Aa
And they saga goes on and on and on...
Where to begin?
Foot drop:
Background ..started about 1 year ago on trying to get help with this. Since now both feet involved I talked to Neuro about Walkaide system. She put in request for Prosthetics but was denied and instead sent to Physical Therapy. Pt says that only Prosthetics can order them and referred to them. Prosthetics say I am not eligible for them as I don't have Traumatic Brain Injury so they give me second brace. Braces are giving me pain so go back and they out in some padding and inserts for my shoes. when that doesn't help refer me to Podiatry since I have diabetes saying it is my shoes causing the problem. 2 months ago I finally get into Podiatry and they say it is not my shoes and refer me back to PT. Oh and in the mean time I find out that Vets at other VA Hospitals with MS are getting the Walkaide.
So last week I finally get back to PT and they just send me over to Prosthetics. There I find out that the inserts for my shoes they gave me the last time turn my feet outward which is causing more pressure on my feet from the braces and the padding they put in also just made things worse. They then move where the padding is which has only changed the location of wear the braces are causing pain. And they also are ordering a different style of brace for my feet. I brought up the Walkaide and am told that they would have to be order by PT. So PT says have to be order by Prosthetics and Prosthetics say has to be ordered by PT. And they wonder why so many Vets are losing it mentally?
Disability appeal:
Background: Started claim for disability 6-08. 2 years before they scheduled me for any exams related to my claim. All denied...Another 2 years before I got to the judge to hear my appeal. Got 10% service connection for hear loss and rest of claims remanded back to VA for re-evaluation including PTSD even though the doctor that examined me said I had Service connection for PTSD. Finished up the last of the exams on Jan 7th of this year. When the judge remanded the claims back she put in capital letters "ONLY" after obtaining the records from Social Security from when I got my SSDI claim approved.
So last Saturday I get a letter from the VA saying they were not able to get my records from SSA. Letter was dated Jan 14. They also state that if they didn't hear from me within 10 days they would decided my case without the info from SSA. So that only leaves me 2 days to get the records since it was a holiday weekend.
Went down to the semi local (70 mile trip) SSA office to see about my records. No problem they have the records but will take about 2 weeks to get them mailed to me. Does that mean they didn't even try to get my records?
In the letter they gave me 3 options for contacting them about my claim.
1) Call 800 number. Tried that..after going through 4 different menus on the phone they say all of the representatives are busy and to call back "AFTER NORMAL HOURS" then hang up on me. HUH?
2) web site. Type in site address which immediately just redirects me to the Main VA website with no means of contacting them.
3) Regular mail. OK the 10 days are already over so what good is that means? I might as well just wait until I get the records from SSA before sending anything to them.
I also managed to find out some interesting things on the Internet recently. Average time to get through an appeal for disability in my area is 4.9 years.
In last 3 years the rate of Vets dying before getting their benefits granted has quadrupled. When VA was asked about this they responded they are proud that they are giving benefits to Vets even after they have died. HUH? The reason the vets are dying is because they are not getting treatment for their service connected problems! In that article they sited the case of a Vet that killed himself after the third denial for his PTSD. 10 month later his widow was told it was a mistake that the Vet had not been given service connection for his PTSD by the VA so she now gets ~1000/month in survivor benefits. I'm sure she would have preferred to have her husband instead.
With a $50 co-pay per visit if you don't have service connection Vets just can't afford to get care. I had paid out $400 so far just to get braces for my foot drop that aren't helping me. And that doesn't even include the 200 mile drive to go to each of these appointments. So far I am not getting treatment for my PTSD either. They want me to go to 3 times a week sessions @ $50 each and also the 200 mile trips 3 times a week. Who can afford that?
Sorry for the RANT!
