asheth007

Thank you Hadit for all your help so here is a breakdown of what I got. Mind you that when I was initially medically retired June of last year I had a 60%VA/50%DOD and initially they wanted to give me 30% VA 10% DOD. My main condition I deal with is Polymyositis and they rated it analgous to fibromyalgia which can only max at 40% which is what they gave me when I got out last year. Thankfully it has all been corrected now.

So here is how I am going to be rated now, This is also 100% P/T. I was lost when I got out last year and you guys here really helped me to understand the process much more. I will say my experience at my VA with the examiners I had was very good and I was pretty surprised to be honest. Total time from separation to completion was 1 year the claims didn't actually get opened until October so 10 months to completion.

What maybe helpful notes to others is: They knew I was going to school, they didn't really test me hard on ROM they wanted to see what I was capable of against gravity, but not helped.

acial acne 0% Service Connected 06/15/2014

obstructive sleep apnea 50% Service Connected 06/15/2014

lumbar degenerative disc disease with polymyositis (previously rated as thoracic spine degenerative disc disease) 40% Service Connected 06/15/2014

sciatica, right lower extremity 40% Service Connected 06/15/2014

sciatica, left lower extremity 40% Service Connected 06/15/2014

thoracic spine degenerative disc disease 10% Service Connected 06/15/2014

dysphagia 0% Service Connected 06/15/2014

cervical spine strain (previously rated as cervical spine IVDS) 10% Service Connected 06/15/2014

pseudofolliculitis barbae 0% Service Connected 06/15/2014

cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome 0% Service Connected 06/15/2014

radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity 40% Service Connected 06/15/2014

bilateral pes planus Not Service Connected

left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with polymyositis, with limited extension 40% Service Connected 06/15/2014

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with dysphagia 10% Service Connected 06/15/2014

right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with polymyositis, with limited extension 40% Service Connected 06/15/2014

right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with polymyositis, with limited painful flexion 10% Service Connected 06/15/2014

left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with polymyositis, with limited painful flexion 10% Service Connected 06/15/2014

radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity Not Service Connected

right shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy and AC joint osteoarthritis (dominant) 20% Service Connected 06/15/2014

polymyositis (previously rated as fibromyalgia DC 5025) 0% Service Connected 06/15/2014

migraine headaches 30% Service Connected 06/15/2014

major depressive disorder (also claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) 30% Service Connected 06/15/2014

If you mean the Family Caregiver program for post 9/11 vets, info is here:

http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/new-va-family-caregiver-program.html

Please keep updating I might go through the same thing and am interested in your process/experience.

I really didn't want to say, but it is a battle. Sometimes up and sometimes down so just hang in there with us.

i think you have to go in really dirty to not get well groomed, I get well groomed above average intelligence but a GAF of 50. I don't understand how or what mental health looks for and makes decisions. Totally lost.

True to a degree. With spine injuries , it can go with segment damage, IVDS, nerve damage and muscle control such as muscle spasms. gait can also be abnormal. Those all should be seperate rateable ratings and not be considered pyramiding. JMO per rating criteria. Oh also pain is rateable as well with constant or chronic episodes.

"I think the fact that I didn't retire from military till June 15 is the issue even though all my medical evidence shows I was diagnosed in 2012. I have profiles from doctors with limited duties etc because of my condition."

A SSDI onset date is often the last day you worked.
I assume that since you were still in the military, although you had a diagnosis, you still worked in the military until your discharge date....

But maybe I have that wrong....

If you have applied for TDIU (within this first year after your discharge),than I assume VA will use the date of your discharge for TDIU, if they award it.

The SSA award might be VERY probative to a TDIU claim.So, if solely for SCable conditions, make sure VA knows of it when you apply for TDIU.

Hello Arng11,

Everything so far is all tied to my polymyositis from all the notes I have read on healthevet. My first visit acknowledges my MDD is tied to my service connected condition. Every visit I have had so far my condition is all we ever talk about as it is the center of my entire world honestly. We haven't really ever spoke about my pre-military life much I informed my psychologist that my mother was in the military and we moved alot and I had no problem adjusting to moving to new places which is also noted in his notes.

