Hopeless and Discouraged, again! Seeking any advice.

Hug received. Thank you. I am so glad I joined this group. It helps to talk about your experience and vent a little with those who completely understand.

Sandra

I'm also an ex-Marine and VN vet. I was living abroad when I went to see a dr. about all the symptoms I was experiencing: every PD symptom except being "frozen." I went back to the states only to find out that our government had taken away half of my Social Security for the rest of my life because I never bothered to sign up for Medicare Part B--useless outside of the U.S. They deducted 10% of my Social Security for each year that I hadn't paid into it. l was recently evaluated by a VA contractor for health factors relating to Agent Orange exposure or from drinking toxic water while stationed at Camp LeJeune. I did receive a 20% service-connected rating for the chronic pain and nerve damage from shrnapel wounds to my arms. I could have received this compensation back in 1971, but didn't think I deserved to get the money that someone much worse off than myself should receive. Anyway, I'm still waiting for a decision from Veteran's Evaluation Services on getting a higher disability rating than the 20% which has gotten much worse over the years. I'm not one who complains about pain--am still able to practice martial arts (modified versions), go surfing (without being able to pop-up on by board), and play tennis (even though my serve is a major liability when playing matches). I've gotten much worse lately, awake at night with pain if I roll over in my sleep or jump up from lucid nightmares; and my wife notices when I fall--I explain to her that it's from hip injuries from many years ago) or exhibit signs of dementia--both side effects of PD. I've never told her how much pain I'm in as she worries enough. If I do get compensated, as I well should be, we're going to move out of this stinking country ASAP. I was a draftee; never enlisted to fight in a war whose only purpose was to make large corporations and their investors extremely wealthy, while the middle-class gradually disappeared and the working class, of which I am a member, become annihilated due to taxation and expensive out of pocket healthcare costs--the VA hasn't been a decent source when it comes to providing for its vets; although, in some places in the U.S. it's at least acceptable. I find that putting on a happy face and saying hello to all those I meet, helps to make life much better for all concerned parties.

I'm also an ex-Marine and VN vet. I was living abroad when I went to see a dr. about all the symptoms I was experiencing: every PD symptom except being "frozen." I went back to the states only to find out that our government had taken away half of my Social Security for the rest of my life because I never bothered to sign up for Medicare Part B--useless outside of the U.S. They deducted 10% of my Social Security for each year that I hadn't paid into it. l was recently evaluated by a VA contractor for health factors relating to Agent Orange exposure or from drinking toxic water while stationed at Camp LeJeune. I did receive a 20% service-connected rating for the chronic pain and nerve damage from shrnapel wounds to my arms. I could have received this compensation back in 1971, but didn't think I deserved to get the money that someone much worse off than myself should receive. Anyway, I'm still waiting for a decision from Veteran's Evaluation Services on getting a higher disability rating than the 20% which has gotten much worse over the years. I'm not one who complains about pain--am still able to practice martial arts (modified versions), go surfing (without being able to pop-up on by board), and play tennis (even though my serve is a major liability when playing matches). I've gotten much worse lately, awake at night with pain if I roll over in my sleep or jump up from lucid nightmares; and my wife notices when I fall--I explain to her that it's from hip injuries from many years ago) or exhibit signs of dementia--both side effects of PD. I've never told her how much pain I'm in as she worries enough. If I do get compensated, as I well should be, we're going to move out of this stinking country ASAP. I was a draftee; never enlisted to fight in a war whose only purpose was to make large corporations and their investors extremely wealthy, while the middle-class gradually disappeared and the working class, of which I am a member, become annihilated due to taxation and expensive out of pocket healthcare costs--the VA hasn't been a decent source when it comes to providing for its vets; although, in some places in the U.S. it's at least acceptable. I find that putting on a happy face and saying hello to all those I meet, helps to make life much better for all concerned parties.

Have you checked with the DAV regarding the penalty you had to pay. I have had some excellent help from these veterans and they seem to be very knowledgeable. Do you have a Veteran Clinic where you live. If there is one near you, the care is free, and you can get your prescriptions there also. All of this helps a lot. If you leave this country, where would you go that is better. I am a Gold Star Wife, and I have volunteered at the Veteran Facility. I use to impute the Veterans medical records into the computer. War is Hell! and too many of our boys never came home.
GINA5009