flamethrower12

Sharon, Thank you. I am definitely not letting this one go without a fight. The x-ray of the over-extended cement clearly shows how it protrudes out into the area of the wrist that controls movement, rotation, etc. While I am awaiting the hearing, will this put my IU claim on hold? I have heard that it can take quite some time for a hearing. Or, if they have enough information to increase my PTSD claim, can they decided on the IU prior to the hearing? Thank you for your advice!

Hello. In July of 2010 I had a C&P and was rated 70% (50% PTSD, 30% COPD, 20% Open Reduction Internal Fixation, Right Wrist). I then applied for IU and had a new C&P in May 2011. My regular VA psychologist and the C&P psychologist noted that I was indeed unemployable due to the PTSD. The regular C&P examiner also noted that I was unemployable due to the COPD, PTSD, and wrist. My claim had been sitting in Notification for a while, and today it went back to Gathering of Evidence. I called the 800 number to find out what was going on. They said that they are reducing my wrist rating, because it was decided that the condition had improved. In the 2010 exam, the following was noted: Dorsiflexion 0-65, Palmarflexion 0-63, Radial deviation 0-18, Ulnar deviation 0-35. After movements, it decreased to: Radial deviation 0-15 and ulnar deviation 0-28 with incapacitating exacerbations. In May 2011, the following was noted at my C&P: Dorsiflexion 0-61, Palmar extension 0-73, Radial deviation 0-12, Ulnar deviation 0-39. This examiner did not do motions to see if the range of motion changed. A little background about the wrist...I was attacked by a senior NCO, and my right scaphoid was damaged. I had surgery, and during the surgery, one of the machines broke. They kept me under and used a tourniquet until the machine was fixed. It was down for approximately 1 1/2 hours. Once it was fixed, they repaired my arm, but over-extended the cement. The x-ray from 2010 states: "The veteran had x-rays of her right wrist and showed operative changes with a short screw. No evidence of vascular necrosis. Radiocarpal and intercarpal joints are unremarkable. Satisfactory alignment. Large calcified density at distal radius involving the metaphysis to the articular surface. This may represent post interventimal bone cement that extends beyond the volar aspect of the distal radius. Diagnosis: Residuals of scaphoid fracture right wrist, residuals of surgery for non-union scaphoid injury. Traumatic osteoarthritis of right wrist." The 2011 x-ray is less indicative of the pain this "large calcification" causes: "Status post-fixation of scaphoid with a single metallic screw. Dense radiopaque packing material is seen within the distal radius some of which appear to be protruding externally on the ventral aspect seen on the lateral view. No evidence of acute fractures or dislocations. No soft tissue swelling or joint effusion." My question is, what is the difference between the two C&Ps that would indicate an improvement of the condition? It is noted throughout my medical records since the surgery that repetitive motion of the right wrist causes severe pain, limited motion, fatiquability, swelling, and dislocation. If the wrist is dropped down from 20% to either 10% or 0%, then my claim for IU will be mute, because I will then be rated at 60% instead of 70%. Is it even possible to NOD this, with a chance that the 20% would hold up? I am very upset, because this injury was caused by a senior NCO, and then the surgery was botched by another military member. Nothing has changed as far as symptoms, yet they are reducing the amount based on two different C&Ps done within 1 year of each other. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am feeling my IU claim slowly getting thrown out the window. Thanks. ** Also, I was just awarded Social Security disability for the PTSD, dated January 14, 2012. I will be forwarding the SSD letter to the VA, not sure that it will make a difference though.

I will try to make sense, but I'm really confused. I got out of service in 2005 and filed a claim for PTSD. I was in a bad place at that time. Very paranoid, suspicious, untrusting, hypervigiliant, the whole 9 yards. My active duty military records supported the PTSD claim. When they set me up for a C&P, I was very anxious and skipped the appointment. Not good, I know. I kept falling into a deeper whole and finally hit rock bottom. I went back and reopened the claim in 2010. Instead of PTSD, my VSO advised me to file as panic disorder and anxiety. I had new and material evidence, because I had been seen by 3 private doctors for the above mentioned issues. They all concluded I had PTSD severe, agoraphobia, panic disorder, major depression disorder. I had my C&P in May. I was extremely anxious and guarded, but I made sure to go to that appt. The psych stated in my c&p notes that there was indeed an inservice stressor and that the military doctors while I was active duty even noted the panic attacks and PTSD. I got my award letter, with a total % of 70, but only 50% was for panic disorder/mdd/agoraphobia. Here are my questions: 1. Since I failed to go to my first c&P in 2005, even though my active duty records support the ptsd/panic attacks, is it fair to assume that I will be unable to file an appeal for have an initial date for 2005? 2. I have not been able to stay at a job for more than one year. I have had 3 jobs since 2006, and did not last more than 1 year at any. I left voluntarily, because I can't handle being around people. Should I file a UI claim or just keep job bouncing? I don't handle stess well, and I don't know if I could go through the whole UI process w/o getting extremely anxious. 3. Since May, I have seen a VA psychiatrist regularly, as well as other VA doctors. My PCP stated in his notes that he believed I suffered from conversion disorder. My psych put in his notes that my stress is causing major physical symptoms like nausea, dizziness, dysfunctional vocal cords, digestive symptoms. The VA has sent me to so many drs to find out what is wrong, and they all find no major illness, just extreme stress. I was hospitalized once for extreme physical stress. I guess it has a "psychiatric" name, and it is in my notes, but I'm not sure what it is called. Would this, as well as my agoraphobia, be a good cause for filing UI, or should I just keep plugging along? 4. If I do file UI, since I had a C&P 7 months ago, and all notes are already in VA system from my other drs, will I have another C&P? Can't they or will they just contact my current VA psych for a medical opinion? Thank you for any advise. I'm pretty lost and stessed here. Sorry for all of the questions. Adam