RonP

Please be advised, this is an adversarial exam. He wii try to play tricks on yo such as ramble on to see how irritated you get, to see if he can make you cry easily Go into this exam and remember what the worst day you ever had was. If he pushes you so hard to make you cry, he will push every button you got.Whenh I had mine I finally got up from the chair, took 1 step towards him and security was on me in a flash, I turned back around and walked out and sat on the floor in the hall. I did not move or make contact with anyone, I said not 1 word. I then got up went to the desk to check out, never speaking to anyone. It was labled I refused the exam nothing wrong with this guy but a bad attitude. Beware of the wolf smiling at you........He will bite you in the ass. that is his job You do yours your way, not on his terms....RP Been there done that At this time there was no set standard for ptsd exam or major depression, they just shot from the hip. Now it is more controlled, but the wolf is still there maintain the worse day you can remember. and be living that on the day of the exam.

The latest Saga of the ineptitude of the Va: To bring you current, I wrote the Inspector General at the suggestion Of Congressman Fillner. I asked the VA why I was not receiving treatment in Manila, Republic of the Philippines I am at a total loss, and consider my self to be the ultimate BUTT ov the VA system For my 100 % award. The Inspector General's answer is as follows and is a QUOTE " I understand very clearly that Ischemic Heart Disease is a presumptive condition resulting from exposure to Agent Orange. Let me also be clear that I am not a lawyer and I am not a VA Benefits or Comp and Pen expert. I investigate quality of care issues. To the best of my review of your record, the reason that you are not service connected for your heart disease is because the question asked at your Comp and Pen exam for your heart disease was not, “Is this related to Agent Orange exposure,” but, “was this caused or made worse by your PTSD.” I highly recommend you request, in writing, a Comp and Pen exam for your ischemic heart disease on the basis that it may likely be related to you Agent Orange exposure. Do you understand what I am saying? You need to have a Comp and Pen exam for service connection between your heart disease and Agent Orange exposure (not PTSD). Here is the directive that guides services to veterans in the Philippines. I am not sure the link will work for you, but you should be able to Google the VHA Directive Number and access the document on the internet. This is not a new directive, but just a renewal of an expired version. VHA Directive 2012-019, Outpatient Health Care for United States Veterans Residing In or Visiting the Philippines at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic in Manila, has been approved for publication; it can be found by clicking on the following link (http://vaww1.va.gov/...asp?pub_ID=2767). I understand very clearly that Ischemic Heart Disease is a presumptive condition resulting from exposure to Agent Orange. Let me also be clear that I am not a lawyer and I am not a VA Benefits or Comp and Pen expert. I investigate quality of care issues. To the best of my review of your record, the reason that you are not service connected for your heart disease is because the question asked at your Comp and Pen exam for your heart disease was not, “Is this related to Agent Orange exposure,” but, “was this caused or made worse by your PTSD.” I highly recommend you request, in writing, a Comp and Pen exam for your ischemic heart disease on the basis that it may likely be related to you Agent Orange exposure. Do you understand what I am saying? You need to have a Comp and Pen exam for service connection between your heart disease and Agent Orange exposure (not PTSD). Here is the directive that guides services to veterans in the Philippines. I am not sure the link will work for you, but you should be able to Google the VHA Directive Number and access the document on the internet. This is not a new directive, but just a renewal of an expired version. VHA Directive 2012-019, Outpatient Health Care for United States Veterans Residing In or Visiting the Philippines at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic in Manila, has been approved for publication; it can be found by clicking on the following link (http://vaww1.va.gov/...asp?pub_ID=2767). Response from the Inspector General I received your fax. Thank you. That is the information I was looking for. I will let you know as soon as I receive their response. Office of the Medical Inspector (10MI) 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 Office 202-461-4087 BB 202-281-9015 I sent this email to VISN 21 and to (at Manila): faxed me documentation that he was awarded service connection for his heart condition, with a rating decision on May 3, 2011. The decision states: “ Service connection for coronary artery disease with scar status post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)(originally claimed as heart condition) associated with herbicide exposure is granted with an evaluation of 60 percent effective February 25, 2005. An evaluation of 100 percent is assigned from July 1, 2008.” The decision was reached through the San Diego Regional Office. I can fax or send you this information if you like. Please let me know how you folks can amend his record to reflect this decision. I do think it will make a difference in the care he receives from the Manila Outpatient Clinic. Thank you. If you fight long enough and hard enough and fall down and cry, Stand up Be a Marine...Charge on..I did I achieved the objective / Semper FI

