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Potentially good news for my family...

Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:41 pm
by Treebore
but I doubt it.

As some of you may know, and others definitely do not, we have been fighting the Veterans Administration for going on 3 years now. This is over my wife and her service connected disability with the US Army.

Yesterday we finally got a call from the VA to come into Tucson (A 100+ mile trip, one way) and talk about her specific condition, called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachacardia Syndrome). For the first time in 3 years they finally want to actually talk about what keeps her from driving, from working, from being able to do much of anything. What has a 10% chance of killing her each year. They finally want to talk about what makes her, according to the VA's own guidelines, a 100% disabled veteran.

I doubt they will finally follow their own rules and guidelines after this meeting, but they could. They can render a decision within 60 days of this meeting that will end the financial hardships my family has been enduring these last few years. They can make it so we have plenty of money to buy food, new clothes, feed our animals, replace our 14 year old Van with a newer and more economical vehicle, and allow us to buy all the gaming material we want to buy when we want to buy it. To subscribe to Astronomy magazine for my youngest son, to get all the art supplies my daughter wants for her art work, to no longer have to do without.

Intellectually I do not believe the VA will do this, but I have to hope.
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:45 pm
by serleran
Sending the waves and gibblets, Treebore. Sending the waves and gibblets.

Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:45 pm
by dutch206
I have a panic disorder that leaves me mostly confined to my home. I've been fighting with the SSA since July of 2006 and my first court date isn't until May of 2009. I feel your pain and will add your wife to my concerns list.
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:47 pm
by seskis281
My own hopes and thoughts go with you on this Robert...

May the beaurocracy crack one little bit at least this time for you and your wife.

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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:33 pm
by Breakdaddy
Best wishes to your family on this. The VA provides big dollars to lots of folks that don't deserve it. Here is hoping that your family that actually needs and deserves this money will get it.

Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:49 pm
by Fat Dragon Games
Great news- I know how long you guys have been fighting this. We'll keep you in our prayers bud.
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:12 am
by Buttmonkey
My family has been getting jerked around by the federal workers compensation system for 20 years, so I feel your pain. I also used to represent SSDI claimants and saw the outrageous behavior of the SSA in many of those cases. I'm starting to get mad just thinking about it.

When I saw your thread title, I was hoping you got a new ISP. As great as that would be, I've got my fingers crossed that the VA comes through instead.

Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:21 am
by Lord Dynel
My thought are with you, Tree. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the VA is wise enough to recognize that you and your wife are deserving of any and all assistance they can render.

Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:33 pm
by Relaxo
Treebore,

Best of luck with that. I hope it goes the right way.

All the best.

Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:36 pm
by Deogolf
Breakdaddy wrote:
Best wishes to your family on this. The VA provides big dollars to lots of folks that don't deserve it. Here is hoping that your family that actually needs and deserves this money will get it.

Having worked at the VA hospital in Milwaukee for the last six years I would agree. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. It makes me shake my head sometimes in bewilderment. I wish you the best in your pursuit!
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:38 pm
by Lurker
Good luck on this. I hope it does work out but after 17 years in the military I've learned not to trust the bean counter side of things! Again good luck!
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:39 pm
by Julian Grimm
All the best Tree. Here's to hoping and here's a bigger one to getting what you need.
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:02 pm
by Rigon
Good luck with the meeting, Tree. Hopefully the government will get this right.

R-
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:17 pm
by Stuie
Good luck Treebore!

I used to pay disability claims for a private insurer. They moved me to a different position because I approved too many claims.
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:29 pm
by Aladar
Tree,

Good luck. I had to go around and around with VA just to get my 40% disability years back. They can be real knuckle draggers when they want to be.

I hope your wife gets her disability as she should.
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:12 pm
by Treebore
Aladar wrote:
Tree,

Good luck. I had to go around and around with VA just to get my 40% disability years back. They can be real knuckle draggers when they want to be.

I hope your wife gets her disability as she should.

Thanks for the well wishes, etc... everyone!

Yeah, I had to do similar back in 1995 but I got my rating within a few months.

The DAV says one of the reasons is my wife's condition isn't covered in the VA's books.
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:16 pm
by dachda
Good luck, Treebore,

I've had friends with similar situations but with their private HMO's who didn't want to pay for treatment they claimed wasn't covered under the policy. Insurance companies don't make money by paying out claims! The financial burdens can be crippling in themselves.

Best wishes and hopes for your situation.
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:18 pm
by cinderblock
I hope for the best for you guys.

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:30 pm
by Tadhg
Good luck, Tree. I hope everything gets sorted out to your satisfaction.

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