Dennis
Foot drop:
Background ..started about 1 year ago on trying to get help with this. Since now both feet involved I talked to Neuro about Walkaide system. She put in request for Prosthetics but was denied and instead sent to Physical Therapy. Pt says that only Prosthetics can order them and referred to them. Prosthetics say I am not eligible for them as I don't have Traumatic Brain Injury so they give me second brace. Braces are giving me pain so go back and they out in some padding and inserts for my shoes. when that doesn't help refer me to Podiatry since I have diabetes saying it is my shoes causing the problem. 2 months ago I finally get into Podiatry and they say it is not my shoes and refer me back to PT. Oh and in the mean time I find out that Vets at other VA Hospitals with MS are getting the Walkaide.
So last week I finally get back to PT and they just send me over to Prosthetics. There I find out that the inserts for my shoes they gave me the last time turn my feet outward which is causing more pressure on my feet from the braces and the padding they put in also just made things worse. They then move where the padding is which has only changed the location of wear the braces are causing pain. And they also are ordering a different style of brace for my feet. I brought up the Walkaide and am told that they would have to be order by PT. So PT says have to be order by Prosthetics and Prosthetics say has to be ordered by PT. And they wonder why so many Vets are losing it mentally?
Disability appeal:
Background: Started claim for disability 6-08. 2 years before they scheduled me for any exams related to my claim. All denied...Another 2 years before I got to the judge to hear my appeal. Got 10% service connection for hear loss and rest of claims remanded back to VA for re-evaluation including PTSD even though the doctor that examined me said I had Service connection for PTSD. Finished up the last of the exams on Jan 7th of this year. When the judge remanded the claims back she put in capital letters "ONLY" after obtaining the records from Social Security from when I got my SSDI claim approved.
So last Saturday I get a letter from the VA saying they were not able to get my records from SSA. Letter was dated Jan 14. They also state that if they didn't hear from me within 10 days they would decided my case without the info from SSA. So that only leaves me 2 days to get the records since it was a holiday weekend.
Went down to the semi local (70 mile trip) SSA office to see about my records. No problem they have the records but will take about 2 weeks to get them mailed to me. Does that mean they didn't even try to get my records?
In the letter they gave me 3 options for contacting them about my claim.
1) Call 800 number. Tried that..after going through 4 different menus on the phone they say all of the representatives are busy and to call back "AFTER NORMAL HOURS" then hang up on me. HUH?
2) web site. Type in site address which immediately just redirects me to the Main VA website with no means of contacting them.
3) Regular mail. OK the 10 days are already over so what good is that means? I might as well just wait until I get the records from SSA before sending anything to them.
I also managed to find out some interesting things on the Internet recently. Average time to get through an appeal for disability in my area is 4.9 years.
In last 3 years the rate of Vets dying before getting their benefits granted has quadrupled. When VA was asked about this they responded they are proud that they are giving benefits to Vets even after they have died. HUH? The reason the vets are dying is because they are not getting treatment for their service connected problems! In that article they sited the case of a Vet that killed himself after the third denial for his PTSD. 10 month later his widow was told it was a mistake that the Vet had not been given service connection for his PTSD by the VA so she now gets ~1000/month in survivor benefits. I'm sure she would have preferred to have her husband instead.
With a $50 co-pay per visit if you don't have service connection Vets just can't afford to get care. I had paid out $400 so far just to get braces for my foot drop that aren't helping me. And that doesn't even include the 200 mile drive to go to each of these appointments. So far I am not getting treatment for my PTSD either. They want me to go to 3 times a week sessions @ $50 each and also the 200 mile trips 3 times a week. Who can afford that?
Sorry for the RANT!
Dennis
The Walkaide has two parts to it. The part that works the foot and another that controls your knee which is optional. Both units also have an exercise mode to help strengthen the muscles which would be very good for me. Due to my balance problems I just can't get the exercise I need for my legs.
I already have both a walker and a cane ( the later is what I am tempted to use in a means that it was not intended for at the VA) :) From my understanding when you get a Walkaide they have you use it for 2 weeks before it is final for sales. Besides the only way I could get the Walkaide is through the VA and then it would cost me nothing.
I had to put the move on hold when the VA Appeals judge remanded my case back to the VA for reevaluation. I had been hoping that I would have at least gotten the service connection for my PTSD at the hearing. But she even remanded that part even though the doctor said my PTSD was service connected.
