What Counts As A Disability To The Va

[Buster]

I needed some information. I have submitted a claim for disability but I wanted to know if my VA rep left some things off that should have been counted. They are 1) hernia diagnoised while in Iraq 2) bulding disc in my neck as a result of shrapnel injury while in Iraq (well documented) 3) diagnosed with a staff infection after coming home to recover from my injury from my emergency surgery in Baghdad. None of these things were listed on my original claim. I am still waiting to hear a reply on percentage for my initial claim but wanted to know if these things should be submitted after the first decision is made.

[Buster]

US Army Reserve from Kentucky

May 2005 was injured with a VBIED while on a convoy mission. suffered a shattered jaw (mouth wired shut), injured shoulder, 3rd degree burn on back and small laceration on the back of head.

Arrived home June 2005 - wound on face began to leak and was sent to an Infectious Control Specialist by a civilian doctor– had a staff infection from the emergency surgery in Baghdad. On intravenous antibiotics for 8 weeks then had mouth unwired.

Army doctor would not do an MRI of shoulder. Recovered enough to go back and finish out tour with unit in September 2005. Returned to states in January 2006. Released from active duty in Feb 2006. Filed for VA disability in Feb 2006. Last month they finally did an MRI of shoulder and found 5 things wrong with it including tendonitis and torn rotator cuff. They also did a CT-scan of head/neck and found a bulging disc in neck, probably from the shrapnel impact.

In March someone said was eligible for unemployment so I filed. Received one check and was told they needed a letter from the doctor stating limitations. The VA doctor wrote a letter that said “because of the severity of his injury and the on-going treatment, he is unemployable.” So unemployment checks stopped immediately and receiving no compensation from anyone at this time.

VA rep has filed for shoulder with decreased mobility, 3rd degree burn, muscle spasm in face, PTSD and also that diabetes was aggravated b/c of injury. Numbers have not been stable since returning home and they now want to use insulin to control. Also have had stomach problems since returning home.

This is just a quick overview of what’s going on.

[john999]

Buster

If you are out of the service conditions that arise within one year of discharge are ususally considered to be part of your military service. File for every medical condition you have noted in your service medical records or on your discharge physical. Just remember the one year from discharge factor. Did you receive combat ribbons or badges or purple hearts? This is important for many disabilities including PTSD. The work of combat vets can be used when there are no records.

[Buster]

Received combat action badge, purple heart (twice, once in Iraq and once at home), army commendation medal, army achievement medal, and some others medals plus some certificates.

[john999]

Buster

You combat ribbons and the PH's will be major factors in your PTSD claims. Also regarding some of the wounds you received your personal statements about injuries received in combat have a great deal of weight, whereas non-combat vets don't get the benefit of the doubt if records are missing or incomplete. Hang around here and you will get the information you need to get the correct ratings. It takes time but it is well worth it. Years from now the claims you have accepted may be very important if your health takes a turn for the worst or your conditions get worse or lead to secondary conditions. This is very often the case, but because the vet did not get their conditions service connected early on they can't prove it later.

[Magoo_Mr.]

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Buster:

I would make a trip to my VARO and have a ... "FACE TO FACE MEETING" ... tomorrow or the very first day possible.

Take ALL the paperwork that you have and make sure that you ... TALK TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE ... there too.

And also .. please DO NOT FORGET to explain your financial situation to them also.

Make sure that you get all of their names, addresses & phone numbers and then ... do a follow up in a few days DIRECTLY with the VARO.

This may be difficult for you ... but it will save you ... TONS of aggravation and a lot of time.

It is VERY DIFFICULT for them to tell you .. NO .. or STALL you ... once, they have had a face to face meeting with you.

... I PROMISE YOU THAT THIS WILL HELP YOU ...MORE THAN YOU CAN EVEN IMAGINE ...

Maybe this is not fair ... but in my opinion ... IF ... you get to the right person at the VARO ... perhaps a prior military person ... they will push a veteran injured in combat to the front of the line ... especially with your unusual circumstances.

... THIS IS THE PERFECT TYPE OF CASE aka CLAIM ... TO DO A FACE TO FACE .... AT THE VARO ...

IF NECESSARY ... I WOULD HITCHHIKE & SLEEP ON THE VARO DOORSTEP IN ORDER TO GET THERE ... ASAP.

... Magoo .. aka .. Bill ... B)

PS .. Make sure you take ALL the paperwork that you have and do NOT give them the originals (put a red check mark on back or front of each of your originals, so you get them back).

And .. make ... DAMN SURE ...that you are talking to someone with authority too.

Even if you ruffle some feathers ... but ALWAYS TRY to be super polite ... at the VARO too.

... YOU CAN DO THIS AND IT WILL SPEED UP THE (normally very slow) PROCESS ... TRUST ME ON THIS ONE ...

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[Magoo_Mr.]

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Buster:

PS ... Make sure to get ALL the paperwork that you submit to the VARO ... Copied for you ..& .. VARO DATE STAMPED.

VERY IMPORTANT

... Magoo .. aka .. Bill ... B)

PS .. Email me and if you want to talk on the phone ... I can give you some pointers about the VAROs in general.

I have been down your road .. except it was in RVN and not Iraq.