lcurle

Thanks Andyman, this 10 year battle with the VA has been draining that is for sure. I also got accepted into Vocational Rehabilitation program but unsure what they can help me with.

Looks like I was bumped up to 40% on my back and the changed it from Lower Back DA to DA of the spine. 73% total and still claims in appeals and pending C&P's. We shall see....

During the C&P for my back the PA doing the exam noticed limited ROM and numerous muscle spasms while preforming the ROM tests. The spasms are a new featuring I haven been displaying recently, my wife is getting me set up with a private PCP since she is a nurse to review all VA documents and MRI imagery.

How does one deal with a non proactive PCP at the VA? I will be getting on my wifes insurance next year and then I can see a private dr and maybe make some headway with some IME's. I ordered my complete cFile over a year ago, so unsure how long it actually takes to get it.

I would have to have my PCP diagnose that and he stated "You're too fat to be taken seriously for back pain, what do you want me to do."
Hmm....6'0" 288lbs with enough force to crush mens head like sparrow eggs between my thighs. anyways, unsure how to proceed, for got to take my Naproxen this morning and my non bulging discs have me laid up.

I guess I would have to go get some IME's? Seems like Im always claiming stuff that my PCP diagnosis me with which then gets thrown out due to service connection. I have told my PCP and other examiner that I have no reflexes anymore when they test, they all say "really?" then proceed to test and find out that I don't and shrug it off and dismiss it as a culprit for something.

This is their answer.

"Per your provider:
MRI indicates some mild arthritis in back. Naproxen and avoiding aggravating activities is the treatment.

Thank you,
Team 10"

I have one scheduled already after yelling at my PCP since his general response to everything is, "What do you want me to do?"

Just noticed this...possible CUE?

This is the most recent

lumbar spine degenerative arthritis 20% Service Connected 06/25/2014

lower back condition Not Service Connected Predischarge Exam (2004)

This last one was from when I ETS'd back in 2005.

Dammit, my wife noticed some fairly bad swelling and bruising around my spine where the pain has been recently....I have an appt on the 29th with my PCP, should I send them a secure message about the swelling/bruising so it can be documented later if I need the evidence?

no worries, Steph, we all need to be on the same page when it comes to the VA and any insight would be beneficial to all involved.

Ill be the one in the yellow jump suit licking my elbows.

Hmm I figured telling them you use weed would get all your benefits revoked and then a knock on the door from the DEA.

About to send a shit storm through the RO down there, I think 10 years is long enough for a decision.

^ This is why the US government needs to authorize medical cannibis in the treatment of PTSD. As well as "de-training" veterans with meditation techniques.

The study of a series of patients at Madigan Army Medical Center here, has led doctors to discover a new unique sleep-related condition impacting combat Soldiers called Trauma-associated Sleep Disorder.
“Redeployed military personnel have reported for the last 13 years complex nighttime behaviors ranging from sleepwalking, tossing and turning, thrashing, screaming, and even hitting their bed partners,” said Col. (Dr.) Vincent Mysliwiec, principal investigator and lead author, and U.S. Army Medicine sleep medicine specialist. “While these disruptive nocturnal behaviors are frequently reported, they are rarely documented in laboratory settings.”
Although previous authors recognized some of the unique sleep disturbances seen in combat survivors, the constellation of findings of disruptive nocturnal behaviors, nightmares and rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep without atonia had never been linked together. There was no current diagnosis which encompassed all these trauma engendered sleep disturbances.
Atonia is also known as sleep paralysis, which occurs when a person suddenly finds himself or herself unable to move for a few minutes, most often upon falling asleep or waking up. Sleep paralysis is due to an irregularity in passing between the stages of sleep and wakefulness.
“Up until this time, it was unknown what military personnel and trauma survivors had in terms of a clinical disorder,” said Mysliwiec. “In many cases they were diagnosed with nightmare disorder, which does not have movements associated with this diagnosis, or REM Behavior Disorder, which occurs in middle-aged to elderly males and has a characteristic clinical presentation. This case series highlights the unique findings of TSD (Trauma-associated Sleep Disorder).”
The case series included four Soldiers who had been evaluated, diagnosed and treated at Madigan. Each Soldier underwent a clinical evaluation in the hospital’s sleep medicine clinic and was given an attended, overnight polysomnogram (sleep study). The polysomnogram recorded body functions, such as heart rate, brain waves, movements and any sounds they made during sleep.
According to published results, all of the young men developed disruptive nighttime behaviors and nightmares after suffering a traumatic experience. Some reported screaming and combative movements, while others experienced night sweats and crying episodes throughout the night.
“Normally individuals in REM sleep are paralyzed and do not move, thus they are unable to act out their dreams. Patients with TSD appear to have dream enactment, with purposeful movements that can occur in REM sleep,” said Mysliwiec. “This case series is a major step forward in not only diagnosis and treatment of military personnel with sleep disturbances, but also sleep safety for families.”
In addition to providing trauma survivors with the understanding that they have a clinical diagnosis, this case study also helps facilitate future research in the sleep disturbances that develop after trauma.
“Better characterization of the clinical findings is required, especially in regards to the onset of TSD and how much REM without atonia is present,” said Mysliwiec. “Prospective studies are required to evaluate treatment regimens, as many service members and veterans have findings of TSD.”
This case series appears online and in print this month in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/new-sleep-disorder-discovered-impacting-combat-soldiers-60940/#ixzz3I6uGhuHI

Good work, at least they are working for some people

Class action complaint!!!!!!!

Take one complaint at a time and see how many Vets will attach their names to it. How many names would be proof that the complaint is validated and get the attention of a major media outlet?

I still like: "C&P exams that are directed to be unfavorable to the Veteran."

"My rep returned my phone call yesterday morning and said he would ask as to why the notification stage was dragging on. He called a few hours later and said the RO wanted me

to cancel my appeal for TBI and to cancel my claim for finger(s) and that I should send in a letter asap. Rest assured I mailed that letter overnight and they got it this morning. I assume since I

have been awarded IU P&T that the TBI appeal didn't need to carry on, along with my claim. Easy way to get rid of an aging appeal and a new claim. I just checked Ebenefits and my letters have"

Heres the problem though. P&T isnt really Permanent. They can reduce you until you hit the 20 year mark. So what happens when in 3 to 5 years, the revaluate your case, get some NP to say your cured of your PTSD, or that little pill they are working on at MIT that cures ptsd goes mainline?
Thats why im not giving up on any of the claims I think they will start chipping away at claims, in any way they can in the future to save money. I hope it works out for you, and I know u must be weary , but stay vigilant.