January 21, 2009

A day that will live in infamy!! MY VA CLAIM WAS APPROVED!!

Eric, my DAV rep, called me at 7:35am and told me that I was approved for 100% Permanent and Total with Aid and Attendance. I will know more when I get my official letter. But bottom line is...

MY VA CLAIM WAS APPROVED!!

Tweaks

I have been back in for 3 tweaks so far. My next tweak is scheduled for February 4, 2010.

I have had some gait issues as well as some falls since my last tweak. So we will address these issues with the neurologist.

Turning Me On

That's right, they turned me on on 18 September 2009. Boy, what a difference it makes!!! They did a lot of testing, and after 1-1/2 hours later, I walked out of there feeling great!!!

The feeling great just lasted for 4 days. I go back in in 1-1/2 weeks for another tweak.

Surgery

My doctor's think that I am an excellent candidate for DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation). So, on August 15, 2009, I go under the knife. After a long 10-1/2 hours in the operating room, I was done. What was really weird was that I was awake for part of the surgery so that they could test the location of the electrodes. They would turn on the juice and sometimes something good happens, and other times it wasn't so good. This was a signal for them to move the electrodes.

But finally, all was done and I was wheeled out and placed in a room for 4 days while I was recovering. It was good because my mom and sister came out here and between them and Jerrilynn, someone was with me the whole time. I don't remember much of that time.

A week later, I went back in so that they could insert the controller just below my right collar bone and connect the wires.

Second Claim

So now what to do? File another claim? You betcha'. On July 15, 2009, we filed another claim instead of appealing the previous decision. We asked for an increase of the 30% as well as a lot of secondary conditions. Now the waiting game begins again.

VA Award

Well, after 14 months of waiting, the VA approved me for disability and awarded me 30% disability. Only now, the VA is keeping the $450 they would be paying me to pay back the money I received back in 1992 when I voluntarily separated from the Air Force.