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Old 04-13-2009, 02:02 PM
39mto39g 39mto39g is offline
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Default James, are you still with us?

I have something to show you. I was digging threw my pictures and seen a couple pictures of the LRRp teams we were "supporting" on some dirt road outside Duc Pho. They were 101 . There wasn't any short guy so your not in the group , but maybe you knew them? Relax, I was just kidding , your not short, just vertically challenged.

Ron
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  #2  
Old 04-14-2009, 09:53 AM
VIETNAM 1968 VIETNAM 1968 is offline
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Default Another experience with the VA compensation system:

Hi Formergrunt70:

Thought I would send this post in the hopes that you would not feel like the only one confused by the VA System for Compensation.

After conferring with Andy before his death, he strongly urged me to file for compensation based on Class 2 Diabetes, Severe Hearing Loss in both of my ears, Posty Tramatic Stress from Vietnam and a Bad Back that I sustained while I was called back to Active Duty right after 9/11/2001, when I was still acitve in the Air Force Reserves.

Like you, the VA awarded me twenty percent for my Class 2 Diabetes and now take care of all the meds in that area. I also was denied any compensation for Hearing Loss although Audio Exams showed that I was deaf in the high range of hearing, moderately deaf in the middle range and slightly deaf in the lower range of hearing. Don't ask me what that means however, but I must have people repeat themselves several times before I get the meaning, especially in a noisy atmosphere. The VA did state that I could obtain Hearing Aids, at no cost to me, if I wanted them through the VA.

As for my Bad Back I was also awarded another twenty percent and told that any future treatments or operations would be taken care of by the VA. I have no plans to let anyone cut on my spine and will just live with the pain.

The Post Tramatic Stress was denied although I was found to have some Mental Problems that were brought on by my Vietnam Service. Because I saw little direct combat and just went through three Rocket Attacks and the loss of my Best Buddy while we both served in Nam, in their opinion that did not constitute enough Mental Problems to justify an award. Because I was able to hold down one job for twenty four years and stayed married to the same woman for almost thirty nine years, I am not showing the classic symptoms of Post Tramatic Stress, expecially where I do not think of Suicide or Homicide.

Here is something that might be of interest to you. Did anyone mention Nyopathy to you? (unsure of the correct spelling). Nyopathy is the distruction of Nerve Endings in the legs caused by the Class B Diabetes. Where most people are unaware of it they seldom menhtion the problem in the VA Compensation Report and most Va Doctors will not mention it. Well the examining Doctor that looked me over, in connection with my claim for compensation did a test and found that I had Slight Nyopathy in both of my legs, even though I did not make an initial claim for the problem. They then awarded me another ten percent, for each leg (another twenty percent total) That brought my total disability claim to sixty percent Disability total.

The point I want to make with you is that the Nyopathy is the most dangerous part of the Class 2 Diabetes as it never goes away and only gets worse as the years progress. About four months ago I found myself unable to stand upong either getting up from a chair or out of bed. I was forced to hold onto something in order to hold up my own weight. This would go on for a minute or two until the problem cleared but cramps would carry on and I now walk with a limp in both legs making my walk resemble a Penguin's walk.

I have now request a re evaluation of my condition with the hopes that the Nyopathy can be raised to twenty percent in each leg. I have an appointment with an outside testing agency later this week. The test was requested by the VA. Don't know if it will do any good or not but it is still worth the effort it will take to be examined.

Well Formergrunt70 I hope this information has been useful to you and good luck with your own appeal. I find the Va to be most helpful although they tend to prescribe too many pills in order to control specific conditions. They have me taking so many pills now that I have a hard time keepiing up with which one is for which ailment and the time that the pill must be taken during the day.

To you my Brother I want to wish you a MOST SINCERE and HEART FELT--WELCOME HOME:

To all the rest of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters I also wish you all the same HEART FELT and SINCERE:

WELCOME HOME


VIETNAM 1968
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  #3  
Old 04-14-2009, 04:45 PM
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Default I think James is at the

Ranger Reunion. May be over now but I am pretty sure he was going.
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Old 04-14-2009, 05:05 PM
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I talked to James last week and set up a time to have breakfast with him while we're down in the Bay Area instead of at the Campout this year. He goes down there every several weeks from Oregon to see his parents and siblings. He's doing fine. The Ranger reunion is the weekend after the Campout down at Benning, but he decided not to go to it this year. I'll let him elaborate if he wishes.
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Old 04-14-2009, 06:06 PM
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1CAVCCO15MED 1CAVCCO15MED is offline
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Default Peripheral neuropathy of diabetes

What are diabetic neuropathies?
Diabetic neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can, over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness—loss of feeling—in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs.

About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but risk rises with age and longer duration of diabetes. The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. Diabetic neuropathies also appear to be more common in people who have problems controlling their blood glucose, also called blood sugar, as well as those with high levels of blood fat and blood pressure and those who are overweight.

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What causes diabetic neuropathies?
The causes are probably different for different types of diabetic neuropathy. Researchers are studying how prolonged exposure to high blood glucose causes nerve damage. Nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors:

metabolic factors, such as high blood glucose, long duration of diabetes, abnormal blood fat levels, and possibly low levels of insulin
neurovascular factors, leading to damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves
autoimmune factors that cause inflammation in nerves
mechanical injury to nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use
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What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathies?
Symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and which nerves are affected. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms at all. For others, the first symptom is often numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet. Symptoms are often minor at first, and because most nerve damage occurs over several years, mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. Symptoms can involve the sensory, motor, and autonomic—or involuntary—nervous systems. In some people, mainly those with focal neuropathy, the onset of pain may be sudden and severe.

Symptoms of nerve damage may include

numbness, tingling, or pain in the toes, feet, legs, hands, arms, and fingers
wasting of the muscles of the feet or hands
indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
diarrhea or constipation
dizziness or faintness due to a drop in blood pressure after standing or sitting up
problems with urination
erectile dysfunction in men or vaginal dryness in women
weakness
Symptoms that are not due to neuropathy, but often accompany it, include weight los
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Old 04-14-2009, 09:51 PM
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Thanks
This is very good information. I had never heard this before. I will ask My doctor about it on My next visit.
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