donna68

HERE IS IMPORTANT INFO FOR A HIGHER RATING FOR PD PARKINSON’S DISEASE ALSO CALLED PARALYSIS AGITANS With the exceptions noted, disability from neurological diseases and their residuals may be rated from 10 percent to 100 percent in proportion to the impairment of motor, sensory, or mental function. Consider especially psychotic manifestations, complete or partial loss of use of one or more extremities, speech disturbances, impairment of vision, disturbances of gait, tremors, visceral manifestations, etc., referring to the appropriate bodily system of the schedule. Note: The visceral manifestations of this disease are few, with chronic constipation and loss of intestinal tone being the most common. Other manifestations should be rated separately (see some examples below). Diagnostic Code Schedule Name (Analogus/Other name) Rating 8004 Paralysis Agitans (Parkinson’s) Minimum Rating 30% 9400-9440 Mental Disorders Total occupational and social impairment 100% Due to symptoms of impairment of thought Process, communication, delusions, hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, disorientation to time, place… Occupational and social impairment W/ 70% Deficiencies in most areas Due to symptoms of suicidal ideation, Obsessive rituals, speech illogical, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful situations Occupational and social impairment W/ 50% reduced Due to symptoms of flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, impaired short term or long term memory, impaired judgment or thinking, disturbances in motivation reliability and productivity Occupational and social impairment W/ 30% occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform Due to symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss Occupational and social impairment W/ mild 10% or transient symptoms, or controlled by continuous medication 7203 Esophagus, Stricture (Choking) Permitting passing of liquids only 80% W/impairment of health Severe permitting liquids only 50% 7319 Irritable Colon Syndrome (Constipation) Severe, diarrhea or alternating with constipation, 30% W/ more or less constant abdominal distress Moderate, frequent episodes of bowel 10% disturbance with abdominal distress Mild, disturbances of bowel function with 0% occasional episodes of abdominal distress 7336 Hemorrhoids W/persistent bleeding w/ anemia or fissures 20% Large or thrombotic, irreducible W/ excessive 10% redundant tissue, evidencing frequent recurrences Mild or moderate 0% 7522 Penis, w/ loss of power (Erectile Dysfunction) Diagnosis SMC + 0% W/ deformity 20% 4.115 a Voiding Dysfunction Requiring an appliance of absorbent materials 60% which must be changes more than 4 times a day Requiring the wearing of absorbent material 40% which must be changed 2 to 4 times per day Requiring the wearing of absorbent material 20% which must be changed less than 2 times per day Rating Residual Disability 30 Percent or More In cases of multiple sclerosis (PD or paralysis agitans should also follow this guideline) evaluate each affected system or body part separately show the diagnostic code for multiple sclerosis/PD only once by listing it with the most severely affected function code involvement of other manifestations thereafter under the DC assignable for the condition on which the evaluation is based, and show the remaining conditions as secondary to multiple sclerosis/PD. . Important: Re-rate cases previously rated as a single disability as they are encountered under the procedure outlined above. VBA CASE EXAMPLE http://www.va.gov/vetapp09/files1/0903196.txt http://www.va.gov/vetapp11/Files1/1102268.txt

Papa, I read your exam over again. So the 30% for PD is a given, not 100% as others may think. I saw they gave you 10% for tinnitus-good. I also recall you are SC for PTSD, but if you are not, put in a claim for "anxiety" as noted on the C&P exam. If you are SC for PTSD put in a claim for increase. You should rate at 50% for mental when you include anxiety, fatigue and panic attacks. I saw a bunch of other things they can rate separately. Dizziness using the code for vertigo. Swallowing. Passing out or syncope. Blurry or double vision. Loss of smell. Fatigue can be incorporated with PTSD. Fecal incontinence based on how many times you must change. Also get a dental exam for possible TMJ. So, if I were you, I would put in a claim for increase for PTSD, PD and a new claim for dizziness/vertigo, swallowing difficulty/dysphasia, passing out/syncope, blurry vision/double vision, loss of smell which should give you SMC, fatigue, incontinence and jaw condition or TMJ. Hope this helps Donna

Papa, Based on the exam you posted, it should be higher than 30%!!!! Donna

Papa, Based on what I readin your examination, it should be much higher!!!!!!! Donna

Papa, I read your PD postings and exam and saw a few things that should be addessed when you get your rating. PD is a minimum of 30% just with the diagnosis. Then they can break out the various other conditions and rate them as secondary like; Each limb that is affected can be rated separately if doing so gives you a higher percentage. Chocking, Memory, Bowel, Bladder....... all should be rated apart to give you the highest rating and then they will make PD 0%. You also mentioned tinnitus, if you never claimed it they should open a claim for itsice you mentioned it at the exam. I dont know if it could be secondary to PD, but they should addrees it since you mentioned it. Donna