If we miss the call and miss the exam, the VA can deny the claim. Please answer these calls.
VA EXAM – Loyal Source833-832-7077
VA EXAM – Optum866-933-8387
VA EXAM – QTC800-682-9701
VA EXAM – VES877-637-8387
When they call:
Say YES to the appointment.
Write down the date, time, and address.
Tell them: “Please also call my daughter Nicole, 573-513-0900.”
Ask: “Is there a place near Perryville, or a video visit?”
Call Nicole and tell her the date.
If a text shows a different company, call the VA first to check it is real: 1-800-827-1000.
The schedule
Don’s Appointments
✓ Jul 15 — done
Hearing test. Ask for a printed copy — give it to Nicole.
Mon, Aug 10 — 10:00 AM
VA exam, Perryville (Olde Towne Medical). Local! See the “Aug 10 Exam” tab.
Mon, Aug 24 — 11:00 AM
Mental health visit (Maggie Buckley). See the “Aug 24” tab.
Wed, Aug 26 — 12:30 PM
Agent Orange check-up. See the “Aug 26 Nurse” tab.
Wed, Oct 7 — 10:30 AM
Skin doctor. See the “Later Visits” tab.
Tue, Feb 24, 2027 — 10:45 AM
Hearing follow-up. See the “Later Visits” tab.
Trouble driving? Call the VA hospital at 573-686-4151 — ask about video visits and free rides. The VA also pays mileage.
Good news
Mon, Aug 10 — VA Exam
This is a good thing — the doctor’s exam for Dad’s new claims, right here in Perryville. No long drive.
10:00 AM
Olde Towne Medical Company · 27 W St Joseph St, Perryville With nurse practitioner Rachel Dibooglu.
What to expect
A “C&P exam” — a medical review for the claim, not treatment. The examiner reads his file, asks about each condition, may do a quick physical check, and fills out VA forms. About 30–60 minutes. No decision is made that day.
Coaching: Describe your symptoms honestly and at their worst — how often, how bad, and how they limit your day. Do not tough it out or play it down. Bring a photo ID and your medicine list.
Be ready to talk about
Bladder (urinary frequency): how many times you go in the day; how many times you get up at night; sudden urges; any leaking or accidents; pads; trouble starting or fully emptying.
Parkinson’s: the shaking hand — which one, when, how bad (dropping, spilling); stiffness; slow movement; shuffling, balance, any falls; smaller handwriting; trouble with buttons, utensils, or cups; the medicine you take for it.
Skin cancer (face & scalp): where the spots are; how many; treatments (cream, freezing, cut out); sun exposure during service; any that keep coming back.
You’ve got this
Mon, Aug 24 — Mental Health
11:00 AM
Mental health visit with Maggie Buckley.
What to expect
A talking visit — no physical exam. The provider asks about mood, sleep, memories, stress, and how you’re coping. It builds Dad’s record.
Coaching: It’s okay to say the hard things here — this is a safe place, and being honest helps. A lot of veterans keep this inside for years. You don’t have to today. Talk about Vietnam, your sleep, and how you really feel, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Be ready to talk about
Sleep & nights: nightmares, waking up scared, gasping, trouble falling or staying asleep.
Memories: thoughts of Vietnam that show up without warning; things you try hard not to think about.
Triggers: loud noises, crowds, fireworks, helicopters — how your body reacts.
On guard: startle easily, sit facing the door, check the locks, can’t relax.
Mood: sadness, guilt, anger, losing interest in things, pulling away from family.
Bring this on Aug 26
Wed, Aug 26 — The Nurse
Say to the nurse: “I served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange. Please check me for the things on this page.”
What to expect
An Agent Orange check-up. The nurse reviews his exposure and can order screening tests.
Please ask the nurse for
A blood sugar test (A1C) — to check for diabetes.
A sleep study — he snores and gasps for air at night.
A neurology referral — for the shaking hand.
Screening for heart, prostate, and thyroid.
Also be ready to mention: diabetes signs (thirst, peeing a lot, tired), snoring/gasping at night, the hand tremor, back pain that limits walking, numbness or tingling in the legs and feet.
Coming up later
Later Visits
Wed, Oct 7 — Skin Doctor
What to expect: a skin exam; the doctor may freeze, treat, or biopsy spots.
Coaching: Show every spot ever treated or removed. Mention sun exposure during service. Ask them to write down the diagnosis — it helps the skin-cancer claim.
