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Oh So Many Questions!

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Bigred122

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I swear I would go crazy without this site. I can never seem to get answers from the VA any more. Is anyone else having problems getting files from Our Government lately? NPRC does nothing but give me the run around. I have tried getting just regular records thru Ebenefits site( DPRIS) and get the run around.I have requested my C File 3 times now in the last 2 1/2 months and no response. I can not get the RO to acknowledge my NOD, DRO Hearing or anything relating to my claim. The site shows receipt of my letters, but no one has responded to any of my request. Is this common practice from them. I just received my nexus letter today for my 1151 claim. Everyone says it should be short and sweet and that is what is was.The Dr is a specialist in his field and has been writing these for years for Hep C Veterans. I just expected more I guess. Maybe that was part of my problem was over killing my claims. Anyway my question on this is, Should I save my nexus letter and info and give it to the DRO at the hearing or should I send it early so that they can dispute it prior to the hearing. My RO is in Portland, Or but I'm thinking that my DRO hearing will be at Boise Id since they are only 60 miles vs 500 miles.They are the offending hospital on the 1151, but I think they will send someone from Portland since the originated my claim. Or at least do a teleconference with them in Portland and me in Boise. I don't know how you DIYers do it without any guidance instructions. I can't believe how little of info there is out there on how to do it yourself. I couldn't tell you how many times I've gone thru the Warms Library to find the info on DROs I was looking for. Has anyone found out if there is a site where one can find stats on claim approvals per disability. The BVA and CAVC sites are good on claims that have gone that far. What I'm looking for are the stats of claims like Hep C or other disabilities that were approved without going to the courts. The generalize data doesn't help me with what I'm looking for. Data I'm looking for is like how many claims for Hep C from transfusions or surgeries each year were filed,granted or denied without going to court. The government is Data freaks, so it is somewhere. I'm afraid it falls under we don't want you to know category. They act like parents when they say you are denied because we say so. I say show me the proof or prove to me how I got(whatever) don't just use the old because you say so. Well I better finish this before my computer dies again.The next time it might be fatal for it. Mike

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NPRC does nothing but give me the run around.... If you have filed the SF-180 already you are going to have to wait till they get to it. You can try something I did a some years ago, but, I was still in service at the time but it worked. I kept asking to speak to the persons supervisor I was talking to. I actually got to the person in charge of the NPRC and told him what I needed and week later got it in the mail. Don't know if that will work now.

What I'm looking for are the stats of claims like Hep C or other disabilities that were approved without going to the courts... First off.. WHY?? It will not help your claim in any way. You either got Hep C on active duty or you didn't. If you can prove you got it on active duty and you have the proof you're good to go. Now, if you can't prove you got it on active duty you are going to need and very good IMO to say "it is more than likely" that you got it on active duty. Also, you need to have your SMR's to show the Doc. that is going to write you the IMO.

Should I save my nexus letter and info and give it to the DRO at the hearing or should I send it early so that they can dispute it prior to the hearing.... Send it in with a return receipt requested. Send a copy not the original.

The government is Data freaks, so it is somewhere....They don't play with others very well, they don't like to share.

Don't waste your time looking for stats that won't help you.. ask questions here on this site and you'll get the info you need. I'm sure someone else is going to comment on this as well.

And last but definitely not least GOOD LUCK and as Capt. C says never ever give up.

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I swear I would go crazy without this site. I can never seem to get answers from the VA any more.

Is anyone else having problems getting files from Our Government lately?

Many claimants have had this same problem for many years.

NPRC does nothing but give me the run around.

Were you able to provide them the info they need like - whatever event and it's timeframe ?

I have tried getting just regular records thru Ebenefits site( DPRIS) and get the run around.

I suggest getting a premium account - although it is not much better.

Ebenefits is NOT YET what it is intended to be.

I have requested my C File 3 times now in the last 2 1/2 months and no response.

How and where have you requested it from ? Did you submit a signed FOIA ?

I have seen it take over a year for a claimant to get a copy of their c-file.

