51 replies to this topic

[Hamslice]

All,

My previous claims were completed a couple of months ago and then I requested and received a copy of my medical records from the VA hospital where I go for everything and did some reading. I am claiming five issues that I found in the record and one just because I can. Comment on any, suggestions, and wish me luck.

1. Left shoulder condition-they took x-rays of both shoulders for my right shoulder increase and said I should request addition of arthritis for my left shoulder. Already 10% left shoulder for tendinopothy, so combined not stacked, probably no increase.


2. Plantar's warts-C&P examiner recommended that I claim this as I had them removed twice while on active duty and once since I left service, right foot only. Hoping for 10%.


3. Hemorrhoids-Just had my 50 year short colonoscopy, doctor commented on my having internal and external hemorrhoids, with history of such. No issues at this time, just would like service connection. Probably 0%.


4. Thoracic spine arthritis-Recent x-ray shows DDD/DJD and arthritis. Same thing showed up on my neck (DDD at 20%), doctor said it was progressed enough to have started on active duty. I'm thinking 10%.


5. Lumbar spine arthritis-Recent x-ray shows DDD and arthritis. See (thoracic) above. Probably combined with above. 10% total, unless ROM is the issue, graded accordingly combined with thoracic.

6. Acquired psychiatric disorder to include obsessive compulsive disorder-Been seeing a VA councilor for 4 months after ocd comments from family and coworkers. We'll see on this one. No clue?

Currently at 65 rounded to 70, so I would have to hit a 20 and a 10, or three 10's for a increase in compensation. Probably won't hit that, however, it would be good to get some of these SC'd for the future if I were to have complication in these areas, etc.
Thanks,

Hamslice

[stillhere]

Good luck.

[Hamslice]

Well,

My claim(s) went from "Gathering Of Evidence" to "Preparation for Decision" today. Funny thing is I never had a C&P since my claim. They had all the doctor info less any ROM issues. Should be interesting.......

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Dot09,

I don't know how I missed your reply, but,

Yes, the VA did a MRI of both of my shoulders when I filled for an increase in my right shoulder.

I did get an increase in my right shoulder, however it was because of ROM. I went from 10 to 20 percent.

They did not do a ROM on my left shoulder as it has not changed from the original C&P.

My only issue with the left shoulder was the comment in my rating letter stating that they saw arthritis in my left shoulder simular to my right and I could file for it. I already have 10 percent in my left for tendinopathy, so I do not see a increase there, but filed anyway to see what happens.

Still at "Preparing for decision" today.

Hamslice

[Pete53]

Good luck I hear ducks quacking

[Hamslice]

Good luck I hear ducks quacking

Pete53

Ducks quacking? You got me on that one...

Hamslice

[justrluk]

Pete53

Ducks quacking? You got me on that one...

Hamslice

I think it means "looks like you have your ducks in a row"...

[Hamslice]

I think it means "looks like you have your ducks in a row"...

OK, that makes sense.

I was having nightmares about doing the duck walk at MEPPS in my underwear 30 years ago...

Hamslice

[justrluk]

...on the cold tile floor in Feb in Pa, no less!

[Hamslice]

Crap. Claim went backwards one step on eBenifits. Went from "Preparing for Decision" back to "Review of Evidence". Oh well, twidle thumbs.......

I was wondering how they were going to rate me for may left shoulder and spine without a ROM C&P. Maybe they just realized that. Ha, ha...

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Claim went a step forward today, back to "Preparing for Decision".

Still no C&P......

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

OK, back to "Review of Evidence" today.

For those keeping track.

Ha,ha,,,,

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Today I see I have an "appointment request" on the exam appointment calander page on eBenifits page. So, maybe I will be having a C&P after all.

We'll see,

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

And the C&P will be on the 1st of May....

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Had my C&P today. It was for two issues. Increase to left shoulder (arthritis) and new claim for lower back pain (arthritis). I believe my other claim issues have been completed and are awaiting these two claims.

I believe I may have some traction regards the left shoulder and lower back as my eBenifits had went all the way to the rater and then was sent back for evidence, i.e. the C&P. I believe they may have SC'd both and then sent back so that they would rate my range of motion.

The exam went well I believe.

The NP did both my shoulders for comparisons and I don't think I will ge a increase as my left is pretty flexible as compared to my right and I already get 10% for it. I believe they will be adding arthritis to the left shoulder, however only 10 and no stacking, so 10 will be it. But you never know.

The back now, that is a different story. It will be interesting to see what measurements she got as she did use a meter and she did make me repeat each move three times. So I think she did it correctly. I would say my flexing forward was limited and my bending backwards was very limited. Side to side was not much, but I don't know what she is seeing on the meter.

The best part was the twisting. Were you keep your hips straight and rotate your upper body. I don't think I even moved (couldn't move) and she said again, again, ok, good. I can't believe her protractor (meter) even moved. But again, I don't know what she saw.

Should be interesting.

