Next Steps Seeking Advice Help

[zay0710]

GM,

I have had a 10% rating on my wrist since 2008, I had 2 surguries on the same wrist before I got out. DR told me that if doesn't get better then a 3rd surery would be needed that was in 2006, I told my Dr at the VA clinic this info and have been foghting for them to look into it, they never did. Because of them waiting so long I developed arthritis in my wrist I filed for an increase denied, well I started having trouble in my left knee once again fought with my Dr at the clinic to look into it she stated that it was impossible for me to have arthritis in my knee because of my wrist, needless to say she is gone but new Dr states that it is possible and after 2 yrs of asking he orders an MRI and low and behold arthritis. I have file of IU and increase on my wrist in April of this year. At first they said they wasn't going to consider my knee and then they retracted that and said they would consider it secondary to my wrist. I can't work because at times my whole left side aches because of it, I can't do any lifting or constant motion with my left hand and my left knee I can't do too much standing or sitting. I look on E benefits and it shows some stuff closed that shouldn't be and states that need stuff that I already sent. All of that said when I went for an ortho consultation they didn't even have my op notes and stated that the only think they could do for my knee was a replacement and I am too young. I am behind on bills and me, my wife and 5 kids are about to be in the dark and homeless. I sent in a request for a hardship but haven't heard anything back, can someone give me some advice on what to do next?

[carlie]

zay,

Welcome,

I see you have a long road ahead of you with this one.

JMHO

[justrluk]

I've had a similar experience in that one condition (documented and treated while in service, mind you) was denied. It's now in appeal, and has been in the VA system for years. I almost withdrew it only because I didn't want to be on the VA leash for that long, but kept it just out of principle. In your case, it appears to have a great deal more magnitude. Do you have a Veteran Service Officer? You need to make sure your ducks are in a row, paperwork in hand and push as hard as you can stand. As Carlie said, you’re in for a long one on this one…

[john999]

On the wrist you need IMO. For the knee you need an IMO also and this will be much harder I think to make a link to service or to wrist as secondary.

[usmcgirl]

I know exactly how you feel and am in the same boat. especially with the bills and the some say closed in eben and i have no idea why.. Ok....it is not impossible. 3 years? hell no...I would take the replacement in a heartbeat if it were me. . Do you have a VSO or DAV that you are working on your claim with or are you doing this all by yourself? you would get temp 100% while you were recovering then what ever they rated you after that. as far as behind bills....go online and see if they have some kind of Church assisting People CAP or something - vets welcome home group - american legion - and go to your VA and put in a requst for HUDS. The Church group usually will pay one electic or utility bill for you and give you 3 days worth of food for free. same with the vets welcome home center - or they know someone who will be able to do that. the HUDS at your VA will be able to help with the housing situation but usually it depends if you rent or own your house. i am not sure which it is. but if there is kids involved i think it doesn't matter. but either way they should be able to help.

GM,

I have had a 10% rating on my wrist since 2008, I had 2 surguries on the same wrist before I got out. DR told me that if doesn't get better then a 3rd surery would be needed that was in 2006, I told my Dr at the VA clinic this info and have been foghting for them to look into it, they never did. Because of them waiting so long I developed arthritis in my wrist I filed for an increase denied, well I started having trouble in my left knee once again fought with my Dr at the clinic to look into it she stated that it was impossible for me to have arthritis in my knee because of my wrist, needless to say she is gone but new Dr states that it is possible and after 2 yrs of asking he orders an MRI and low and behold arthritis. I have file of IU and increase on my wrist in April of this year. At first they said they wasn't going to consider my knee and then they retracted that and said they would consider it secondary to my wrist. I can't work because at times my whole left side aches because of it, I can't do any lifting or constant motion with my left hand and my left knee I can't do too much standing or sitting. I look on E benefits and it shows some stuff closed that shouldn't be and states that need stuff that I already sent. All of that said when I went for an ortho consultation they didn't even have my op notes and stated that the only think they could do for my knee was a replacement and I am too young. I am behind on bills and me, my wife and 5 kids are about to be in the dark and homeless. I sent in a request for a hardship but haven't heard anything back, can someone give me some advice on what to do next?

[zay0710]

I have an appointment for 5th of December, this is to meet with an ortho specialist I guess to see if they are going to do the surgury, I had been told in the past that I have so much damaged tissue that it wouldn't matter if they cut my bone because I have nothing left to attach to it. This is my second time because they scheduled me for the wrong department and I drove 100+ miles to get to it. I will update when I get back, by the way could someone tell me what IMO is?

[carlie]

zay,

Welcome and good luck.

IMO = Independent Medical Opinion

IME = Independent Medical Examination

Our homepage as a link for abbreviations and Definitions

along with TONS of other - much needed information.

Check it out here :

http://www.hadit.com/