georgiapapa

SeattleShay, I checked the Health Care Provders list for the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and found a Dr. David Cundiff who is listed as an MD, public health & general preventative medicine. He is not an ortho doctor. I could not find any doctors with the last name of Ferguson in the system. Good luck on your C & P exams. GP

Follow Berta's advice and email Bob McDonald or Allison Hickey. GP

oats, Just curious, was your C & P examiner a sleep disorder specialist (ENT doctor or pulmonary doctor) or a PTSD specialist (psychiatrist or psychologist)? I would be surprised to learn that your C & P examiner is an expert authority on the relationship between PTSD and sleep apnea. GP

Andy, On the VA website section titled "Benefits for Veteran's Children with Birth Defects," no requirement is shown stating the father must have filed an AO claim before the child can qualify. It states the child with the birth defect must have been conceived after the father first entered Vietnam during the qualifying period. I agree with PR I would file your claim. I think you will need proof of your father's service in Vietnam during the qualifying period, a certified copy of your birth certificate showing you were conceived after the first day your father entered Vietnam and a medical diagnosis of Spina Bifida. Keep us posted. GP

bassrunnin, Sounds like P & T. Check your "Benefits Summary Letter" and "Commissary Letter" under "VA Letters" on your Ebenefits account. One or both of them should show if your status is P & T. If you are P & T, you may be able to use the "Benefits Summary Letter" and/or the letter you received from the VA to request your property tax exemption. You may also be able to get a free Disabled Veteran auto tag. Congratulations and good luck. GP

D4rest, I really hope your husband's claim situation is back on track and the two of you receive good news in the near future. Please continue to keep us posted. I hope your husband's health situation improves so you can take a well deserved break. Good luck and take care. GP

Congratulations and good luck.

Again, good info by Buck. GP

I don't see anything. GP

Good info Buck. I forgot about national cemeteries permitting spouses to be buried with the veterans at VA expense. Unfortunately, the VA does not pay for the spouse to be buried in private cemeteries. GP

budda2015, I am not aware of any burial expenses she would be entitled to for herself. However, she may qualify for DIC (Dependents Indemnity Compensation.). Go to the VA website and read the info on "Dependents Indemnity Compensation." GP

I still do not see anything.

I can't get it to open either. GP

Andy, I see no reason not to send them out in one mailing. You might want to send along a table of contents and tab each report. JMO Good luck. GP

Andy, There is info on the VA website listed as "Benefits for Veteran's Children with Birth Defects." Basically, I believe all you have to prove is your father's service in Vietnam, your birth after his service and your diagnosis of Spina Bifida. You should be able to prevail with your claim. Keep us posted on your claim as it progresses. Hopefully, your efforts may eventually help other children of AO vets. Good luck and take care. GP

Vern2, You are welcome. I hope you and your wife stay in good health and have a long happy life together. Take care. GP

Congratulations on your win. GP

vern2, Sounds like you have your ducks in a row. I hope you hear something soon. I think it is ridiculous that your claim has been on DRO review since October 2013. I currently have IHD, hypertension, 3 stents and a pacemaker. I received the pacemaker after being diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension and sick sinus syndrome. Prior to the pacemaker, my heart rate had been dropping into the low 30s and I would experience syncope and near syncope. I hope you follow your cardiologist's instructions. Heart disease is nothing to take lightly. Take care. GP

vern2, It is possible the C & P examiner's report may not be accepted but the April 2015 C & P report along with an IMO from a private cardiologist will win your heart disease claim in my opinion. Hopefully, the VA will accept the opinion in the April 2015 report and then it will just be a question as to the proper rating for your heart disease. Good luck to you. GP

vern2, It appears the VA tried to frame the question for the examiner in a manner where it would be difficult for the C & P examiner to find service connection. However, the examiner recognized the question posed was not appropriate for the actual chain of medical events shown in your medical records and the examiner provided an opinion based on what he/she believed to be the question which should have been asked to properly determine service connection. The C & P examiner provided a favorable opinion but will the VA rep who submitted the original question accept the opinion of the examiner since the examiner appeared to disregard the original question and then provided an opinion based on what the examiner believed to be a more appropriate question. JMO GP

Oiler1995, You can go to Commissaries.com and they have a "Commissary Locator" section. GP

Andy, I agree with Gastone and Navy. Do you really want to take the chance and not send copies of your records? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by sending them. JMO GP

Andy, If you have copies of all of your evidence, including the report on the MRI; I would send them in with your FDC claim. You do not want to give the VA any reason to change your FDC claim to a standard claim. JMO GP

I agree with jbasser and John. Shut the VAMCs down and use the money to give veterans full access to the private healthcare system. GP

MentalHealth, While it is still fresh on your mind and your coworker's mind, both of you should prepare written notes of the event just in case there comes a need for a statement from your coworker and yourself in the future to address the shortcomings of your C & P exam. JMO Good luck and thank you for your service. GP