The truth, sure, rest easy folks. We all will be paid by xmas In the last month the VA has processed At the current rate of determination it will be 243 months before you are paid = 20 years. Nehmer review cases based upon new Agent Orange presumptive 6 cases per month and still have 99.5% of back log over 125 Days at the current rate of claim examination they will have to processo catch 121 claims per month to catch up. I promise you I will not be here for that final report or check

I had the same problem. I went to the Dr at VA and the referred me to the hearing clinic. There is a Swim Plug you can ask for that works very well for reducing sound levels. I wear it all day long and when I sleep, It has helped immensely Please try it ,you nothing to loose A hearing aid company makes a custom mold of your ear, tell them you want it to go as deeply as possible Good Luck RP

You might want to try Passion Flower Extract.....In addition, Clonezapam has been taken for 5 years, it is addictive, but my DR said at my age who cares. I found taking Apraozam XR to be better than plain Alpazolam, in addition Esttalopram 1 x daily and 1 more if extreme mood swing or attack., and another Clonezapam. RP Good Luck

This sounds to me like the ultimate statement the VA can make to us and our families. We do not deserve any better in death than we do when we are alive. "Good Riddance" Try to put in a claim for that ! Ron

Here is the complete breakdown in excel LINK http://www.vba.va.gov/REPORTS/mmwr/index.asp Read both tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet. Utterly Disgraceful Ron

May I suggest you change your point of view, freethinking about death daily will bring it about sooner. Rather than that deep emotional negative, try to look at it this way. Let's say you have 2 years, Think of it as a Vacation of dreams, assume the positive. Put all this VA BS to the back of your mind. Very hard to do but possible, when I had my C&P the Dr turned to me and said Most people in your condition are not alive ! He said what is your secret ? I said, I live by sheer will alone, with an ambition for life 1 day at a time. He said what drives you. I said," My underlying Hate for the US Government, and what hey have done to me, I will live long enough to defeat them, I will not die until my job is done" I live 1 day at a time with humor and thanks for that day when I will win. This was a foreigner DR , never understanding what the meaning of risking your life, and taking life to keep America FRee. I smiled and needed help to leave the room. You can win in your mind, it depends on which part you CHOOSE to use. RP

In the US yes VAMC treat is available to all Veterans Not in the Philippines

You definitely need an AT A BOY for that .....oooo....Rahhhh

You are absolutely correct. The Va Claims letter to the attny stated they did not know what office it was in because it is a Nemyr Claim. The attny is in Washington DC and reminded the VA they are in Violation of blah, blah,. They have not responded. They never sent me any correspondence. The attny said sit back and laugh, so I do not have a stroke , heart attack, or commit suicide. She said and I quote, You have to have a sense of the VA Think about Larry, Moe, and Curly, as seat 1 , seat 2 and seat 3 at the top. I justt keep smilin...she says it is a done deal "SomeDay" My Prince will come.

Call Stanford or Mayo Clinic Describe Make sure you are asking for a second opinion teleconferance. State your case. Either will give you a valid oral but not conclusive opinion. Tell them you are bedridden at this time \ My met was 26 anything under 30 wins 100% but you are trying to protect your potential need for suit, your estate, you are now 100 % , sound like a true legal question if you get a yes from the second opinion do not mention any word concerning law they will shut up and hang up. This is my last shot at answering the question. God Speed

I filed 2 nods through a Vet certified lawyer, so far the lawyer has not seen my c file or anything else except my award letters, I filed the day after receiving the letter. that was 400 days ago. Does this answer your question. I have had 1 letter from VA to submit further evidence, which my attny said BS. no other contact from VA and once every 45 days I get an email from the attny's clerk were working on it. We requested a DRO review on the Nod... Still 400 days later ZIP, nada, asta taco your ass from the VA.

