chuck08

Recently retired and SC a combined 80% for OSA, Coronary heart disease, DM II, tinnitus, hypertension, left and right lower extermity peripheral neuritis, left and right ear hearing loss and ED. (While on Active Duty) At the time I filed my claim, I did not know I could claim secondary conditions to DM II. The c&p exam revealed my lower extermities peripheral neuritis (I thought my left and right chronic ankle pain was causing the burning sensation between my ankle and knee) , thus VA awarded SC although I did not claim the condition on my form. The burning sensation between my ankle and knee started a while (a year or more) before I was diagnosed with DMII. Over the years my ankle was treated using Vioxx, Celebrex and eventually Motrin (the new doc did not approve of Celebrex) A couple of months before my DM II was diagnosed, I was seen by a doctor regarding numbness in my pinkie and ring finger with tingling along my elbow and left hand. She said that my ulnar nerve was likely pinched between my elbow while the elbow was bent for long durations during an activity. She suggested that when I feel the numbness, to stretch my arm (NO Kidding) and gave me a document explain the Ulnar nerve. During that time I also had some tingling in my right hand, but discounted it as the Ulnar nerve--the suggest treatment was no good. Two months after seeing her about the ulnar nerve, I was diagnosed with DM II. A couple of weeks ago, I seen my TriCare doctor regarding numbness in my pinkie and ring finger with tingling along my elbow and right hand. She said that my ulnar nerve was the problem. OK, I asked whether I had peripheral neuropathy and could DM II be a contributing factor? She said no (unsure tone), I had an ulnar nerve that was damaged as it passes through the wrist--a confusing answer. I would like to know whether I can file another claim for peripheral neuropathy, neuritis for both my hands? I awarded my service connection a couple of months ago, and wondered whether I had to wait--last claim filed within a year (Also, I need to do a NOD for a couple of denied claims). Rushing to do my job and preparing for retirement, I never had a VSO look at my service record which she/he would of caught the secondaries to DM II. Any help will be greatly appreciated....

Thank you everyone for your wisdom and insight. At least there is a sanity check for comments made by an examiner, i.e. telling an individual they no longer need a prescribed medication because they are not the Primary Care Physician or specialist. This being my brother's first C&P exam and processing for retirement, he treated it like any other medical exam. He said the examiner asked questions about why he was taking the HBP meds; I guess he didn't answer the questions to the examiner's satisfaction? The question of what is causing your HBP/what is the link? This is the same road I have to go down next year. He is taking his medication as prescribed by his physician. He has since filed a NOD for his Hypertension.

When my brother retired in May 2006, he filed a claim for disability for his hand/joints and hypertension. During his C&P examination, the examiner said he did not need the medication for hypertension. He received a rating of 10 percent for his hand/joint. I am concerned because I will be retiring later next year and take medication for my heart (angio plasti/stent) and hypertension. My cardiologist stated I will always need the medication. My question is, can an examiner state I no longer need to take my medication duirng/after the examination? Is this normal behavior for an examiner?