Hi everyone,

This message might be a bit cryptic for those who are not US military veterans so here's a short translation: I am now receiving a small disability pension every month for injuries I sustained in my service.

For the veterans who understand the VA system:
I received my official claim award letter today. I'm rated at 10% for my tinnitus which was automatic because of my field artillery MOS and rated at 0% for my hearing loss. So if my hearing gets worse, I can appeal and possibly get an award. I'm working on claims for my flat feet and shin splints. My VSO is encouraging me to nickle and dime my way up to 50% so if I can go to VocRehab and get declared unemployable, that could bump me up to 100% total permanent.

10% is not much money but it makes a big difference for me and that's all that matters now. It's going to definitely help to get my truck running.

-- Sean

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Micronet World HQ - bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (618:618/1)

For the veterans who understand the VA system:

Kudos to you for getting a rating! I know the VA is basically actively hostile toward those of us trying to get what we're owed, lol. Any pointers for navigating the system? I got out at the end of 2011 with cardiovascular issues caused by burn pits overseas, and I also got a 10% rating, but as I've gotten older a lot of things have started creeping up that are service related. I really don't know where to begin trying to figure this stuff out.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/02/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: m O N T E R E Y b B S . c O M (618:300/56)

I received my official claim award letter today. I'm rated at 10% for my tinnitus which was automatic because of my field artillery MOS and rated at 0% for my hearing loss. So if my hearing gets worse, I can appeal
and possibly get an award. I'm working on claims for my flat feet and shin splints. My VSO is encouraging me to nickle and dime my way up to 50% so if I can go to VocRehab and get declared unemployable, that could bump me up to 100% total permanent.

Sean,

I was in the US Navy, and onboard an Air Craft Carrier. I was attached to an F-14 Squadron and was a RIO, Back Seat of an F-14 Tomcat. I was inspecting my Aircraft for an upcomming OPS Mission and was under the Port Wing. The AO's were loading 250's on the pylon and I was right there looking at my flaps. The pylon fell off the skid, the 250 BDU hit the deck and the pylon went flying and swiped my left knee. It broke my leg right in two and smashed my knee cap. Fast Forward, My Flight Career ended and so did my Navy Time. After 8 months and twice under the knife I was Medically Discharged. The VA only gave me 10%, back in 1986. I have gone 3 rounds with the VA over the years and as I get older the more I have issues. So, least to say I have a very serious distain for the VA. I take the monthly bird feed I get and give it to charity. I have done that for the past 20+ years.

I walk with a Cain, bairly can move my knee and just two years ago, had a total knee replacement done, BY A CIVILIAN DOCTOR and privite health insurance.

N4TDX BBS - Telnet: n4tdx.ddns.net:2323
FSXnet: 21:1/136 * Fidonet 1:135/383 * Micronet 618:250/35
Titusville, FL.


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/32)
* Origin: N4TDX BBS (618:250/35)

Re: Good news
By: Sean Dennis to All on Sat May 27 2023 03:17 pm

I received my official claim award letter today. I'm rated at 10% for my ti

Something I have always thought about modern military service is it has to be an eardrum breaker.

Shooting a .38 without ear protection is already bad enough. I don't want to know what shooting one of the big NATO ammos in burst is like. Big artillery? Yucks.

And tbh it does not look to me like soldiers are gonna wear muzzles or ear plugs in the field. It has to suck big time.

Man my eardrums are hurting already just from thinking about it.

--
gopher://gopher.richardfalken.com/1/richardfalken
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (618:250/24)

esc wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

Kudos to you for getting a rating! I know the VA is
basically actively hostile toward those of us trying to get
what we're owed, lol. Any pointers for navigating the
system? I got out at the end of 2011 with cardiovascular
issues caused by burn pits overseas, and I also got a 10%
rating, but as I've gotten older a lot of things have
started creeping up that are service related. I really
don't know where to begin trying to figure this stuff out.

I strongly recommend finding your local veteran service officer (I think
nearly every county in the US has at least one) or contact your local DAV.

For your VSO:
https://www.nacvso.org/find_service_officers/state
or call your local county government.

For DAV:
https://www.dav.org/get-help-now/va-benefits-help/

With the PACT Act, since you were exposed to burn pits, you have more
options and benefits available to you. My good friend and former co-worker here is 51 and has Parkinson's and fibromyalgia from exposure to burn pits during the first Gulf War from his service in the Navy.

Good luck and fight like hell.

-- Sean

... 911: government-sponsored Dial-A-Prayer.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Micronet World HQ - bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (618:618/1)

Hi Ricky,

I walk with a Cain, bairly can move my knee and just two
years ago, had a total knee replacement done, BY A CIVILIAN
DOCTOR and privite health insurance.

I understand completely. Due to lousy healthcare by a VA doctor, I'll be losing my right foot later this year. I do have a great medical team now
and I have learned to be my own advocate--including getting different
clinics to talk to each other so they don't kill me with conflicting treatments--and I get things done.

Have you tried talking to a VSO to see if you can get more chicken scratch
out of the VA?

-- Sean

... There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Micronet World HQ - bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (618:618/1)

Arelor wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

Something I have always thought about modern military service is it has
to be an eardrum breaker.