Try this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischaemic_heart_disease A VA Opinion will be from a RATER......Do you know any According to the above IT IS IHD Good Luck

My personal direction would be to seek out a Very experienced Cardiologist. He will give you an independent view, yes you will have to pay. Ask him the question directly after the answer he gives you. Then ask him to write an opinion on his letterhead. Contact your VSO, if the DR. said you have a form of IHD then you can step forward to claim. Are you an Agent orange vet ? Did you have boots on the ground ? If so and all is yes you have a right to claim it. Ask the cardiologist for a prescription for Nitro for your heart pain you take it under your tongue and let it melt....if pain still there take 1 more wait five minutes . If pain persist, take 1 more and got to VA or a private hospital if you have insurance. I am 100% for IHD , these are things I do. I cannot give you medical advise ...but the Cardiologist CAN !The cardiologist will recommend an angiograhm, a medical procedure, injecting dye into your heart arterial system. Don't mess with it , check it...... My 3 cents

Can you give us the name of the lawyer you mentioned ? Quote I used a very good ex JAG lawyer, that was also a law school professor teaching VA law

This was the best reaming I have ever seen the VA get. I almost sang the StarBangled Banner and stood up and saluted. LOL Great stuff...every one on this group should play it every day they are waiting for a check !

I went through the process, filed the claim, was denied, and appealed....My legal adviser presented evince of skin cancer related to chloracne. This was a 5 year fight... To no avail. I forked out 10,000 in cancer treatments....bottom line they will always return to. You have to file the claim 365 day within discharge date...if you did not, you will not win. My experience RP

Please be aware, the above statement does not apply to the Philippines

I would like to offer 2 cents to all of you considering for financial reasons, a change to the Philippine VA. A whole lot of veterans live here, most of us do so or did so as we thought we would be homeless in the US...This was one way we "Thought " we could beat the low grade in Dollars we were getting. An Example 50 % gave you 900.00 US dollars per month. The only place I could find to live in the US was a Farmers pasture in my own tent. This was in the richest area of The Bay Area of California. The Napa wine country. You cannot rent a garage for 900 per month.If you are over 100% and you are over 180 % and you move to the Philippines, you are in for a shock. The VA here will refill your medications, and that is it....oh I forgot a flu shot once in awhile. No diagnostic treatment, other than xray, I asked the Patient advocate there if they would pay if I went into the hospital related to my heart condition, ( I am 100 % for that ) He said , Probably not. This was his written response. Lets say you are in our facility and you are having a heart attack, the DR will see you if they have time......It is your choice to sit on the curb and wait for an ambulance or to go home and die. We have no control of the event. His words verbatim: Dear Mr. , The VA Clinic in Manila has a unique eligibility regulation that has limited scope. The Clinic can only accommodate service connected veterans for mostly service connected care. If the care needed is not service connected, it is most likely that our Veterans will have to pay out of pocket and get care from the community. Complications to service connected disabilities are also not automatically considered as part of a service connected disability unless otherwise rated by the Regional Office as a secondary to a primary service connected disability. Please understand that these limitations are only applicable in the Philippines being a facility outside the United States. Unless laws pertaining to these regulations are not amended, revised or charged, the scope of care provided by the VA Clinic in Manila remains limited. So bottom line.....Your 100% or heart disease related to Agent Orange. The government will read word for word your award....if the exact wording is not used by the admitting DR....you will pay for it your self. They will not treat you or help you. I've been here 5 years, nothing has changed except they built a New 150 million dollar facility and they all have very nice offices, but no additional benefit or care for the US veterans that are here. I wrote to many different politicos, Not one had the Grapes to answer my questions. Warning: Do not come to the Philippines, Doing so will be hazardous to your health. Your Service to your country, DOES NOT MATTER HERE.

