I'm looking for input from anyone who has actually rated GI claims or had a similar issue. I'm trying to understand how the VA should be handling my multiple GI diagnoses and the pyramiding issue.

I currently have 40% for gastritis, 20% for avitaminosis.

- all of the below gastro issues have caused my weight to drop to 91pounds, among many other things.

How I got here

My original GI claim was not properly addressed. I eventually filed an **HLR**.

The HLR found a **duty-to-assist error** concerning my GI condition and ordered additional development, including a new examination/medical opinion.

The resulting decision evaluated **Crohn's disease/IBD** and assigned it **0%**, while continuing my gastritis at 40%.

The decision explained that Crohn's/IBD and gastritis were considered coexisting digestive conditions and that separate evaluations could not be assigned for overlapping symptoms because of pyramiding.

**The problem is that I don't actually have Crohn's disease.**

The Crohn's/IBD issue was attached to my GI claim through this development, assigned 0%, and then it essentially disappeared from the later discussion.

Meanwhile, my C-file evidence documents several other actual diagnoses with favorable findings. Everything below is also present within service medical records.

# GERD

**Favorable findings:**

* **10/4/2024 Esophageal Conditions DBQ:** Formal GERD diagnosis, K21.9, diagnosis date 2014.

* Examiner documented symptoms beginning during service in early 2014.

* **10/2/2026 DBQ:** Again documents GERD and states my GI symptoms began during service.

# Gastroparesis / delayed gastric emptying

**Favorable findings:**

* **5/23/2024 gastric emptying study:** objectively demonstrated delayed gastric emptying.

* **7/24/2024 Nutritional DBQ:** 24-lb/>20% weight loss, severe lean-muscle loss, early satiety, poor appetite and nausea; examiner suspected gastroparesis affecting nutrition/absorption.

* **6/2/2025 Intestinal DBQ:** formally diagnosed delayed gastric emptying K31.84.

* **6/2/2025 Medical Opinion:** examiner stated delayed gastric emptying was **at least as likely as not directly related to my gastritis.** 2025-06-03\_DBQ-{83D37705-EE2C-4…

* **6/2/2025 Intestinal DBQ:** specifically answers **YES** to gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome.

* **10/2/2026 DBQ:** examiner again documents gastroparesis and states GI symptoms began during service.

# Chronic Constipation

**Favorable findings:**

* **6/2/2025 DBQ:** diagnosed chronic constipation K59.0.

* **6/2/2025 Medical Opinion:** constipation found at least as likely as not directly related to gastritis. 2025-06-03\_DBQ-{83D37705-EE2C-4…

* **10/2/2026 DBQ:** constipation again documented with in-service symptom onset.

* In service treatment records

# Chronic Duodenitis

**Favorable findings:**

* **August 2024 EGD/biopsy:** chronic nonspecific duodenitis.

* **2014 service records:** gastritis and duodenal abnormality documented during service.

* **10/2/2026 DBQ:** examiner specifically lists duodenitis and states my GI symptoms began during service.

I've tried multiple times to file for an increase for my gastritis and have specifically asked VA to consider my entire GI disability picture but but each time, I seem to get **looped right back into the gastritis criteria**. I submit a personal statement explaining that I wanted the **entire GI system evaluated**, rather than having everything reduced to the gastritis symptoms.

The decisions focus on whether I meet the next level under the gastritis criteria, while the other documented GI diagnoses and their favorable evidence don't seem to be meaningfully addressed, the Crohn's and IBS is never mentioned

\- I have now filed all of these as separate issues per an Optumserve employee's suggestion.

1. Is filing these separately actually the right approach?

2. Why does the IBS/IBD/Crohn's issue seem to have disappeared?

3. When multiple distinct GI diagnoses are documented, how does a rater determine which diagnostic code provides the predominant disability picture?

I'm looking for input from anyone who has actually rated GI claims or had a similar issue. I'm trying to understand how the VA should be handling my multiple GI diagnoses and the pyramiding issue.

I currently have 40% for gastritis, 20% for avitaminosis.

- all of the below gastro issues have caused my weight to drop to 91pounds, among many other things.

