THE VA MERRY GO ROUND!!

[Waydwnsouth1]

I will spare you the details but I have talks to fours different people within the VA including my local VSO and nobody has heard of the VA treating veterans for MS regardless of income.

I even read a paragraph straight from the VA website that said, and I'll paraphrase, in accordance with the longstanding policy of the VA we will continue to treat veterans with a catastrophic illness. I believe MS would qualify as a catastrophic illness. It did not say one word about eligibility. The gentleman I was speaking with told me I still needed to complete a means test. I told him according to the VA a website as of 3/24/14 a means test is no longer needed. The VA will get their information from the IRS and Social Security Office.

Obviously I haven't accomplished much but it is clear the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.

But I will keep plugging away until find the right person or the right way to accomplish.

[Tigers]

Vietnam Era Vietnam with MS

Was diagnosed in 2001 and took Avonex for 13 years and placed on Tecfidera this year by my neurologist. Have had about 5 exerbations during this period in which all were treated successfully with IV steroids.

I filed for MS service connection in 2011 and was turned down due to MS not being diagnosed within 7 years after discharge.

Has anyone filed a claim with the VA and gotten a positive decision for an award after the seven years from military discharge period they require? This has always bugged me as to when this arbitrary time period was selected.

Thanks for your comments.

[Scooter24]

It is not required that you be diagnosed within 7 years but must be able to show signs of sx prior to the 7 year limit. I got out in 87, wasn't dx until 08 21 yrs later, but my medical records showed about 5 different sx that were MS related. I was given 100% n less than 2 yrs.

As far as the 7 year time frame I have heard a story that a congressman's son was in military and got out and was dx about 6 yrs after discharge and that he put in a bill for the VA to cover it within 7 yrs so his son would be eligable.

[Marco]

The VA also has a rule concerning expedited claims for medical conditions. As an example, they listed ALS, terminal cancer, MS, and other ailments. This process is governed by
38 CFR 3.161 - Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative, but just because it is the law, that doesn't mean the VA is following it. When I inquired about MS patients getting expedited claims I was told, "The VA isn't following that rule right now." During the more recent government shutdown, the VA entirely stopped processing appeals. This was illegal and they were sued.

This webpage has a link to your MS-specific benefits: http://www.va.gov/MS/veterans/benefits/index.asp Under the heading, "What Are My VA Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis" is the following line.

NonService-Connected Benefits for MS: Nonservice-connected (nonSC) status refers to Veterans who have a disability or health issue that is not related to their military service. Veterans diagnosed with MS after the presumptive period of seven years could be eligible for VA benefits under the nonservice-connected status.

MS benefits are not guaranteed unless it is service connected.

Despite the possibility of something not being covered, you need to submit a package asap. Dealing with the VA can be rough. People are being fired and jail sentences may be forthcoming because of how bad some elements of the VA is for veterans. That being said, you have to file a claim to have a chance of obtaining benefits. It may take a year, or four, to hear back from your initial claim. After a NOD, appeal and eventually a lawyer your claim could easily be 10 years old. That's why getting this process started is so important. The date you begin your claim is the start to where they will pay you, if you win. Say you open informal claim today, but complete it and send it in next November 19 (2015). They finally rule in your favor in 2024. Your first check will include payment from December 3rd and not November 19, 2015.

VA healthcare is an odd duck. Part one is what group they will put you into based on your service and/or finances. If you file a disability claim, and it is approved then these groups no longer apply for the service connected items (MS). If they determined MS was service connected (10% disabling within 7 years of discharge) then they will cover your MS, and a means test is not required. In other words, they will give you an initial group for healthcare, but a disability claim can change that rating. The VA will also reimburse you for VA charges incurred while the process continues.

I wish I could explain it better, but the VA is a filthy mess. I would see if the Paralyzed Veterans of America has an office near you. They tend to no more about MS than most of the other VSOs. Please continue to update us and ask questions so we can all learn together.

Thanks and I wish you well!

[Sailors Song]

I will spare you the details but I have talks to fours different people within the VA including my local VSO and nobody has heard of the VA treating veterans for MS regardless of income.

I even read a paragraph straight from the VA website that said, and I'll paraphrase, in accordance with the longstanding policy of the VA we will continue to treat veterans with a catastrophic illness. I believe MS would qualify as a catastrophic illness. It did not say one word about eligibility. The gentleman I was speaking with told me I still needed to complete a means test. I told him according to the VA a website as of 3/24/14 a means test is no longer needed. The VA will get their information from the IRS and Social Security Office.

Obviously I haven't accomplished much but it is clear the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.

But I will keep plugging away until find the right person or the right way to accomplish.

The following is a direct quote from the VA web site concerning MS.

"The VA provides health care services to Veterans with MS from the time of diagnosis throughout their life, whether or not they have a service-connected or non-service connected status. If an individual had symptoms of MS in the military, or within seven years after honorable discharge, he or she may be eligible for service-connected disability. If this is the case, the Veteran should complete the Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension available online (http://www.va.gov) or at his or her local medical center. Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and United Spinal Association are good support resources."

[KatieAgain]

WDS-

Worst case scenario. Say because of income limits you get classified as a Cat 8 Vet. That would be a $50 copay for the
MS Specialist visit and $9 a month for each med. Not sure how much for an MRI...but Im thinking alot cheaper than most civilian insurance plans.

Have they classified you into a Category yet? Have you enrolled into the VA Healthcare System yet?

[alishape]

I wish I could help, but I ran into the same problem. I saw on the website that the va will help any veteran with MS regardless of service connection. I wanted to have the VA as a backup when I was working, you know, in case I lost my job or something. I live in Baltimore where there is a va MS center of excellence. I was told I needed a referral from my VA primary care doctor to be seen there, which I did not have at that time. If you are already receiving care at the VA, then your primary should be able to refer you.

To make an extraordinarily long story short, I could not get health care until I was granted my service connection. In my case that did not take very long actually. My MS service connection was granted, (I was within the seven year window), before my original claim was finished. Heck, I put that claim in in 2010 and it is still not finished yet. Good luck!