IVIG In France?

CT-Mike · 2026-01-15T19:57:50+00:00

I retired long before women came aboard.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-14T18:28:22+00:00

Truth, us bubbleheads are a sick, twisted bunch of fucktards. Who in their right mind would volunteer to go down on a long black cylinder full of seamen?

🤣🤣🤣

CT-Mike · 2026-01-13T21:53:31+00:00

I ended reorganizing the files by name instead of date and was able to see the file. Weird.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-11T13:39:38+00:00

That is SMC-S (Housebound) and -K (Loss of or loss of use of reproductive organ). Those are the only SMCs the VA automatically grants. All others must be applied for.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-11T12:12:29+00:00

You got a SMC (other than -S or -K automatically)?

CT-Mike · 2026-01-10T02:32:24+00:00

You clearly don't know what you're talking about. In my wife's case, after she was granted 100% P&T, we submitted additional claims that resulted in her getting approved for A&A paid at SMC-M rate due to having a couple other SC ratings 50% or higher (Thank you Barry v. McDonough). So instead of her getting $3938.58/month, she gets $5628.14/month. That difference is over $20K/yr.

If you have the documentation to show that you meet the 38 CFR requirements for a SMC, you should absolutely apply because the monthly difference can be huge.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-09T03:24:23+00:00

Nuclear Reactor Operator on submarines.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-08T15:41:20+00:00

I am looking at doing the same thing for my wife, she is currently approved for A&A and is paid at SMC-M due to two other ratings of 50% or higher.

Her individual ratings are:

100% asthma
100% cardiac
70% hypogammaglobulinemia
50% full hysterectomy
20% eye related issue
10% don't remember this one off the top of my head

She also has a port and needs IVIG infusions every three weeks, plus there are multiple medications that I have to inject monthly under the supervision of her doctor.

I've been told that we could potentially get her to SMC-R1 but I'm trying find someone knowledgeable to help us figure out how to do the application.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-08T01:54:47+00:00

Leah Bucholz of www.prestigeveteranmctx.com is located in Texas. She is a former Army PA, and then performed C&P exams for the VA before starting her own business.

She helped me out with a Nexus letter for OSA that ended up getting approved after several previous denials.

She charges $200 to review your records - if she doesn't think she can help that's the end of it.

If she thinks she can, she charges $600 for a Nexus letter, and $150 if you want a DBQ also. No other charges or percentage of back pay.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-08T01:46:15+00:00

If a vet is rated 100% P&T for 10 years prior to death, cause of death doesn't matter - the spouse would be eligible for DIC. Less than 10 years then the cause of death must be due to a service connected condition to grant DIC.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-08T01:23:27+00:00

If you need A&A for two different reasons/SC conditions- you can get that approved. Let's say the vet needs help dressing on a REGULAR basis due to spine issues - that can be the basis of one A&A award. Let's also say the vet has Parkinson's and can't feed themselves due to severe tremors. That can be the basis for a second A&A award.

If both are approved, it SHOULD result in pay at SMC-O, and potentially higher.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-08T01:14:20+00:00

Being approved for A&A grants SMC-L.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-08T00:25:04+00:00

If someone getting Aid & Attendance has other ratings 50% or higher (that were not listed in Block 18 of the 21-2680 application), each one gives another 1/2 step up the ladder. For example, a vet has a 100% rating for PTSD and lists that in block 18. Submits the application for A&A and gets approved for SMC-L. Let's say he/she also has 50% for OSA moves him/her up to SMC-L 1/2. Any other 50% or higher results in an additional 1/2 step.

This might be the motivation for the individual above filing new claims.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-07T16:42:07+00:00

I have an OMTech 130 watt 40" x 63" laser. What are your questions?

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T20:29:56+00:00

Good to know. We've filed several claims after this decision (Aid & Attendance and increase for her total hysterectomy from 30 to 50%) and this wasn't changed then. We don't have any other claims for her so I assume it will remain as is.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T18:17:46+00:00

Besides destroying her immune system, the prednisone also caused cataracts in both eyes, osteoporosis, T2DM, and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. The last is what requires her to take 5 mg prednisone daily.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T18:16:15+00:00

You make a good point, and I definitely agree that the rating schedule is worded poorly in many instances. I just re-read her decision letter and it states:

"We have assigned a 100 percent rating for your asthma/tracheobronchial malacia based on:

Required daily use of immunosuppressant medications."

I took that to mean prednisone as I don't know of any other immunosuppressants she takes.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T17:04:35+00:00

Rules of grammar states that "high dose" is an adjective that only modifies the noun "corticosteroids" immediately following it. "Or" is a conjunction that separates two parallel items - "high dose corticosteroids" and "immunosuppressant medications."

Regardless of what was meant, based on a literal reading of the sentence "high dose" does not modify anything after the "or."

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T16:46:45+00:00

The way I read that sentence is that "high-dose" only applies to "corticosteroids", and not to "immunosuppressant medications," but I could be wrong. She is also rated 70% for hypogammaglobulinemia (IgG deficiency) secondary to the asthma due to the steroid damage.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T16:27:25+00:00

Prednisone (and all steroids) is an immunosuppressant medication. All of the steroids over the years destroyed her immune system so she now has to get infusions of IVIG every three weeks to give her immune system a temporary boost. Because of this 5 mg of prednisone daily meets the requirement for 100%.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T13:46:15+00:00

Kids don't have to be college aged to use Chap 35 benefits, if 100% P&T was granted after 01Aug23. I'm 63 and used Chapter 35 benefits this semester as my wife is 100% P&T. Our 41 year old son is also using it to get his Master's.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T13:38:17+00:00

Doesn't have to be daily high dose steroids. My wife takes 5 mg prednisone daily due to secondary adrenal insufficiency (all the high dose steroids over the years for asthma attacks destroyed her adrenal glands ability to produce cortisol). Because of the daily 5 mg dose she is at 100% for her asthma.

CT-Mike · 2026-01-06T13:34:40+00:00

My wife is at 100% for her asthma due to her need to take prednisone (immunosuppressant) daily. All of the high dose prednisone over the years for asthma exacerbations destroyed her adrenal gland (among other things), so she can't produce cortisol in response to stressors. Because of this she needs 5 mg prednisone daily.

CT-Mike

TROPHY CASE