How I got here

My original GI claim was not properly addressed. I eventually filed an HLR.

The HLR found a duty-to-assist error concerning my GI condition and ordered additional development, including a new examination/medical opinion.

The resulting decision evaluated Crohn's disease/IBD and assigned it 0%, while continuing my gastritis at 40%.

The decision explained that Crohn's/IBD and gastritis were considered coexisting digestive conditions and that separate evaluations could not be assigned for overlapping symptoms because of pyramiding.

The problem is that I don't actually have Crohn's disease.

The Crohn's/IBD issue was attached to my GI claim through this development, assigned 0%, and then it essentially disappeared from the later discussion.

Meanwhile, my C-file evidence documents several other actual diagnoses with favorable findings. Everything below is also present within service medical records.

GERD

Favorable findings:

• 10/4/2024 Esophageal Conditions DBQ: Formal GERD diagnosis, K21.9, diagnosis date 2014.
• Examiner documented symptoms beginning during service in early 2014.
• 10/2/2026 DBQ: Again documents GERD and states my GI symptoms began during service.

Gastroparesis / delayed gastric emptying

Favorable findings:

• 5/23/2024 gastric emptying study: objectively demonstrated delayed gastric emptying.
• 7/24/2024 Nutritional DBQ: 24-lb/>20% weight loss, severe lean-muscle loss, early satiety, poor appetite and nausea; examiner suspected gastroparesis affecting nutrition/absorption.
• 6/2/2025 Intestinal DBQ: formally diagnosed delayed gastric emptying K31.84.
• 6/2/2025 Medical Opinion: examiner stated delayed gastric emptying was at least as likely as not directly related to my gastritis.
• 6/2/2025 Intestinal DBQ: specifically answers YES to gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome.
• 10/2/2026 DBQ: examiner again documents gastroparesis and states GI symptoms began during service.

Chronic Constipation

Favorable findings:

• 6/2/2025 DBQ: diagnosed chronic constipation K59.0.
• 6/2/2025 Medical Opinion: constipation found at least as likely as not directly related to gastritis.
• 10/2/2026 DBQ: constipation again documented with in-service symptom onset.
• In service treatment records

Chronic Duodenitis

Favorable findings:

• August 2024 EGD/biopsy: chronic nonspecific duodenitis.
• 2014 service records: gastritis and duodenal abnormality documented during service.
• 10/2/2026 DBQ: examiner specifically lists duodenitis and states my GI symptoms began during service.

I've tried multiple times to file for an increase for my gastritis and have specifically asked VA to consider my entire GI disability picture but but each time, I seem to get looped right back into the gastritis criteria. I submit a personal statement explaining that I wanted the entire GI system evaluated, rather than having everything reduced to the gastritis symptoms.

The decisions focus on whether I meet the next level under the gastritis criteria, while the other documented GI diagnoses and their favorable evidence don't seem to be meaningfully addressed, the Crohn's and IBS is never mentioned

- I have now filed all of these as separate issues per an Optumserve employee's suggestion.

1. Is filing these separately actually the right approach?
2. Why does the IBS/IBD/Crohn's issue seem to have disappeared?
3. When multiple distinct GI diagnoses are documented, how does a rater determine which diagnostic code provides the predominant disability picture?

I recently built a new PC so now I have an old PC with reusable parts.

I would like to build a home server to degoogle everything, have more privacy on my network traffic and have a central location for all my manga, photos, videos between my wife and I.

Current parts I am reusing:

-GPU: PowerColor Fighter RX 6600

-Ryzen 5 5500 Chip and fan cooler on top of it

-ASRock A320M-HDV R4.0 motherboard.

- A couple of fans

- G.SKILL Trident Z RGB Series DDR4 RAM (XMP) 16GB

-80 plus smart 600w power supply.

Purchasing:

- ASUS Prime AP201 case.

- storage undetermined

My confusion is around the actual storage. I am seeing things like NAS vs SAN, raids and mirroring HDDS.

- HDDS seem to be cheaper, so I believe the best course of action is maybe 2 of the red snap WD, do they need to be the same model number and make for " mirroring"?

Does it matter if they are used?

