Looking for advice

[Juiced]

I was informed on monday to file for VA disability and SSDI by my primary care doctor.    To tell you the truth, it is not something I had not contemplated before and now I am not sure on what I can or need to do.  At the moment, I have been under treatment for HLA B27, depression, bipolar, social anxieties, and am being examined for cause on frequent passing out for no apparent reasons and under various circumstances.  The mental problems have been controlled so far by medication but increases in dosage and changes in medication types have become more frequent as the I may show proper dosage in blood tests, the symptoms reappear after a period of time.  The unexplained passing out, I am currently under treatment by a neurologist, cardiologist, and a lung specialist as they haven't pinpointed the cause.  Right now, I have undertaken multiple CAT scans, heart scans, a heart harness (5 day,) and breathing tests.  So far, no firm diagnosis but they have their theories.  As I show no overt symptoms, and the passing out is random, it has been made extremely difficult to pin it down. 

The passing out at random is bad, but it is the HLA B-27 that has hit me the worse.  I am showing no signs of spinal fusion, but I have had frequent inflamations in the back, eyes, and groin/lower intestinal region.  I am currently taking medication for it but it is not always effective.  I've gone down from an attack every month-6 weeks to an attack every couple months (in the left eye and have lost almost 30% vision in the last year) but have had 2 inflammations in the back that required direct steroid shots and pain medication as the pain was from the lower back to the soles of the feet.  That one has kept me out of work for the last 2 months as work will not allow me back in until I get clearance to return to full duties due to the risks and needs of the job.  So currently, not able to return to work and finding another line of work has resulted in no positions due to having to fill out explanations for missed days at my previous/current employer. 

Right now, I am not sure what to do or if I even meet the standards and I will take as much advice as I can get. 

[Juiced]

4 hours ago, broncovet said:

Based on your doctor's opinon, I suggest you apply.  He obviously knows much more about your conditions than I do, and may even know more about them than you do.  Most Veterans start out using a Veteran's Service Officer, like DAV, VFW, etc, to help you fill out the paper work and know where to send it.  While Im not a fan of VSO's, in your case, it may be the best for you RIGHT NOW.  

Take all of your medical records with you to your VSO appointment.  The VSO's office is usually in your VAMC hosptial.  Then ask him to give you the original of all your records back and to make a copy to send to VA.  However, If you have been treated exclusively by your VA, then you can sign a consent form and your medical records will be sent electronically to your VARO.  ASK your VSO to give you copies of EVERY document you sign and keep them in a safe place in your home, since VA has a very bad habit of losing or shredding your documents.  

The VSO will represent you at no charge.  

AS an alternative, you can apply yourself, without a representative, but you will need to do some study here to know what to do.  You will have to know what forms to use, and where to send them. 

While many of us know this and can help you, I think as long as you keep copies of everything for yourself, and do not depend on your VSO's advice on every turn, its okay to use them.  

If you think your VSO's advice "smells bad" then by all means ask here at hadit and someone will give you great advice.  

For example, I was given a "0" percent rating for hearing loss, and my VSO recommended I not appeal.  This was very bad advice and Im gonna calculate how much this cost me not to appeal the zero percent rating..but its a lot.  

At the moment, I really don't trust myself as my brain has a habit of getting fogged up and it gets very difficult to keep track of things so that rules out me filling myself..  Never thought I would get to that point at any time in my life.  I am going to go and request 2nd copies of medical records just in case there is anything that I may not have a copy of or may of misplaced and it didn't get added to my personal folders. 

As to VSO's, I've been listening to bad news about them for my area over the times I was at the VA hospital or at the local clinic..  The only thing is I don't know how true the tales are or how exaggerated they are.  Unfortunately, I stopped at the DAV office in New Orleans, it was packed and my time in the city is limited as I have to get back to Baton Rouge to take my medications.  When I take them, I am on the downward side of useless for an hour+ when they start entering into the blood stream.  I didn't know about them being at VFW's, and will start searching online for any in my area.

The items that I listed in the first post were basically the tip of the iceberg of problems I have, but they are the ones affecting me the most.  Hearing loss (all high and lows at minimum but my midrange is decent so hearing aids won't help) + ringing in the ears,  possible sleep apnea (I have an appointment for an overnight study next month,) ongoing skin lesions due to reaction to a couple of drugs I need to take in areas where the body bends, etc....  I'm barely in the upper-middle age range and falling apart already.  If I knew it was going to be this way, I would of had a lot more fun when I was older to bank upon.

So far, getting information that I can start to understand the process I'm going to be going through.  As pointed out, it is not something I planned on or wanted as I figured I'd be going strong until my 60's,  I was going off the information my primary care and specialty clinic doctors had been giving me, but I finally did some research on the HLA B-27 last night on my own to build upon the information my new primary care doctor gave me on monday.  I had thought it was going to something of an annoyance but it looks like it will be a lot more serious then I thought.  Spent a sleepless night last night digging into it.

 

Edited July 6, 2017 by Juiced

[Juiced]

4 hours ago, broncovet said:

You are in a good, no great position, with your doctor suggesting you apply.  This means HE thinks your conditions are "at least as likely as not" related to an event in military service, which is about 2 out of the three main things you need for service connection:  A current diagnosis, an "in service event" and a nexus or medical link between service and your current diagnosis which only a doctor can supply.  

Its almost like your doctor "handed" you a nexus, and many VEts have to fight to get that valuable nexus statemt, and sometimes have to pay thousands of dollars for an IMO/IME as many VA doctors wont give a nexus statement.  Yours did, so you are way, way, way, ahead of the game, assuming the doctor docuemented your nexus statement, and I dont know that until/unless I read your exams.  