Oh, and they took about a dozen x-rays.

Anyway, thanks for caring. She said the results should take about 2 months.

We'll see,

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

I see some new entries in my eBenifits,,,


back exam rec'd from iron mountain VAMC






05/02/2012

[Hamslice]

Ok, took another step back today, now at "Gathering of Evidence". However, there is some more content.

"This is a list of all items that have been requested from 3rd parties"

"IRMT"

Can someone please tell me what IRMT is? It was requested today, and has a suspence of 7-28-2012.

Thanks for your help,

Hamslice

[carlie]

"This is a list of all items that have been requested from 3rd parties"
"IRMT"
Can someone please tell me what IRMT is? It was requested today, and has a suspence of 7-28-2012.
Thanks for your help,
Hamslice

My first stab at it would be:

back exam rec'd from iron mountain VAMC

[Papa]

Ok, took another step back today, now at "Gathering of Evidence". However, there is some more content.

"This is a list of all items that have been requested from 3rd parties"

"IRMT"

Can someone please tell me what IRMT is? It was requested today, and has a suspence of 7-28-2012.

Thanks for your help,

Hamslice

My claim is kind of like yours, put in for a bunch of things back in 2-10, including my Back, Knees. I stayed in Gathering Evidence for almost 2 years, and one day it was moved to Preparing for Decision, and I thought things might be moving. Wrong. Went back to Gathering Evidence, and I received a letter from the Houston RO that they want a third party to examine me for my current condition. They did not say what condition. So, I called the Case Management people in DC, and the local VA Benefits people. Soon after I got an actual call from the VA telling me that the examine was for my Back, Knees and Legs. I ask him did the VA finally accept thed fact that I injured my Back in the service in 1969, and he said yes, that it was pretty clear. Kind of funny that I
put in several claims and appeals for over 40 years, the the denial was the same "No Record lof Back Injury" during military. You, like me will most likely be going to another C&P. I did one this past Monday at QTC. Wish you the best.

Papa

[Stretch]

I saw a joke on e-benfits awhile ago. It said fast track for Viet Nam Veterans. I hadn't noticed it before.

[Papa]

I saw a joke on e-benfits awhile ago. It said fast track for Viet Nam Veterans. I hadn't noticed it before.

I would highly recommend that no one use this. I used it to apply for PD, and everything was going great, but one day all the evidence that I uploaded disappeared. I could no longer get back into the system. Got it fixed, but caused a big delay. Fast and VA just does not belong in the same sentence. JMHO

Papa

[Hamslice]

carlie,

You're my hero today. To obvious for me. Iron Mountain. Doh!.

I acually did a search of hadit and the web.

Anyway, now I can relax and continue to wait.

And, the chickens are doing fine. Down to 100, lost another to a unknown illness.


Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Today, I'm back to "Review of Evidence". So, moving right along.

I see where it only took 7 days to get whatever they were asking for from IRMT.

Hamslice

[carlie]

carlie,

You're my hero today.
Hamslice

YEA - I like being a hero, instead of my usual . . . zero : - )

[Hamslice]

Today we are at "Pending Decision Approval". Woo Who... Two steps forward.

Hamslice

[71M10]

That Pending Decision Approval usually is one giant big step forward!

Hopefully the end result will be a positive one!

Best regards,

[Hamslice]

Today, "Preperation for Notification". Moving right along...


Hamslice

[midnight340]

For what it's worth, I'm rooting for you! (by the way, love the coupe photo...)

[Hamslice]

Today, All the way back to "Review of Evidence". Wholly crap...

Hamslice

Edited by Hamslice, 13 July 2012 - 12:00 PM.

[Hamslice]

Today, back another step to "Gathering Evidence", with another request for info from Iron Mountain. So, appearently they were preparing to notify me and must have found something that needed to be clarified (????).

Going backwards faster than forward. Should be back in the Army soon by the way this is going.

Ha,ha....

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Update on my lattest claims;

Got the letter today,

-Thoracolumbar spine SC'd at 20%, I had hard evidence from service time on this. Expected and Happy.

-Left Shoulder, stayed the same at 10%, I figured this was the case. Expected.

-Hemmoroids, denied, I had nothing here. Expected.

-OCD, denied, shot in the dark. Expected.

-Plantar warts, deffered, C&P next Wednesday, I have hard evidence from service on this and currently have two more warts. I just don't know how they will rate this.

Was 65 rounded to 70, currently 72 rounded to 70, no change. Need 10% for Plantar Warts to make a move. I guess you could say I am at a hard 70 now.

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Back to "Review of Evidence" for the deferred claim. Had the C&P for it on Wednesday and now ebenifits says that they recieved the results today. So that was quick. We'll see. Feeling that I will be SC'd, however a 0 percentage.

