Huey Crew Chief

I did ask for Permanent individual unemployable in my original claim. My letter says they will have the rater take a second look at the Nexus letter from my Private Physician. In it he states I am totally and completely disabled and unemployable. The rating for Adjustment disorder with depressed mood is not permanent and is subject to review. However I can't see any chance of improvement, for the simple fact I will never really be the same again. I am less of a man then I was 2 years ago. I am subject to breaking down mentally and for no reason at all. My wife has had to take up the slack and do the things I can no longer do. I can't drive anywhere because of the meds. There are so many things that affect me now that did not before. All I can do is try and cope with them the best I can. Sorry for rambling about this folks. Any how Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement, it is nice and REALLY appreciative! One last thing, how long does it usually take for them to deposit the funds after they rule? I am expecting 10 months back pay plus I really need it to get caught up on my mortgage, car payments and credit cars we used to sustain us until this ruling. Have a great one and good luck to all who are still waiting!!! May the Lord shine on you as he has Us!!

On Friday of last week my DAV Rep. called and had a few questions for me. He said I had some smaller Secondary Issues that are mostly caused by the Medications I take for my Primary Disability. He ask if I wanted to defer those and address them later because they were ready to rule and do my rating. These things are like Insomnia, Constipation, Headaches and so on. He said it would be okay to defer them and this way I would get my primary rated and money in hand. Well today not but 2 days later I get a white Envelope and inside they granted me an increase from 10% for DDD of lower-back to 20% and added a additonal 50% for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed mood. Not sure if that is for my Depression secondary to my low-back pain. But I will take it. I happy for the ruling. But has anyone ever heard of this before? By that I mean defer secondary issues just to get the primary rated and out which they said was because of a hardship. (About to loose my home and all.) I hope I have made myself clear here let me know if not. BUT I AM SO HAPPY TO GET THIS DONE WOWWWIIIIEE!!!

I applied for IU along with and increase on my Lumbar DDD. I am aware that getting a increase depends on ROM however I had a gut feeling something more was wrong with my back before I went in for my new exam. Before the exam I did have new X-rays that show a new compression fracture at L1 of unknown age and further degenerative changes since lat x-rays are noted. This information was in my VA record before this exam. They were not in my last over a year ago were I was awarded 10%. However the VA had a CT scheduled for a few days after this C&P exam was to be done. This new test reviled a new ruptured disk not sure of location because I do not have the Rad notes yet. Will this have any bearing on my chances? Also to add my wife was a witness to this and I told the examiner I was in pain but he made me flex forward farther than I was comfortable with by placing his hands on me during the flex forward part of the exam, along with this statement, " I know you can go forward farther then that because you set in that chair right there." I stated yes but it is very painful, and the rest is history.(threw that in there for a comment from any past examiners.) On to rest of my post. To continue I have filed a secondary claim for Depression related to SMC. This is a new problem that has crept up because of my severe back pain and unable to secure gainful employment. On the day of my C&P exam for my increase I secured a Nexus letter from my Civilian PCP and it states as follows. Who the Doctor is, that he has reviewed my Military records that document the SC injury to my back, as well as any and all x-ray reports as of that date. He is aware of my secondary issues that are more likely than not caused by my SC back injury or are caused by the treatment for my SC back injury. And he stated. There are multiple other clinical conditions diagnosed that are more likely than not secondary to or aggravated by the primary spinal condition(s). And he then lists those condition(s). On the IU part. I.E. (Veteran is substitute for my real name.) After examining Veteran, his chart and his medical records it is my opinion that Veteran is totally and permanently disabled due to the above discussed back conditions and secondary conditions. The Veteran cannot hold gainful employment as a result of his service connected disabilities. I am not throwing this out there for anyone to say, yes this Veteran will get this amount or yes this Veteran will get that rating. Just honest opinions is all. I threw this out there for others to use as information if it meets the stringent critique of the great bunch of Veterans that monitor this board. The guys and gals that have been in the trenches and know how these things work better then I. So any questions, comments, suggestions or whatever are appreciated. Thanks for everyone's help...