This is possibly going to be a load of retro pay, EIGHT YEARS WORTH! I have Multiple Sclerosis and when I went into the PTSD program in Menlo Park I was not able to take my weekly shot of Avonex because of a VA policy that did not allow the use of Interferon. Because of the stress of the program coupled with going off my meds I had a massive exacerbation late 2002. My Kaiser neurologist wrote a letter that stated, In temporal association with the medication withdrawal and the stress of the program, he experienced a significant worsening of preexisting bowel and bladder control problems; such that he ultimately required a colostomy for bowel control. He uses intermittent cauterization for bladder control. It seems to me that the association between these events is more likely than not.
The above letter was submitted twice over the years and for reasons beyond my understanding was discounted by the VA. When I showed this letter to the BVA attorney she immediately saw its significance and I finally received a positive ruling granting me, Entitlement to service connection for neurogenic bowel and bladder, as secondary to treatment for service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I received this ruling just 3 months after my BVA hearing. Now I am just waiting for my new rating. I am currently SMC M1/2. I am hoping for a R1 rating but I am not sure if you need a O/P rating first before you can get a R1. Does anyone know the answer?
Rich