Should I just get one massive HHD, a small SSD for OS and then back everything up once a month to a portable drive?

I planned to execute based on the below, are there better applications, am I missing something or do you see anything wrong?

Phase 1

Build the server

Install TrueNAS SCALE

Set up Immich

Set up Plex

Set up Tailscale

Import all photos

Phase 2

Add Nextcloud

Add Vaultwarden

Add Pi-hole or AdGuard Home

Phase 3

Automatic phone backups

Automatic PC backups

A dashboard like Homarr or Homepage to manage everything from one web page

Looking for recommendations for disabled housing, independent living communities, or disability-friendly apartment options in the Edmond/Oklahoma City area.

​

My mother is 47 years old and permanently disabled. She receives SSDI & SSI and has a long history of epilepsy, a cardiac pacemaker, COPD, and some memory issues related to her seizure disorder.

​

She is still very independent and does NOT need a nursing home. She can:

​

- Cook for herself

- Bathe and dress herself

- Manage most daily activities

- Live independently

​

However, she would benefit from:

​

- Transportation assistance

- Occasional help coordinating appointments

- Medication reminders/check-ins

- Emergency response systems

- A community where staff are nearby if needed

​

We're trying to find something between traditional independent living and assisted living. Ideally:

​

- Private apartment or studio

- Full kitchen

- Income-based or disability-friendly

- HUD, Section 8, senior/disabled housing, or other programs

- Access to home health or caregiver services if needed

​

I'm helping her relocate to Oklahoma so she can be closer to family and have better support with her medical care while maintaining her independence.

​

Does anyone have recommendations for specific apartment communities, disability housing programs, HUD properties, or independent living facilities in Edmond or Oklahoma City that have worked well for disabled adults?

​

​

Thank you!

Looking for recommendations for disabled housing, independent living communities, or disability-friendly apartment options in the Edmond/Oklahoma City area.

​

My mother is 47 years old and permanently disabled. She receives SSDI & SSI and has a long history of epilepsy, a cardiac pacemaker, COPD, and some memory issues related to her seizure disorder.

​

She is still very independent and does NOT need a nursing home. She can:

​

- Cook for herself

- Bathe and dress herself

- Manage most daily activities

- Live independently

​

However, she would benefit from:

​

- Transportation assistance

- Occasional help coordinating appointments

- Medication reminders/check-ins

- Emergency response systems

- A community where staff are nearby if needed

​

We're trying to find something between traditional independent living and assisted living. Ideally:

​

- Private apartment or studio

- Full kitchen

- Income-based or disability-friendly

- HUD, Section 8, senior/disabled housing, or other programs

- Access to home health or caregiver services if needed

​

I'm helping her relocate to Oklahoma so she can be closer to family and have better support with her medical care while maintaining her independence.

​

Does anyone have recommendations for specific apartment communities, disability housing programs, HUD properties, or independent living facilities in Edmond or Oklahoma City that have worked well for disabled adults?

​

​

Thank you!

My mother has been disabled with epilepsy and other issues since 1998. She only paid in social security taxes from 1994-1998 and that was only part time work, like 6k total paid.

She receives a check for around 350 for SSDI

She receives a SSI check for about 250.

She recently had many health complications and I have been overseeing all of her medical care and getting everything in order.

I felt like these amounts were low, I confirmed the SSDI check is right after hearing about the amount she paid in.

The issue is the SSI check. My mother lives on my grandparents property in a tiny home. From 2019 to 2024 she paid my grandpa rent(370), transferred from her account to his. He used this to pay off the tiny home. The tiny home became paid off in 2024 or 2025, he put it in her name.( This was never reported) The payments stopped between their accounts. My grandmother died and things fell apart.

Her online portal does not contain any information about federal benefit rate, in kind support or maintenance reduction or a living arrangement code.

She does not receive any other income outside of 215 a month in snap benefits, my grandfather pays the bills, she cleans his house sometimes but that's it, other than a car in her name but she can't drive because of epilepsy.

Today I called the S.S hotline and things got even more confusing. They didn't have any information to share really. They said she had two cars on there that were never in her name at all. I asked what it showed she paid in rent and they said they didn't have a total, I told them she paid the 370, which she did pay for many years. I didn't share that she hasn't been paying that now.

