[Back Injury Due To Fall]

Yes that I did. I will do just that. I find it difficult not to be doing backflips (metaphorically of course ) over the good news, but I realize what you are referring to. Thanks.

Well you got Service Connected and you got a rated percentage. Great news. Wait for the paperwork and see what they say. You will learn a lot from reading the way they rate. And you can use that to help you with future claims..

Hamslice

[I Won I Think]

I just checked mine and the status changed to claim complete. I can't pull any info on it. I am in the hopes that nothing changed from what I was told by the VA rep that called me. Fingers crossed.

I have my foot in the door. Ebennies confirms

Thanks for the congrats.

I received official word confirming yesterday.

A few years ago I remember Pete53 saying he was cautious of telling friends about a win.

He is right. I was selective and told one friend who was very happy for me. But yesterday I told another friend and got a different reaction. I guess my wife and I will be happy and tell no one else. At least I can celebrate here.

Arng11, I hope things work out for you.

vet12

Thank you. I think this is a good step forward. I also am being cautious who I have given this news to. Sadly I have my own predicament to deal with at home. Other than posting my news here I have only shared this news with my mother and two good friends at work. I dislike that I feel I have to do that, however, I am still content. As the saying goes, "one step at a time, one step after another".

[I Won I Think]

congrats

I just checked mine and the status changed to claim complete. I can't pull any info on it. I am in the hopes that nothing changed from what I was told by the VA rep that called me. Fingers crossed.

[I Won I Think]

congrats

[Provisional Claim Settlements - Any Out There?]

Good luck to you aggie54.

[Provisional Claim Settlements - Any Out There?]

I don't know if my claim would be considered that. I didn't file too long ago. Aug of 2012 to be exact. I received a call yesterday about my claim being finalized and a deposit being sent within the week.

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

CONGRATULATION! Hopefully you get what you deserve. God Bless and Thank you for your service. Is this one of those provisional claims? when did you file?

Thanks. I honestly i don't really know, however, it sure sounds like it is a provisional. I'm not going to get all head over heels though. The pessimists in me is trying to come out. I filed back in August of last year, so the time frame fits for a provisional, however, I'm wet behind the ears, for this process. I will try to post more info as it becomes available to me.

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

I was thinking the same. At this point though, I am not holding my breath. Preparation for Notification. I will believe it when I see it. In the mean time, I am going to brush up on the regulations and rating criteria and try to make sure that I am not short changing myself and receive what I am entitled to. I can see why so many vets are disappointed and tired of this system. It shouldn't be this hard.

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

Correction a few more phone calls from Peggy. Not verifying specific amount but I know from the date of my claim and what information she casually mentioned I seem to have been given a 30% rating. Yeh. I am glad really I am. I was not expecting a decision so fast. I know that people from OK are pretty friendly, I was suprised how friendly this representative was. Interesting. I think I am in a little bit of shock. Go figure. From my fellow vets advice I will review the decision thoroughly. Although this is good news, I am not sure all the documentation was looked at. In any case the real march is about to begin.

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

Received an interesting call from Peggy just now. They called an verified my direct deposit information. I was suspicous, however, she gave me the account info. She didn't discuss the rating information directly, but she sliped and mentioned my dependents, but stated "oh that wouldn't matter anyway since you're not over 30%" So I know that I have atleast a 10 to 20% rating assigned. I found it amusing at the very least. "Can't tell you what you received but you didn't get at least that". No matter. My foot is in the door. I can start to prepare my NOD, or submit more documentation, which ever route will be in my best interest. I will be doing some reading and networking. I wonder if I will get the notice before it updates on Ebennies? I will post the exact decision when I receive my letter in the mail. I am grateful though, I could have very well had been denied completely.

