georgiapapa

Berta, This is good info. Thank you very much. Georgiapapa...

deanbrt, I may be wrong but from what I have been told is the different Veteran's organizations (DAV, American Legion, etc) located in the same building as my VARO all use the same VSOs so I would be talking to the same person regardless of which organization I ask for. I could go to one of their smaller offices and talk with their rep but I am not sure if the VSO in the smaller office would have the same level of access as the VSOs located in the same building with the VARO. Georgiapapa...

Berta, I admire your patience and your don't give up attitude. If I had been through half of what you have been through in your battles with the VA, I would have gone postal by now. I have a good wife who reins me in when she sees me getting that old Marine Corps "kill em all" look in my eyes. She has already told me she is going with me to any meetings with VA employees because she is afraid I might do something I will regret later. Unfortunately, she wasn't at home when I fired off my IRIS message complaining about my VARO. If things do not work out soon, I will reluctantly consider a VSO. However, comments from fellow veterans about problems they have experienced with VSOs doesn't give me a lot of confidence in VSOs. In the past I tried to contact a VSO and also my state VA rep in my county. One never called me back and the other just talked about how busy he was and never really appeared to be interested in helping me. I don't know why they don't hire more VSOs. If it is a money thing, I believe there are a lot of veterans out there, including myself, who would volunteer to work free as a VSO if they could receive VSO training. I thought I had the fax number for my local VARO but I can't find it. If you have it, please provide me with the fax number for the Atlanta VARO. Thanks again for your continued assistance. Georgiapapa...

I appreciate all of your comments. I have had time to calm down and reflect on my situation. I realize there are veterans out there who have more problems than I do with the VA. They have also waited a lot longer than I have for a fair disposition of their claims. I just needed to vent. I am just going to try to be patient and not let this stuff get to me. I am not sure how that is going to work out. Thanks again, Georgiapapa

Carlie, I apologize for venting at you because I know you are trying to help me. After calming down a little, I realized that I took your reply the wrong way. Georgiapapa...

Carlie, I don't want to delay my claims any more than necessary. Are you saying I would be wasting my time going to DC unless my claims are in the appeals process? There must be a method where a veteran can file a legitimate complaint against a VARO when the VARO keeps losing a veteran's evidence and unnecessarily delaying their claims. My VARO ignored me when I previously asked any questions through IRIS about the evidence I submitted. They keep asking for the same evidence which has already been provided twice. I have the green USPS certified mail card which only proves they received something from me in 2011 but does not prove what they received since they never acknowledged receiving anything until August 19th of this year and they only acknowledged receiving a few items of my evidence on Ebenefits. I hand delivered the same evidence on May 1, 2012 but I can only prove they received six pages of my evidence since this is maximum amount of pages of my evidence they would date stamp. In the letter I received today, the VARO only acknowledges receiving just a small portion of the evidence I submitted. Unless I misunderstood your reply, It sounds like you are saying my only option is to sign the second VCAA notice they sent to me along with their letter requesting more evidence and tell them I have no other evidence to submit, let them deny my claim since they don't have all of my evidence and then file an appeal, wait a few years for the BVA to deny my claim and then go to DC. This is BS. I hope this is not what you are saying. Sorry if I sound a little irritated but I just don't know what to do at this point. If someone can tell me how I can submit evidence to my VARO and actually be able to prove what they received, you will make my day. However, do not suggest certified mail or hand delivery because this has not worked for me. Georgiapapa...

