jefmil50

Congratulations enjoy you earned it!

Thanks Buck, That one I read too, which would at least put me to the "o" rating. Guess I am just in the holding pattern and back to hurry up and wait.

Thanks Asknod for that link. I have probably read that over many times and still can not figure where I should be. My guess now is R1 especially if this cystotomy gets rated properly at the 100% according to 38 CFR 4.115B. That requires A/A separate from my other LOU, that requires A/A. Like I said I am guessing where I should go now, I shall see when this gets fixed.

Buck, That would be my thought too, except I just have to hope this can get fixed now. I really am not looking forward to submitting a NOD on this matter. Navy04, I don't really know a lot of this except when I need to research the stuff pertaining to my current condition. Yes Asknod, Berta and Carlie are more up on this than me. My problem right now is being able to retain the information I learn on here. I hope you get what you deserve to! Good luck.

"O" or R1 maybe, the R1 would allow me to afford to hire a nurse part time. Then my wife who is an awesome caregiver can get a break once in awhile and not have to worry about me while she is away for her break.

I called my VSO about my latest decision I recieved last week. He proceeded to tell me he was asking the RO to reconsider their latest decision and raise the one rating of 30% to 60% for neurogenic bladder. However after talking to him more about that rating I told him that it should really be 100% for the bladder. The reason for that rating is because in September of 2014 I had a suprapubic cystotomy performed and under diagnostic code 7516 the rating should be 100%. He said he would ask them to reconsider this and get the rating changed to where it should be. I think he seemed like he never heard of that before but he agreed with me after looking it up himsself. So here is what I have which I know I have posted numerous times on here but I will do it again. I am rated at M + 2K right now before this gets adjusted. loss of use of right arm due to multiple sclerosis 70% Service Connected 01/16/2001 loss of use of both lower extremities due to multiple sclerosis 100% Service Connected 06/15/2007 Also have a K for loss of use right hand due to multiple sclerosis which goes back to 2003. This is what I recieved after the last C&P: neurogenic bowel due to multiple sclerosis 10% Service Connected 03/17/2014 left upper extremity weakness due to multiple sclerosis 30% Service Connected 03/17/2014 insomnia with hypersomnolence 30% Service Connected 03/17/2014 erectile dysfunction due to multiple sclerosis 0% Service Connected 03/17/2014 neurogenic bladder with urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis 30% Service Connected 09/05/2014 They gave me an additional K for loss of use of creative organ due to multiple sclerosis So the big question is if the 30% for neurogenic bladder gets changed to 60% where does that bump me? The next question is if the 30% goes to 100% where does that bump me? I think when I see my neurologist in June I will ask him if I actually have loss of use of bladder and bowel sphincter control. I would think so because I have the suprapubic catheter for the bladder and I need pills right now for bowel movements. Kind of sucks but so far just dealing with it. Any ideas on this would greatly be appreciated. Jeff

Broncovet, You need to do what is right for yourself and the rest of us Veterans. I would report any "hostile VA employee". Good luck!

John, Sorry about that loss, especially after an exhausting long battle. Good luck on moving forward now.

Congratulations Berta and hopefully we get to see you in the Success area again!

Thanks, that is my next move!

I recieved my claim decision last week but now I am confused of how to handle going forward? There is a major contention that was never added to my final decision. In the time being I decided to call 800 Peggy and question why that contention was never even added to my decision. The lady on the phone went over my claim and agreed that it should have been added. So she sent an inquiry to the RO in St. Petersburg Fl. That contention was for a suprapubic cystotomy. A few places on this forum that disability is mentioned and the percentage is 100%. Here is what I copied from the E-Benefits site. I have been calling this a suprapubic catheter instead of suprapubic cystotomy but I believe those 2 are the same. So the secondary disability was not included? Continued from block 9 21-526 EZ Increased Disabilities: 1. urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis Secondary Disabilities: 1. suprapubic catheter (secondary to: urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis) So I am waiting for a call back from the RO to explain this discrepancy. My confusion is how to handle getting this fixed? I got the increase for urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis which was from 20% to 30%. The second disability listed is nowhere in my final claim decision. I am hoping the RO calls me back soon. I am just trying to figure out how to proceed? Hoping to get this fixed without having to file a NOD and wait years to get it fixed? Thanks for any help!

Congrats and good luck on your continued fight!

Yes congratulations Berta, and your advise has probably helped many including myself. I still have a lot of reading to do on here. I hope you have a wonderful Easter.

Congrats Carlie, yes go relax we are very happy for you!

Well I do not have that, but I did get a SC rating of 0% for ED so maybe that is where that last issue came from?