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

_arng11,

_{Thorasic and lumbar spines are rated as one for ROM, and cervical spine is rated for ROM seperately from the thorasic and lumbar. I am rated 20% for ROM thorasic and lumbar and 20% for ROM cervical. I have DDD and DJD of the lumbar, DDD of the thorasic and DDD of the cervical spines. I was also diagnosed with "Forester Desease", which don't mean a whole lot that I can see yet..}

_{ROM is where its at for percentage.}

_{I am confused as to "trying to get some of my treating physicians to complete a DBQ". Just get all of you treatment records sent in with your claim. The VA is going to do a C%P anyway and check ROM. Once you get a rated diagnosis, then fight for a increase in percentage if you feel you should recieve more.}

_{Remember, you will most likely get low balled on your first ratings. Most everyone here has. I went 30, than 40, than 60 and now 70. Like I told you in a previous post, its like a chess game.}

_{I don't think doctors use the "incapacitating episodes" thing anymore. I don't see civilian docs giving out "six weeks bedrest" slips anymore for your employer, etc. I could be wrong.}

_Hamslice

Gotcha. I was kind of confused on what I needed to do as well. Some people that I have chatted with suggested that I get the DBQ's done. But I understand what you are suggesting now. On the "incapacitating episodes" ,I don't believe that is used either, at least from my personal experience so far. I will try to get the documents scanned in today. If not there is always the reliable mail system. Don't worry I will send it registered mail. The VSO suggested I wait until I was rated to send that information in. The one question I did have was when I send this evidence in should I leave the initial claimed conditions alone, or specifically state the compensable condtions with those documents on another statement form?

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

That is the information that I have been looking at. Once I get a rating for what I submitted I was thinking of revising the claim to name the specific segments and include all of the findings from both MRI's (lumbar MRI in 2009) (thoracic in 2013). I have been trying to get some of of my treating physicians to complete a DBQ, however, they all seem to have some fear in completing the form. They all suggest I find a specialist or an independent medical provider. Yet they are supposed to be the expert in their specialty. Honestly it is just a sorry excuse. I don't understand the fear or the reluctance, or what ever you would like to call it. I am being quite polite here. You can diagnose me, treat me, and bill the insurance accordingly, but if I ask to get some help filling out a form, or to fill in the blanks for the diagnoses that you bill the insurance company for, the information that goes on these forms, most of the data can be obtained from tests they have already ordered or performed, suddenly they are to busy, or can't fill it out because it's too specific, or beyond their expertice. That makes absolutely no sense. It is so completely @$%! . I am trying to keep my composure here but I think you may understand my frustration on this. Blah. I know, I sound like I am complaining, and in a way I am. Call it venting I guess. I am just exhausted. I can imagine the anger and frustration of veterans that are in worse shape than I am. Compared to some, my injuries and conditions are no where near as bad as shared on this site. Ok enough negative bantering. I know I am in for a long fight. I can't loose my composure. Stay focused and determined.

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

I appreciate the information. I have not been prescribed bed rest. I continue to work and deal with pain and symptoms. Although here the last couple of years it has been getting more difficult to manage. I am not at that level. Some days are better than others. From the advice I've been getting from fellow vets I need to wait to see what is decided on my claim and then proceed from there. So I just have to wait and see what happens. I'll be doing some reading in the VA regs and see what I need to do and how to best proceed.

[Arng11 - Looking For Help]

One other thing that the VA want's to see - -

Continuity between the present time and the in service injury.

If there are no records of treatment between then and now, the VA likes to say that although the injury or disease might be similar,

the current problem is not due to the injury/disease that occurred in service.

This can be fought, since it's not strictly a requirement. But, it does lessen the chances of success.

That I do have. I have additional records from a couple of providers that have provided care over the years. I can show continuity of care.

[Arng11 - Looking For Help]

Not really. Other than the first time I went to the VSO, however, it was very brief, they glanced through it. I have gathered more treatment records since then. On a good note I have been getting treatment through a chiropractor and a pain management center for steroid shots. So I can show evidence of care and the providers findings.

I would just wait until you receive your rating decision. Once you receive your RD, then go over it, hopefully with someone who has some experience in doing this. Then if you want to disagree with anything, you can do an NOD and then submit a request for an evaluation on your additional disabilities.

have you had anyone review your medical records? This helps a lot!