I can not get the RO to acknowledge my NOD, DRO Hearing or anything relating to my claim.

Have you gone to your RO in person or submitted a question via iris ?

The site shows receipt of my letters, but no one has responded to any of my request. Is this common practice from them.

Poor customer service is "common practice".

I just received my nexus letter today for my 1151 claim. Everyone says it should be short and sweet and that is what is was.

The Dr is a specialist in his field and has been writing these for years for Hep C Veterans. I just expected more I guess.

Can you post exactly what your "nexus letter" for your 1151 claim states ?

What is the pedigree of the doc and has he written any articles that you know of ?

Maybe that was part of my problem was over killing my claims.

Anyway my question on this is, Should I save my nexus letter and info and give it to the DRO at the hearing or

should I send it early so that they can dispute it prior to the hearing.

I would post it here prior to submitting it to VBA and your DRO hearing - no personal info like

name, address, claim #, etc...

Has a date been scheduled yet for your DRO hearing ?

My RO is in Portland, Or but I'm thinking that my DRO hearing will be at Boise Id since they are only 60 miles vs 500 miles.

They are the offending hospital on the 1151, but I think they will send someone from Portland since the originated my claim.

Or at least do a teleconference with them in Portland and me in Boise.

I don't know how you DIYers do it without any guidance instructions.

I can't believe how little of info there is out there on how to do it yourself.

I couldn't tell you how many times I've gone thru the Warms Library to find the info on DROs I was looking for.

Has anyone found out if there is a site where one can find stats on claim approvals per disability.

None that I've ever heard of.

The BVA and CAVC sites are good on claims that have gone that far.

What I'm looking for are the stats of claims like Hep C or other disabilities that were approved without going to the courts.

The generalize data doesn't help me with what I'm looking for.

Data I'm looking for is like how many claims for Hep C from transfusions or surgeries each year were filed,granted or denied without going to court.

The government is Data freaks, so it is somewhere.

I'm afraid it falls under we don't want you to know category.

I have never heard or known of any web site that offers this information but it would be nice

to find one.

carlie

They act like parents when they say you are denied because we say so.

I say show me the proof or prove to me how I got(whatever) don't just use the old because you say so.

Well I better finish this before my computer dies again.The next time it might be fatal for it. Mike

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Ok, to try and answer the questions I can. I've attached the Drs nexus letter. He also sent some material like articles pertaining to Blood transfusions and Hep C from colonoscopies. The usual stuff. I'll keep it together with his letter. I'll be shooting down their theories of elevated ALTs. I will show them that 4 medications they prescribed for me elevates one ALT levels while leaving the others normal.They say testing methods changed in 1992 on the handling of blood by blood banks. I will show them FDA/GAO reports up until 1998 where they complained that the blood banks and processors were only between 42% to 68% compliant with the handling and processing of blood products. In 1998 226.8 units per 100,000 units were contaminated with HCV. Then I will show them several VA OIG reports from 1995 to 2008 where the VA showed several cases where veterans were exposed to the HCV thru improper sterlization of colonoscopy equipment. Two major cases Las Vegas in 1995 and Miami in 2008 involved several thousand Vets affected.Their own reports will show this as a continued problem and not isolated incidents.Idaho health Dept did a full screen on me in 1992 and no signs of anything.Even their own lab results show neg for any Hep C in 1995.

