can receive additional compensation.
Since your combined rating is 60%, you are now in priority group one of the VA healthcare system and you will no longer have any copays for VA appointments or VA prescriptions. Regardless of whether treatment is for a service connected condition or not, all care you receive at VA medical facilities will be free. You can also go to the business office at your local VAMC and request reimbursement of any copays you paid for VA healthcare or VA prescriptions retroactive back to the effective date your combined rating went to 50% or above.
In addition, since your combined rating is now above 30%, you are also entitled to travel pay for travel to any VA appointments. You can go to the travel office at your local VAMC and request travel pay for travel to any previous VA appointments retroactive back to the effective date your combined rating went to 30% or above.
Thank you for your service and good luck to you and your wife.
Take care.
GP
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63Sierra,
Congratulations on a well deserved award after a long hard fought battle. Time to relax and enjoy. Good luck to you and take care of yourself.
GP
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Basically that is correct. An IME is one conducted by a doctor who does not work for the VA, either directly or through contract.
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IME is an "Independent Medical Examination." IMO is an "independent Medical Opinion." Your private doctor would perform an IME and use the results of an IME to render a written opinion of your claimed medical condition(s) in an IMO.
GP
OMG, I am FINALLY PERMANENT!!!
in Success Stories
Posted
Navy,
Congratulations on a long overdue and well deserved P & T award. Time to relax and Just take a break. I wish the best for you and your family.
Take care of yourself.
GP