Well I have either shot myself in the foot and put my current claims on the real slow track or I will get some action going on my claims. I simply reached my breaking point with my local VARO and I sent a written complaint to the VA through IRIS requesting an in person meeting with the person in charge of my local VARO. I advised that if the meeting could not be arranged, I wanted telephone numbers, names and addresses of the Inspector General of the Veterans Administration and the Director of the Veterans Administration. I am ready to fly to Washington if necessary if that is what it will take to straighten out the mess my claim is in due to the incompetence at my local VARO. I filed claims for AO multiple myeloma and Peripheral Neuropathy secondary to multiple myeloma in 2011. I submitted all of my evidence via certified mail in 2011 and my VARO lost the evidence. As a result, I hand delivered copies of my entire evidence package to my VARO in May 2012. Although I had the first six pages of my evidence date stamped, which is all they would date stamp, the "Evidence Received" section on my Ebenefits indicated the VARO did not receive any evidence unti August 19, 2012. I had my C & P exam on September 12, 2012 for my claims. I received a copy of the report and the VA examiner indicated in her report that I had multiple myeloma and she also indicated my peripheral neuropathy was as likely as not secondary to my multiple myeloma. Sounds good but read on. Based on the C & P report, I thought everything was back on track with my claim until I received a letter from my VARO today requesting evidence in support of my claims. The requests were for evidence I had previously submitted in 2011 and 2012. Also, they asked for evidence showing that I had received medical treatment for my current "skin condition" which they indicated was multiple myeloma, within one year of my last exposure to agent orange. Although I submitted approximately 100 pages of doctor reports, lab reports, diagnostic test reports, IMOs, military records of Vietnam service, etc; the morons at my VARO think that multiple myeloma is skin cancer and must manifest itself within one year of exposure to agent orange. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer in the bone marrow and has nothing to do with the skin. It also does not have to manifest itself within one year of agent orange exposure. The VARO has myeloma confused with melanoma which is a skin cancer. It is hard for me to believe the VA has persons working on AO claims who do not have a working knowledge of the AO diseases. The letter I received today from my VARO also had a list of the evidence they claimed they had received from me. According to their list, I had only submitted five documents or about a dozen pages rather than the approximately 100 pages I actually submitted on two previous ocassions. They don't even show my diagnosis letters or my IMOs yet they sent me for a C & P exam. Now they have given me to October 25th to submit my evidence, for the third time. In my IRIS complaint, I asked for the in person meeting with the person in charge of my VARO to take place before October 25th. I am sorry for the long post but I had to vent to people who understand exactly how I feel. I do not mind waiting my turn, I just don't like being sent back to the end of the line because of the mistakes and incompetence of my VARO. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, please let me know. Georgiapapa... P.S.- I have three other claims I plan to file for IHD, mental health disorder & a scar rating for a service connected shoulder injury but I am holding off until I can straighten this mess out on my current claims.

Commander Bob, I am glad the info helped you. Hedgey, I like your idea of having my VA PCP measure the scar. Since my VA PCP is an NP and not a doctor, I don't know if her measurements will carry much weight with a VA rater but I will try it. If my VA PCP was a doctor, I would ask the doctor to complete a DBQ for the scar. Tanker 2, I don't know the answer to your question. Perhaps someone else may be able to answer it. Georgiapapa...

Under 7801 of the VA Schedule of Ratings for Scars; ratings for scars are partially determined by the size of the scar. In the instructions of the DBQ for Scars it states "Provide all linear measurements in centimeters and area measurements in centimeters squared." "For non-linear scars, measure the length and width at their widest points." In the summary sections of the DBQ the doctor is to list the approximate total area of the scars. Based on the aforementnioned instructions of the DBQ, it appears the doctor determines the size of non-linear scars by multiplying the length of the non-linear scar by the width of the widest point of the non-linear scar. Am I correct? I have a non-linear deep tissue scar which is approximately 10 and 3/4 inches long and 1 and 1/2 inches wide at the widest point. However most of the scar is 3/4 inches in width. If you measure 10 and 3/4 inches x 1 and 1/2 inches the scar would be calculated at 16.125 square inches and would rate a 20% rating. If you measure 10 and 3/4 inches x 0.75 inches the scar would be calculated at 8.0625 square inches and would rate a 10% rating. I know the actual size of the scar would be somewhere in between the two totals but I am trying to find out how the VA determines the size of a non-linear scar without guessing. Do they actually use the widest point of the scar times the length of the scar to determine the measurement of the scar? Please give me your input, especially veterans who have actually had claims for non-linear scars. Georgiapapa...

vetswifeIndy, Thanks for your comments and your suggestions. I was never treated at the VA for my heart problems but I requested all of my medical records from my private cardiologist and have received part of them. As soon as I have all of the records and a corrected DBQ, I plan to file a Fast Track claim for the IHD. Thanks again... Georgiapapa

Hollis, My cardiologist advised she will have me sent straight to the cath lab and not delay for other diagnostic tests in the event I experience sharp chest pains in the future. She was puzzled by the normal results prior to my recent heart blockages and stated she is going to review their chest pain protocol. If you have your cardiologist fill out a DBQ, review it before you submit it to the VA. My cardiologist had a nurse complete the DBQ and the nurse listed the primary diagnosis as angina and didn't show coronary artery disease which is shown in the doctor's report. My cardiologist didn't take the time to review it before she signed it. I am waiting for my cardiologist to prepare a corrected DBQ. Georgiapapa...

