20 % Disability

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krm375
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Joined: February 13th, 2010, 6:42 am

20 % Disability

Post by krm375 »

A quick question, does this sound right? I got 20% for the neck 0% for the shoulder, 0% for Scars, and 0% for knees and ankles when I was discharged, I ruptured a disc C5 -C6 had two surgeries to correct the issue pinched nerve in my right arm, one Cervical laminectomy and one Cervical Fusion with hardware, and a bone graft from my hip to place in my neck. I had also separated my shoulder on that jump. I am fortunate to be walking, so I have not gone back in for a reevaluation. I am working but still have to carry my therabands and Flexaril and ranger candy (Motrin) where ever I go. I am thinking about going to the local DAV in Virginia Beach to get re assessed. As a Ranger, not a lot of the swelling and pain was documented for my first 5 years in Battalion, I really only had to go to the doc when I busted my neck up. How do they asses what was never reported, the everyday wear and tear of being in the Batt.
Bco 1st platoon, Weapons Squad, 1st Squad, Bco Training, 3/75 93-00
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Bravo57
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by Bravo57 »

Dude, go get re-evaluated. I kind of had the same thing going on, got re-evaluated and now am where I'm supposed to be.
B Co. FIST 3/75 Rgr Rgt.
1991-2000
RS 9-92
Task Force Ranger 1993


For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
BonesC75RVN
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Joined: February 24th, 2010, 8:07 am

Re: 20 % Disability

Post by BonesC75RVN »

Ranger KRM375, like Bravo says, go get re-evaluated. The VA has a knack for only giving you half of what you deserve, first time in. Also, if you can afford it, get documentation from a private doctor and submitt that paperwork when you go back to the VA for re-evaluation. It will help your case.
BonesC75RVN
Charlie Ranger 75th, RVN 70-71
82nd Airborne, 1/504th, 71-72
Overseas Construction Worker 83-08
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42L5V
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by 42L5V »

The DAV handled all my shit from day one. I got a quick 30% (the magic number for federal hiring priority). I'd recommend going to them.
MSG, U.S. Army, 1987-2007
RSClass 10-92
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PocketKings
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by PocketKings »

I got 20% for my broken back. I fought it and am now at 40%. Use the DAV, that's what they are there for.
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82d (1-325 AIR) 99-00
101st (2-502d IN) 00-03
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Jim
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by Jim »

Absolutly use the DAV. they know how the system works.
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RRDTm3
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by RRDTm3 »

you need to be a bigger pussy when you go see the doc at VA. you have trouble sleeping, sitting down for more than 20 mins makes your legs go numb, really can't be as active, can only fuck when she on top etc.............................
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42L5V
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by 42L5V »

RRDTm3 wrote:you need to be a bigger pussy when you go see the doc at VA. you have trouble sleeping, sitting down for more than 20 mins makes your legs go numb, really can't be as active, can only fuck when she on top etc.............................
That will get you a free lifetime prescription of Viagra...
MSG, U.S. Army, 1987-2007
RSClass 10-92
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AntonA2W
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by AntonA2W »

Play your cards right and the VA'll give you enough Viagra for a lifetime!
"...Fuck it all and Fuckin no regrets..."

God Bless Dementia

1/75, A2W, 11Jul93-18Nov94 (started day 1 of a 34 day nap)
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al_2ndWolfhounds
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by al_2ndWolfhounds »

Here in Texas we have county agents who are paid by the state. Their entire job is to assist Veterans and act as their representative to the VA. Over the years the two that have me are great. You may want to check and see if your state has them.

They also keep you up to date on many of the benefits that are made available from the state. Some of which are:

$3.00 registration and disabled vet license plate fee for your primary vehicle if at least 40% disabled.
With Disabled Vet plates no tolls on toll roads or parking at the airports.
No city, county or school taxes on your primary residence if 100% disabled.
Supplemental financing for home or property financing.
Texas also operates its own VA homes for those that need it.
RLTW

Active service 01/67-12/73
Ranger Class 10-68
2/27 Inf 25th Inf Div Vietnam 01/69-01/70

"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take." - Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965)
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krm375
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by krm375 »

Thankyou for the replys, I will got to the VA and DAV to see if they can take care of me. I Hate being a pussy, and I know a lot of guys coming home are worse off than me.
Bco 1st platoon, Weapons Squad, 1st Squad, Bco Training, 3/75 93-00
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al_2ndWolfhounds
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by al_2ndWolfhounds »

krm375 wrote:Thankyou for the replys, I will got to the VA and DAV to see if they can take care of me. I Hate being a pussy, and I know a lot of guys coming home are worse off than me.
Worse off is a relative term.

