Questions about disability.

[Derrin33]

As some of you know I spent 4 yrs in the Navy. While TAD to the U.S.S. Enterprise I was ran over by a tow tractor on the flight deck. I was supposed to get surgery on my left foot, but it never happend. I have now been out 2 yrs and the pain has finally gotten the better of me. Every night it's a struggle to get my boot off, because my foot has swelled up again. Not to mention I buy extra wide shoes just to crame it in there. I recently called and am having a disabilty package sent to me. After I get this packet, whats my next step? I have heard the horror stories and am quite nervous about it. I'm not trying to beat the system and this is a legit injury. What kind of timeline am I looking at? Any help would be great. Thanks

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[mlr1m]

Disability package from where?

Michael

[Derrin33]

The VA

[mlr1m]

I cant help ya with that sorry. I just got disability from social secutiry and thought maybe you were trying that.

Michael

[dukalmighty]

I believe it depends on how high a rating you get,you can get free health care but the Iraq war has put a strain on the system,If surgery can help then since it was service connected with documentation that is an option,you may also get a monthly disability check and still be able to work The amount depends on degree of disability

[harley91]

When you are filling out your packet make sure you are putting all details in your claim per injury i.e. degree of pain, how often and where and make sure you are specific. The VA will be looking for any specifics to your injury and try to root out any lies or false claims for injuries. You must provide as much documentation for each of your claims. Remember that you can claim everything like back ache, loss of hearing, skin rash, etc.. you have to prove that this happened while on active duty.

Once you send off your packet it will take approx 6-8 months before you hear from them. In the mean time they will send you letters stating that they are still working on your package and if you have further documentation to please send it to them. But, if you have no more and have provided all you could, don't worry about it.

They will then send you an appoitment for C&P evaluation. This is where you must be a Hollywood actor depending on the Dr. that will evaluate. Sometimes they can be cool and other times they try to weed out any false claims. So if it hurts any little bit, let them know, also be persistant on telling them how often.

Once you are done all you do is wait for their decision. They may send you for x-rays or other Dr. appointments so make sure not to miss those. Also, make sure and go to the VA or your own Dr. if you need attention. Document everything and keep copies. If you go to a personal Dr. for the pain make sure and provide those in your original claim, they count too. Keep going to the VA if you have pain you must show a track record so to speak to show your difficulty.

Hope this helps.

harley

[Redneck Repairs]

You do know that the VA will kinda want to put you on disability when they dont want to pay for any surgery dont ya ? I know nothing abut your specific issue , but i do know the va . BEWARE dealing with them

[Paco]

That sucks, you gave 4 years and get hurt doing it and you are treated like that.

Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we just convert all of our health care to a nationalized system, so we can all get the same stellar treatment you are getting.

I hope it works out for you, crappy situation. Thanks for your service.

[Derrin33]

Ya know, there are people coming back from Iraq w/ much worse injurys than I. I just want my foot fixed. I could care less about a what it takes. I can't live in pain forever. Hopefully something will happen.

[dukalmighty]

Good luck Derrin I had a non service spinal cord injury chronic pain is ......well painfull lol,I have dealt with nerve pain for over 6 years,I'm classified as an incomplete quadraplegic

[PatrioticRick]

Documentation, Documentation, Documentation. I hope you copied all of your medical records from the service before you got out, I copied every page. You have been out two years, what took you so long to go to the VA? You should have been there within 90 days to get evaluated. When I got out I was awarded a 60% disability and was able to go college for free and got paid to go. Five years later disability was raised to 100%, but not without a fight. The DAV or the VFW can also help you with the paperwork and filing, they have offices at the VA hospitals and you don't have to be a member. Good luck.

[gwhall57]

Do yourself a Favor - get one of the veterans' organizations to assist you in getting your disability established. For instance, the Disabled American Veterans offer free services to help veterans get their disability claims established. Go to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Home Page, and you can find the names, phone numbers and addresses of their DSOs. Also, most VA hospitals have a DAV Service Officer in residence. Or, contact a local chapter.
They will help you get your claim established. They have tons of experience in dealing with the VA, and can get you the maximum benefit. I happen to be a life member of the DAV, since they have helped me out several times.

Or, contact the American Legion or VFW. They all have specialists to help vets get disability claims established, at no charge to you.

[Hopyard]

Just curious. Why was the surgery not done when it was first recommended?

One of the unfortunate aspects of military medicine is that the docs can screw you up all they want and you have no recourse. The courts have repeatedly held that the military and the military docs can't be sued for malpractice.

[AirForceShooter]

Get to know your Congress Critter's VA liaison.
They can do stuff you never dreamt of.

AFS

[Strokin99]

Use every source you have available to you. Back when my dad was injured, he didn't know about the help that was around to make things a bit easier for him. It took him 10 years to finally hit 100% disabled/unemployable but it was worth it. He gets a check every month and I get $900 a month for my college. Use the DAV they have helped him out a lot over the years.