Hollis, You and I have a lot in common. I had Lexiscan stress test, echocardiogram and chest x-ray in July and was advised that all tests were normal. On September 14th, I ended up in the emergency room with sharp stabbing pains in the center of my chest. I had a catheterization and two stents were placed in my heart due to a 99% blockage and 80% blockage both in my LAD. Since you are a Vietnam vet with agent orange exposure, I believe you have a claim for Ischemic Heart Disease which is on the AO presumptive list. Blockages of the arteries in the heart is considered coronary artery disease which is also called ischemic heart disease. Check my recent post titled "Ischemic Heart Disease" and read the replies I received from other hadit forum members who know a lot more about this subject than I do. Good luck with your health and your claim. Georgiapapa...

deanbrt & SP4RVN1971, I will wait and see how I am actually rated for PN before I have further contact with the VARO. I just can not understand how the C & P examiner could show that all my nerves are normal yet state that I have moderate intermittent pain, moderate paresesthias, and moderate numbness in my lower extremities. This is not logical. Hopefully the person doing the rating will have enough sense to understand this also. The statements from my two private doctors should also put to rest any notions that my nerves are normal, especially the statement contained in the EMG & NCV test report where the doctor stated "There is evidence of severe, axonal and demyelinating tibial neuropathy in both lower extremities affecting the motor component." Based on this statement and other info in the report and the IMO letter from my neurologist, I believe I am entitled to 20% for each lower extremity based on the criteria in the VA disability ratings schedule. Any additional thoughts or suggestions would certainly be appreciated. Georgiapapa...

I apologize for the long post but I felt all of the info was needed in order to get the best input from fellow hadit forum members. Yesterday I received a copy of my recent C & P exam report for my claims for AO Multiple Myeloma and PN secondary to Multiple Myeloma. I have no complaints with the part of the C & P exam findings on my Multiple Myeloma which mirror those of my private oncologists. The C & P examiner also concluded "The claimed condition (peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities) is at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service connected condition (multiple myeloma). This statement is in agreement with my neurologist's IMO conclusion so I have no problem with this part of the report. My problem with the report deals with the responses in the section concerning severity of the peripheral neuropathy. Keep in mind that my entire C & P exam was performed by a nurse practitioner and lasted a total of about 15 minutes. The examiner did not perform any exams or tests in regards to my multiple myeloma. I had made copies of my oncologist reports and lab reports and brought them to the C & P exam for the examiner. She took the copies and it appears she used the reports to fill in the responses for her C & P report. She asked how my multiple myeloma was first diagnosed and I told her it was discovered by my neurologist who performed blood tests when I went to him about problems with neuropathy and the neurologist referred me to an oncologist after one of my blood tests indicated myeloma protein in my blood. In regards to my peripheral neuropathy, the only test she performed was when she broke what appeared to be a large Q tip in half, had me close my eyes while she touched my legs with the ends of the broken Q tip. As she would touch my leg, she would ask if I knew whether she was touching me with the dull end or the sharp end. No other tests were performed and no other questions were asked. I also provided her with a copies of the EMG and nerve studies on my lower extremities and my upper extremities from my private doctor. She also kept these and cited them in her C & P report. In her report the examiner indicated that I had moderate intermittent pain in both of my lower extremities, moderate paresthesias and/or dysesthesias in both of my lower extremities, and moderate numbness in both of my lower extremities. She also indicated that I had mild intermittent pain in both of my upper extremities, mild paresthesias and/or dysesthesias in both of my upper extremities, and mild numbness in both of my upper extremities. NOTE: I did not file a claim for peripheral neuropathy in my upper extremities and the examiner never checked my upper extremities. In the part of C & P report regarding the affected nerves and severity of condition, the following instructions are given to the examiner by the VA: "For VA purposes, the term incomplete paralysis indicates a degree of lost or impaired function substantially less than the description of complete paralysis that is given with each nerve." The instructions further state "If the nerve is completely paralyzed, check the box for complete paralysis." "If the nerve is not completely paralyzed, check the box for incomplete paralysis and indicate severity." "For VA purposes, when nerve impairment is wholly sensory, the evaluation should be mild, or at most moderate." Each nerve is listed on the C & P report just like on the DBQs and the following choices are given: ( )normal, ( )incomplete paralysis, ( ) complete paralysis. Under each nerve section, the report's instructions states "if incomplete paralysis is checked, indicate severity." The following choices are given to indicate severity: ( )mild, ( )moderate, ( )severe. Despite her findings that I had pain, paresthesias and numbness in my extremitites, on every nerve listed she checked the normal blocks rather than incomplete paralysis and she did not check any blocks showing severity. NOTE: Keep in mind again, she never performed any tests to check the functioning of my lower extremities or asked me about the functioning. The EMG & NCV reports I provided to the VA examiner were reports prepared and signed by the private doctor who performed the tests. This doctor specializes in performing electrodiagnostic studies for diagnosing nerve root disorders as well as various peripheral nerve disorders. This doctor's findings were also referred to by my private neurologist in his IMO letter to the VA. The private doctor performing the EMG & NCV tests stated: "This is an abnormal study." "There is evidence of severe, axonal and demyelinating tibial neuropathy in both lower extremities affecting the motor component." "There is evidence of prolonged H-reflex response in both lower extremities." Evaluation of the left tibial nerve motor nerve showed reduced amplitude (1.0mV). The right tibial motor nerve showed prolonged distal onset latency (7.5 ms) and reduced amplitude (2.2mV)." "H-reflex studies indicate that the left tibial H-reflex has prolonged latency (37.34 ms)." "The right tibial H-reflex has prolonged latency (37.50 ms)." My private neurologist stated in his IMO letter, "I have diagnosed the patient with symmetrical distal polyneuropathy in his lower extremities that is primarily sensory." "He has slight proprioception problems and a positive romberg which is effecting his gait." He also stated in his IMO letter that my peripheral neuropathy in my lower extremities was more than likely secondary to my multiple myeloma disease. I feel that by checking the box "normal" rather than "incomplete paralysis", I will be rated at 0%. I believe the examiner should have checked incomplete paralysis because my feet and lower legs are totally numb and I have lost some motor function in them. I have difficulty walking on uneven or rough terrain because I have a tendancy to stumble or trip. I recently had multiple ant bites on one of my feet because I did not know my foot was in an ant bed. Please give me your thoughts and suggestions concerning the C & P exam report and possible ratings. Also, let me know if you think the VA might possibly service connect peripheral neuropathy in my upper extremities based on the VA examiner's report of my upper extremities. Thanks...Georgiapapa

