The Crazy-Ass VA - Part 1
The VA is so freak strange and so bloated and out of touch it is almost funny. But since they are literally fucking with people’s lives, well, it isn’t something to laugh about.
Currently, I have one single disability claim outstanding and that is for chronic sinusitis and that was filed because the VA actually recommended that I file it. One of my decision letters stated:
“We have reviewed your records, and they suggest you may be entitled to an additional benefit. If you want to file a claim for sinusitis, please use VA Form 20-0995”.
First of all, I totally missed that statement, I mean I read it, but I didn’t comprehend it for some reason, a year later I was reading my paperwork, trying to figure out what was next, and ran across that statement, so I submitted for Chronic Sinusitis and basically forgot about it.
I went for my C&P exam for that Sinusitis claim and the practitioner I saw was checking her records and said that she saw me for a Sinusitis C&P Exam before (which I don’t recall) and she said she gave her medical opinion of Chronic Sinusitis and doesn’t know why they are asking for her to do it again, but we went through the motions and again she stated that she thinks I have Chronic Sinusitis. No, let me first state that I think the whole Sinusitis thing is all BS, but they told me to file a claim and I did, with a Sinusitis diagnosis, I can hopefully claim my deviated septum, which is 100% service-connected because I was on Active Duty when I face planted, broke two teeth and put the bottom row of teeth through my chin and have a scar to prove it. That, however, is a story for another post.
The very next morning, I got an email that I had another C&P exam this time in Annandale, which is an hour’s drive with no traffic. If you know much about the Northern Virginia area, an hour’s drive can easily turn into several hours at the drop of a dime. There is a saying in Fredericksburg, that “Fredericksburg is an hour away from Fredericksburg”, and that can be absolutely true at times. The trip to the park and ride in the morning is 15 minutes, that same trip in the middle of the day can be 30-40 minutes. And it is even worse the closer you get to Washington D.C. And don’t get me started I-95 from Fredericksburg to D.C. is under a constant state of destruction, er, I mean construction.
I made it to the DC area in an hour and I have made that same trip, and it has taken four or more hours. You don’t want to be in the north-bound traffic on Sunday or the south-bound traffic on Friday evenings after 3, So they want me to take a day off work and then drive at least an hour to an appointment and then an hour up there either waiting or being seen, and then an hour back. So that is at least three hours that I will need to take off from work to attend this exam. The VA tends to forget that most people work for a living or that many veterans work longer hours or hold multiple jobs. And they simply schedule an appointment anytime that they feel is good.
I called to find out what this exam is for since I just had the Sinusitis exam yesterday.
I was told that it is for Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis, which was already closed and denied a few months back (for the second time). My last denial for a claim was for Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis and that was closed several months ago for the following reasons:
The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is denied remains denied because the evidence submitted is not relevant.
The claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis remains denied because the evidence submitted is not relevant.
So, this leads me to the question of why? I logged on to the VA website and it tells me that even my Sinusitis claim was closed, several weeks ago. I’m so confused!!!! And what in the hell is the evidence submitted not relevant? I sent them fifty-six pages of doctors’ records, a Nexus letter, and buddy statements, ugh, I hate this whole stupid thing. Why do they feel compelled to make this as difficult and cumbersome as possible?
I guess I will have to wait and see how it all turns out. I’m sure that they will find a way to deny it.
