C & P In Jan. Claim In Authorization Office

[lt4ds]

I had my original C & P in August of last year, and a secondary C & P in Jan of this year. I called the 1-800 number about my claim today to see what's happening with it. The gentleman I spoke with told me that it had gone through the rating board on April 24th, and that it had been in the authorization office since the 7th of May. He also said that I should hear from the VA anywhere from 1 week to 4 weeks about a change to my compensation. Originally rated at 10%, but secondary C & P was much more thorough and I feel should result in an increase to about 50 or 60 %. This C & P was a result of a letter of disagreement I filled in October on last year.

I guess my questions are, what does that all mean?

1. Will the decision actually be given in the next 4 weeks, or will it be extended more?

2. If there is an increase, is it retroactive back to the original claim date, or the date of the letter of disaggreement?

3. If there is a decision, and it only covers 1 or 2 of the original claim items, should I wait all the claim items are completed, or can I make a new claim without it having a negative effect on the original claim?

Any help or knowledge will be greatly appreciated.

[WHOLESALE]

Still to this day after 9 years the VA still hasn't located my SMR's. I requested them myself and got a letter back saying they are lost. Luckily I was discharged in 2000 so it was very soon afterwords I put a claim in and continuity of treatment is what got me my first award.

Jay

They rated my back at 40%, but the partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve at 20%, for a total of 52%. They denied most of the remaining items I had filed for, except my shoulder. I will be appealing the rulings on those items, but think it's unlikely I will get anywhere with any of them except for my hearing, and ringing in my ears, and possibly my left knee. I think they will rate my shoulder at 10 and I am filing for pain radiating down my leg as an secondary to my back. It's well documented, so shouldn't be too hard to get that rated. If I am correct about those, I will end up somewhere between 70 to 90%, but the effects of my back are influncing my ability to do my job, and I am not sure how that will affect my rating or if it will.

I think 3 things have helped me have a pretty easy process so far, 1st, I have a complete copy of my medical record I request before leaving the Navy. 2nd, preparing for, and listening to the rep at my local office, and other vets who have gone through the process. 3rd, without a doubt has been this place, very helpful and informative.

[lt4ds]

Latest update, I have 1 pending issue (shoulder) from the original claim, and have requested C&P exams for the issues (both knees, hearing, hip, and right foot) that the VA rejected without an exam. Also have another claim started for issue not originally claimed.

Having trouble actually getting treatment for back from the VA, I am experiencing some serious loss of feeling in my leg, foot, and constant pain radiating down my leg and in my lower back. I do have an MRI scheduled, and after that a nerve conductivity study. Can't wait to hear what they determine the out come is, but I am going to have private doctor start treatment, surely it will be much faster, and helpful.

I will try to update along the way. Again, thanks for being here.

[sharon]

Still to this day after 9 years the VA still hasn't located my SMR's. I requested them myself and got a letter back saying they are lost. Luckily I was discharged in 2000 so it was very soon afterwords I put a claim in and continuity of treatment is what got me my first award.

Jay

Contact St Louis. They have a seperate unit that have all computerized medical records. If you don't specifically ask for them they don't tell you about them. they have a massive data base that is listed by service component. Good Luck

[lt4ds]

Latest update on the saga. I went for an MRI on 08-24-09 and recieved the reading results yesterday. The results are:Hemilaminectomy defect on the right at L5-S1. Enhancing epidural fibrosis around the exiting right S1 nerve root. No retained fragments. No recurrent disc herniation. Other levels unremarkable. I had a discectomy and laminectomy in 89, I guess this means the laminectomy has given way, and has scar tissue around the nerve root. I know it means lots of pain, tingling, numbness, and agony.

Also I have a hearing C & P exam scheduled for loss of hearing and tinnitus, wish me luck.

[lt4ds]

Hello again, I have posted a few times, and try to update each time I have a change or something that is going on with the Va.

I completed a C&P for tinnitus in Jan and have recieved a rating of 10% for my left ear. I am currently rated

40% for "Degenerative arthritis/degenerative disc disease, status post discectomy and laminectomy"20% for "Sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity"10 % "Left ear, tinnitus"

Total compensation is 60 %.

I have an appointment with the VA Neurosugery tomorrow to determine a course of action for the problems with my back. I have numbness and tingling in my right leg from roughly mid thigh down to my toes, and have lost quite a bit of muscle mass in my leg. It has become increasingly hard to get around and sleep is difficult.

I am waiting to hear from the VA about a "deferred" issue with my shoulder, and have appeals filed for 7 other issues.

The issue with my shoulder has been outstanding for almost 2 years, is there anything I can do to get some movement? Thanks for any assistance.

[carlie]

It4ds,

Thanks for the update.

What issues are included in the "appeals filed for 7 other issues." ?

carlie