Hollis, The estimated completion date on my claim is 08/12/2012 to 01/13/2013 but I have lost all faith in the VA doing anything correctly or on time. I think every veteran waiting for their claims to be processed should also have a legitimate mental health claim as a result of the stress imposed on them by the VA. I am going to call my psychologist tomorrow to see if I can possibly get an earlier date for my next appointment. I need to vent and I want my venting to be well documented. Georgiapapa...

deanbrt & broncovet, I checked my ebenefits today and had a disappointing surprise. An alert in bold letters stating "ATTENTION NEEDED More Evidence Required." I checked to see what evidence they were asking me to submit and it stated "More evidence is needed showing when your symptoms for multiple myeloma first appeared and when you first received medical attention for the condition." "More evidence is needed showing why you believe your skin condition is related to exposure to herbicides (agent orange)." "Evidence showing that your skin condition was being treated within one year of your last exposure to agent orange in Vietnam." Now it shows these requests were placed on my ebenefits on Saturday September 22, 2012. This is the same day I received the message on my phone stating no further evidence is required. The VARO has given me a deadline of October 24, 2012 to submit the evidence requested. Now I am totally dumbfounded. First of all, multiple myeloma is not a skin condition. It is a blood cancer in the bone marrow. I think they believe I have melanoma or skin cancer. Apparently, they have not looked at the evidence in my claims file. Also, it is an agent orange presumptive disease which does not have to manifest itself within one year of last exposure to agent orange. I immediately sent a message to the VA through IRIS advising them of the September 22nd phone message and the September 22nd ebenefits evidence request. I was nice in my message but I let them know that someone has no clue as to what they are doing. Hopefully, I will receive a reply from IRIS before the October 24th deadline. Any thoughts on this mess, please let me know. Georgiapapa...

Carlie, Thanks for the input. I will definitely hold off on filing my IHD claim. Georgiapapa...

deanbrt and halos2, Thanks for the replies. The telephone number that appeared on my caller ID is shown as an unlisted number when checking it on the Internet. I did not try calling the lady back at the number but I will keep the number for future reference. Georgiapapa...

Jcolwell, Thanks for your input. I have been evaluated for diabetes with negative results but I have not been evaluated for chronic renal disease. I have an appointment coming up with my private pcp. I will talk with my pcp about my situation and also request copies of my medical records. Thanks again, Georgiapapa

I have started gathering my evidence in preparation for fling my IHD claim through the "Fully Developed Claim" or "Fast Track Process." I obtained copies of all of my medical records from my cardiologist's office and I am not sure if I should send in all of my records as evidence or not since most of the records before September 2012 may not help my claim. I have had several stress tests, echocardiograms, chest x-rays, ecgs, etc. in the past but there was never any strong indication of blocked arteries in my heart prior to this month. I definitely plan on sending in the cardiologist's "operative" reports from my recent hospital stay, clear 8 x 10 photos of the blockages in my heart before and after the stents were installed, and the DBQ from my cardiologist. Is there any other type of evidence that I should include? I want my claim package to be complete but not cluttered with unnecessary documents. However, I feel like if I don't send in all of my records, this could cause my claim to be removed from the "Fully Developed Claim" process and placed in the "Standard Claim" process if the VA has to request more records. Should I go ahead and send in all of my records or just the records from September? Again, your input is appreciated. Georgiapapa...

