jessie0054

Carlie: Yes the news was good to wake up to. I didn't even mind him calling and waking me up!! Thanks, Jessie

Hello J: Thank You!! I got my pat on the back when my son said Thank You Mom!! I will take the credit for starting the whole thing as i knew my son would never do it. He didn't want anything to do with the VA. But when he got to the point that he could no longer work due to his back and the pain and had no medical insurance i filled out all the paperwork for him and had him sign it. There were times i almost regretted it because i saw how flustrated he became with the VAMC. First thing right out the door they labeled him a durg seeker and refused to give him any pain medication even after a positive EMG test and MRI. It was most difficult watching him month after month of this awful pain and the Vamc dragging their feet in finding a Dr to do the surgery. It took 10 months!! Amazing that after i got our congressman involved they had a Dr within a week and he had the surgery in less than another week. I would have loved to be there to see the face of the DR who put the label on him after she read the Surgeons sugical report. I guess we can rest now that we feel he got his just rating!! As for TDIU his service officer said he will help him with the paperwork on that. Thanks again Jessie

Pete53: A big thank you to you, You were a lot of help!! His service Officer has already brought up the TDIU and said he would help him with all the paperwork to apply. Thank you!! Jessie

I just got off the phone with my son who had just gotten a call from his service officer. His NOD was approved and he was awarded 40% on his back [ was at 10&] and they added 20 % for the radiculopathy of his right lower leg. I think if i added the va math right he is now at 70% overall with his 40% for his blood cancer. I have a lot of THANK YOU's going out to the memeber's of Hadit.com. With out your guidence we couldn't have done this!!! You guy's are the greatest!!!! Thank You all very very much!!!! Jessie

Good Moring everyone: This is a good day!! I just got off the phone with my son and he had just gotten a call from his Service Officer. The Nod paid off!!!! He was granted 40% on his back and 20% for the radiculopathy to his right lower leg. Reto back to March 2006. I don't have enought THANK YOU'S for the member's of Hadit.com. With out you we couldn't have done this. I am so very gratefull to you all. This couldn't have come at a better time as he and my 11 year old grandson were in a headon Collison on Sat. night coming home from dinner. Again Thank You, from the bottom of my heart and his too. Jessie

Thanks Halos2 Does he have a Dr or NP for his primary care team there? He has a Dr for his Primary Care. Who orders his blood work? A Heme Dr and has his phlebotomies done in Chemo. Did they specifically write the parameters on his HCT? The Last Dr he had is now gone and replaced with a much younger Doc. His last Dr was very kind and would answer my emails about his care. He said and i would hope that he wrote the same in his Medical Record about the guideline for my son's HCT levels that he said for his comfort level he would keep his levels the same as his DR before who was not a VA DR. Sorry i had more to add but i just got a call and need to get to the hospital my brother in law just had a massive heart attack, He's only 49!! Later, Jessie If the P A is worthless go to the next in charge...see if the FOIA person can help you, she tried to assist me...Talk to the assistant administrator, if nothing comes about it go to the administrator. Don't let some N P give you the run a round ever. Don't let anyone ever put him or you on hold. He served and needs the help. Do you have a VSO rep at that hosp? Tell them to help now. Contact the pain Dr he has seen and tell him he needs a further appt if his clinic seem unwilling to help...

Yes!! I am talking about the VA. My son was told by the NP at the Va clinic that she doesn't believe he can get another appointment at pain management beause he missed his last appointment. He has been to see the Patient Advocate about this problem and also about he has been refused a phlebotomy for his blood cancer. He is to be maintained with an HCT level below 45, His last 2 times there to get a phlebotomy he was refused!! Because they said his levels were not bad at 48-50. Even after he tells them that anything over 42 [ which is his comfort zone] he is overwhlemed with symptoms. Still yet they refuse to allow him the phlebotomy. Thanks Jessie

If you miss one appointment with the pain management clinic can they refuse you another appointment?? Thanks Jessie

Pete53: He has no intention of standing them up, This appointment means too much to him. He did try to reschedule telling them his back was messed up. But they said to make every effort to be there. He just not sure how he will be taken because of his pain level being so high can't sit and can't stand!! Since the nurse from Charleston VA never called him back today he is just going to go to the Urgent Care there at Columbia VA after the Voc Rehab appointment. Jessie

I have a new question. My son has an appointment tomorrow with Voc rehab. Problem is things went to H___ with his back over the weekend. He went to get up out of a chair and his back snapped and he fell flat on his face. His 11 year old son called for help and they took him to a local ER since The nearest VA was 2 hours away. All they did at the ER was ask if this was a new injury and he told them no, They said ok i can treat you. { what is that??} They Just gave him medications for pain and sent him out the door. He has tried for 2 days to get through to the VAMC about getting an appointment. Today a nurse was to call him back. They haven't. He tried to call and reschedule the Voc-Rehab. They told him that it was the only appointment open and said he should make every effort to be there. OK, He will be there BUT he can't even stand up straight and his pain is unforgiving. { When he is in this much pain he can be a bear} He has been hurting ever since he had a new C&P exam on Aug 6th { he fell backward during the range of motion testing bending backwards} but now he is back to that unbearable pain he had before he had back surgery. So what effect will this have on his getting Voc Rehab or not getting?? He is really counting on this!! Jessie

