hypertension My Bdd Journey

[Joe30045]

My intent on posting this is to provide my experience as I go through this process. I will attempt to post updates and if something I have done helps even one other vet, then it will have been worthwhile. Sorry for the length. Thanks for your service to all of those that have gone before, those currently serving, and those that will serve in the future, for no greater love....

Joe

My status is currently on active duty in transition with a retirement date of 1 February 2013. I filed a Benefits Delivery at Discharge claim on 14 August 2012 or 171 days prior to my retirement. My eBenefits status changed on 12 September 2012 and the followng is what was posted as my status:

Details of Your Claim

Claim Received: 02/01/2013

Claim Type: Compensation

Estimated Claim Completion Date: 10/03/2013 to 02/08/2014

Contentions:

sleep apnea with CPAP (sleep study of record) (New), hypertension (New), GERD (New), fractured

right wrist (New), coronary artery disease (surgery X 1) (New), basal cell carcinoma (New), kidney stones (New),

osteosarcoma (New), squamous cell carcinoma (New), right elbow condition (New), right shoulder condition (New),

right knee condition (New), left knee condition (New), hearing loss (combat) (New), migraines (New), insomnia (New),

bilateral tinnitus (New), testicular cancer (New), lower back condition and thoracic spine condition (New), sinusitis

(New), lung condition (New), head trauma (memory loss, concussion with loss of consciousness, combat) (New)

Change of Status: We determined that your claim required additional review. If any additional information is needed,a letter will be sent requesting that information.

Next Steps:We will review all available evidence and make a decision on your claim upon receipt of all requested information as outlined in the headings, "What Do We Still Need from You?" and "What Have We Done?".

Several factors will determine the duration of the "Development" phase, including:

type of claim filed

number of disabilities you claim

complexity of your disability(ies), and

availability of evidence needed to decide your claim.

Additional Details

Your Designated Power of Attorney

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

Regional Office of Jurisdiction:

Winston-Salem

Send Documentation To

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office

Regional Office

Federal Building

251 North Main Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27155

What Do We Still Need From Others?

This is a list of all items that have been requested from 3rd parties.

Items From Date Requested Due Date ", Follow-Up Dates

FB QTC 09/12/2012 11/11/2012

What Have We Received?

This is a list of all items that have been received from either the Veteran or a 3rd party. Please be advised that it may

take up to 21 days to receive, process, and annotate in our system any information that you mail to one of our

Regional Offices. Don't see an item listed? Check our "Unsolicited Items" page to see if it was received by VA.

Compensation & Pension Claim Details - eBenefits

Items Date Requested Date Received

VA form 21-526c Pre-Discharge

Compensation Claim 08/14/2012

VA form 21-22 Appointment of

Veterans Service Organization as 08/14/2012

Claimant's Representative - DAV

Memo from Transition Service

Officer with attacked documentation 08/14/2012

for claim

Signed VCAA notification 08/14/2012

Copy of service treatment records 08/14/2012

VA form 21-4138 Statement in

Support of Claim with list of claimed 08/14/2012

condition

VA form 21-674 Request for

Approval of School Attendance (3) 08/14/2012

VA form 21-686c Declaration of

Status of Dependents 08/14/2012

Social Security cards (8) 08/14/2012

Marriage certificate 08/14/2012

Birth certificates (6) 08/14/2012

Divorce Decrees (2) 08/14/2012

[Joe30045]

I would expect with your claimed conditions you have chronic pain! However, I wouldn't claim depression unless you have been diagnosed with it. Has your primary care physician screened you for depression? Do you or anyone close to you have concerns about your mood or how you are relating to your health issues?

71M10, as the wife so eloquently told me this morning, "Yes, dumb*ss, you have chronic but intermittent pain." No signs/symptoms of depression. About the only thing folks have noticed moodwise is that I apparently have a much shorter fuse after the third and final(so far) concussive incident (TBI). I think it is more my fault because I get frustrated when I can't remember common everyday words and it really bothers me when I see someone I served in hard times with, yet I can't remember their names.

