Military veterans.

[TxRR]

Zaphoon,

I agree 100% with you. I think these people (VA, Feds./Goverment, Insurance company's etc.) are so disorganized and could really care less about the welfare of the citizens/veterans. In todays society with the recession, failed banks/ insurance companys/auto industry it's basically everyone for themselves. The government can give billions of dollars to bail out poorly managed and failed companies but won't give one cent to a disabled veteran with PLS. Where are the priorities?

 

[MtPockets]

Thanks for the link. I too am waiting for the approval process and they sent me a letter wanting to know who saw me with symptoms back in 1966 when I was in the service? Has nothing to do with what they said. I served during the Viet Nam war, that is all that matters.

 

[terpaul]

Just diagnosed with pls and have a question

From what I have read in this forum it appears as if the VA does not recognize PLS as presumptive. Has anyone filed a claim and had it approved?

Is there any support from any organizations such as DAV?

 

[Zaphoon]

I have a VA doc that is telling me I have PLS. Once I get confirmation on this, I'll be asking the same questions.

How long were you in the service and when were you separated?

Zaphoon

 

[MtPockets]

Link on ALS VA Connection for Disability

http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1583
Announcement was made last year, yet yesterday when I went to the VA hospital in Biloxi, Ms. the Doctor said he had never heard of the connection. I let him read the print out I had and he said it sounded good but until it filtered down to them from Washington, there is nothing he can do. He gave me a physical and said I did have ALS but he could not connect to to being service related.
They drew enough blood to start a blood bank.
Guess I will have wait to see what happens. For now I have no decision.

 

[ZenArcher]

Al, if your VA doc gave you an ALS diagnosis whatever else he thinks means nothing in terms of service connection. The VA needs 2 things to service connect you. First a diagnosis of ALS. Second, proof that you served 90 consecutive days of active duty service. That's it, nothing else. Now in order to be properly rated the first time they will need medical records and information. Contact your local PVA. For you that is:

Jackson VARO
1600 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Room 112
Jackson, MS 39216
601‐364‐7188

Don't delay, call the PVA first thing Monday. If they give you problems let me know. I'm the vice chair of the Veteran's Issue Team with ALSA for a reason.

 

[MtPockets]

Thanks Zen. I may need some help on this one. When I was in the military, our favorite saying was, "Hurry up and wait".

I served 2 years, 2 months, and 21 days. You can tell I was waiting to get out. From 1965 to 1966 during Vietnam Conflict. So that should qualify me according to the guidelines. I have three doctors statements that I have ALS, what else could they possibly need. BLOOD They got that too. Seems my blood was clotting too much or too thick because they stuck me 3 times and the blood kept quiting. Took 13 vials of blood. VAMPIRES?

Positive attitude!
Positive attitude!
Positive attitude!

 

[ZenArcher]

Like I said call the PVA first thing Monday morning and explain everything. They should be on top of it right away. If they don't know about the ALS presumption let me know and we'll make sure they get trained. Let me know how you make out with them. We are trying to keep on top of these so we know if and where there are problems.

 

[TxRR]

Zen,

My case is in limbo because I'm still unable to locate my service medical records. The DVA here in Houston is ready to proceed with my case with or without those records. I posted this on page 4 of this thread but don't know if you had a chance to read it.

I was wondering if you have any ideas or contacts that might help me out?

This is what I've done so far:

I contacted my Marine Corps. reserve unit here in Houston and they referred me to the Marine Corps Mobilization Command Medical Branch (MCMCMB) in Kansas City, Mo. The MCMCMB said they did not have my records and referred me to the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs (DVA) in St. Louis, Mo. The DVA in St. Louis said they did not have my medical records and referred me to the National Personel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis. The NPRC did not have my medical records and referred me to the VA Records Management Center (RMC). The RMC computer showed my medical records to be at the VA Regional Office here in Houston. The Houston Regional Office says they do not have my records.

Thanks.

 

[ZenArcher]

The first place I would go is to my local representative. If you do a search on HadIt.com there are some people there who are very knowledgeable about the VA system.

 

[TxRR]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

[Zaphoon]

You've really got my interest in this one. I subscribe to Prepaid Legal and have thought aobut enlisting the services of a lawyer to help should my PLS diagnosis stick.

Zaphoon

 

[Zaphoon]

Rayboo,

I think it may be beneficial to attack this problem through both avenues; the VA and a law firm.

There are a number of vets with a diagnosis of PLS that would benefit from PLS being included with ALS in this matter. I have a follow-up later this month with my VA neuro. If he still feels we are dealing with a case of PLS, I'll ask for a letter to work with to get things going on my end.

I agree with what you've said about something like this going through. It might be a nightmare but then again, maybe not.

Zaphoon

 

[Zaphoon]

I believe the VA has some data available regarding those numbers. Because the incidence of PLS is believed to be .5% of that of ALS, I wouldn't think the number of PLSers would be very substantial.

Hopefully, that can play in our favor given that in either case (PLS/ALS), we are talking about motor neuron disease but I also understand the huge difference in the two.

Keep me posted!

Zaphoon

 

[MtPockets]

VA benefits for ALS Service Connection Disability

I just got my letter back from the VA . I was diagnosed with ALS May 11, 2006. They said I am enrolled in group 3 for health care benefits, which means I am considered 10% to 20% disabled? What gives? I thought we would be 100%?