Thanks halos2: I will pass this on to him. I'm sure it will be heplful with some understanding of what to expect!! Thanks again jessie

Ricky: Thanks!! I'll tell him to clam down and not to sweat it!! Jessie

Thanks pete53 He has am appointment with Voc-rehab on the 10th. He was not prepared for it so quick, He thought it would take a month or two yo get the appointment. This test, Is there any way he can prepare for it?? Again Thanks, Jessie

Hello: My son signed up for Voc-Rehab. He has Va disabilities rated at 50%. 40% for his Blood Cancer and 10 % for his back. The Company he works for is going to shut the doors maybe within the next couple weeks and for sure by the end of this year. With his disabilities he knows he will have a big problem finding another job. He's been really lucky to have this one, His boss has been really good to him and understands his conditions and works around them. When he saw that my son could no longer work at his Diesel Mechanic position he created a position within the company making him a service manager. He answered the phone and runs for parts and ect. He is affraid now that he got an appointment so soon that he will be denied because he is still working. Do you have to be unemployed to get Voc-Rehab?? What if you have current means to survive at the present? [ while still working] He needs this Voc Rehab. Diesel Mechanic has been the only training he has has all his life. Thanks Jessie

rentalguy: After talking to the young man this morning it is that he was reduced from 10% to 0% for his disability. I told him to use the form 21-4138 and ask for an increase in his already SC disability. Thanks so much!! Jessie

jbasser: i guess i will have to see his decision letter to know what went on. From what i know he was given a 10% disability and discharged " due to being found unfit to serve due to the disability" In his medical records i found it stated twice about the car accident, If they used that against him in the decision i guess that would be in the decision letter i'm waiting for him to fax. Thanks Jessie

Hello rentalguy: Thanks for your reply. I will know more about his situation hopefully tomorrow. So they didn't take away his SC just his compensation and filling out the 21-4138 should get him back in the game. That would be great!! Jessie

Purple: Thanks for your commits, I don't know that he was walking with a limp on enlistment, He does now however have a limp!! And has for several years by what my son said. He works for the same company as my son and has for about 11 years and i'm sure his boss would make a statement in support of the claim. He is married to the same woman as he was when discharged from the service so i'm sure she can give a statement as to his pain being present all these years. Also i just had a thought come to mind. This guy is going to go into PT on Friday, The VA has not X-rayed the knee or done any MRI to see what kind of damage has been done. They are sending him to PT based on the pain, swelling and noted to have fluid on the knee. Shouldn't they do testing to see what damage is done before they go to PT, Moving things around without knowing could cause further damage!! Just my opinon!! Jessie

Thanks Berta; I was hoping you would reply !! I sent a list back to my son of thing this young Vet needs to get for me to look at and one was his decision letter that stated why they found him to be no longer disabled. I guess all is held up until i can get his reports. He said he didn't remember ever stating that he had injury previous to Military, But he was only 18 years old at the time. Could this somehow fall into being found Physically Sound to serve on enlistment or that his military service aggravited a pre exsistant condition?? I admit i am not really good at this stuff, That's why i turn to you guys and gals for help. I didn't make any promise, But said i would take a look. Thanks, Jessie

Hello all: I am trying to help a young Marine Veteran by request of my son. This young marine was medically discharged after 10 months of service due to Left Patellar Instability, Mild. His knee gave out and he would fall. They discharged him with a 10% rate of compensation which they took away after 2 years. He was treated by a VAMC in Ohio once or twice after discharge and when he went back for a third time the VAMC told him that since the VA no longer considered him disabled and took away his compensation he could no longer get care from the VA. He didn't seek treatment anywhere else over the years for his continued pain and instability because he had no insurance and couldn't afford the medical bills due to having to work and support for his family. A problem i can see from reading his records of treatment at Camp LeJeune is that it said he had injuried his knee back in 1979 in a auto accident when his knee hit the dashboard [ he was what about 7 years old at that time] And that he had injuried it a total of 5 times the most recent during a fall at the air port when he was returning to the base after leave. His knee gave out then and he fell down a flight of stairs causing the injury for which he was discharged after some pretty aggressive PT with no relief in the pain. His knee was locked in a 10% flexed position on discharge and mildly atrophied left quadriceps. I talked by phone with this young veteran this morning and told him to write and request his Personnel records from St. Louis and the VAMC in Ohio that he was treated at after discharge. My son helped him get treatment at the VA Clinic there in SC and he go's in this Friday for some more aggressive PT because of pain and swelling of the knee with a lot of fluid on the knee. My son has know this guy for over 2 years and said he has never known him to not be in pain and walks with a limp. So does this young Vet have a chance at a claim since it is shown in the treatment records the dr. stated he had previous injury before service?? Thanks, Jessie