[Arng11 - Looking For Help]

John999,

Your right. As this issue has been causing problems with my proffesional and personal life. However, I know I can't change the past. What's done is done. I'll do the best that I can with what I have and go from there. I've been learning a lot from the people in this community and I am grateful. I know that there are vets in far worse conditions and circumstances so I will not dismiss what blessings I have. Thanks for the advice and the heads up.

[Arng11 - Looking For Help]

you need:

1. Injury in service documented in your service records.

2. A current diagnosis of the injury

3. A Nexus, or connection between the injury and the current diagnosis.

It seems simple, but it is not. You may need and Independent Medical Evaluation/Opinion. It took me almost 40 years to get my back service connected because I did not know this and did not know that I must document it.

Your notification will be there soon, I think, and you will know which way to go from there. You have to be pro-active in your claims.

I am starting to realize that now from the posts that I have been reading up on. I have the two and the correlation is there on the third but not from an IMO, only from the medical treatments i have had and the diagnostic imaging tests and results. Yes you are absolutely right on the pro-active part. I believe I have been lacking in that regard, however, I mean to change that. Thanks for the information my fellow vets.

[Back Injury Due To Fall]

I had a few questions and wanted to get some feedback. When trying to compensation for a back injury, the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, are they considered two different segments. From what I understand these are rated as part of minor body groups? is that correct? With these results how should I claim the different segments and the symptoms..

L1 moderately decreased in T2 signal and height. schmorl's node anteriorly and superiorly at L1 to disc.

L3-L4 mildly decreased in T2 signal and height

Schmorl's node anteriorly and superiorly at L1

Large posterior osteophyte at T-11 and T12, effaces the conus medullar is distally. narrows canal to 7mm AP

L1-L2 mild circumferential osteophytic ridging/disc bulge.

L3-L4 circumferential osteophytic ridging sized disk bulge contacts but does not deform the thecal sac. Mild bilateral facet joint hypertrophy

L4-L5 mild bilateral facet joint hypertrophy

Impression: scattered degenerative and hypertrophic changes in the lumbar spine

Prominent posterior osteophytic ridging at T-11 - T12. produces central stenosis and some mass effect on the conus medullar is.

Mild to moderate mid throrasic scoliosis curve convex to the right.

Mild disc dehydration to upper and mid , and very lower thoracic spine.

Minor bulging discs. minimal or tiny right paracentral disc protrusion at T5-6 and T6-7

Thin band of edema in the proximal left femur represent contusion or reaction to degenerative changes in hip. Mild thinning of hyaline cartilage in the hip joints superiorly.

Mild joint space narrowing in the hip joints superiorly, likely early or mild osteoarthritis.

[Dbqs]

Good luck with that. So far I have asked two of my long time treating physicians to help me in filling these out and I was referred to other agencies. From what I have seen, some doctors do not want to put their professional opinion and diagnosis for a VA claim. Also they seem to not want to take 30 to 45 minutes of their time to fill out these DBQ's. Most of the information can be filled out from your treatment records so I do not understand the resistance.

[Arng11 - Looking For Help]

The issues I have claimed are just the two. Tinnitus and Back Injury. The claim hasn't been denied yet. I filed back in Aug of 2012 so fairly new in the claims process. Last time I was able to check VONAPP it was in the preparation for notification phase of the process. Im being optimistic, however, from reading the forums, this process can go on for a long period of time if you don't precisely tell the VA what your specific illness and injuries are.

[Arng11 - Looking For Help]

I am new to this VA chess game and unfortunately I have been learning as I go. Bad move on my part, however, I am trying to get some advice,maybe some direction as where I need to go from here, I filed a claim and did a poor job in telling the VA what exactly was wrong. I used a local veterans organization and failed to do my homework. I filed a claim for tinnitus and a back injury, just as stated. As I know now I should have been more specific as to injuries incurred and what I was claiming. I have other illness that are related to my tour in Iraqui Freedom but never mentioned them to VA as I was very unhappy with a treatement that I received from a VA clinic at one appointment. My question is whether to revise my claim and submitt a new statement, with all my supporting documents and go back to the initial process of a claim or wait until the VA decides my contentions. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.