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Thanks for that great answer to my question, so I guess I am heading in that direction of uncertainty and by myself. Yes it just me and my wife/caregiver, she is my awesome caregiver paid by the VA for bladder care, taking this journey by ourselves with the guidance from the people on this forum. My next question is if I have to be admitted to the VA hospital and I am rated at the R1 level, how and when does the rating get adjusted?

Thanks Berta, I have had a discussion from Asknod last year about this smc and his Mr. potato head is awesome but I think he will have to pick this particular scenario differently. I say that because I understand the loss of use of arms and legs but how does loss of use of bladder come into the picture and get added to the smc?

I am rated at M + k Berta. I have browsed the BVA site a little but have not worded my search correctly to come up with the right results.

I was trying to figure out what the results of my latest request for increase is? If I already have 100% for LOU of lower extremities bilaterally and LOU of upper right extremity rated {70%} then if another disability gives me 100%, where does all that put me? So these are my contentions, VBMS (New), left upper extremity weakness due to MS (New), neurogenic bladder with urinary urgency due to multiple sclerosis (also claimed as suprapubic catheter) (Increase), diplopia (Increase). The 100% I stated as another is for the suprapubic catheter which was put in me in July last year after several bouts with uti's and a couple of hospitalizations for the same problem. Under diagnostic code 7516 Bladder,fistula of: Rate as voiding dysfunction or urinary tract infection, whichever is predominant. Postoperative, suprapubic cystotomy. So unfortunately this is where I am at in the progression of this disease but I hate to say it "it is what it is". Just wondering where I go to next SMC R1 or "O", I am at SMC M + K now any thoughts?

Thank you Navy04, yes I am currently at SMC M+k which was granted for me in 2007. Now within the last 2-3 years my multiple sclerosis has decided to take a fast plunge downwards. My left upper extremity is starting to decline like my right side did several years ago. My bladder has stopped functioning to the point where I had to have a suprapubic catheter put in because of severe retention. So with all that going on I decided to submit for the increase, now it is just a waiting game and hopefully I will find out soon. Good luck with yours too, God bless.

At this point those letters do not tell me anything new. I am in the SMC area so I already know I am 100% P and T. Thanks though. My E-benefits page just is showing unable to find anything at this time, please check back. Oh well will check later.

My claim for an increase has moved to preparation for notification today. Now I just have to wait for the BBE. Just a tad nervous now to see what all happens!

Here are the results of my c & p exam, now it is just a wait on results. Ebennies is showing prep for decision. cpexam.txt

Mine came up exactly 3 days later, good luck!

Congrats, and good luck on your other battles!

Congrats!

Congrats!

Congrats!

Congrats!!

Good luck I had mine yesterday!

Yes thanks, so just will sit and wait. Of course we are used to that familiar hurry up and wait deal.

Well had my C&P yesterday for an increase. Not sure how it went but I see on e-bennies it went from gathering of evidense to prep for decision. I am rated now at M + K for lou of 3 extremities plus my right hand. That rating was awarded back in 2007. I submitted for an increase because my condition of Multiple Sclerosis has deteriorated since then. I have been hospitalized 6 times in the last year and now have lou of bladder function. This new lou of bladder function has required me to use a suprapubic catheter so that I can empty my bladder and reduce the chances of uti's. Just trying to get any thoughts on this matter? I know I am preparing for the next step if I have to appeal this outcome, hopefully not but I did not get good vibes from this examiner. Even the front desk clerk said he can not wait for him to retire. Thanks!

I get the same errors!

Congratulations and good luck!

I go back on my records and I see where I submitted a DBQ from my neurologist and another form from my pcp both relating to my bladder issue so hopefully that is in with the claim. I guess I will find out next week. Thanks alot Berta you have been a tremendous help.

The C&P is for an increase due my ms getting worse. Here is my decision from 2008:img004.pdfimg003.pdf The bladder issue is caused by the ms and the VA has stated this,

Any thoughts on what increase if anything I should go to next? I have my C & P next week and currently I am rated SMC M+k. I asked for an increase after my 1st bout of uti's that I have been having and was told to start catherizing myself daily, due to urinary retention. Self catherization did not work and I ended up with another uti at which time I was hospitalized and then had to start using a foley catheter. That was okay for about 2 months. Now I have been with a suprapubic catheter since. I have been hospitalized 1 more time with uti and also been treated 3 other times as out-patient for uti's. My original dx is neurogenic bladder 20%. Just wanted any thoughts? Just wanted to clarify that dx, of neurogenic bladder is the one part I am requesting an increase for.

Congratulations and good luck!

Just 1 thing though that I have come across when speaking with other veterans. A lot have used the whole amount of the grant to pay for their home and have nothing left to use later. You need to leave some of the grant left over, like 2 0r 3 thousand dollars because the grant goes up every year plus cola adjustments. If you have nothing left then you will lose out, you can use the grant 3 times and if nothing is left to adjust from then you lose out. I was told that from my VA SAH agent that went over with everything for me. Good luck, overall I was very pleased surprised with the process and how easy it went with the VA.

Update on my C-file, finally a box arrived with my file in it. I have alot of reading to go through.