SixtyTwoF

Berta, I hope you got your satellites aligned. I still have a few questions. (please see my previous post for more info): - Do I reopen the Claim and add-in the other injuries in the same re-opened claim? Or, do I re-open the claim and open a completely new claim(s) for the other injuries? Either way, I do not know if they were originally claimed and denied or if they were just ignored. Could I even start without knowing that? - On this point, how do I re-open the claim? Is there a site or form for this? This would not be a FDC (Fully Developed Claim) would it? This seems to only allow claim back to the point that I submit the claim. - Should I request my C-File from the Raleigh, NC VARO even though I was discharged and had the initial claim in California? Thanks!

Thank you so much for this information. You are full of useful knowledge. BTW, you may want to edit your post. I think you pasted your text 4 times! Only a few things I am unclear on at this point: - Do I reopen the Claim and add-in the other injuries in the same re-opened claim? Or, do I re-open the claim and open a completely new claim(s) for the other injuries? Either way, I do not know if they were originally claimed and denied or if they were just ignored. Could I even start without knowing that? - Should I request my C-File from the Raleigh, NC VARO even though I was discharged and had the initial claim in California? The ability to get a copy of my Military Medical Record through the Nation Archive is new to me. This will be very useful as my copy of my medical records is incomplete. I have a copy of my DD-214, so I am off to a good start. The National Archive is not operating under the Gov Shutdown, so good start is now stopped. Looks like if I apply on-line I still have to send a signed form. I am not sure if I mentioned this, but I was out of the country from 1999 to 2010. My VA decsion was in 2007, so I obviously never received notification nor did I recieve information on the ability to appeal. I have a feeling that this may help me. Also, since I was out of the country, I never registered with VA Medical and have only really just contacted the VA since being back. I have to start from ground zero and it seems like everything is going to happen at once: - Register for VA medical (1010-ez) - Have initial visit at a VA hospital - Re-open my claim, etc. - See private doctor for thoughts on how to re-align my heel. (I am not having VA do it). I might be able to use records from both of the above doctor visits to bolster my claim, but honestly, I do not think I will need it.

Berta, I really appreciate you talking the time to review my information, provide your conclusions, and give me more information. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I had my exit physical, and then finally had VA make their decision in 2007. I only know this from talking to the VA this week. I was out of the country (young and dumb) and did not even know about the decision being made. I did not claim for any other injuries (that I know of). They may have review the injuries, but I doubt it. I had a look at the foot and ankle ratings. I am not sure the VA is saying that I have arthritis from the injuries. My VA contact told me that there was not even a joint mentioned! I do not think I have any of my VA review paperwork. I will have another look. I might have more info somewhere. (moving between countries mixes things up). I suppose I should start the process trying to get my C-File too. It may not be needed, but it sure would be good to have. Thank you. I think I do too. I thought that I had compensation for the broken ankle until last week when the VA rep told me I was 10% for arthritis. I was shocked. I feel like I have been taken advantage off. Thank you. I found the acronym list earlier today. That helped shed some light on things. Before that Google was able to answer most acronym queries. Now I have the task of starting this process: - Reopen claim for 10% (does this make sense? I am already probably getting maximum for arthritis below the knee.) - New Claims for injuries that were not claimed in 1995. Including head scar. - Try to find my old ratings sheet. - Maybe start a request for my C-File. I assume I can do all of this through e-Benefits or snail mail and do not have to go see my local VA rep? Thank again all.

John999, Thank you so much for your reply. I am still trying to catch up on what all the lingo means and what three letter acronym I should be using to have my injuries reviewed. I am starting to think that I should repost this in another forum. Before I repost this somewhere else, can you answer how I would try to get my current rating bumped after ingoring it for 18 years? Is there a form for 'reconsideration' or is this something that I should take up with my District Service Officer? I do not even know where to start. Thank you again.

I do not know if I have any right to a CUE, or any sort of review, so forgive me if I have posted in the wrong forum in error. I will give a history and wait for comment: April 1992 - Enlist. May 1993 - x-ray for ankle spain. No damage to the foot or ankle is observed. Tendon calcification is noted. 23 Jan 1994 - In Service accident: Dislocation of ankle (set) Broken tibia (plate and screws) Crushed/fractured 4th and 5th metatarsal (5th was open facture) Closed head injury (staples, stitches and scars) Scars 18 Feb 1994 - Hospital discharge paperwork only mentions the above. While in-service recovering I had multiple operations, casting, x-rays, and Physical Therapy. 31 Mar 1994 - X-Ray states that a healed fracture of the calcaneus (heal bone) is noted. This is only one of two times it is mentioned in my medical records. 17 May 1994 - Xray mentions healed calcaneus. Missed or closed reductoin that is never mentioned in medial records. Aug 1995 - Discharge and rated 10% disabled for arthritis. This was verified today with my VA DSO. 2013 - Spent 18 years thinking that getting 10% for my ankle was good. Then looked through medical paperwork in preparation of seeing a private doctor to consult on the possible realignment of Stevens Type III calcaneus malunion and realised that my deformed ankle was never taken into account in my rating. Nor was my range of motion in 4 angles (poor), Poor weight bearing position, malunion, and other moderate foot injuries. I will try to describe the state of my heel and ankle. The rest of the damage is as imagined: My heel is at an angle all the time. Trying to use my leg muscles I can put my heel in a straight up an down possition, but this is as far as I can go, and it is not the relaxed possition. Doing this also raises my toes into an unnatural possition. the heel and the pad are off-set from center by about 10 degrees. This causes me to partially stand on the side of my heel. The joint and heel are very wide and make wearing some shoes difficult. There is a scar on the bottom of my heel that can be painful after a long time on my feet. I know we are not medical experts, but if the radiologists stated I had a broken calcaneus/heel why would the doctor not mention it? Could this be a reason to open a claim? lastly, if I get private work done would that destroy my chances of getting a higher percentage? finally Is chasing this even worth it?