Tue, Feb 24, 2027 — Hearing
What to expect: a repeat hearing test (audiogram) and hearing-aid check.
Coaching: Ask for a printed copy of the audiogram results AND the note before leaving — this matters for the hearing appeal. Describe the real trouble: understanding words, turning the TV up loud, the ringing (tinnitus).
Mary, this is your part
For Mary
Your words count as real evidence. The VA listens to what a wife has seen over 50 years. Nothing you write is wrong.
Jot notes (or tell Nicole) about:
Nighttime: snoring, gasping for air, nightmares, calling out.
Loud noises and crowds: how does Don react?
Vietnam: what will he not talk about?
The shaking hand: buttons, cups, writing, eating — what changed?
Daily life: what can he no longer do that he used to?
Nicole turns your notes into the paperwork. Dad’s symptoms can go in as his own statement — you just help him remember them.
For reference (Nicole)
Veterans Pension — At a Glance
What it is: a needs-based monthly benefit for wartime veterans with limited income and assets. It is not the same as disability compensation. You can’t get both — the VA pays the higher one.
Requirements
Wartime service (Vietnam qualifies ✓)
Age 65+ ✓, or permanently disabled
Income + assets under the net-worth limit: $163,699 (Dec 1, 2025–Nov 30, 2026)
36-month look-back on gifting/transferring assets to qualify
Dollar amounts (max per year, Dec 1, 2025)
Situation
No dependents
One dependent
Basic pension
$17,441
$22,839
Housebound
$21,313
$26,710
Aid & Attendance
$29,093
$34,488
Pros & cons
Pros
Cons
Income floor; Aid & Attendance helps pay for care; Don meets the service + age gates.
Means-tested (full financial disclosure); look-back penalty on gifts; can’t stack with compensation; reduced by income.
Current decision: letting the pension Intent to File expire on purpose; revisit only if finances or health change.
In plain words
Where Things Stand
The hearing decision The VA lowered Dad’s hearing rating to zero. We are appealing it.
The new claims Dad’s new claims (urinary frequency, Parkinson’s, skin cancer) are filed and moving. The Aug 10 exam is part of that.
Back pay for Mom ✓ Done! Confirmed — $1,005.47 deposited April 10, 2026 for adding Mom as a dependent back to 2024. The money arrived.
As new letters come in, Nicole adds what each one means here.
The road ahead
What Comes Next
Here’s the plan, one step at a time. You don’t have to hold it all in your head — it lives right here.
1. The new claims (happening now)
Dad’s new claims — bladder, Parkinson’s, and skin — are filed and moving. The Aug 10 exam in Perryville is the next step. Dad’s job: show up and describe everything honestly, at its worst.
Keep noticing — the list can grow. If you think of any other health problem, big or small, old or new, jot it down or tell Nicole. Things like trouble sleeping or breathing, aches and pains, numbness or tingling, memory slips, stomach, bladder, blood pressure, or skin spots. Many can be added as new claims — especially anything that might trace back to service or Agent Orange. Don’t worry about whether it “counts” — just write it down, and we’ll figure it out together.
2. The mental-health plan
There will be about two mental-health visits first (the first is Aug 24) to build the record. Then Matthew Butler at the DAV files the mental-health claim for us. Matthew is Dad’s helper on this — Nicole talks with him.
For Dad: You may feel like you don’t have much to say here — and that’s okay. Just notice the little things: quick to anger or frustration, losing patience, feeling on edge, trouble sleeping. Sometimes those trace back to your Army days without us realizing it. You don’t have to decide what it means — just notice it, and mention it.
3. The hearing appeal
We’re appealing the VA lowering Dad’s hearing rating to zero. The hearing test on Feb 24, 2027 helps — remember to ask for a printed copy of the results and the note.
4. Keep answering “VA EXAM” calls
These calls set up the exams that decide the claims. Always answer, say YES, write down the details, and call Nicole. (See the “Phone Calls” tab.)
Who does what
Person
Their part
Don
Go to each appointment; speak honestly, at your worst.
Mary
Jot down what you’ve seen (see the “For Mary” tab).
Nicole
All the paperwork, the calls, and working with Matthew at the DAV.
On hold on purpose: the Veterans Pension — we’re waiting on that for now (see the “Pension Info” tab).
Nicole updates this page as the plan moves. Check back any time.