Only problem with that is he is the first doctor to tell me that.  It was only my second visit with him and the first was more like a meet and greet as I met him for roughly 2 minutes the first time while the PA took my stats before sending me off to get my levels checked with bloodwork.  He seems so new that I wouldn't be surprised if the printers ink on his parchment still smells fresh.  I may be misjudging him, but with all the doctors visits before where nothing like this was not mentioned to me, I figured I'd ask here first.  One day, I'll go through and count up all the doctors that hadn't said anything other then give me instructions for treatment but I wouldn't be surprised if it was over 30 with the doctors being switched out or rotated into other positions.  He didn't mention anything about a link though.  He was reading through my file and asked me out of the blue if I had applied for both VA and SSI disability and was surprised when I said I hadn't.  He then said to apply as soon as possible.

[broncovet]

This is even more reasons you should apply.  You can count up how much it will cost you by delaying applying.  If you are unable to work, due to sc conditions, then you should ultimately get 100 percent.  

If you are awarded 100 percent (and I dont know if you would or not), that means (if you are single, with no kids) you would get about $2915 in tax free compensation per month.  So, each month you delay filing would cost you over $2900.  That means each day you delay costs you about 97 dollars.  (Almost all of a $100 bill).  

How many hundred dollar bills can you afford to throw away?  

If you apply in July, and are awarded benefits, then you wont get paid until the first of the month following the month you apply.  However, it sometimes takes "a long time" to get approved.  

 

YOu are in SERIOUS need of representation, given what you posted.  For now, I would go to your Veteran's Service Officer (DAV, VFW or your choice) and tell the officer you have been diagnosed with mental issues, and you wish to apply.  Then ask him for copies of everything you sign, and keep all those papers.  There is probably a VSO in your local VAMC, there is one in mine.  

[Juiced]

11 hours ago, broncovet said:

This is even more reasons you should apply.  You can count up how much it will cost you by delaying applying.  If you are unable to work, due to sc conditions, then you should ultimately get 100 percent.  

If you are awarded 100 percent (and I dont know if you would or not), that means (if you are single, with no kids) you would get about $2915 in tax free compensation per month.  So, each month you delay filing would cost you over $2900.  That means each day you delay costs you about 97 dollars.  (Almost all of a $100 bill).  

How many hundred dollar bills can you afford to throw away?  

If you apply in July, and are awarded benefits, then you wont get paid until the first of the month following the month you apply.  However, it sometimes takes "a long time" to get approved.  

 

YOu are in SERIOUS need of representation, given what you posted.  For now, I would go to your Veteran's Service Officer (DAV, VFW or your choice) and tell the officer you have been diagnosed with mental issues, and you wish to apply.  Then ask him for copies of everything you sign, and keep all those papers.  There is probably a VSO in your local VAMC, there is one in mine.  

Applied today and have an appointment next week to see a SSI councilor.  Basically, all the person did was ask for my information, typed it up, then had me sign and gave me copies.  When I asked questions, I was told to make an appointment with a rep that could answer all my questions.  Seems they have multiple people that will prepare documents but only a couple that can answer questions.  This was at a state veterans office that the VFW VSO recommended as he was booked for the next two weeks or so.

[broncovet]

Good job.  Hadit members have no incentive for you to fail, unlike VA.    In fact, Vets post their sucesses, and we almost always congratulate them.    Let us know what your VSO says, and how your claim is coming along.  While I do think hiring a VSO is the right thing for you right now, remember this VSO is paid, at least in part, by the VA (your opponent).  Sure the VA tells you its a claimant friendly system and its non adversarial.  You will find out that is VA's first lie, soon enough.  You need to keep posting on hadit to keep your VSO in line.

 They sometimes tell you stuff like, "Oh, dont go appealing your zero percent rating..the VA could reduce you instead."  If your VSO tells you something that even smells bad, post it and let us know.  

[broncovet]

Now, tell us what conditions the VSO officer applied for?  Mental health?  PTSD?  Depression? You dont have to self diagnose your own mental issues.  

Dont forget about applying for the other stuff, too. A big one is pension.  Are you working and earning money?  If not you may at least be eligible for pension, and should make sure your VSO applies for you.  (Mine did not, so that cost me about 20,000 dollars as I did not figure out pension for 2 years.)  

If you have anything else that may have been caused by service, apply for it, now, also.  I think you mentioned hearing loss.  Did you apply for that?  What did you do in service?  Did you fire a lot of guns or work on/near aircraft?  Those are both extremelly noisey and tend to cause hearing loss years later.  

Did you suffer any trauma or injuries during service?  Do you have current health condtions because of those?   I suffered a broken leg in service.  Now, I have arthritis in both knees.  

You mentioned sleep apnea.  Did you get a sleep study done?  You should.  You contact your VA doc and tell him your symptoms, such as loud snoring, falling asleep during the day, tired much of the day, etc., and you want a sleep study.  

You could be compensated for sleep apnea, if its related to service.  For example, maybe you were punched in the face and your nose got broken.  Or, it can be related to medication or secondary to one of your other sc conditions.  

Secondary conditions are a very big deal.  

Do you have diabetes?  Have you been tested for Hepatitis C?  You should be tested for those things.  

You may not know if you have diabetes, sleep apnea, hepatitis C.  However, there are medical tests that can confirm it.  Then you can get treated for it, and, if related to service you can get compensated for them.  

Many VEts were exposed to Agent Orange, jet fuel, or a bunch of other chemicals that cause bad stuf, that you may not even know you have.  However, if you have diabetes, hep c, or sleep apnea, you will likely suffer from the effects of these later, even if you have no symptoms now.  You should be tested.