Dro Interview Over ..

[jcolwell]

I promised an update to the group on my interview at DRO Phoenix.
My appeal is Ischemic Heart Disease with ICD, perimeter augmentee 1970 and jet
engine mechanic with travel to test cell site weekly.
I used the Dave D map( thanks Dave) to show where I went on base. I never
mentioned my barracks. Also in appeal is Chronic renal disease secondard to IHD
and GERD service connection. DBQ in file for both of these.
VSO advised to go with informal interview versus formal interview. Informal
interview was more like a conversation , questions from all parties back and
forth. He did ask about travel and stopping in Vietnam ( I did Travis to Udorn
)He used the term AO throughout the meeting. Despite the casual atmosphere of
the meeting I knew he was evaluating my demeanor etc.
He was most impressed with my statement from my Colonel who also signed my
evaluation and went back to this several times as very strong evidence.
Initially he wanted my SSDI file but then changed his mind and said he would not
need it after all. I have all private records and never had a C and P.
My wife an RN was present and allowed to speak to my history of indigestion
since DC and ongoing GERD and Barrett's. I had 2 statements from family RN's. He
also referred to John G buddy letter as evidence. Thanks John G on this site.
He noted that everything was in order and the DBQ completed was excellent. He
fell short of saying I might get a approval but told the VSO , " you know this
will be 100% with the ICD". He repeated several times " you have strong evidence
from your prior Colonel". He also said if IHD approved then DM2 would be
approved as well ( another claim ). After meeting VSO spoke with us in hallway
she said she thought he would probably approved the claim.
I cant count the chickens yet, and the fat lady has not started singing. I would
retro back to 10/2010.
Then VSO took me back to office and filed 5 more claims on secondard stuff like
ED etc.
Thanks Jim and Patsy

[justrluk]

jcolwell:

Congratulations on maintaining a presence and a strong case. I truly hope this comes out in your favor. I had a VTC BVA hearing and it was a bit more formal, but resulted in several side-bar conversations on issues that were not part of the hearing. I kept trying to tell the VLJ that I didn't think we were there to discuss (xxxxx), but he still asked questions about other issues. I gave them everything I had and share your feelings for the elders here at HADIT. Please accept my best wishes for your positive results.

[carlie]

It MIGHT be Mandatory that the DRO request your SSA records.

I can't remember if it is Mandatory or not.

[71M10]

Your VSO switched this to informal? That would indicate there will be no transcript - nothing said in that meeting is part of the record, the only thing that will be part of the record is the DRO's notes and any evidence that they actually put in the C-File. Did they give you a receipt for any documents you handed over?

I really hope this DRO was on the level with you. If this goes horribly wrong (yes their is a potential for that) you need to fire the VSO, and send a written complaint about his/her blatent stupidity!

Got my fingers crossed for you!

[Berta]

It certainly sounds to me that you fall into the VA Thailand AO directives:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/thailand.asp

"Also in appeal is Chronic renal disease secondard to IHD
and GERD service connection. DBQ in file for both of these."

"He also said if IHD approved then DM2 would be
approved as well ( another claim )" That's right.

The Renal disease is more likely due to the DMII than the IHD.Unless the DBQ doc says otherwise.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Diabetes/WhyDiabetesMatters/Kidney-Disease-Diabetes_UCM_313867_Article.jsp

http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/diabetes.cfm

And the GERD can be associated strong with the DMII as well, hope the doctor made that connection for you.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155063/

If you or any vet has been prescribed NSAIDs,by the VA and they too can cause GERD and the VA usually will SC GERD to VA Prescribed NSAIDs fairly easily because this is a well known fact in the general medical community.

Udorn, 1970, perimeter augmentee...it cant get any better, in my opinion, then that for AO disabilities ,due to your service in Thailand.

Hopefully this is a winner.

[jcolwell]

Thank you all for replying. We had a choice between formal and Informal and VSO who is experienced felt based on her knowledge of the DRO and her relationship with him and case file that best approach would be informal as case could be decided much quicker one way or the other by going informal. She advise formal notes would take months to be typed up and transcribed and returned. The evidence we have wont change and we do have receipts of everything given to them inpast and at meeting.

There is always risk so time will tell. SSDI records wont matter as it is Thailand exposure with IHD and ICD not questionable at this point. It is evidence of perimeter exposure that must be met. We are prepared for a no and to go to BVA where similar cases were approved.

We told the truth, and used the Colonel statement , my husband interview with DRO and the VSPA augmentee posting and one buddy letter.

VSO said wait could be one year...........we only waited for the DRO meeting for 5 months which was reasonable. Meeting was not adversarial . Yes , if we got led the wrong way we will be finding new repre. Thanks

[deanbrt]

I think Carlie is right. They should have requested your SSDI records. But if he had already made up his mind to approve I can see why he would not want them.It is a clear error, I think, if you do not like the decision.

I don;t like your VSO adding new claims right now. They may decide they need to bundle them all together and it could add months or more. I think he should have waited until you got a decision, especially since it looks like it might be 100%.