VA Claims Research - HadIt.com

Should I File?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:51:51 +0000

I served 25 months active duty . I was discharged under general under honorable conditions. (pattern of disciplinary issues) I believe. I was states side. My fiance became pregnant and I was the happiest person in the world. She decided to have an abortion without telling me. It was a 2 day procedure. When she came back it was clear she was very sick. I found out and "being a man" went with her for support on the 2nd day (even though I was 100% against it). It was honorific, I still picture it every night when I go to sleep. I was sent to the mental ward in Denver Colorado for two weeks against my wishes. And was discharged a few weeks after that.

I had no idea I could file with the VA. They told me I was on my own. I had 25 jobs in the years after I was discharged. I saw shrinks during the periods I would have health insurance, other wise I self medicated. I married and my wife’s insurance covered me. I have been in treatment constant for the last 9 years. 1 inpatient episode. My diagnosis is PTSD. And Social security declared me permanently disabled for life 8 years ago. I was told I can make a claim on this since I was active duty at the time and I served over 2 years. I was also told It did not matter if it was combat related or not.

What steps do I need to take to file a claim, and do you think I have a chance?
Thank you
Eric

Ptsd Help

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:49:58 +0000

Life Out Of Houston Varo?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:25:00 +0000

Well, I called my vso at the Houston Dav and to my surprise I not only got someone on the phone but she also transferred me to my vso! I was told my claim was given to a second rater on Jan. 25. I asked if he thought they would complete by Mar. 1 and he said "yes". Any suggestions as to why given to 2nd rater? I'm just elated that there is life @ Houston RO.

Vaoig Says "rsvr's Are Confused"

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:53:03 +0000

The VAOIG did a report on the St. Pete RO, and told us what most Vets already know. (Finding 5, Page 11)

"VARO staff did not properly address whether 22 (59 percent) of 37 Gulf War
veterans were entitled to receive treatment for mental disorders. These errors
occurred because VSC staff lacked understanding of VBA policy and
overlooked reminder notifications to consider entitlement to mental health
treatment. As a result, veterans may be unaware of their possible entitlement
to treatment for mental disorders and may not get the care they need.
Interviews with VSC management and staff confirmed RVSRs did not
always follow VBA policy to consider entitlement to mental health treatment
when they denied the Gulf War veterans service connection for mental
disorders. RVSRs stated the criteria regarding entitlement to mental health
treatment for Gulf War veterans was confusing and that it was easy to ignore
the reminder notification. VSC management stated they last had training on
this topic in December 2010."

http://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-11-04243-86.pdf

C&p Exam

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:57:47 +0000

Will be having a C&P exam at bay pines on saturday 2/11 for my right leg injured in 1967 from explosion, thrown in air landed on sided walk with slight limp and have had on going pain since that time. siatic nerve, neck and ear problem. can anyone tell me what to expect at C&P or is there a check list for leg injury. TIA I have med record for treament at the time but being young was happy I was alive and never did anything about the pain except take pain killers, tyneol,cortison shots, massage etc, but now as Iam older it really does me in. Any advice would be helpful.

Mets (Not The Baseball Team)

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:33:34 +0000

I keep reading posts that mention the word "METS". I see Veterans that have a score of 3, some 4 and some 5. Is it worse if one has the higher number, or worse if one has a lower score? Just trying to educate myself.

Papa

Tbi

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:51:29 +0000

So I was going last friday to withdrawl my claim and on the way to the Atlanta RO me and my wife stopped to have breakfast and I got a call from my state rep he said the VA says my claim in not ready to rate because I need a hearing test and TBI I am happy someone looked at it but I have been asking about this since like sept and they kept telling me they had everything well my question I had removed TBI from my claim because of some confusion in the begiing but the VA wonts to know if I wanna add it back and do the ezam to be honest I dont know much about TBI but I havent been deployed since 2005 and dont know if I should do it or not plus I am rated for PTSD so does the VA rate PTSD same issue or seperate because if its the same then I may just elect not to take the exzam as my claim is already over a year old and I just know this is just gonna take another 6 to 8 months at leat also I got a letter in the mail asking if I had anymore evidence to submitt and if not to sign the form and send it back and they will go ahead and move foward my state rep said they would probaly try to expeite everything because its over 12 months old but I dont have any faith in that sorry for the long post.

