I'm a Vet Wife. I post on behalf of my husband, I'm his note taker at doctor's appointments and consults. I'm his support system and all around cheerleader. Lord knows we have had our VA battles. All these years after Vietnam, the onset of my husband's emerging illnesses, obviously percolating internally has emerged one after another. We've seen subtle signs and some not so subtle. But didn't; know what those sign meant. The VA didn't do a very good job of educating the older veterans about what to be aware of regarding SC disabilities,
My veteran husband's a Purple Heart Vietnam Veteran served in US Marine Corps. My husband has several service connected disabilities. My husband diagnosed with Monomelic Amyotrophy recently; it is a Motor neuron (MND) disease that is the umbrella covering all type Motor neuron diseases and variants. To which ALS/ Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and variants falling under the same umbrella as being classified as Motor Neuron Disease (MND). As exhibited in cases of muscle loss: Monomelic Atrophy.
ALS causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that leads to muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. The VA Doctors pondered whether my husband had ALS or MS. Yet, the Neuromuscular Head Physician conceded that my husband's illnesses was an ALS variant because his illness fell under the umbrella of Motor Neuron Diseases as did ALS......is a Motor Neuron disease. ???? We don't know how VA will decide.
Other complicating issues:
*Spinal issue (S Curve of spine)
*Multi focal motor neuropathy associate with Diabetes 2 is a part of the mix/entwined as well.
However, most severely is the inability of identifying the exact reason for the monomelic atrophy.
Although it was hoped a more exact finding will be determined when all results of updated blood tests were in.
On May 2017: *Blood test are in; determination that no immune diseases are present
Possible treatment of an intravenous treatment once every three months or medications with steroids would be beneficial. No effective treatment available.
MMA
Diagnosis.
Inflammatory Arthritis is Part of the neuropathy (Special kind of neuropathy)
As well as severe spine problems. Very rare complicated illnesses intersecting and exacerbating primary and/or secondary with veteran's service connected disabilities.
Monomeric atrophy......Veteran has lost the use of his right hand and right forearm weakened and wasting away.
One limb atrophy
See notes…..described as one limb muscle atrophy
Spinal cord (S curve of spinal cord) compression on top on addition the monomeric
Toxic agent like Agent Orange could more likely than not" a contributor for neuropathy.
Immune diseases (no)
Deterioration. Of bones on vertebra
Spondylosis...inflammatory arthritis
Acts like spinal cord injury
(Findings of EMG) EMG to confirm the diagnosis (Neuromuscular VA Physician at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas)
Table of Rated Disabilities
Disability
Rating
Decision
Related To
Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity
Not Service Connected
Denied as…. early as 2011…Yet, D to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued.
Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity
Not Service Connected
Denied as…. early as 2011… Yet, ID to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued
Agent Orange - Vietnam
Neuropathy, Left Upper Extremity
Not Service Connected
Denied as…. early as 2011… Yet, ID to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued
Bilateral Hearing Loss (claimed as diminished hearing)
0%
Service Connected
Tinnitus (claimed as ringing in both ears)
10%
Service Connected
headaches
Not Service Connected
depression
Not Service Connected
skeletal arthritis aching of the joints (unspecified)
Not Service Connected
Arthritis denied as…. early as 2015… Yet, ID to pinpoint as being symptomatic complexity of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, also claimed as depression and anxiety)
30%
Service Connected
PTSD - Combat
Hypertension
0%
Service Connected
Neuropathy, Right Upper Extremity
Rectal carcinoma claimed as rectal cancer, a soft tissue cancer)
Not Service Connected
Agent Orange - Vietnam
Still on since 12/11/14 appeal
Remand 5/15
scar, shrapnel right knee
10%
Service Connected
09/18/2013
diabetes mellitus type II
10%
Service Connected
Agent Orange - Vietnam
07/06/2015
prostate cancer
100%
Service Connected
Agent Orange - Vietnam
07/06/2015
erectile dysfunction
0%
Service Connected
07/06/2015
Neuropathy, Right Upper Extremity Denied as…. early as 2011… Yet.ID to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of MonomelicAmyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued Agent Orange – Vietnam
Question
DonH
ALS Variant?