I have learned to not judge the veterans that I see at the VA Hospital or in the local Outpatient Clinic. Sometimes the worst of them show no scars but they are there. Its the spirit that counts. Many have been an inspiration to me. I have had many a laugh and enjoyed the company of many of these great Vets. Some of the "worse off" have an indomitable spirit, cherish life and consider their injuries to be a way of continuing to excel.

And as we say "Never, never quit".
RLTW

Active service 01/67-12/73
Ranger Class 10-68
2/27 Inf 25th Inf Div Vietnam 01/69-01/70

"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take." - Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965)
“The enemy is anybody who’s going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on.” – Joseph Heller, Catch-22
panthersix
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by panthersix »

krm375 wrote:Thankyou for the replys, I will got to the VA and DAV to see if they can take care of me. I Hate being a pussy, and I know a lot of guys coming home are worse off than me.
Um, we're not OCONUS short on manpower and need every gun we can get, so it's ok for you to go on sickcall Ranger! You Rangered Up when needed, now you can take care of yourself. You've more than earned it.

Just yesterday I saw my Plt Sgt from 1/75 for the first time in almost 30 years. I saw him coming out of the VA hospital in Durham as he saw me going in. We had the "eye lock" moment where we kept looking at each other in passing and then each did a simultaneous 180 and called each other's name. How cool is that?

Rangering is hard on the body, if not fatal (I have three Ranger Buddies on the Ranger Monument at HAAF that are KIT). You've earned the right to try to live without pain, if you can, and enjoy the freedoms you've earned for everyone here in the USA (and Canada, and Mexico, etc..etc..).
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hobbit
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by hobbit »

Listen up all:

Stop feeling self-conscious about applying for VA disability. Do it! You have an obligation to keep the system going for others. Think about this: nearly all WWII and about 75% of Korea War veterans are dead now. At one time the VA's load was 28 million vets. Now it's about 1/4 that. The financial load on the VA has been lessened over the past two decades by 75%, yet their budget remains close to what it's always been.

I was shot twice through my right thigh, one of the bullets grazing my femoral artery. I came within 10 minutes of bleeding to death. I took RPG shrapnel to my left knee. I have 4 grenade shrapnel wounds to my left elbow, head, and right foot -seven wounds total from two different combat operations. I have enough shrapnel retained in my legs to set off airport detectors. I lost half a toe on my right foot. I walked with a cane for two years after returning from two tours in Vietnam, and when I applied for VA disability, the bastards gave me 10%!

I lived with that insult for 24 years, until 1995 when I checked into the Palo Alto VA hospital for a cancer operation. They removed a malignant polyp that has never reappeared. They also opened my knee, removed a piece of shrapnel that'd been giving me hell for years, then gave me an artificial kneecap. They also diagnosed a recurring red rash on my chest and legs as an incurable strain of jungle rot. Thau Thien province, the 101st AO, had the second highest inundation of Agent Orange in Vietnam. When they checked me out of the hospital after 4 months, they gave me a new cane and the 10% disability rating I'd always had.

That was it for me. I called the VA in Washington trying to get hold of the secretary, and after half an hour of running around, I finally got to the undersecretary. I lost it at that point. I screamed into the phone, "Look goddammit! I was wounded 7 times in two combat tours with a Ranger Company in Vietnam! I've earned two minutes of the secretary's time!" "Sit tight," said the undersecretary. "You'll be contacted by a rep from the LA VA office tomorrow". Sure enough, this guy comes banging on my door bright and early and tells me I'm now rated 100%. It was about fucking time.
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The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. -Albert Einstein
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Looon
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Re: 20 % Disability

Post by Looon »

It's a constant battle. I had problems with my knees when I was booted out on a medical. I told them that I had problems with my knees and the Army and the VA ignored me and my knee problem. Over there years since then, I have applied numerous times to get a rating on knees. Every time I was told there wasn't sufficient evidence and was denied.

I had to 'retire' from construction in '04 because I physically couldn't do it no more. All of my issues played apart in my decision, but my knees were the biggest reason. There are times that my wife has to help me up and down off of the fucking toilet. I also take a lot of falls every year due to my knees and my ankles. One of these times I won't get back up.

Fast forward to a two years ago: I reapplied here in Iowa to get a rating on my knees. They denied me again, but this time I filed an appeal and was granted a hearing. Guess fucking what? the evidence was there all along. They either ignored it or just didn't fucking care because they were too lazy to actually go through my file. All of the documentation is there and it is overfuckingwhelming in my favor.

I can barely walk anymore and have a prescribed cane that I use when it gets bad.

I am now waiting to hear what kind of rating they are going to give me on both of my knees. It's taken me 19 years to get to this point, just for my knees.

I don't want or care about the monetary benefits. I just want them to acknowlege that my knees are fucked up from my time in service so I don't have to pay out of pocket if I end having to have surgery in the future.....which I have already been told is highly probable.

Fight, fight, fight.....
B Co 3/75
1989-1990
Just Cause Airlando Commando
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