JohnM

It would be nice to read the question first before the comments and when you print it out, the question would be first also.

John goes to DR. Primary (IMO) this afternoon. I have written down all of John's medical Problems and asked his opinion if he feels or presumed that some would be service aggravated ( Especially his back because of Spina Bifida Occulta ). I have done a lot a research on this. Only one person has won their case, But that was because he complained about pain from day one that he was in service. John never complained , even after falling off the Choppers twice, so we now this will most likely be denied. I have printed some documents out that state back problems may be caused from Spina Bifida Occulta. We will be taking these documents to the Dr. office to support his claim But do we take them to SO also? Will these printed documents off the web site help? Also in my opinion they passed him on his physical with two birth defects which was not detected until now( but is Spina Bifida Occulta a birth defect) so he was not in fit condition when enlisted. If the Dr. writes his opinion is that what you call a nexus. This is our primary Dr. John has seen a spine specialist who did Johns back surgery. He's a busy man and I am affraid to ask him to write a nexus. Mainly because everyone says that Spina Bifida Occulta doesn't cause any problems so I'm not sure what he will say. On Wed. we go to the SO, I'm sure I will not have the Dr.'s report by then so would that mean that everything would be denied and then we have to appeal Or once we get the report we can hand it to the SO Just need some opinion and I do Thank everyone on Hadit for their Help Because I am sure new at this and do not understand a great deal.

Thanks frank for your reply, I don't understand why one and not the other, but than we are not the Goverment.

This is off the top of my head> I'm trying to understand how the percentage actuall works If some one could figure my example out for me PTDD=50% of 100% = 50% DMLL= 30% of 50% = 35% PN= 30% of 35% =24.5 % HL= 10% of 24.5% =22.05% Tinnitus=10& of 22.05% =19.845 % So would I add 50+35+24.5+22.05+19.845 together to get a precentage rate or would you add 50,30,30,10,10 together The 19.845 would mean that is whats left of your body precentage wise

Is bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus classified as on or would they be classified seperate. I have been reading tinnitus is 10% so would hearing lost be 10% also

Hi Guys JM's wife, We are new to the post, I don't understand The post myself,But give the guy a break> He may not be able to talk to people in an understanding way> personally myself I have that same problem and with help I'm learning. Personally we all have some sort of problem. Understanding is the virtue Thanks

Berta, & Olenvygoat No his condition was not noted matter of fact he did not no until he had his back surgery. He enlisted twice and passed the physcial both times. The Dr was and IME ( primary ).His father however was in WWII not sure where. Thanks Everyone for some sound advice : Noted that I am printing everything out that I get responds to and like you said Berta, I went out and bought folders after folders, right now there cheap because of shcool strarting.

Everyone said do your research and so I am. I came upon the MEBC on Determing Disability 18-11 it states Herditary and genetic conditions shall be presumed to have been incurred prior to entry into active duty. They will be presumed service aggravated unless evidence clearly establishes that the condition is solely the time result of the condition's natural progression. Ok would this mean that someone with spina bifida occulta qualify? Especialy when DR. said the aggravation has most likely caused his back problems. Plus he has an undeveloped rib ( two birth defects ).

Good Morning Everyone After you take the first step of filing and you get confirmation what are the next steps? Do they set you up for a physical? or do you just wait Yesterday John had seen his therapist for vertigo, which is not working so she did a few test to check his back and eyes. found out that the PN has started on the right side also. Because of his vertigo his balance is not so good, She suggest seeing the eye doctor again. Will they except what a therapist has to say also? I did ask her for her notes ( records ) should we take them to the VA office when we get them? We have an appointment to talk to the VA ( not sure what you would call her but she did help us with the intial paper work to file). Everytime you see a Dr. do you get his notes and take them to her or just wait. Sorry for all the questions, Hope you can understand what I'm asking We recieved confirmation that they recieved our paper work but I noticed that they did not have everything down that we put down plus I told John we need to add more. Do you need to restart over again? I guess these are question I will be asking also when we go back on Aug 2nd Thanks JM'S Wife

No Stessor He won't write anything down, but I am printing these comments and taking it to the DR. I'm sure he'll write something Down. Thanks Again for your input. I'm sure glad on came on board.

Should we have the DR. write something down before we go to the VA office or wait ( Aug 2)? Thanks for your replies, John is feeling more positive about doing this since we came on board and are hearing all of the replies

Thanks for the reply: yes this is a IMO. He does however go with me to my psychiatrist and we have discussion in my sessions about John. Would this help also? He does have decorations and combnat awards on his DD214. Will my letter help? I'm not sure I did read some where that the person close to him would be of help. I explained the best I could, because John hasn't gone to DR'S until this last year and everything just hit all of a sudden, one thing after another

John will be going to the VA office on Aug 2nd. I wrote a 4 page letter out about all of John's problems including about how his depression, paranoia and anger play in. Took the letter to the Dr. yesterday and he said it sounds good and wanted to know if there was a form that he should fill out to confirm what I said or are we to wait till VA contacts him. The Dr. is very much willing to help us out with this. Thanks in advance for your input. John's Wife

Sorry guys for so many questions. John is been unemployable since Aug of last year and started to recieve ssd in March of this year Does that help for any dicissions with the VA or do they decide if your unemployable. Thanks John's Wife

Thanks John999 Had an eye examine earlier this year before I was diagnoissed with DMII found out that I have catracts, otherwise I have always wore glasses can't see without them. I don't know if catracts have anything to do with DMII.

Thanks everybody This is John's wife talking now. The problem is John doesn't remember who was with him when he fell off the choppers, If anyone in the Marine Corp remembers JM and that he fell it would be very helpfull to us. Trying to get any info is going to be hard because of the fact John would not go to any Doctors until now. I really don't know if its being a proud man or a stubborn man.

I'm new to the board I never knew about VA compensation until June of this year. I fell off two helicopters while working on them but never complained in fear of being marked as a ( xxxxx ) that was 69-72. I was in the Vietnam war. I was in pain with shoulder and back. this last year my back said no more. I have had surgery on my back this year. was diagnoissed with lumbar decompressin, irreversible nerve damage, diabetes/peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss ( both ears) with tintinnitus and verigo, osteoartirtis, spinal stenosis, brachial plexus, found out that I have spina bifida, and have had basal cell cacinoma, anxiety and depression. My wife has had me file for compesation since we heard about it, Just wondering if anyone thinks that I will get anything or is it just a waste of my time. I know my quality of life has gone down to o. My biggest problem my wife said is I never went to a doctor until I was on My death bed. Thanks in advance to any advise or suggestions

I am 57 years old, have had back problems since I left the Military in 1972 put never complained to anyone I fell off the helicopters twice while in the service. My back finally packed it in and I had to have surgery. found out that I have spina Bifida occulta. Will VA consider this as an disability being that it is a birth defect and that they still enlisted me in the service