And what the hell is up with the super-sensitivity? Anybody else tear up at the drop up of a hat? Seriously, I think I might need to have a testosterone check or something!

[DblTap1]

Anybody else tear up at the drop up of a hat? Seriously, I think I might need to have a testosterone check or something!

Yup... All the fn time. Can't go to games, can't stand tall like a man in front of our colors, can't watch my boys teams win or lose, can't watch even simple kids movies. With all due respect to your wife, I think she may have missed something. This evening alone I have spent most of it in tears, with no damn good justifyalble reason. This post alone has done its job.Thanks for your service. I see you are moving along and I'm glad to you are. If my sig line is still up... It is accurate. Additionally, I just fund out that the contractor group, MAP, lost thier contract with VA. Not sure where I stand now. Havent had a single c&P, havent been contacted at all by VA other than their monthly letter tht they have my claim. Started a congressional... Thats how I found out the group lost their contract. They (VA) didn't give the congressman ofc any further details other than they would follow up in 30 days. Bestof luck

[Joe30045]

DblTap1,Thank YOU for your service! If you need a shoulder while you take a knee or just to bend an ear, let me know, Brother.

C&P Update: PSC in VA parlance apparently means Psychology/Mental and that was my initial foray into the C&P arena. My 0930 appointment with a 1030 follow up and a FAM, or General Medical, was sandwiched in for 1000. What really happened was the brain doc got inside my head and spun it around pretty good. Two hours later, ostensibly while discussing TBI, Insomnia, and depression, but having discussed how happy I was as a toddler all the way through how my head injuries may be affecting me in other ways. I think I may have even confessed to some things beyond the scope of reality. Anyway, she made a lot of notes and had some recommendations. After that, they drew some blood, did an ECG, a PFT, and took vitals. At about 1140, I went into General where the Dr. did all of the checks requested by VA including measuring range of motion in my wrist, back, and shoulder three times each. Luckily, he only measured the depth of my butt once, but I am pretty sure he hit the bottom. He also confirmed that the orchiectomy did in fact leave a scar and no left testicle. Would have gotten x-rays today but hit a time limit and they told me to come back tomorrow. Hopefully I can get a copy of todays exams. Tomorrow I have Audiology and x-rays, also have my final out appointment tomorrow afternoon to finalize my DD214.

[Joe30045]

Received letters in the mail on Thursday, 4 Oct 12 for appointments on 5 Oct 12 and 17 Oct 12. Had an Upper GI X-Ray with Contrast on Friday, 5 Oct 12, 0830 appointment, was done by 0915. Examiner was polite and effecient. Have an Echo Cardiogram on 17 Oct 12 and still waiting on my rescheduled audiology appointment.

[Joe30045]

Update: Received a letter via USPS on Saturday, 13 October. Unfortunately, it was for my Upper GI appointment on 5 October.....luckily I also received a letter prior to that appointment and made it, which brings me to today. This morning, I got a phone call from an ENT/Audiology clinic in Raleigh with a friendly appointment "reminder". I told her I didn't know about any appointment with them and she told me it is on Wednesday, 17 October at 1545. Lucky for me that gives me time to get the kiddos from school and drive the hour and a half up there. Also lucky for me, this afternoon, FedEx shows up with the letter informing me of this particular appointment. Next update should come Wednesday night. Stay tuned for an exciting, nail biting, edge of your seat ride on the VA roller coaster!!

[Joe30045]

My C&P is complete...I think. Had an EchoCardiogram yesterday morning and an audiology/tinnitus/balance appointment yesterday afternoon. The ECG went well, took about 15 minutes. The audiology was done up in Raleigh, about an hour and a half away, I got there about 45 minutes early and was actually done about the time my original appointment was scheduled for. The Dr was retired Air Force, but I won't hold that against him . Why do they always ask me where my hearing aids are? Maybe I should try and get a set before I get out. Anyway, I called the QTC office this morning and asked if I got a copy of all of the proceedings, they responded that they sent them to the VA and I would be able to request a copy from them. I won't do any more updates until something changes in ebenfits or I get another letter.