Hadit/svr Discussion @ 5:30Pm Cst

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:13:32 +0000

Please join Jerrel Cook, Carlie, and Yours Truely, J Basser as we discduss in great detail about reopening claims and new and material evidence, what constitutes it and what the regs state about it.

You dont want to miss this one.

The show starts at 5:30 CDT (Thats 6:30 for EDT)
To listen click this link http://www.hadit.com/svr.html

1-479-595-8387

Basser

Still Waiting

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:17:13 +0000

OK guys and girls
going on twenty months and still waiting
At least my PTSD claim is with a single rater for the 4th time since sept 2010
I would recommend that if you file more than one claim .personally i would not submit 2 or more claims as add ons
i submitted my heart claim in 1984,and then in july 2010 i filed the second claim for PTSD and my local vso added it on to my heart claim.
I personally think the second claim should have been filed separate
Well! my heart claim has been rated since july 2011 but the VA will not tell me what i was rated at until they finish the PTSD claim
The last time i gave the VA more info on my TSD claim i took the advise of CARLIE ,or BERTA i cannot rember which one it was
I made 12 volumes directing the raters through the whole process with regs and VA laws and where certain files could be located and i think it really helped, because this is the first time it has been at the raters this long Since SEPT 12, 2011
I did this because i am convinced the rater never read my medical files or especially my QTC PTSD exam
I personally think that this may be more the normal than we might think
Thanks guys and GOD bless each one of you

I will update yall as soon as i get the [big envelope]

Arrhythmia

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:58:48 +0000

I have been fighting to have my high blood pressure SC'd...just got diagnosis with Arrhythmia. Any advice if this will support my high blood pressure or is this something I can claim?
jhilly

What Form Do I Need To Fill Out?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:59:20 +0000

Sorry but I didn't know where to ask this question. I'm going to try out living in the Philippines and need to know what I should send the VA. I have a P.O. box in the states that I'm going to use as my mailing adress(sister checks it). But my physical adress will be in the Philippines. So hopefully if I have an appointment it can be taken care of in Manila.

Cliffs: I'll have a mailing address and a physical address. How do I tell the VA this?

Finally, A Change Appears On Ebenefits

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:36:50 +0000

My DH filed a claim for PTSD back in October, via a VA satellite office. The VA counselor helped him fill out the form, and she time-date stamped it for him, then faxed it to the VARO. They sent back a notice of receipt, but then promptly lost the paperwork. We hadn't heard anything from them, no VCAA or anything else, so DH went back into the VA office (it's an on-site office on a nearby military installation). She found out that the paperwork was lost at the VARO and had him send in another couple forms (this was December). On Ebenefits, his original claim form appeared with the October date.

However, still, we haven't received a single letter or anything at all from the VA. Meanwhile, we both went to the Order of the Purple Heart VSO on the same installation and signed on with them. Our VSO is a woman and seems to be MUCH more interested, concerned, and on the ball than the guy we had been working with.

This morning, Ebenefits has new information - Your Attention Needed! What We Need From You:

They say they need proof that he has PTSD stemming from his military service. They say that the only things they have requested are his medical records from the VAMC. Nothing about his SMRs, or his VA Mental Health records, or from the VAMC out of state he went to because he was flipping out while his father died.

So what should we do? Make copies of his SMRs that show all the trauma? Send in new forms to request the other information?

I know Ebenefits isn't necessarily a reliable source, but it looks like they are only going to look at his recent medical records.

Oh, also, it looks like they're stating the claim was opened on 2/06/2012, even though they show that the first form was received last October.

Life can really be a bear when both halves of the team are PTSD sufferers. I freak at everything. He freaks at everything. I don't wanna play anymore :(

Mst Claims Forum Opened

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:13:13 +0000

I have set up a forum for veterans filing MST claims. It is under specialized claims right under PTSD. Please read the pinned post before posting in the forum.