I'm a Vet Wife. I post on behalf of my husband, I'm his note taker at doctor's appointments and consults. I'm his support system and all around cheerleader. Lord knows we have had our VA battles. All these years after Vietnam, the onset of my husband's emerging illnesses, obviously percolating internally has emerged one after another. We've seen subtle signs and some not so subtle. But didn't; know what those sign meant. The VA didn't do a very good job of educating the older veterans about what to be aware of regarding SC disabilities,
My veteran husband's a Purple Heart Vietnam Veteran served in US Marine Corps. My husband has several service connected disabilities. My husband diagnosed with Monomelic Amyotrophy recently; it is a Motor neuron (MND) disease that is the umbrella covering all type Motor neuron diseases and variants. To which ALS/ Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and variants falling under the same umbrella as being classified as Motor Neuron Disease (MND). As exhibited in cases of muscle loss: Monomelic Atrophy.
ALS causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that leads to muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. The VA Doctors pondered whether my husband had ALS or MS. Yet, the Neuromuscular Head Physician conceded that my husband's illnesses was an ALS variant because his illness fell under the umbrella of Motor Neuron Diseases as did ALS......is a Motor Neuron disease. ???? We don't know how VA will decide.
Other complicating issues:
*Spinal issue (S Curve of spine)
*Multi focal motor neuropathy associate with Diabetes 2 is a part of the mix/entwined as well.
However, most severely is the inability of identifying the exact reason for the monomelic atrophy.
Although it was hoped a more exact finding will be determined when all results of updated blood tests were in.
On May 2017: *Blood test are in; determination that no immune diseases are present
Possible treatment of an intravenous treatment once every three months or medications with steroids would be beneficial. No effective treatment available.
MMA
Diagnosis.
Inflammatory Arthritis is Part of the neuropathy (Special kind of neuropathy)
As well as severe spine problems. Very rare complicated illnesses intersecting and exacerbating primary and/or secondary with veteran's service connected disabilities.
Monomeric atrophy......Veteran has lost the use of his right hand and right forearm weakened and wasting away.
One limb atrophy
See notes…..described as one limb muscle atrophy
Spinal cord (S curve of spinal cord) compression on top on addition the monomeric
Toxic agent like Agent Orange could more likely than not" a contributor for neuropathy.
Immune diseases (no)
Deterioration. Of bones on vertebra
Spondylosis...inflammatory arthritis
Acts like spinal cord injury
(Findings of EMG) EMG to confirm the diagnosis ( Neuromuscular VA Physician at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas)
Table of Rated Disabilities
Disability
Rating
Decision
Related To
Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity
Not Service Connected
Denied as…. early as 2011… Yet, D to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued.
Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity
Not Service Connected
Denied as…. early as 2011… Yet, ID to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued
Agent Orange - Vietnam
Neuropathy, Left Upper Extremity
Not Service Connected
Denied as…. early as 2011… Yet, ID to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued
Bilateral Hearing Loss (claimed as diminished hearing)
0%
Service Connected
Tinnitus (claimed as ringing in both ears)
10%
Service Connected
headaches
Not Service Connected
depression
Not Service Connected
skeletal arthritis aching of the joints (unspecified)
Not Service Connected
Arthritis denied as…. early as 2015… Yet, ID to pinpoint as being symptomatic complexity of Monomelic Amyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, also claimed as depression and anxiety)
30%
Service Connected
PTSD - Combat
Hypertension
0%
Service Connected
Neuropathy, Right Upper Extremity
Rectal carcinoma claimed as rectal cancer, a soft tissue cancer)
Not Service Connected
Agent Orange - Vietnam
Still on since 12/11/14 appeal
Remand 5/15
scar, shrapnel right knee
10%
Service Connected
09/18/2013
diabetes mellitus type II
10%
Service Connected
Agent Orange - Vietnam
07/06/2015
prostate cancer
100%
Service Connected
Agent Orange - Vietnam
07/06/2015
erectile dysfunction
0%
Service Connected
07/06/2015
Neuropathy, Right Upper Extremity Denied as…. early as 2011… Yet.ID to pinpoint as severe symptomatic complexities of MonomelicAmyotrophy variant of ALS in 2017….should be cued Agent Orange – Vietnam
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broncovet
Peripheral Neuropathy is often related to DM. But, before you run to the CUE axe, check and see if the 38 CFR 3.156 knife may just work better. If they denied you because there was no evidence, then
Berta
to add; maybe I asked above Was a Brain MRI done by VA? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4794906/ There are many differential diagnoses for Motor Neuron Disease….
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