These days, hearing protection is provided. When I was in 28 years ago, hearing loss was just an accepted thing.

Shooting a .38 without ear protection is already bad enough. I don't
want to know what shooting one of the big NATO ammos in burst is like.
Big artillery? Yucks.

It's over 160db inside a self-propelled howitzer when a round is fired. If you're using a towed howitzer, it's less being out in the open but it's
still extremely loud.

And tbh it does not look to me like soldiers are gonna wear muzzles or
ear plugs in the field. It has to suck big time.

They don't have time to fiddle with earplugs.

Man my eardrums are hurting already just from thinking about it.

It's the tinnitus that's terrible. My hearing loss is relatively minor but voices and soft sounds sound mumbled to me. My hearing aids help with that
and the tinnitus a little but my ears ring 24/7. No cure.

But with all of that, I can manage to hear enough to function.

Here's the hearing aids the VA issues and they are actually very nice: https://mamold.phonak.com/us/en/hearing-aids/phonak-audeo-paradise.html

They even have a special page for vets: https://mamold.phonak.com/us/en/support/va.html

I get excellent product support from the VA and that reminds me I need to
make an appointment at the hearing aid clinic in the audiology clinic at my
VA hospital. They need a minor physical adjustment.

-- Sean

... Clean mind, clean body: take your pick.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Micronet World HQ - bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (618:618/1)

I strongly recommend finding your local veteran service officer (I think nearly every county in the US has at least one) or contact your local
DAV.

Thanks for the tips and links! I'll give these a look this weekend.

With the PACT Act, since you were exposed to burn pits, you have more options and benefits available to you. My good friend and former co-worker here is 51 and has Parkinson's and fibromyalgia from exposure
to burn pits during the first Gulf War from his service in the Navy.

Yikes. I wound up with asthma from them, but I also have a host of other issues which are tied to service (was a paratrooper now have knee and back problems, was hit with an IED in 2007 and found out I have a partially broken spine, TBIs, and gut issues after getting really sick over there that haven't let up in almost 20 years). Wish me luck.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/02/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: m O N T E R E Y b B S . c O M (618:300/56)

esc wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

Thanks for the tips and links! I'll give these a look this weekend.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Yikes. I wound up with asthma from them, but I also have a
host of other issues which are tied to service (was a
paratrooper now have knee and back problems, was hit with
an IED in 2007 and found out I have a partially broken
spine, TBIs, and gut issues after getting really sick over
there that haven't let up in almost 20 years). Wish me luck.

Push like hell and try to get 100% total permanent.

-- Sean

... If you want to see a comic strip, you should see me in the shower.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Micronet World HQ - bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (618:618/1)

Finally some good news in this world!

From: https://tinyurl.com/mw3ftf63 (tasteofhome.com)

===
Cup Noodles Finally Got the Change We've Been Waiting 50 Years For

The beloved soup cup is more convenient than ever.

By Annie Campbell
Updated on November 3, 2023

Just in time for soup season, we got some great news about our
favorite ready-made soup staple: Cup Noodles (aka "Cup of Noodles").

Over the decades, Cup Noodles has become an internationally-loved
comfort meal. The personal-sized soups are reliable, budget-friendly
(especially when on sale at Costco), and the perfect thing to cure a
salty food craving. However, there is one aspect of the Cup Noodles
product that's somewhat of a design flaw.

For as long as it has existed in the U.S. (since 1973), the noodle
cup has been made of polystyrene, which is not microwave-safe.
Finally, the brand is launching a new kind of cup that's
microwavable, making the on-the-go meal even more convenient.

Microwavable Cup Noodles Are Finally Here

According to a press release, Cup Noodles will debut a new paper cup
design in early 2024 that is microwave-safe. This change will apply
across all Cup Noodles flavors including chicken, beef, shrimp,
spicy, curry, and vegetable.

Now, if you're thinking, Wait a minute-haven't they always been
microwavable?, the answer is no (and probably should be taken as your
sign to start paying attention to package instructions). When exposed
to high temperatures, polystyrene cups can melt or release
potentially harmful chemicals into your food, which is why the
package instructions don't have a microwave option.

Originally, to make the noodles, you would have to start by boiling
water. Then, you'd pour the hot water into the cup, stir, and let it
sit for about 5 minutes until cooked.

Finally, the days of pulling out the kettle are over. The whole meal
can come together in even fewer steps (and in less time) All you have
to do is add water and stick it in the microwave-after 2 minutes and
15 seconds, your hot cup of soup is served.

The polystyrene-free packaging launch does a 2-in-1 job, meeting
customers' cooking needs while also demonstrating a new commitment to
sustainable packaging. The new cup will be made with 40% recycled
fiber, feature a sleeve made with 100% recycled paper, and no longer
require plastic wrap.

"This updated packaging and the new paper cup marks an important
milestone for Cup Noodles and a key step in our environmental
commitment," said Michael Price, President and CEO of Nissin Foods
USA.

Luckily, nothing about the flavor or quality of the soup is expected
to change, so we can keep relying on our favorite soup solution as
usual-perhaps for another 50 years.
===

-- Sean

... It is hard to fly with the eagle when you work with the turkeys.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (618:618/1)