Hamslice

[Dot09]

Hamslice,
It's been a while, but I noticed you had a success story. Congratulations on the win. I also had to do a refresher on your case. I noticed that you keep on getting denied for your Left shoulder. I know you said that you Had a Mri, but have they ever tried a MRI arthrogram.. That's where they inject a fluid into your glenohumeral joint. The reason I ask this is because I recently had one and it showed stuff that the plain mri could not detect. Do you have instability? Does your shoulder pop or feel like it is going to come out? What is your ROM? Is this for both arms?

Just curious, but what were your secondary conditions from your shoulders? I could not find that in your posts.

Jon

[Hamslice]

Dot09,

Both my shoulders are basically the same. However, because I am right handed (dominate), I get 20 for my right and 10 for my left. When I got my increase for my right because of ROM, they also rated my right shoulder for arthritis. In the recent claims I filed, I added a claim for arthitis in my left shoulder, which they did grant, however, only 10, with the stacking rule, only 10 for my left. And its all about ROM from now on.

I am secondary, right elbow ROM 20%, and neck ROM 20%, for DDD (arthritis).

I do not have any instability or poping of my left shoulder.

Currently, I am waiting for the dust to settle, one more dicision to come in, and then I will be doing some research on my SC'd thoracic spine ROM 20%;

My recent exam say that I have (DISH) or Foretiers Disease of my thoracic spine. My question is what is this from the regulation mean?

"favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine"

I do know what "unfavorable ankylosis" is, however what is favorable?

Would DISH be unfavorable (I dont think so) or favorable (I dont know).

(DISH) diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis

Something to think about.

Hamslice

Edited by Hamslice, 04 August 2012 - 02:19 PM.

[Dot09]

Hamslice,
I'm looking at the ROM chart and it states at shoulder level (0%-179%) 20%/20%. Unless that's a typing error. I would have thought it would have been 20/10, but I would check this out. Lets say that information was incorrect. Wouldn't your 10% for the left arm fall under the highest rating of 20% for 5003 Arthritis with incapacity episodes ?

5201- What is your flexion and abduction ROM?
http://ecfr.gpoacces...1.1.5.2&idno=38

Unfavorable ankylosis is a bony fusion (bamboo formation ususally indicated by syndesmophytes) of the spine..

Here's a link for you on this
http://www.hadit.com...logous-ratings/


Dish is a form of Degenerative Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Here is a link to help you better understand it.
http://www.medicinen...sis/article.htm

Edited by Dot09, 04 August 2012 - 09:19 PM.

[Hamslice]

Dot09,

You're right, I will have to look at that again. I do know that I get 20% for my right shoulder for ROM. And I get 10% for "painfull motion of arm" for my left. I did get a copy of the exam of my left shoulder and I will look my ROM and see what I see.

Thanks for the info on DISH and etc.,

For those keeping track, my referred claim has went to "Preparation for Decision". So should here soon on that.

Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Ok, today back to "Gathering Evidence". And a new appointment request. This is just for my referred issue on plantar warts.

I had them in the service and post service, however, I did not have any when I had my C&P. So I don't get it. I thought I would have be SC'd for them a zero because they are gone. But why the new appointment?

Probably just a paper exam with the doctor like the last one where the doc had to say the correct VA jargon to relate to service. We'll see.

Why don't they just do that the first go aroung?

Anyway, Lap three.........


Hamslice

[Hamslice]

Another C&P with the same examiner on 29th. Here we go again....

Hamslice

[71M10]

I hear you Ham!

Talked to Peggy the other day on eBenefits, July 24 the DRO added a note to the file that both exams were deficient and he needed medical opinions. It only took him 14 months to read the one exam and 4 to read the other exam. So now it is back in the general file population waiting for someone to request the opinion/exams....im guessing a full ninety days before they get around to requesting the exams. The last time we went through this the C&P exam service told the VARO that the exam was just fine the way it is and returned it to them. How many more years will the VARO and VAMC C&P section in Michigan continue this performance of Kabuki theather.

[Hamslice]

All,

Had the 2nd C&P yesterday for my referred plantar wart claim, and my case went to "Review of Evidence" today as eBenifits says that they got the results today. Don't really know what to expect now. I had a C&P previously, were (I thought) the examiner saw my plantar warts had all been removed and healed and commented as such and had told me that a wart I had on my achilies heel was NOT a plantar wart, but (she now told me) had later added to the exam that wart as it is related to the type plantar wart that the claim was for. This C&P was now for scars related to the warts. She did comment as she was typing after examining my feet that she saw two "barely visisble" scars from the warts that had healed.

So, form what I gathered from her, one, she stated that I had a wart currently at the time of the first C&P and, two, I have two "barely visible" scars from my C&P yesterday.

I believe that since I have had two C&P's since my other 4 issues (5 issues were filed together) have been settled, I will be SC'd for plantar warts.

I had previously thought that it would be at a 0%, however not so sure now.

A 10% would be nice as it would move me up to the next level, but I am not expecting it. Just that it would be a nice supprise.

Wish me luck,


Hamslice