casaderussell

Thanks Coot. and everyone else. last question. The letter says to mail my NOD. Can I take a copy to my local VA office so I get a date stamped receipt? I'm close to the deadline.

So how is chronic defined? Certain number of occurrences over a certain period of time (i.e. 4 episodes in 1 year)? Or does my medical record have to say, "chronic?"

O.K. so what is Chronic? lasting 6 months, 1 year, 2 years...forever? 1 episode 4 times a year? Or does my medical record have to say "chronic?"

I'm working on my NOD (Notice of Disagreement) and am having trouble figuring out how the VA defines "persistently recurrent." Does anyone know how they define this subjective term? My biggest disagreement is with my 0% rating of GERD. Based on my readings here, the VA uses 7346 Hernia hiatal to determine a rating. Based on what I know and am finding in my medical record, I should be rated at 30%. My first "attack" was on 11 May 2010 and I went to the ER. Reported pain at 7/10 and one episode of regurgitation. Pain radiated through my back and down my arm. I thought I was having a heart attack. I had a follow up with my primary care provider on 12 May 2010 where I was diagnosed with Esophageal reflux and told to continue daily doses of 20mg Nexium. I went to the ER again 28 Oct 2010. I reported similar episodes of acid reflux in the past. This occasion lasted longer and pain was rated at 10/10. Same symptoms of pain. Followed up with PCP 29 Oct 2010. Nexium dosage was increased to 40mg. Report indicated a loss of 15 lbs. Another ER visit on 26 Jan 2011 for chest pain that was diagnosed at "atypical chest pain" Follow up with PCP 27 Jan 2011 agreed with "atypical chest pain" Then i retired from the Navy. I have since had additional attacks and appointments with my civilian doctor. 27 Apr 2011 for recent GERD attack 16 Sep 2011 regular follow up for GERD. I have the documentation of these visits and the symptoms and diagnosis are documented on the reports. I did not go to the doctor for all GERD attacks because I knew what it was. When then happen I can't do anything. I've even had to leave work because of some attacks. I've kept track of my GERD attacks. Dates are: May 2010 Aug 2010 October 2010 April 2011 July 2011 October 2011 May 2012 Does that sound like a persistent recurrence? Is there other details I'm leaving out? Here is what I found for the rating guide: 7346 Hernia hiatal: Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health 60 Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health 30 With two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity 10

Does anyone know if or how Actinic Keratosis gets a rating? I didn't even know what this was until just after I got out. I am a fair skinned red head. I had been seen for severe dry skin on at least one occasion in the last 5 years. No docter ever mentioned to me that these dry flaky spots are precancerous. There is a term that can scare your pants off. My civilian doctor said, "Has anyone talked to you about those dry spots on your hands and arms?" I said, "No. What are they?" He explained then set up a treatment schedule. Since then I've had 18 spots removed and a chemical skin treatment done to my face. All this started in the first year I was out of the Navy. My issue is that actinic keratosis does not start over night or even in one year. It takes decades to develop and is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. Now I worked in submarines, but we always stood topside watch in short sleeves with no shade and no sun screen. Norfolk, VA and southeast, GA get real sunny and hot. How do I fight for a rating when the condition did not present itself until after I was out? Thanks.