9 years and here we go again

[pizzaman242]

Yep I said it, 9 years I have been appealing one denial after another. A year and a half ago I finally had a hearing with a VA arbitrator, questions were asked and answered. findings were made and was told theat I indeed have Fibro and that they do believe that it is service connected.

But I have other problems like hearing, tinnitus and arthritis in knees and feet. So after waiting for there decision for almost 6 months I get a decision. They put it in writing that yes i have fibro and yes it is service connected but before they pass down a decision I must be re-evaluated for my hearing and well just about everything. So the local VA Central office was told to gather this info and evaluate and let them know their findings.

Well that was over a year ago and finally i get the letters that they have scheduled me for re evaluation exams but some new docs. I mean we did all this 9 years ago, nothings changed except maybe in some ways somethings are worse now. But I go and find some interesting things about my history. My discharge exam showed arthritis in my neck and the base of my spine. That was 39 years ago, but there were no X-Rays of my shoulders and elbows. Pain I was treated for in service and not since either even though i have been complaining about them all these years, so X-rays were ordered and I now have bruises all over my under arms that look like finger prints. I don't what hurt more the exam or the X-Rays. Plus another exam that verified the existence of my fibro and I also was told that I had tender points reported in my discharge examination.

Now I have poked, prodded and X-rayed again and again I am waiting on decision that from the sound of what every Doc I talked to should have been made years ago.

Yet here I sit waiting. Still wondering if I will be approved this time or not. Or am I going for a record here.

[jaiser]

I'm holding hope for you, brother! 

[ronr]

Waiting is always the hard part.

We are with you and know that you will prevail in the end.

[foxgrove]

Good grief brother.. I guess nobody ever accused the VA of having their stuff together.  Keep fighting.. we know the outcome already, it's just a matter of how hard their heads are and how long it takes to sink in.  

We're right here with you brother..  Waiting sucks but we're not going anywhere.  

-Edit to clean up my own language.. shame on you Fox!!!  

[looneylane]

Yikes!

[countryboy]

Brady,

I think it is time that you and the wife took a few days off so you could be by yourselves.  It does wunders so I am told.   

[tojo]

I am so so sorry that it is taking so long but I am glad that the wheels are turning if ever so slowly at least they are turning.

[pizzaman242]

Just a little update. All the re-evaluations are now complete and last summer I was informed that my file was in the hands of the final decision maker.

He must have one hell of a pile of claims because here I sit still waiting.

Be so happy once the final decisions have been made as this will make life so much more manageable for my wife and I.

10 years now and still counting.

[countryboy]

That was your fingers I presume, and now you can start on your toes.

[augoldminer]

If it gets approved you should get one nice check.

[looneylane]

Praying for ya! Hoping for good things ahead!

[tojo]

Yeah the back pay will be awesome!!! You will be able to fly all of us somewhere for the first annual Men with Fibro get together. Whoope Yi-Hah and all that.

[pizzaman242]

Well it has been a couple months now and I am still reeling. After only 11years of waiting I am granted partial disability on my claim. They went by my discharge 100%, not considering the overwhelming evidence of all that has befallen me in the past 41 years since my discharge from the Air Force.

I was granted a total of 40% disability, 10% more and all my co-pays would have disappeared. But we are appealing a bunch of things to bring that percentage up where it should be.

I was granted 30% for my shoulders and 10% for my tinnitus. So we still have my back and leg issues, plus my Fibro, which at my hearing they said was something that was real and they said it was service connected. But our local Grand Poobah see's it differently. That is why we are appealing.

But the extra money each month will be great, and I found out that once I am gone, since my service connected disability exceeds 30% my wife will continue to get my disability checks. That was great news.

The money is not the greatest but it has increased my income by 50%. So now I am thinking Cable would be nice. Wife already has her new car, we put 50% down and are making payments on the rest and I ordered a new recliner. So life is a little bit easier now and hopefully it will get even better in the future.

Also found out that when I turned 65 my Disability became Social Security. But the money stayed the same. So it is a big hooray for me.

Sorry Tojo I won' be funding any get togethers. Not enough percentage points.

So very good news all around.

[foxgrove]

I've very happy for the 40% that you did get...  I'll continue to pray about the other 60% but hey... you're finally getting some cash back!!!  WAHOOOOOO!!! 

So glad that you've got a bit of wiggle room brother.  I know it won't go really all that far but I'll bet it's a welcome sight!!  Happier New Year to you and your sweet lady. 

[looneylane]

  Right on! Congrats!