What Is Your Take On This?

[pilgrim01]

I initially filed after retiring in Nov 2008. I received 40% and they denied a "numbness/tingling" claim that I had submitted, one reason was no diagnosis. Three months after retiring I had another episode. My new doctor immediately took X-rays and MRIs. Disc protrusion, nerve root damage, foraminal stenosis, multi-level lumbar conditions, etc was found. This all happended while my initial claim was still being worked at the VA. As soon as I got the denial back (March 2009) about the numbness tingling, I filed a RECONSIDERATION (April 2009). My new doctor wrote a note to the VA that I submitted with my RECONSIDERATION saying that this was "consistent with the numbenss/tingling I have been having since July 2006". Well, the RECONSIDERATION had made it all the way to the Rating Team and they decided to give me another C&P for my back. During the exam, the doctor did a lot of writing. She once asked me after doing the leg strength test if I was right or left handed (because due to this numbness/tingling my left leg is now stronger than my right and I am right handed). Once I told her right handed, she did the test again, then wrote some more notes. I have been on Celebrex and Neurontin for about a year. I was also referred to Physical Therapy which didn't help. I have put off the pain injections for the time being as I am very afraid of needles going into my back. What is your take on my chances? I know the VA is very unpredictable but this waiting is wearing my out.

Edited January 23, 2010 by pilgrim01

[halos2]

Success stories are noted here by the lucky few. It is fact the VA staff/workers/raters/etc tend to drag their feet as evidenced by the number of members here and on other also valuable va info web sites, with common concerns/complaints regarding their claim status.

Facts of shredding, tossing, va claims are brought forth in the news...valid. TV news and programs ie 60minutes reporting on the downfall of va claims processing with approximately 1,000,000 claims waiting to be reviewed, tell a different story of what is in store with the waiting/denial/appeal...game. Sites that allow vets the forum to "spill their guts" and speak of their turmoils with their claims and seek help foster a sense of finally here "someone somewhere cares!"

I appreciate the site that allows truth be told. If the VA was working more efficiently with vets, their would not be so many vet sites on the net, nor vets claims self help books.

Some people are fortunate to achieve the outcome hoped for but realistically the majority have to sit and wait, and pray, and fight, and refile, and wait, and seek help wherever be it web, lawyers,VBM, other written educational VA claims issues material, and wait...

I hope you have a more favorable outcome with your claim, but I think the truth be told the waiting game is one vets are forces to play. No negativism here, just plain thuth offered per personal experience, and read here from many vets. Some have been fighting for years and one I know since the 1990's is still fighting her claim regarding her late husband's claim.

What works for one at one regional office may not fly at another but be realistic, open to all info given and shared here, and best of all know here you will find vets who care and will try and help you to be successful with your claim. :D

[pilgrim01]

Thanks, everyone. I know everyone is just being honest (to include being frustrated). :D I know now that since I had my exam, my claim now starts ALL OVER as if I had just submitted it. Why you ask? Because I sent an IRIS on Friday and I saw just now that they responded saying that......

"Right now we are in the development stage of your claim, which is where we obtain information and gather evidence to substantiate your claim of disabilities that were incurred or aggravated during your service to our country. Your file was at the rating board, however, the rating board sent your file back for further development, i.e. QTC examination."

Great...... just Great!

[pilgrim01]

I received an e-mail from my AMVET Rep this morning and he said that my claim was sent back to the Rating Board on Jan 25th. So, in actuality, it did not start over. That is great news (I think). B) So, can anyone give me a "guesstimation" on how much longer I may have? My C&P was on Jan 4th. Remember, my claim (RECONSIDERATION) had made it all the way to the Rating Board and then in December they decided I needed another C&P exam and I had that on Jan 5th. Am I getting close? Wow, this is worrying me out! :)

[Commander Bob]

Remember, my claim (RECONSIDERATION) had made it all the way to the Rating Board and then in December they decided I needed another C&P exam and I had that on Jan 5th. Am I getting close? Wow,

The clock is ticking and your deadline seems to be this March. No NOD, and you have to start over. You are a bit vague regarding your denial letter and reconsideration response. Did your Amvets Rep. file a NOD ("Notice of Disagreement")yet????

Edited January 28, 2010 by Commander Bob

[pilgrim01]

The clock is ticking and your deadline seems to be this March. No NOD, and you have to start over. You are a bit vague regarding your denial letter and reconsideration response. Did your Amvets Rep. file a NOD ("Notice of Disagreement")yet????

No, we did not file a NOD, we filed a RECONSIDERATION. I was denied in my initial claim for "no diagnosis", etc. After I retired the problem re-occurred 3 months after retirement and the first thing my new doctor did was check my back via x-ray and mri. That is when they found out why I was having this numbness/tingling going down my right leg to my right foot. Hence; a RECONSIDERATION was filed.

Edited January 28, 2010 by pilgrim01

[john999]

The NOD clock is still ticking regardless of the reconsideration.