Glimmer of SC Hope?

[gomer]

I had my MS clinic today......

I went in, folder in hand, with extensive documentation, and well prepared to make my case. I only got about half way and Dr Segal said he would SUPPORT my Service Connection for MS. At least this time he was not running 3 hrs behind. I say glimmer of hope, because with all the garbage I have been through, I tend to believe it WHEN, I see it.

Dr Segal wants an updated MRI, I told him about need a little extra help due to the current back problem (fall) and he said no problem. I will have to await the call or mail regarding when its to be done, normal procedure.

My renal clinic was so so. They ordered a lot of blood work and Dr Segal added a another test or 2. When I saw the vampire he sucked up ELEVEN vials of my sweet red juice. They said I should see a urologist about my often, but not always, voiding issues.

I had a local urologist apt recently and he wants me to try another med. I checked it out and it sounds like I am likely to have the same issues I did with the other. With the other med I lost not only bladder control, but wet my pants big time w/o even knowing it, very embarrassing to say the least. I will TRY it and see, maybe it will help, maybe it will be like the previous one and make things worse?

At least things went better today overall. Time will tell.


Gomer Sir Falls-A-Lot

See Gomer? Sometimes things do work out.

Lets be hopeful, O.K.? It sounds like you had a VERY good day!

Cheers--Katie

[Scooter24]

Gomer was that a P & C exam or just the reg VA nuero you saw? My VA nuero is the one that wrote the ltr for me and I was approved in about 7 months. Good Luck!!

[gomer]

Katie.........

I get this feeling that people talked to people, maybe double checked what I had said against my records etc, especially after that incident with the AAVA PVA SO a while back. At least I was the one who kept their cool then, not easy, especially her attitude toward me vs the dishonorable misfit she was more interested in helping. The fat lady singing is a long way off, a lot can happen before then.

Scooter...... It was just my routine MS clinic apt, not a P&C. I have an eye doc apt next week. The same one that opened the MS can-o-worms in the first place a few years ago. I am going to take the SAME folder and material with me to my apt with him. If I can get a SECOND back-up letter it might help.

The main points Dr Segal agreed with & I was able to well document:

-1- the diplopia was NOT a childhood issue and started in my late teens.

-2- My boot camp phsyical showing my diploma prisms in my glasses Rx as a recruit.

-3- Copies of two active duty eye glass Rx that did Not include prisms.

-4- that visual acuity 20/20 to 20-35 was NOT my issue.

-5- copy of my release from active duty physical showing they crossed out recruit and hand wrote in my release rank (E5) re-using my boot camp,even with Great lakes at the top..LOL I noted to him I was NOT an E5 in boot camp. He did have a funny reaction to that last bit.

Bottom line, the diplopa first started in my late teens, the lack of proper eye exams/Rx w/o the prisms, and re-cycling of the recruit physical I think made my main points.

Gomer Sir Falls-A-Lot

Originally Posted by gomer

Katie.........

[B]The fat lady singing is a long way off, a lot can happen before then.

You are right, a lot can happen...remember we ALL go through this. Probably not a single one of us does not have a VA horror story.

My point is, you are better today and the ball is rolling in the right direction now. Secondly, YOU are the one that started the ball rolling...and I am proud of you...because I know you have a lot on your plate right now.

So lets just stay positive and be hopeful. I know you all think I probably have purple butterflies flying out of my wazoo...but I can assure you I don't. Extreme patience and persistence is the key when it comes to the VA.

Cheers--Katie

[Scooter24]

Gomer- you might want to take a lot at this web page, all about filing your own claim with do's and dont's

http://www.disabledveterans.org/2011...-compensation/

[gomer]

Scooter I do plan to peek at the link...thanks

Yesterday I left a my documentation, he said he would look at it. (I asked him to loo at it and see if he can do a Dr opinion letter on my behalf.

It was the same doc I took to my MS clinic apt last week. While Dr Segal SAID he would support my request for SC, he did NOT keep the docs or even go over with them like I would have liked. I checked with the VA today, my Copaxone refill had not yet. Found out he failed to re-new my Copaxone (he said he was), guess he got busy, forgot or who knows what. I generally like him, better than most other VA docs, but things get messed up a lot, at my VA.

At least I hope to have a back up letter/opinion for my SC case from my eye doc, in case my MS doc drops the ball.

Murphy's Law is never far............

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[gomer]

Yesterday I started filling out the online form for SC on the ebenefits site. After I get that done, may take a week or two, and hit the magic [send] key I also will mail out a letter to both of my senators as well.

