For those who knew me a log time ago on this forum.

[Sailorsong]

Those who remember me know how I had been fighting with the VA since 2008 for 100% service connected disability. Well yesterday I found out that I now have that status. It was actually my diabetes that put me over the goal line.

Last fall my diabetes doctor started me on a Continuous Glucose Monitor and within 2 weeks she noted that my PTSD nightmares were spiking my readings during my sleep. I mean they were going up to around 400 which is very bad, and explains why I was not able to control my A1C reading even with insulin.

  After seeing the doctor's report about the PTSD dreams I filed a claim for service connection for my diabetes being worsened by the PTSD. Last month I had my Pension & Compensation exam for this claim. Not only did this doctor say that my diabetes was service connected (20%), but the numb legs (10% each) and Chronic Kidney Disease (60%) were service connected which were things I didn't even file for.

So now after 13 years of fighting with the VA I no longer have to worry about not being able to make ends meet each month. I went through about 90% of the funds in my IRA over those years just to keep my head above water.

I still have appeals pending with the VA on my PTSD but having the diabetes service connected should allow me to win those and therefor get the back pay to 2015 and be able to refund my retirement account.

Dennis

[Sailorsong]

I just got an early Xmas present from the VA. Without me even having to apply for my heart problems being service connected They ruled they are service connected to the tune of 60% disability and that they are serviced connected back to Jan 2014.

As a result I got $34,000 in back-pay on Dec. 6th. What a shock it was to see that money show up in my checking account!  

Oh the reason they used for the service connection on both diabetes and my heart was due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

[supermum_ms]

WOW i was only thinking of you and your wild life sightings stories the other day :D

I don't think i will ever understand all the hoops they made you wade through, seriously whoohoo Dennis its about time the VA worked it out so you can finally receive an income (and back pay ) you can actually live off of. You must feel a little lighter.

Cheers..........JJ

[Sailorsong]

The way the VA benefits system is set up is the main problem. Each state has a VBA (Veterans Benefit Administration) that sets up its own practices of how they will evaluate claims. I'm sure that if the claim for my diabetes had been handled in TN i would not have gotten the service connection for it. Luckily I filed the claim in Maine and therefor got it.  Basically the TN VBA is anti Vet when it comes to benefits. They will bend over backwards to deny claims as if it come directly out of their pockets.  It took almost 2 years for them to even acknowledge that I was in Vietnam even though my service records show that I had a campaign medal for being there.  

Even the time it takes to have a claim reviewed varies by where the claim is being handled. Ever claim I have filed in TN for has taken about 2 years to get a decision. I filed the claim for diabetes in Maine just last September (5 months).  

Dennis