The State Of Va Disability Ratings In The 21St Century

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:42:12 +0000

I just finished watching the House of Veteran Affairs committee recent meeting on up coming changes to the Disability Rating system. I have to admit that my experiences with the system have been very disappointing. This committee has given me some hope for the future.I think they will be on the right track soon. My time will be too short to be able to experience it, but it really looks promising. It is about 90 minutes long, but if your lacking some faith in the system, this will make you feel alot better. I have a few suggestions for them I will submit, but I feel they are on the right track and my faith in politicians has been renewed a bit. I see some generation problems that need to be addressed, but we have some strong, smart people from DAV, Wounded Warrior, and NOVA that truly have our best interest at heart.We just have some old generals at the VA,and DOD that are still stuck in the 1940's.Those DBQ questionaires are the future and will expediate things alot. My only problem with them is that some of us don't have the funds to see civilian Drs to examine us and fill out the forms. They are trying to pass legislation that will allow our VA drs to be able to fill out these forms, but I see some old timers trying to block that from happening. So if you need a little renewal of the faith, I reccomend you watch the hearing.Mike

Cavc Allows Some Late Filed Claims

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:25:10 +0000

The CAVC website says:

http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/

Direct Deposit Returned

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:27:48 +0000

Hey everyone I checked today on my direct deposit that was rejected from my closed account.. saw my money was returned, the va told me they dont know how long till it comes back because the check tracing... anyone know how long an estimate? he told me they dont take longer than 2 weeks and if i dont have it by monday to call again. just curious in need of my $ for finances

it was issued Jan 30th 2012, I did the check trace Feb 2nd 2012.

Oxidative Stress And Mitochondrial Injury In Chronic Multisymptom Conditions

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:48:47 +0000

Some new research. Yes Virginia we are sick and pissed off!

http://precedings.nature.com/documents/6847/version/1/files/npre20126847-1.pdf

Special Ss Benefit For Veterans Question

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:39:36 +0000

I have recently discovered a special SS benefit for certain WW ll veterans. I am not certain about the qualifications due to the way it is worded however it appears that it is only for Veterans whom live outside the the U.S. Could someone here please shed some light on this for me as I am investigating it for my 85 year old father, a WW ll veteran.
My question is:
Is this benefit only for veterans living outside the U.S. ? Or does this part of the wording pertain to the Filipino veterans?

Here is the link for the benefit I found on SS website.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10157.html

Thank You!

Claim Is In Decision Review, I Have A Few Questions

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:49:01 +0000

I am rated 50% for PTSD and also have a claim in for tinnitis which I filed for back in October of 2010. I have been waiting for this claim for tinnitis to be acted upon for awhile, I had a C&P done in January of 2011. I read the report and the medical opinion was favorable that my hearing loss and tinnitis was service connected but still haven't heard about my claim. I received ssd for my ptsd in May so I went and filed for IU back in June of 2011.

I'll try and make this as short as I can. The following is what what stated on my C&P report that I had in Dec 2011.They had me see the Audiologist, Physh and Medical

The review of this patient's clinical record and the personal medical history indicate that this patient is unable to continue performing activities consistent with his work experience and prior training in order to maintain a gainful employment. The patient is unemployable at least as likely as not secondary to mental changes secondary to exposure to traumatic events during the vietnam war.

I had an intern that did my C&P for PTSD which she confirmed my ptsd diagnosis

Axis I PTSD & MDD, Recurrent, Moderate
Axis II No Diagnosis
Axis III Refer to medical chart.
Axis IV Occupational problems, exposure to trauma, limited social support
Axis V GAF = 57

Her write up was pretty good I just think my gaf should have been around 50 where it has been all along.

My claim since they have read the report is moving along quickly. With all I have read about TDIU I don't have a clue as to how this is going to turn out..Can you give me some ideas? I recently read Carlie's piece on the extra scheduler case.I was hoping that they would bump up my PTSD to 70% is this possible?

I'm also on Meds and go to group counseling weekly with combat vietnam vets and see my DR. regularly.

Top Secret?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:06:37 +0000

Prior to filing my claim in Jan 2011 I requested all records from St. Louis. Upon receiving them I discovered some missing. These were while I was assigned as an intelligence analyst (98J). I called STL and was told all records were sent. I had a very high security clearance ~Top Secret with SCI(sensitive compartmented information access) HHC 312th MI BN 1st Calvary Division. I wonder if my job description had anything to do with these missing personnel files.

