VA Claim DRO & Chronic Illness

[Ace M]

I was discharged in 09 and was awarded 20% on 6/10. I have 10% for lumbar back strain and cervical back strain. I actually had medical coverage with the VA before being awarded any compensation. I had filed an increase with my local VA rep in Fairfax VA as well as some new conditions on 5/11. I unfortunately missed my QTC appointment and immediately sent a letter to them asking for a reschedule. Unfortunately that never came and on 5/13 i received the VA packet stating they would increase the lumbar to 20% with no other changes. The other claims were denied. I filed a an appeal right away and sent that out. On 6/13 i filed a dependency claim for my spouse which was approved on 9/14.

I received the finalized decision on 3/15 stating no changes will be made. I filed a NOD and submitted that over and on 7/15 received the letter asking if i wanted a DRO which i said yes too. I received a phone call from the VA going over some information with me on about 2/16. I received a new letter stating that they are working on my case.

I am currently living in WA and will be appointing a new VSO. I am receiving SSI and EBT from the state. The primary issues i have is that i have chronic fatigue and pain. My muscles are essentially useless as i get tired from using a screwdriver. I have to spend a lot of time in bed in order to recover from moving around. I feel i am unable to work and have not since being discharged in 09. I am getting older and my problems are worsening and of course i am a bit worried about my financial stability. I currently receive about $900 with SSI and VA benefits. I have gone to several appointments and specialists and they have not found a clear cut cause of my issues, which has me worried in regards to my claim as they cant find anything wrong or cant explain my symptoms.

Since there is no obvious broken limb or diagnosis is there anything i can do to help with my claim. Unfortunately in the past i kind of just accepted my problems and did not make any appts as i felt there was no point and that i should just take my drugs and deal. I learned that regular appointments are needed. So i am currently doing that, but from 2012 to about 2014 i really did not have many appointments.

I do have Voc rehab but have not used it for the reason that i felt i could not go in on a regular basis to college. At random times i become bed ridden, however i recently learned there are more services so i plan on utilizing it.

[broncovet]

Well, I did not read any specific "what to do questions", so it sounds like you are asking for general advice.  

First, you need to take a proactive role in your health care.  You need to find out what is causing your "unexplained symptoms". If you have issues with substance, alcohol, or prescription drugs abuse, then you should address those issues first.  You wont be able to solve the rest of your problems while you have a Substance Abuse problem until you address that problem first.     This is your life, and if you dont get an adequate answer from Dr. A, then you need to seek answers from Dr. B, Dr. C...and all the way to Dr.Z.  You need a doctor's diagnosis of what is wrong with you.  What did Social security doctors say is wrong with you? Re read that decision to see what those docs say.    They have apparently awarded you benefits, and I presume they gave reasons.   

If you are a combat Veteran, or had a stress event in the military, such as a MST, or TBI (hit on the head causing brain injury), or some other stressor,  then your issues could be PTSD or MDD.  For treatment of these conditions, you will need to see a mental health provider at your local VAMC.  If you are dissatisified with this mental health provider, then you can seek another one.  Its not uncommon for Veterans who have an in service physical injury, to have also suffered a mental health problem also.  

You never want to exaggerate any symptoms or apply for "bogus" benefits.  Just because the VA is corrupt and untrustworthy, does not give you an excuse to become corrupt also.   VA employees are not held accountable for their actions, but are instead protected by the VAOIG.  You get no protections from VAOIG, and will be held accountable by the courts.  There is no "free ride" for Veterans.  Only VA employees get a free ride.  

After you find out what is wrong with you, then you can begin treatment.  You can also apply for additional VA benefits.  All VA compensation benefits require a 1)current diagnosis 2) in service envent or aggravation.  and 3) nexus, or medical statement linking 1 and 2.  

 

I 

Edited April 13, 2016 by broncovet

[flores97]

Ace M, were you ever deployed in the gulf war, I'm asking because there is such a thing as "Gulf War syndrome." I reommend you see a rhuematologist, also as Bronco suggested an MH doc, as having chronic pain and fatigue goes hand in hand with depression(causes depression). It is possible to claim "undiagnosed chronic illness" to account for fatigue, joint pain, etc, but its always better to have a diagnosis. 

[flores97]

Also, if you are a gulf war veteran(and was deployed overseas), chronic fatigue syndrome is a presumptive condition, meaning that cfs should be granted if you have a diagnosis, and you were deployed in the gulf war. Im not stating of course that you have cfs, but if you are severely exhausted constantly i would definitely check into it and see a rhuematologist asap.

[Ace M]

I am now doing my best to take a proactive approach. Learning about health is common where i am currently living as there are a lot of naturalists and hippies. So since moving i am educating myself. I have never taken any drugs or alcohol and only take my prescribed narcotics when the pain is too extreme. I am 30 and have not been in the gulf war.

I am currently meeting with a therapist at the VA for depression, my claim with SSI is for depression and not any physical ailments. The therapist said i do not have PTSD.

I am very particular about following the law and avoiding going to jail and claiming bogus ailments is something i would definitely not want to do. I only want to be covered for issues that i have, but lately i have been getting worse and having a traditional job seems impossible at this point and is why i am concerned about being able to survive on the $900 i currently get.

I have been to several docs to find out why i have these issues and none of them can tell me why, they have essentially said i have fibromyalgia as they cant find a clear cut cause.

As far as my claim with the VA goes i wanted to make sure i am NOW doing everything i am supposed to.

Why did they never schedule another QTC appointment for me?

With the DRO how do i know if its an in person interview?