I got my BWE today with a decision. I understand most of the ratings except the last 1. It states Issue/Contention: Entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of creative organ. The explanation says: Entitlement to special monthly compensation is warranted in this case because criteria regarding loss of use were met from March 17, 2014. However it does not say what creative organ or the percentage? If I am giving a SMC for LOU of a creative organ, shouldn't it show? None of the dates are correct that they gave me. How do I dispute those? I have 1 contention that was deferred for VA examination. So that is probably why when I log on to E-Benefits it shows my claim is back to Gathering of evidence because now it waiting on the issue for diplopia exam? The major issue/contention was my suprapubic catheter that apparently never was addressed. They upped my neurogenic bladder from 20% to 30% but failed to add the suprapubic catheter which should be rated as 100% under voiding dysfunction. As you see here: Title-38 Chap-1 Part-4 subpart-b 4.115b Ratings of the genitourinary system—diagnoses. 7516 Bladder, fistula of: Rate as voiding dysfunction or urinary tract infection, whichever is predominant. Postoperative, suprapubic cystotomy 100% What is the best way to fix this one?

Well that last one, neurogenic bladder ect should go back to 03/17/14 like the others, because there is proof in myhealthvet records of increased problems with my bladder. I already had that one and my bowel at 20% and now they have been increased to the max 30% for both. Hope that helps some? Thanks.

I thank you Asknod and Broncovet, you two have opened my eyes more. Here is what I got to add. These are my Original disabilities I am already recieving which has giving me my current rating of M + k: loss of use of right arm due to multiple sclerosis 70% Service Connected 01/16/2001 loss of use of both lower extremities due to multiple sclerosis 100% Service Connected 06/15/2007 Also have a K for loss of use right hand due to multiple sclerosis which goes back to 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- This is what came up on E-Disfuntional Benefits. The EED on these I will dispute after I recieve my BBE on what ever finally shows up. I do not believe adding these new ratings alone will give me the rating that I am trying to achieve which is at least SMC "O" or "R-1"? I have no idea at this point. New disabilities showing: neurogenic bowel 10% Service Connected 03/17/2014 left upper extremity weakness 30% Service Connected 03/17/2014 insomnia with hypersomnolence 30% Service Connected 03/17/2014 erectile dysfunction 0% Service Connected 03/17/2014 neurogenic bladder with urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis 30% Service Connected 09/05/2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- I do not see the 1 listed there for, suprapubic catheter (secondary to: urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis) , listed on the new disabilities given a rating. As you can see it is on the 526 EZ form I submitted. And if that gets added to new disabilities that should put me to the R1 I think?. You can see below that it is rated 100%. **************Continued from block 9 21-526 EZ Increased Disabilities: 1. urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis Secondary Disabilities: 1. suprapubic catheter (secondary to: urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis) **************End continued block 9 21-526 EZ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title-38 Chap-1 Part-4 subpart-b 4.115b Ratings of the genitourinary system—diagnoses. 7516 Bladder, fistula of: Rate as voiding dysfunction or urinary tract infection, whichever is predominant. Postoperative, suprapubic cystotomy 100%

Well I am glad I made your day Asknod, you probably needed that laugh. Just your response made me laugh, maybe not as hard as yours but a little though.

Yes I already requested my C-file in December of 2013 and recieved it January of this year. I am just going through it slowly now. I am going to wait for an official letter the BBE with all the particulars of my claim. Also need to go and change my POA to a more reliable VSO, that will probably be my 1st step before I recieve the decision. Thanks Broncovet!

That 1st 1 I stated as not included, neurogenic bladder with urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis (also claimed as suprapubic catheter) (Increase), the end part suprapubic catheter is not listed in the increase?

I am still trying to figure where my claim is heading. My claim just went from Preparation of Notification back to Gathering of Evidence. There are several new contentions added to my disabilities however there are 2 that are not added. Those 2 that are not showing are: neurogenic bladder with urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis (also claimed as suprapubic catheter) (Increase) and, diplopia (Increase). Do you think those 2 are the reason why it went back to gathering of evidence? If so I guess there will be a new C&P scheduled soon to justify those 2 other contentions? My other question to this matter is, I noticed the dates on these new added disabilities is wrong. Should I wait to get the actual paperwork on this claim and then dispute the EED or do something before? Thanks for all the great help.

Yes I am fortunate enough that my SCI clinic at the VAMC here pays my wife a stipend for my bladder care. It is a small amount every month but at least it is something.

Guess I will wait for the paper work!

Ok I was in preparation for notification with a majority of contentions given a rating however 2 things did not show up on e-benefits, and now my claim is showing gathering of evidence. Any ideas of what is going on?