They have scheduled us an appointment to review assets and so on, they asked if she is paying rent now, I said my grandfather is wanting to get a formal lease agreement in place post dated to start after the appointment. ( We are doing this to protect some of her income) She will transfer him the money each month so there is a proper payment trail.

My question is, given she only receives around 600 a month, he pays utilities and her phone bill is 400 the right amount for the rental agreement or should we put 500? The rental agreement is for her having her tiny home on the land and for utilities.

Do I try to avoid anything in terms of the last year being rent free? Do I just use the phrase " no formal agreement was in place" I don't want to mess up my mother's benefits. I have been successful in filing my own VA disability claims but this is totally different. Any help is appreciated.

If it matters location TN, she is on Medicare/ medicade and nothing is deducted from her for health insurance.

They asked to get the rental agreement made and uploaded to the portal before the appointment, should I include anything else? Am I missing something obvious?

My mother has been disabled with epilepsy and other issues since 1998. She only paid in social security taxes from 1994-1998 and that was only part time work, like 6k total paid.

She receives a check for around 350 for SSDI

She receives a SSI check for about 250.

She recently had many health complications and I have been overseeing all of her medical care and getting everything in order.

I felt like these amounts were low, I confirmed the SSDI check is right after hearing about the amount she paid in.

The issue is the SSI check. My mother lives on my grandparents property in a tiny home. From 2019 to 2024 she paid my grandpa rent(370), transferred from her account to his. He used this to pay off the tiny home. The tiny home became paid off in 2024 or 2025, he put it in her name.( This was never reported) The payments stopped between their accounts. My grandmother died and things fell apart.

Her online portal does not contain any information about federal benefit rate, in kind support or maintenance reduction or a living arrangement code.

She does not receive any other income outside of 215 a month in snap benefits, my grandfather pays the bills, she cleans his house sometimes but that's it, other than a car in her name but she can't drive because of epilepsy.

Today I called the S.S hotline and things got even more confusing. They didn't have any information to share really. They said she had two cars on there that were never in her name at all. I asked what it showed she paid in rent and they said they didn't have a total, I told them she paid the 370, which she did pay for many years. I didn't share that she hasn't been paying that now.

They have scheduled us an appointment to review assets and so on, they asked if she is paying rent now, I said my grandfather is wanting to get a formal lease agreement in place post dated to start after the appointment. ( We are doing this to protect some of her income) She will transfer him the money each month so there is a proper payment trail.

My question is, given she only receives around 600 a month, he pays utilities and her phone bill is 400 the right amount for the rental agreement or should we put 500? The rental agreement is for her having her tiny home on the land and for utilities.

Do I try to avoid anything in terms of the last year being rent free? Do I just use the phrase " no formal agreement was in place" I don't want to mess up my mother's benefits. I have been successful in filing my own VA disability claims but this is totally different. Any help is appreciated.

If it matters location TN, she is on Medicare/ medicade and nothing is deducted from her for health insurance.

They asked to get the rental agreement made and uploaded to the portal before the appointment, should I include anything else? Am I missing something obvious?

First time building a PC, is this everything I will need? Is anything obviously wrong or missing?

( I've only ordered the mother board and case so far)

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 8-Core Desktop

Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WIFI ATX

Graphics Card: ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB White Edition

Storage Vault: Samsung 990 Pro 4TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink

Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB DDR5 6000MHz White

Tower: Phanteks NV5 Mid-Tower Showcase White

CPU Liquid Cooler: NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB White Liquid Cooler — Includes 3 white fans for the top exhaust and the customizable LCD center pump screen.

Power Supply: Corsair RM750x Shift White Fully Modular PSU

Airflow Expansion Fans: Thermalright TL-C12CW-S X3 Case Fan 120mm White 3-Pack- 3-packs to populate the empty side intake rails of your NV5

Motherboard Light Strip: Lian Li Strimer Plus V2 24-Pin Main Power Extension —

Graphics Card Light Strip: Lian Li Strimer Plus V2 Dual 8-Pin GPU Extension