Smc

[john999]

If I wanted to claim SMC for ED as a result of service connected DMII how would I do it? I have it in my VA medical records now. Do I just write a letter and request along with the VA medical records?

[Guest jangrin]

Hi John999,

My husband just asked his SO to send it in, he told the so he had ED, SO the service officer sent it in. Then the VA is supposed to get the records, but you know how that goes. Then we just got the VCAA letter back about the ED and other stuff a few weeks ago. You can read the letter I just posted it on hadit a few minutes ago. It says what we are suppose to provide for the claim.

Jangrin

[Guest terrysturgis]

John, my ED in my opinion was caused by my medications and I think the VA knows that. I'm not sure when I claimed it for sure. I think I added it as secondary to DMII. When the C&P examiner asked me about it I told her I did not feel there was a problem but my wife's doctor gave her a trial subscription of Viagra for me to try. (Evidence!) Seriously, have your significant other write a letter telling the difference between the past and the now. Take care. Terry Sturgis

[Vike17]

John,

"If I wanted to claim SMC for ED as a result of service connected DMII how would I do it? I have it in my VA medical records now. Do I just write a letter and request along with the VA medical records?"

Is your reptile dysfunction already service-connected to your DMII as a secondary condition? If not, you have to get it service-connected as secondary first. Further, when the VA awards Service-connection for this condition, they automatically award SMC "K" because it is a loss of use of a creative organ. If memory serves me correctly, you are 100% schedular, would it be worth it to re-open your claim(s) for about $40.00 extra? Because if you do file a claim for this, you are potentially opening up the rest of your conditions for a look see by the VA. Like I said before, I'm not saying they will do this, but they certainly could! Just a thought.

Vike 17

[Magoo_Mr.]

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I went for ED due to taking the PTSD meds.

Got the big NOOOO ... then another NOOO ... then another NOOOOO ... then I hit the target ... so to speak ...

I tried to get letters and asked everyone and no one who write a letter ... one VAMC employee told me semi-secretly that letters are becoming a NO NO and are getting harder (no pun intended) to get.

So ... I just kept sending PDR articles and disclosure forms from the med packages to my SO and drove him nuts and one morning he called me and asked for a medical records release so he could talk to my female NP.

I told him that I could not make down there that day ... he called back a hour later and said a letter was on the way from my NP .. and that the ED would be approved ASAP.

I am like that guy in Shawshank redemption ... when he wanted books for his library ... I just keep writing letters to EVERYONE that I can think of ... afterall ... I do have PTSD and am a bit off ??? ...

... Magoo .. aka .. Bill ...

PS .. A month later .. I got my ED retro payments ... and ... IF ... I did take that box load of meds that the VAMC sends me every month ... I would not have a liver in a couple of weeks.

I do catch hell ....after each blood test though ... as they can tell ... almost exactly each med that you have in your system.

Our blood tests are done at the VAMC ... AND ... some are also sent to a private labs to double check the results. That I was just told last time at the blood lab.

Question here ... is it VA fraud if one does not take the daily PTSD meds and gets a ... "Woody" ... when he sees a nice pair of tanned legs in a mini skirt ???

... I take the 5th on that last question ...

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[Magoo_Mr.]

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rickb54:

I don't think that the VARO even cracked open my folder when they gave me mine ... but I could be wrong.

Unless one feels that they are on the edge with their disabilities ... I would file for everything that I could legally get.

I think that the DVA likes to insill a bit if fear in all of us.

I don't fear the VARO claims section any more ... I just get anxious going to the VAMC for appts.

That was my problem at first ... I was afraid to question the DVA ... now I have no problems doing so ... IF ... I can get some good rules, regs and research to back up my new claims.

As far as reopening old claims ... I would love for them to do that to me ... I want my back raised to 60% where it should have been years ago.

... Magoo .. aka .. Bill ...

PS .. I have known the VARO to low ball many disability claims ... but I have never seen them make a mistake by over rating a claim ... have any of you seen the VARO over rate a claim ????

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[Vike17]

Rickb54,

I'm sorry, you're correct SMC "K" is $87.00. I don't know what I was thinking when I said about $40.00. Sorry!

However, I'm going to have to disagree with you when you say;

"I do not for a moment believe that the VA reopens other issues just because a veteran ask for an increase on one issue. The VA already has to much to do to be making more work for it self"

I've seen on a couple occasions when a veteran filed a claim for one condition and recieved a reduction on another. One veteran had filed a claim for a knee condition and was reviewed also for his already service-connected Dystymia. The end result, he received 10% for the knee but was reduced from 70% to 50% on the dystymia!

"Why do you say this? and has this happened to you?"

Yes, In 1997 I was awarded an increase to 60% for IVDS and IU. Then in 2000 I filed a claim for bi-lateral ankles and right knee. VA sent me to a C&P exam and examined the new claims AND my IVDS. Needless to say, the IVDS didn't change and I was awarded 20% for each ankle and two 10%'s for the right knee for a combined 80%. So my IU didn't change, but they did look at the other service-connected disability without me asking.

"When someone ask me if they should reopen their claim, I always say do you have the medical evidence to back it up, and will the end result be worth the trouble. I have never said as you do because I just do not believe that to be the case"

That's what I implied in my earlier post. If a veteran has the evidence, sure they can apply, but the VA can look at the other disabilies. Like I said before, I'm not saying they will do it, but they can! And when I tell other veterans this, I do not mean in any way to "scare" them into thinking the VA is out to get them. It's just a possibility. If a veteran has a solid claim then they should'nt worry.

"And while I treasure the opinions of other veterans I think that this is one opinion (no matter who gives it) that should be ignored becaue my experience tells me it just isn't true"

That is your choice whether you want to ignore my opinion on this matter or not. I'm just stating what I've have seen. The VA can and sometimes will review the veterans other conditions when they file an unrelated disablity claim. My experience tells me this can be the case.

This post isn't meant to be disrespectful to you in any way, I'm just stating what I've also seen in the many years I've helped other veterans with their claims.

Vike 17

Edited July 28, 2006 by Vike17