Rentalguy: Thanks, I was hoping for better news!! I thought that having the spinal fusion and Ankylosis causing a fixation of the spinal segments in a neutral position would be worth more than a 10% rate not to mention the level of daily pain. Jessie

John999: The Va was the one who said he had an addiction to his pain medications and they treated him for it, Cured?? i know he now wouldn't touch a narcotic for fear of becoming addicted. Again He has also been treated with 2 nerve blocks in the last 3-4 months to try to get some relief from the pain, But that was short lived. Jessie

Hello all. Just got the results of the 2nd C&P it is as follows, Need some insite rather an increase is due. Medical History: the patient is a 37 year old veteran here for evaluation of his low back. The claims file has been reviewed. He underwent an L4-L5-S1 fusion in May 2006. He has had no pain relief, but is now ambulatory. He continues to have pain all day every day going into his posterior right leg down to the calf with numbness. No Bowel or bladder incontinence. He does occasionally use a girdle.No cane or crutch. no medications { my note} The Va recently took him off all his medications except those that he has to take for Gerd, They said that he had been on them longer that they were surpposed to be perscribed. He can't take any narcotics since he was treated for an addiction to his pain medications} No Physician directed bedrest. He is unable to sit for more than 15 mins, unable to stand more than 30, unable to walk more than 30 mins. He was a diesel mechanic . He last worked in 2006 because he was unable to do the lifting and manual labor required as well as bending. He went in to become a service manager which he is now working at. At this posion his only job restiction is when he has to change position from sit to stand to walk frequently. The back pain flares every day during which he has to minimize his activities and attemp to avoid weightbearing until it passes. Physical Examination: On examination, he is well developed well nourished male siting and arising stiffly but no limp. No assistive devices. Thoracolumbosacral spine revels a 16 X 1 cm well healed surgical scar with flattening. No spasm, No tenderness. He does have paresthesias over the scar. He has right lateral bending of 0 to 40, left lateral bending 0 to 35, extension of 0 to 10, flexion 0 to 70 that diminishes to 40 with repetition, right rotation 0 to 30, left rotation 0 to 60 with pain on all ranges of motion. He has positive bilateral straight leg raising, normal senation, 2+ deep tendon reflexes, no atrophy, and 5/5 motor strenght throughout both lower extremities. He has DeLuca criteria only as specified above. { What is DeLuca???} I have available for my review the report of an x-ray from 3/10/2007 that shows a posterior fusion L4 through S1 with diskectomy at L4-L5, L5-S1: Also an MRI from 10/2007 that shows surgical changes and Multilevel Spondylosis. My Impression is that the patient is a 37 year old veteran who has spinal fusion but continues to have spondylosis and rght lower extemity radiculopathy. Addendum: no pain on range of motion or flare ups on any of the above joints except as stated above. { what does this mean???} All above joints have no additional limitations by pain, fatique, weakness, or lack of endurance following repetive use. My note: he is currently at a 10 % rate of disabliity. Base on the exam does it sould like he will get and increase??? And should he also get a rate for the raiculopathy?? Thanks for helping me understand this!! Jessie Oh The examiner didn't mention that he fell when he had him bend backward, I thought that would be in the report!!! guess it happens everyday!!

Thanks Rentalguy: I wasn't sure since the VA changed it from a reconsideration claim to a claim for an increase. I was unhappy that they cheated him out of a year worth of monies!! Thanks again!! Jessie

Hello: This morning i was putting away folders on the claim for my son and husband when i came across the decision letter on my son's claim dated Jan 29th 2008 and had a couple questions here. On March 2006 he filed for service connection for his Blood Cancer [Polycythemia Vera] On March 20th 2007 he recieved a decision letter giving service connection but only a 0% rating.[He should have recieved a rating of 40% because he has monthly phlebotomies] On April 24th, 2007 he send a request for a reconsideration in the decision asking them to look again at the evidence that proved he was getting phlebotomies and should be rated at 40% for such. [This was recieved by them on May 11, 2007 ] Then sometime in Oct 2007 he called about the status of his Claim for reconsideration and they told him they had a claim for and increase in his rate [ Not a reconsideration] he sent back to them on Oct 10th by certified letter with a returned receipt on form 21-4138 a Statement in support of his claim that the information they recieved on May 11,2007 this was a Offical Claim for a reconsideration and was no way a NOD or a request to reopen the claim and that he was well within the NOD period of April 2007. He also resent the offical letter of request for a reconsideration at that time. Then in Jan 29th 2008 he recieved this decision letter giving him the 40% but only from June 2007, Since in their words his initial phlbetomoies started in May 2007. That's not right!! His initial treatments of phlebotomies started in March of 2002 to oct 2005 then he when into a stable mode for about a year then was treated at the VAMC in i think July 2006 for a phlebotomy. The about Sept 2006 moved to another state and was without treatment until in November 2006 when he went down at work and passed out and his boss took him to the local hospital ER where a phlebotomy was done. So do we fight them over this for an earily effective date?? Thanks Jessie PS sorry to be so long here!!