Hi all,
I have a dumb question about service connection. Backstory: Apparently, I did not do myself any favors upon my retirement and initial VA claim-I did not claim several conditions (just choosing the worst ones) and the VA rated me pretty fairly (60%) in my first claim. I then did nothing for 9 years as my health deteriorated-put simply, I just felt like it was too much to ask. After having a Gulf War exam with a letter of admission for presumptive conditions from the examiner, and then having double knee replacements and needing both hips, I am finally ready to go after what I feel I deserve. It is unfortunate, since all of this compensation won't be effective till my intent to file date. However, I have learned a few things and am telling my fellow vets to go through their records with a fine tooth comb, consider ALL issues when doing their VA medical exam after retirement, and document, document, document.
As an example, I am SC for my right knee and hip, but never filed a claim on my left knee and hip. They ARE in my service medical records as issues, with statements such as "increased instability and pain in L knee" and "audible grinding bilateral". These notes pale in comparison to the records for my right knee, which had 3 surgeries while active duty. There are several issues that are like this-documented in my record, but I did not claim them as issues originally.
So my question is: if it is in my military medical records as an issue that I sought treatment for or as a peripheral "current issue" listed, does this give the VA sufficient evidence for service connection? These are current medical issues for me as well, ones that I am being treated for in the civilian sector, and I have provided those records to VA via eBenefits.
Thanks in advance.