Court Rules In Favor Of Vets

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:49:36 +0000

check link

http://www.military.com/news/article/ptsd-ruling-returns-benefits-to-thousands-of-vets.html?ESRC=eb.nl

Serious Sleep Issues..

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:01:56 +0000

Ever since I got very sick I have had a terrible time sleeping without having to take meds, go to the bathroom, and lay in agony to sick to sleep, until I literally pass out for being up too long...

I also had a record of sleep prbolems as an in patient for 6 months with inability to sleep due to pain, nightmares where I would be screaming..

When I told my doctor I was passing out sitting at my computer she didn't understand and had my driver license piulled..

I had extensive health and heart monitoring while hospitalized and wore heart monitors.. connected to wireless computer..

I got my licvense back when they figured out that I was trying to say that my intestines were causing great fatigue when I ate, the block arteries caused the blood to not pump properly, causing drowsiness... had splenic and portal vein (thrombosis). (but my doctor at that time would not listen and thought i had a heart condition..).

I have violent nigthmares, I kick the stuff around my bed, and hit things, and get close to breaking everything and almost break my bones...
I usually don't make it out of bed but actually sleepwalk up on my bed, but haven't actually slept walked out of the room for many years..
thye vilolence of me kicking things scares the hell out of me, I am going ot do some real bad damage..

I spent a lot fo time screaming when people tried to walke me I would scream like a Banshee on fire when people would strtle me..

the drugs I take for thr muscle twisting in bed has helped a lot,, my feet and toes were tying into knots,, form some neuro disease(s).. Cloneazpam helps a bunch with that, but that can also happen during hte day and my feet and muscles will twsit into knots pulling my joints dislocating the bones...

I was sent to a sleep clinic but they couldn't find anything and the ngith they gave me a device to record I was up mos the time only getitng 3 hours sleep before retruning the CPAP machine and recorder..

I can go several days of can't sleep to several days of cannot stay awake at all and passing out trying to sit up..

I dfon't have problems driving, well because I don't drive often, and when I don't feel well I don't drive.. let's face itm driving int he cities sucks enough with al the idiots.. and it's not fun, expecially with old cars that need replaced.. (no money).. and to sick to take vacation, I haven't had a vacation since the 1980's due to health bad and no money...

I wonder if the VA claims wil see al the notes taken by the nurses form my 6 months int he hsopital bed..
the nurses recorded eveyr breath I took, didn't take, bad joke I made,, etc... but I doubt the claims people wil read those as they don't read the medical records to begin with, or else I would have gotten my claim approved immediately because al the proof has been in my records from day #1. Going back my whole life..
I gave the Service my medical records wfrom when I was achild because during my etrance exam, I opened my big mought and told them about my congenital cataracts, so I had to go back tot he doctors I had as a child and get the records whoing the cataracts were dormant and may never grow... that was 40 years ago... and the wrote waiver saying I had 20/20 vidion and hte cataracts were dormant.. so they have my records (or had them) going back shwoing eveyrhting known about me from my childhood years and up...

which show I didn't have any other pre-existing conditions..
except for any childhood injuries I was treated for..

Anyways, i thought i would chat about sleep issues...
oh, btw, I complained on active duty about the inability to sleep because drunken scumbags were running the barracks with drinks and fights, which in turn made it impossible to get good sleep.. I was angry because I worked with aircraft and I didn't want problems, accidents' and other because of lack of sleep because of the drunken scum... so I constantly went to the commander begging them to clean up the problems with the living conditions.. so I could rest and sleep..

I finally got a place off base and made good money living off base, no longer putting up with the drunken scumbags... it was miserable living with these juvenile delinquents who enlisted only to drink like fish.. so if that was considered..... I could prove the sleep issues I suffered from... and do now..

also... since I have so many serious life threatening health issues,, I have enough to win the ful 100% even if many items get denied...

sleep issues seem hard to prove...

just sayin'

Any Increase In Speed Of Claims Going Through The System?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:27:01 +0000

Any increase in speed of claims going through the system? It seemed last year nothing was moving..
is there some math being kept soemwhere showing if the claims are moving faster, or the same?
thanx.