NPRC record request went up 3 mgmt levels.FOIA and C File request were done at the RO level.Most of NPRC request were just general info like promotions, pictures etc.One item was a mental health record they said had to be sent to a Dr. Once I gave them DR fax. Record no longer existed.If it didn't exist why did it needed to be sent to a DR. That one makes you go hummmmm.RO record was just a copy of my denial in 1973 supposedly.My Ebenefit account is premium and all I ordered was non medical records.All mail going to RO goes certified and DRO hearing request went with signature receipt. Their records have always shown receipt of my letters or evidence. Nothing lost to or from them.I'm guessing DRO hearing will be next summer.Ok, now for the stats question.Say I pick a time period from 1995 to 2010 150 vets filed claims for Hep C from transfusions and 300 got it from colonoscopys it would show that they still had a problem no matter how developed science has gotten. Just like in 2008 blood supplies are now 1 unit in a million units, yet at least one poor vet still got it in 2008. If he hadn't gone thru the courts I wouldn't know about him. How many Like the Miami Vets got it that we will never know about because they didn't have to go to the VA court system. Wouldn't you like to know. With all the puncturing of colons lately, no more colonoscopies for me when CTs are just as good and are safer.We are not allowed to see QM reports on hospital or Drs. I for one would like to know how many patients they have killed or injured. How about you? You want better health care from the VA, make VA staff use the same hospital and staff as we do. If they are good enough for the people who served their country should be good enjough for them too. NOOO, they go to private Drs and hospitals where everyone is regulated and if they screw up their FIRED, not promoted. I bet things would not be tolerated or ignored if they had to be subjected to the same issues as us. When I'm done with my DRO reports I let everyone help me tweek them for the better. Thxs, Mike

http://hepatitisdoctor.com/dr_cecil_cv.htm

Drs website

Nexus.pdf

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Hang in there and it helps to take breaks from working on claim. Don;t forget that besides all the claims they are working short handed and lots of office parties and other delays.

It should pick up in January

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Bigred

You make a good point in regards to knowing what the VA is doing in regards to colonoscopies. I think in the case of Miami they said there was less than 50 that were in infected, that's still 50 more than there should have been. Unfortunately, you probably will not be able to find out any info as the VA has probably shredded as much as they can legally get away with. Also, it is not only colonoscopies it is other things as well, I have a friend who went to the VA for an illness and they gave him the wrong meds and almost killed him. In fact he was given last rights and fortunately his family moved him to a private hospital and they found the error and he survived. He's now suing the VA. I personally get my colonscopies and anything heart related privately. Unfortunately not all vets can do that. The VA is not held accountable because the people that can hold them accountable are not accountable either (CONGRESS).

As far as NPRC is concerned, I will tell you that I asked them for my SMR's in February of 2011 and got them in November and I received copies of my SMR's that the VA does not have. The VA will be getting a surprise shortly.

Again GOOD LUCK

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Comon Elders, Is my Nexus pretty much standard? All I have ever seen was the blank ones. So I have no idea what is good or bad. Boomer, one of the reasons I filed last year was to hopefully get enough disablility to be able to afford civilian medical treatment.Sometimes I actually feel that they would like to finish me off for some reason. They no how to get under my skin. They had the gaul to call me yesterday and say that they want me to drive 60 miles one way, one day a week to learn how to deal with pain. I told the nurse they were 14 yrs too late. I have not had a pain free day in the last 14 yrs. I am at maximum pain killer dose without causing myself more misery. They think I am their personal human guienna pig. I let her know I can't afford all my medications that I need for my broken body and I won't stop eating just to put a body in a class the VA will give them extra money for.Somethings I have to put up with just to keep what little medical they allow me to have. I've got 4 yrs to win some disability so that I can jump in on a program that will be available then that will get rid of this disease completely in about 26 weeks. 14 yrs ago the VA wanted me on a program that had zero per cent healing rate. Programs for my genotype have about 30% now. Dr says he can almost guarantee me success on the new program. I just need the time and money and be as healthy as possible. I've done good for the most part on slowing down the progression of the disease. The 12th of next month, I have a CT scheduled to see status of everything.Ultra sound was sketchy. I'd do all most anything to get back a portion of my health back. My 1151 is not so much on what they have given me as compared to what I have lost. Years off my life,pain 24/7/365, loss of family and friends( kids don't get too close to grandpa he's sick),the isolation I am forced to live in,no support system,and the mental issues of having to deal with abandonment issues. Oh well, one must deal with whats dealt them. Just would like a small winning hand once in a while. So if an Elder would give my nexus letter a thumbs up or down, I'll go and hide back in the shadows until my DRO dispositions are finished and then I'll reappear to see if they pass muster. Thank you for your thoughts. Mike

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