I already have both a walker and a cane ( the later is what I am tempted to use in a means that it was not intended for at the VA) :) From my understanding when you get a Walkaide they have you use it for 2 weeks before it is final for sales. Besides the only way I could get the Walkaide is through the VA and then it would cost me nothing.
I had to put the move on hold when the VA Appeals judge remanded my case back to the VA for reevaluation. I had been hoping that I would have at least gotten the service connection for my PTSD at the hearing. But she even remanded that part even though the doctor said my PTSD was service connected.
I encourage you not to give up on this option too quickly Dennis. At a savings of over $6500 I would think the VA would be MUCH more interested in making this option workable. It may not be as stylish as a FES device but from what I saw it does a more complete job and looks WAY more comfortable than an AFO.
It might be beneficial to ask a professional therapist or orthotic expert about this rather than make a decision after just a few minutes of website browsing. After all, if your knees are a problem then they will have to be dealt with whatever option you choose.
I don’t think the Walk-Aid will actually help your knee. It stimulates the toe to pull up when weight bearing is released from the heel. You have to do that yourself as far as I know.
The HFAO is designed for people who have little strength to lift the leg so I don't think weak knees need to be a disqualifier. Besides, I'm pretty sure it could be used in combination with a light-weight knee brace. That would be less cumbersome than what you say the VA wanted to do before.
I suppose you might need a walker or cane (in the short term anyway) until you got balance mastered no matter what you end up with. Would that part bother you?
FWIW, the presenter mentioned it takes a good deal of training to master those FES (functional electrical stimulation) devices. He said you should always make sure you can try one out before purchasing as very few insurance plans cover them.
Sorry there are so few options for you Dennis. I thought you had told us you were moving. Closer to your brother? In a part of the country with better VA facilities? Was that plan abandoned? I do hope you find something that works.
It might be beneficial to ask a professional therapist or orthotic expert about this rather than make a decision after just a few minutes of website browsing. After all, if your knees are a problem then they will have to be dealt with whatever option you choose.
I don’t think the Walk-Aid will actually help your knee. It stimulates the toe to pull up when weight bearing is released from the heel. You have to do that yourself as far as I know.
The HFAO is designed for people who have little strength to lift the leg so I don't think weak knees need to be a disqualifier. Besides, I'm pretty sure it could be used in combination with a light-weight knee brace. That would be less cumbersome than what you say the VA wanted to do before.
I suppose you might need a walker or cane (in the short term anyway) until you got balance mastered no matter what you end up with. Would that part bother you?
FWIW, the presenter mentioned it takes a good deal of training to master those FES (functional electrical stimulation) devices. He said you should always make sure you can try one out before purchasing as very few insurance plans cover them.
Sorry there are so few options for you Dennis. I thought you had told us you were moving. Closer to your brother? In a part of the country with better VA facilities? Was that plan abandoned? I do hope you find something that works.
Thank you for the info on the HFAO.
After looking over the info on that site I figure that it would be worse than what the VA has me wearing. The AFO I am wearing is designed not only to help with the foot drop but also to support my BAD knees.
My knees flex too easily as it is (buckle) and the HFAO would be forcing them to flex even easier from reading stuff on that site. That was one of the reasons I liked what I read about the Walkaide. It would be suppling the signals for the knee flex so it could be programed to reduce my knee flex.
They had considered having me wear 4 braces at the VA 2 for my knees and 2 for my foot drop, but decided that amount of weight would be too much for me to function.
But thank you very much for the info. Maybe someone else here will be able to use it.
Dennis
After looking over the info on that site I figure that it would be worse than what the VA has me wearing. The AFO I am wearing is designed not only to help with the foot drop but also to support my BAD knees.
My knees flex too easily as it is (buckle) and the HFAO would be forcing them to flex even easier from reading stuff on that site. That was one of the reasons I liked what I read about the Walkaide. It would be suppling the signals for the knee flex so it could be programed to reduce my knee flex.