I too have now the same rating, with housebound rate. I cannot tell you how it feesl to see your monthly check triple, wow, it leaves you speechless. Thank you one and all. Congrats You earned it and it was owed to you....finally the government for once, told us the truth ThatDoughboy

Give this a try http://www.nvlsp.org/Information/ArticleLibrary/AgentOrange/AO-VABeginsReview.htm

Thank You...you clarified allot to me, and I am calmer now. I am one of many, here and around the world that must face these challenges. As Spock would say "Live Long & Prosper" I need to achieve the goal of playing the game, not winning it. Thank You again Chuck,

Once again, Thanks to all of you, your thoughts of procedure and clarification are all welcome. My point, I have no problem with the money, it is adequate, not fair, but tolerable. It seems to me that my irritation is based on filing the CUE, and that was after filing for government unemployability. I did not know the government pension is now moot. So , it is so. I take so many drugs for my heart and for PTSD, over 20 per day, It does influence my small brain. I think needing confinement and a constant shadow as a bodyguard, attendant, nurse all rolled into one is invasive but required at this point. I get the house bound rate of pay. I need to humble myself, and accept. Machismo is a hard thing to loose. Perhaps that is my ultimate anger, not being able to be a man any more, to depend on others because I fall down allot. Having anxiety seizures are the most difficult to go through, for me...... Perhaps I should have put the award letter away for a week, as my VSO says, but they only give you 30 days to bring it to the Nemeyr Court if you disagree. As usual, my drugs create issues that are hard to control. PTSD has many forms, my primary is sleep and anger, calmer waters should prevail. Thank you all for the concern and well respected advise. I will listen to the Elders as they have tested more than me , in time, in pain and suffering. Again I thank ALL of you for the advice. Respectfully, That Dough Boy

This is the letter I sent to the Famous Nemeyr Attorney Ms ,Thank you for following this case.I am planning on filing a NOD Reason:There is no mention of me being 100% disabled in California and receiving social security disability.I assure you, I cannot hold down a job of any kind. If they took into consideration the whole picture,They would see this just by looking at my psychiatric file. I have been advised by my Current VA Psychiatrist to request an increase, and he would support my claim, in addition, they are sending me to an outsidePsychiatrist that is a specialist in PTSD and she is an MD trained in the US. My VA psychiatrist said to me and I quote, her notes and mine will get you an increase on a fast track I have a private attorney, She is ready on my behalf to jump in. I only have to release my current VSO. In other words fire him. she has changed my diagnosis from 50% ptsd to (Outside Psychiatrist ) to: PTSD Moderate to Severe Major Depressive Disorder Dissociative Amnesia These notes are available online in addition does this not fit the nemeyr ruling under special circumstances, I am 62, receiving 100% SSI and now they award me 100%I never received any money from the VA except the 50% rate for PTSD .Never a dime for any of my heart complaints, or issues, even with a letter from the Head Cardiologist that PTSD was the reason for my heart disease, his wording, MORE Likely than Not according to a government study. Dr. Censored ...the letter is is the complete file. I will fight this till I am dead, I swear it. This is a low ball offer to shut me up. That is all it is.My anger is not at you mam, or your firm, It is at the rater that made this asinine decision. My sincere thanks for your review I know time is money, and I am hoping I am not wasting your time. For all of you that have read my ramblings, I say to you, beware of wolves bearing gifts.I received my brown letter today, and after reading it 3 times very slowly, and taking notes I am planning on filing a NOD, firing my VSO, and hiring a private Pit Bull Attorney. Did I receive money you ask yes, am I satisfied with the amount NO. Because what I and you have been through can't possibly make it through the hoop. I have been rated 100% for AO IHD, It is what they left out that limits my reach. I cannot hit the hoop, impossible. Some I have talked to privately about this have said that I should take the money, and suht up, my VSO for one. What is your opinion, as 50 heads are better than one. ThatDoughBoy