I have a good basic framework, I THINK? for it

I am sick sick sick and tired of depending on anyone else in the system to help in any way shape or form. I have been reading here and elsewhere on the web to get all the tips etc I can before I hit the magic [send].

SCOOTER, who only recently really has a scooter Ha Ha.
Thanks for your help yesterday, I expect I will be picking your Dawson's Fingers some more before the fat lady sings. (BTW how is your new scooter hanging...lol) I sure hope they get er fixed SOON!

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[Scooter24]

Like I told you yesterday Gomer sometimes you have to grab the bull by the horns or some other part of its anatomy possibly the other end and get things started on your own. Hit that send button, right now it seems if you don't, no one else will, everyday you wait is less disability you have coming and the more copays you have to pay besides the other benefits you are loosing. I am able to save $115 a month by not having to pay for medicare. Every little bit helps. It was good talking to you yesterday.

[gomer]

Well I did the online application this weekend and hit [submit].....

Got a copy of my MS clinic notes, Dr Segal DID put it in there his opinion so that is at least one plus. Now if I can get PVA to pick up the ball and help a little ???????????

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[Scooter24]

YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

[jwoodsoniv]

Originally Posted by gomer

I had my MS clinic today......

I went in, folder in hand, with extensive documentation, and well prepared to make my case. I only got about half way and Dr Segal said he would SUPPORT my Service Connection for MS. At least this time he was not running 3 hrs behind. I say glimmer of hope, because with all the garbage I have been through, I tend to believe it WHEN, I see it.

Dr Segal wants an updated MRI, I told him about need a little extra help due to the current back problem (fall) and he said no problem. I will have to await the call or mail regarding when its to be done, normal procedure.

My renal clinic was so so. They ordered a lot of blood work and Dr Segal added a another test or 2. When I saw the vampire he sucked up ELEVEN vials of my sweet red juice. They said I should see a urologist about my often, but not always, voiding issues.

I had a local urologist apt recently and he wants me to try another med. I checked it out and it sounds like I am likely to have the same issues I did with the other. With the other med I lost not only bladder control, but wet my pants big time w/o even knowing it, very embarrassing to say the least. I will TRY it and see, maybe it will help, maybe it will be like the previous one and make things worse?

At least things went better today overall. Time will tell.


Gomer Sir Falls-A-Lot

Gomer,

When did you seperate from the military? If it is within seven years you should not need a medical opinion to link your MS to military service. Presumptive Service Connection is what you will qualify for.

Service-Connected Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is a presumptive condition and benefits are based on the presumption that the disability is service-connected (SC). Veterans with symptoms of MS in the military or within seven years after honorable discharge may be eligible for SC disability.
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NonService-Connected Benefits for MS: Veterans diagnosed with MS after the presumptive period of seven years could be eligible for VA benefits under the nonservice- connected status. NonSC pension is an income-based benefit that is dependent on dates of service and type of disability.

SC and nonSC veterans are eligible for medical care for MS. This care includes disease modifying therapies, other medications, physical and occupational therapy, and other health care services and medical equipment.

I'm new to the forums, so I apologize if this topic has been previously covered.

[gomer]

When did you seperate from the military?
Dec 1969

Service-Connected Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is a presumptive condition and benefits are based on the presumption that the disability is service-connected (SC). Veterans with symptoms of MS in the military or within seven years after honorable discharge may be eligible for SC disability.

I had vision issues TWICE while on AD that was seen while in the navy. I also had a leg issue. None were treated properly. THE #1 reason I did not ship-over was lack of reasonable medical care.

NonService-Connected Benefits for MS:
I do get MS clinic apts, Copaxone & MRIs. They have not provided anything else other than a cooling vest. They are fully aware of my limited walking ability, the VA was also aware of it back in the 80s. Long story short, sent to shrinks for complaining. Declared sane and not even depressed, just adamant there was something else was wrong.

ALL my mobility aids, AFOs, rollator, power-chair etc were ALL ordered by non-VA docs.

I have been disabled since the early 80s, and on SSDI since 1985. (since my late 30s)

SC and nonSC veterans are eligible for medical care for MS. This care includes disease modifying therapies, other medications, physical and occupational therapy, and other health care services and medical equipment. Being "eligible" and actually receiving such are separate stories.

The MS doc, a nice doc, did consider ampira to help my walking but my kidneys are are not good enough. I had requested P/T for my walking 5 years ago. It got semi- scheduled, delayed, then canceled, I gave up on VA.


I'm new to the forums, so I apologize if this topic has been previously covered.

You have NOTHING to apologize for.


Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot