Guidance for the VA Registration Process? (2 Viewers)

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So far it is working as I expected.
 
Any luck with the help desk?
I did not use them. I ended up getting registered but have been unable to get an ID issued (website issues). I have not attempted to get any sort of disability yet. That seems to be the hardest part.
 
I did not use them. I ended up getting registered but have been unable to get an ID issued (website issues). I have not attempted to get any sort of disability yet. That seems to be the hardest part.
There appears to be a VA office in Rome--have you stopped by to see if they can help? And yes, it is a long process, but typically worth it.

 
Rome NY? Where do you live and what info do you need? I might know move than I will ever let on.
He's in Rome, GA, but I'm sure any help is always welcome.
 
So I just went through the process and can recommend a company called VACI (in Austin) to help answer any questions related to the VA.
 
Yeah-- I misunderstood. I thought the registration process itself was pretty easy, but I guess I'm 6 weeks in my "2-week" process of receiving an ID.
 
Yeah-- I misunderstood. I thought the registration process itself was pretty easy, but I guess I'm 6 weeks in my "2-week" process of receiving an ID.
VA is slow in everything they do! I had the same ID going on 15 years now. I’m glad to hear you went with a company. Finding a good VSO is a kin to winning the lottery.
 
Awesome. All benefits denied because no record of me exists serving active duty which also means none during Desert Storm.
Although I have been registered in the burn pit study (oil fires count) they have refused to let me come in to be seen for a baseline since there is no proof of service.
So now is the appeals process.
They have not even allowed me to get a VA ID.
I will go by the brick and mortar tomorrow. I understand they are back to keeping office hours.
I have my DD 214s, a copy of my orders sending me over, a copy of a memo saying I was there and got a combat patch, etc and photographic evidence of me at Camp Monterey (we responded up there in my UH-60 when the guys get dosed with CS they though was sarin in September 1991), Khobar Towers reception station and the balls of Kuwait City. I also still have my old green ID card somewhere......
 
What VA is this?
Atlanta.
But...drum roll... got the call yesterday my appeal was approved (in about 48 hours btw) so I have medical. (I will have BC/BS in retirement but having another option that may include glasses is nice.)

Next step for me is to try to get my disability rating. Due to serving in the oil fields in Desert Storm I should automatically be approved for 10%. I also had my appendix removed in a civilian hospital in Kuwait City and have sleep apnea and trouble getting rest regardless of the amount of sleep I get. I did not know this but that is supposedly a major listed symptom of the mystery of so called "Desert Storm Syndrome" whatever that actually is. I never considered that as a reason I am tired all the time.
 
Atlanta.
But...drum roll... got the call yesterday my appeal was approved (in about 48 hours btw) so I have medical. (I will have BC/BS in retirement but having another option that may include glasses is nice.)

Next step for me is to try to get my disability rating. Due to serving in the oil fields in Desert Storm I should automatically be approved for 10%. I also had my appendix removed in a civilian hospital in Kuwait City and have sleep apnea and trouble getting rest regardless of the amount of sleep I get. I did not know this but that is supposedly a major listed symptom of the mystery of so called "Desert Storm Syndrome" whatever that actually is. I never considered that as a reason I am tired all the time.
Atlanta has a bad reputation so I’m not shocked by this at all. So here is what you’re going to do now. Call the Atlanta Vet Center. Ask for the Outreach Specialist. Ask that person for the name of a Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

You can have mental health care at the Vet Center free of charge as you’re a combat veteran. They don’t do anything else though. You are entitled to a Gulf War Registry Exam. Make sure you get this. It can be set up through a specific social worker at the VA. Just call the Atlanta VA, press 0 when the recordings start. This will print you to the operator. They’ll them you need the extension to the OIF/OEF program coordinator. Ask that social worker to help you set up the Gulf War exam.
 
Atlanta has a bad reputation so I’m not shocked by this at all. So here is what you’re going to do now. Call the Atlanta Vet Center. Ask for the Outreach Specialist. Ask that person for the name of a Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

You can have mental health care at the Vet Center free of charge as you’re a combat veteran. They don’t do anything else though. You are entitled to a Gulf War Registry Exam. Make sure you get this. It can be set up through a specific social worker at the VA. Just call the Atlanta VA, press 0 when the recordings start. This will print you to the operator. They’ll them you need the extension to the OIF/OEF program coordinator. Ask that social worker to help you set up the Gulf War exam.
Super useful info.
I did also register for the burn pit study as that includes oil fires. I had two calls telling me I needed to register for healthcare prior to getting that exam which led me to the denial, appeal and then approval. Is the burnpit exam and Gulf War exam the same?
 
Super useful info.
I did also register for the burn pit study as that includes oil fires. I had two calls telling me I needed to register for healthcare prior to getting that exam which led me to the denial, appeal and then approval. Is the burnpit exam and Gulf War exam the same?
Burn pit registry is nothing more than a data base. It’s set up by Congress. I have never seen it referenced or annotated in anyone’s records. Unlike Agent Orange which is notated in records and on registration paperwork. Your record should have an ILER report. Yours would say things based on where you were. Gulf War vets I typically see oil fires. Look up Presumptive Illnesses of the Gulf War. Any and all of those are service connections if you have them and served there.
 
So I have just gotten a call from the contractor for my multiple exams. At least one (hearing) is in Atlanta so that blows. One will be local and one will be via tele-health (possibly). Why they could not find someone that could give a hearing test locally is beyond me.
What I did learn while attending SCC this passed week is that there is high probability that I will not qualify for much because of the amount of time that has passed between my service and any condition I now have. It will likely not be connectable to my service even if it is presumptive (ie Apnea).

But what have I got to lose but a few hours of my days. :meh:

Also, I failed to post but I did go have an exam for the Burn Pit and Gulf War studies. I know these are just research studies but I figured it would be a good intro to the VA. The practitioner was very nice and very knowledgeable in occupational medicine (I have had varied experiences with this type of doctor for my current job). I ended up going and getting a chest x-ray a the big VA in ATL. Wow. That was something. There were hundreds of people there. It was super busy but I was in and out in 30 minutes and, the best part, the free chest x-ray showed nothing irregular. I have not had a chest x-ray in years so that was a good thing.
Of course, I live far north of ATL and had to take an entire day off for the evaluation and the x-ray and drive. I think I left the house at 09:00 and got home right about 5pm.
 
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So I have just gotten a call from the contractor for my multiple exams. At least one (hearing) is in Atlanta so that blows. One will be local and one will be via tele-health (possibly). Why they could not find someone that could give a hearing test locally is beyond me.
What I did learn while attending SCC this passed week is that there is high probability that I will not qualify for much because of the amount of time that has passed between my service and any condition I now have. It will likely not be connectable to my service even if it is presumptive (ie Apnea).

But what have I got to lose but a few hours of my days. :meh:

Also, I failed to post but I did go have an exam for the Burn Pit and Gulf War studies. I know these are just research studies but I figured it would be a good intro to the VA. The practitioner was very nice and very knowledgeable in occupational medicine (I have had varied experiences with this type of doctor for my current job). I ended up going and getting a chest x-ray a the big VA in ATL. Wow. That was something. There were hundreds of people there. It was super busy but I was in and out in 30 minutes and, the best part, the free chest x-ray showed nothing irregular. I have not had a chest x-ray in years so that was a good thing.
Of course, I live far north of ATL and had to take an entire day off for the evaluation and the x-ray and drive. I think I left the house at 09:00 and got home right about 5pm.
I have questions and a statement. First how much time has passed? Second, assume VBA is incompetent as your base. Never accept their decision until it’s correct! Are you a combat veteran and do you have a VSO?
 

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