I tried to post this topic under "Regional Offices" but I received a message in that forum which stated "you can not start new topic." When I got home today I had a message on my answering machine from a lady who identified herself and stated she was calling from the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Atlanta. She stated she was working on my claim and wanted to let me know she had received my C & P exam report and the VA now had everything they needed to rate my claim. She stated no additional information is required and I would be receiving a letter in the near future. I checked the last number called on my caller ID and the call was from a telephone number in the Atlanta area. Do the regional offices actually work on the weekend? Is this unusual for a veteran to receive this type of telephone call? Any thoughts or comments regarding this phone call would be appreciated. It has only been ten days since my C & P exam and I really find it hard to beleive they are about to rate my claim. I was trying to decide whether to send in a new claim now or wait until they decided my pending claim. After receiving this phone call, I think I will wait a little while longer before filing my new claim. I am waiting for my cardiologist to call and tell me she has my DBQ filled out for a new claim I am about to file for IHD. Georgiapapa...

Jvretiredvet, Forgive my ignorance but I do not understand what you are telling me. You definitely have my attention. Please explain your message in layman's terms because I am definitely interested in any information that will help me understand what is going on with my heart. Thanks...Georgiapapa

Is the new "Fully Developed Claims" processing system the same as the "Fast Track Claims" processing system except the "Fast Track Claims" system could only be used for certain AO related diseases? Can you use the "Fully Developed Claims" processing system for any service related condition? If a veteran uses either of the two systems, is it better to file the claim and submit evidence online or through certified mail to the VA in Pinto, Maryland where these type of claims are being processed? Georgiapapa...

Berta, I had a full body PET scan in April at the Myeloma Institute in Little Rock, Arkansas. I have had 4 or 5 PET scans since September 2010 and about the same number of full body MRIs. I am going to look back at the PET scan and MRI reports to see if anything was mentioned about my heart. I do not recall anything being mentioned about my heart. The doctors were more focused on finding lesions or tumors in my bones but I would think the radiologists or technicians who performed the tests would have mentioned it if anything unusual with my heart was detected. I agree it's better to have a heart with minor problems and a low disability rating than a heart with major problems and a high disability rating. I will gladly take a 0% rating and no more heart problems than a 100% rating and increasing heart problems. In regards to my PN association with my multiple myeloma, I submitted an IMO from a board certified neurologist with over 30 years experience. He is also one of the associate professors at the local medical school and has an impressive educational and professional background. I originally went to him in 2009 when my PN starting progressing from my toes into the rest of my feet. He ran several blood tests on me including the test that indicated I had m-protein or myeloma protein in my blood. He then referred me to an oncologist/hematologist. I returned to see him in 2011 because my PN had progressed from my feet into my legs. After ruling out stenosis/radiculopathy with a CT myelogram, reviewing EMG and Nerve studies, conducting a thorough clinical examination and reviewing medical literature, he stated in the IMO that my PN was "more likely than not" secondary to my myeloma disease. I will ask my cardiologist if she has an opinion regarding the connection between my myeloma and my PN but she will probably do like some of my other doctors and defer to the neurologist. Hopefully I will find out within the near future if the VA agrees with my neurologist. Georgiapapa...

Berta, Thanks for your detailed reply. In response to your questions, the following is offered: I have not been diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenia purura or thrombocytopenia. I have been taking medication for several years for elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. I have taken medication at times for iron deficient anemia but it has been several months since I needed the medication. I do not have diabetes. The cardiologist who signed the reports is the same person who performed the tests in July and installed my stents in September. My cardiologist is a private doctor. I have not received any treatment or exams at the VA for heart problems except for a ECG during my annual VA physical in March 2012 which was normal. I have not received any chemo for my myeloma. Multiple Myeloma is a "plasma cell dyscrasia" and plasma cell dyscrasia is listed in my patient history. My cardiologist is aware of my multiple myeloma diagnosis. The information you provided to me will add to the questions I have for my cardiologist on Thursday. Again, thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed response. Georgiapapa...