They had considered having me wear 4 braces at the VA 2 for my knees and 2 for my foot drop, but decided that amount of weight would be too much for me to function.
But thank you very much for the info. Maybe someone else here will be able to use it.
Dennis
Hi Dennis. I thought of you recently when I attended a program at my MS clinic. The presenter was Matthew Sutliff, PT - Rehabilitation Manager at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research (Cleveland Clinic).
He started with a lot of basics about exercising with MS and then launched into a very interesting explanation of footdrop and the walking difficulties that come from it (complete with video demonstrations.
Mr. Sutleff received the Innovator Award from The Cleveland Clinic in 2005 after developing what is called a HFAO (Hip Flexion Assist Orthosis). It is a simple yet VERY effective method of helping PwMS who have foot drop to walk more easily. It also helps when weakness in the hip, knee and ankle make lifting the leg difficult.
Best of all.....
The HFAO is marketed commerically and sells for a very affordable $255 (or $275, I believe, for a bilateral device). Compare that to about $6500 for a Walkaide or $7000 for the Bilness L300. Even the VA ought to be able to explore that!!
The YouTube videos he showed us were impressive but not unrealistic. I'm providing a link to a product page so you can check this out yourself.
http://www.btmrehab.com/retailproducts/hfad/hfad.htm
A script is required to get a HFAO and then a PT has to help with fitting and gait training. I do hope this might help you!!
He started with a lot of basics about exercising with MS and then launched into a very interesting explanation of footdrop and the walking difficulties that come from it (complete with video demonstrations.
Mr. Sutleff received the Innovator Award from The Cleveland Clinic in 2005 after developing what is called a HFAO (Hip Flexion Assist Orthosis). It is a simple yet VERY effective method of helping PwMS who have foot drop to walk more easily. It also helps when weakness in the hip, knee and ankle make lifting the leg difficult.
Best of all.....
The HFAO is marketed commerically and sells for a very affordable $255 (or $275, I believe, for a bilateral device). Compare that to about $6500 for a Walkaide or $7000 for the Bilness L300. Even the VA ought to be able to explore that!!
The YouTube videos he showed us were impressive but not unrealistic. I'm providing a link to a product page so you can check this out yourself.
http://www.btmrehab.com/retailproducts/hfad/hfad.htm
A script is required to get a HFAO and then a PT has to help with fitting and gait training. I do hope this might help you!!
Thank you Deb & GG.
I sometimes think that I don't get many responses because I am a man I don't need a kind word or hug when I am upset about something. But I assure you that each response I get really does lift my spirits and that I am not alone in my fight for my benefits and health care.
GG in response to your question about driving the answer is NO. I live alone (which is not about to change with my PTSD). and have no family anywhere near me. I only have one friend (Dave) but to be truthful I don't feel safe when ever he is driving as he doesn't pay attention to the road and has almost crashed several times while I was with him.
Dennis
I sometimes think that I don't get many responses because I am a man I don't need a kind word or hug when I am upset about something. But I assure you that each response I get really does lift my spirits and that I am not alone in my fight for my benefits and health care.
GG in response to your question about driving the answer is NO. I live alone (which is not about to change with my PTSD). and have no family anywhere near me. I only have one friend (Dave) but to be truthful I don't feel safe when ever he is driving as he doesn't pay attention to the road and has almost crashed several times while I was with him.
Dennis
Rant away, Dennis! I'm so sorry you're going through this! It looks like you're hanging tough, though.
Do you have someone who can help with the driving? I agree with Deb - Vets really are getting screwed by the system! Hopefully, they're trying to change that.
Do you have someone who can help with the driving? I agree with Deb - Vets really are getting screwed by the system! Hopefully, they're trying to change that.
Good Grief.... They never seem to stop screwing you over :( Of course I hope this will get settled, although I have no idea how! Dennis, you deserve so much better treatment. It truly is a sin the way our vets are treated.
You have every right to rant. My thoughts and prayers are with you
(((hugs)))
Deb
You have every right to rant. My thoughts and prayers are with you
(((hugs)))
Deb
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