Once Again, Would Like To Chat With People Who Have Pancreas Disease

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:59:41 +0000

Once again, would like to chat with people who have Pancreas disease

thanx,
Steve

C&p Exam After Appeal..

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:20:41 +0000

hello--so I filed a claim, they denied, I appealed it, about a year into the appeal-they gave me a C&P exam back in oct 2011, I still have no decision. status says with a DRO.

Can I get a copy of the C&P exam?

What do I ask for?

Who do I ask?

thanks...

Filing More Than One Claim Lumped Togther

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:14:38 +0000

i had a claim in for MS secondary issues and was told by a congressional rep it was in decision phase back in Oct 2011.

so, i checked with vso about filing the SC for cervical issues and increase for already SC'd lumbar issues.

today i get this notice from RO:
Generally speaking, VA policy dictates that if additional conditions are claimed while you already have an open claim in process, the newly claimed conditions must be added to the open claim already in process and development must be completed for the newly claimed conditions.

so now, what another 2 years to get this complete since they lumped it all together?

Va Doctor's Medical Opinion

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:27:22 +0000

How does it look?

Attached Thumbnails

Proposed Incompetency Fiduciary Fast Letter

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:57:19 +0000

I couodn't find this Fst letter in the FL forum and posted it there too.

These is a lot to this FL

http://www.scribd.com/doc/76091930/FL11-037-Fiduciary-Fast-Letter

Social Security Disibility Process

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:56:56 +0000

I have a several questions concerning the SSDI process. I am rated at 80 percent by the VA for the following:

Sleep Apena. 50
PTSD with depression 30
Gerd 10
Right knee condition 10
Tinnitus 10
Hypertension 0 sc
Hearing loss 0
Total 80 pc

I Filed the above conditions along with chronic back pain, neuropathy and diabetes with SSA. I was denied three times. No gainful employment in over a year. Claim has been denied by SSA three times.. I now have a lawyer with a hearing scheduled for March...Does anyone know how long after hearing does it take to be notified? I m taking 15 med per day for my cconditions..feel bad most of the time...letter says occupational specialist will be there via video...Please Advise...

Can I Go To Ro And Review My C File And Add Additional Documents?

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:09:17 +0000

Hello everyone,'
I had another c and p exam the 24th of January by va Dr.and it was in my favor.(I think) .Panic disorder. Gaf score 60. I also have an IMO from a local phychiatrist saying Panic disoder with agroaphobia and secondary generalized anxiety disorder.GAF 50 with highest level being 60. In the diagnostic assessment he said axis III copd,coronary disease,history of prostate cancer,osteoarthritis. He stated Specifically then in regards to the patients illness and his military service I can say clearly that this illness began during his military service however I can not say with certainty whether his military service caused this illness. Here is my problem and Question,I have submitted several Buddy letters, from friends telling about my chronic anxiety and low back pain.I also have an IMO from a Physcian assistant at the local clinic telling about both,a letter from a fellow soldier telling of them.I have called people at 1000 number several times and they cannot find them.They do not show at "what have we received" on ebenefits.I wrote iris about three months ago and got a reply first week or two of Jan. saying that my c file was in Nashville c and p and they could not answer my Question.As I said I had the c and p exam the 24th of Jan.I called three times last week and left a message telling them I wanted to know if these documents were in my c file..no return call.I called Murfreesboro c and p and they gave me number of supervisor and the Dr.in charge. I called the supevisor this past Friday and she first told me she would send c file back to louisville that day. Then after I asked her about Louisville asking for the exam I had on 24 Jan.Plus an opinion as whether or not the copd,hypertension,and preventricular contractions I had claimed and denied for in 2000 were related or not to the same conditions I have now.and When I told her that she asked me to wait on hold.After a few minutes she came back and said she was going to have check further.She promised me she would call me back Friday and it would probably be late in the afternoon.No call back.I am begnning to get a little paranoid here.I do have congressional involvement (not by my doing ,but someone thinking they were helping without my knowledge) Could this be the reason the all clam up when they find that out? I was approved for emergency expedition for financial and health reasons back in June.Any advice ,thoughts and what to do is appreciated.I am not ignoring all the elders that I have already talked to,just trying to make sense of all this and not make wrong move. Thank you all,kindly. Walt