I think I will write down a list of things that I read in a blog that I should go in and discuss with the psychologist so that he can get a better picture. I thought about doing this before I was just worried that it looked like I was "to smart" or something. I just want to try and convey the honest picture I can. I don't really want to try and get PTSD because I know it's not what I really have depression definitely all due to my service connected condition.

I appreciate all the insight you all have provided so far.

I do IMHOs for a number of veterans. Clearly understand, this is only my opinion, and it is up to each individual veteran to decide for themselves what is in their best interest. However, I would not suggest using Dr. Bash for an IME. One, he is not well regarded by the VA across the board, and two he charges an exorbinate fee for his services. If your willing to part with $1500 to $7000 for an IME from him, be my guest. Second, he's a radiologist and any opinions concerning PTSD or other mental disorders are moot. The VA has a hard and fast rule that only a Private or VA Psychiatrist or Clinical Psychologist can render an opinion for the VA about Mental Health issues. I can assure you, I have performed IMNOs for veterans who used Dr. Bash, and can with some degree of reliability say, most of his opinions on mental health are denied by the VA. I am not sure of his ability with medical issues, however, when any person, or organization touts they aid or can do wonders for your claim, probably can't. I am currently reviewing a IME from a Dr. Bush of Williamson, GA, who wrote a 20-page report trying to undo what Dr. Bash provided as an IME. My part is writing a mental health opinion, again attempting to undo a Mental Health Evaluation from Dr. Bash. I do not know Dr. Bash, and for all practicle purpsoes may be a very fine physician. I worked for the VA as a Clinical Psychologist and a C and P examiner for several years. I am not tooting my own horn, but I have seen his work. Need I say more?

Here's BVA decision denying a veteran SC for Sleep Apnea secondary to SC Depression, who used Dr. Bash for IME. It's interesting reading and there are many more BVA decisions with similar outcomes referencing Dr. Bash.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp10/files2/1016260.txt


If a veteran is seeking an IME, I suggest going to a Specialist at a University Medical Center and having it done. First, University doctors do not have an agenda, nor are they in it for the bucks. Additionally you will get a credible IME based on current and up-to-date medical information and procedures.

JMHO,

Patrick428

Glad you got thru it okay and here's hoping for a speedy, positive outcome!

Ahhh the waiting process.....I'm right there with you

"The reason I am asking is because I was rated 40%(max) for inflammatory myopathy because they don't have specific code for inflammatory myopathy it was rated analgous to fibromyalgia."
"
"Myositis can be rated all the way to 100% were as fibromyalgia maxes at 40%"

Where did you find the 100% rating for myositis at ?

I found this in the VA SRD:
"The diseases under diagnostic codes 5013 through 5024 will be rated on limitation of motion of affected parts, as arthritis, degenerative, except gout which will be rated under diagnostic code 5002." which included myositis."
The same description you gave, but I found nothing as to the 100% for myositis.

It could be a factor however in part of a TDIU rating ( paid at 100%)

So far the only BVA case I found is this one...it might not help you at all but I didnt want to forget it, because maybe it could have some relevance as we know more about your claim.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp03/files/0334366.txt

What is the breakdown of the 80% you have now?

Thanks to Navywife I did some more digging and found this

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/14.00-Immune-Adult.htm#14_05


This is exactly what I have, especially the limb-girdle I have all the tests to back up that I do in fact have polymyositis. The issue was that they didn't know when I was in the med board process, so I was under the assumption that it was inflammatory myopathy which is what diagnoses from the VA initially. Now the diagnoses is polymyositis which is much stronger for my claim purposes. Inflammatory myopathy is just a general term when they aren't sure. I downloaded a RFC form and will talk to my rheumatologist about filling it out. Can a DBQ also be used in my SSDI claim?

Are you anticipating a medical discharge?

If so, try to seek a PEBLO on the base .Then again PEBLOs are hard to find (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer..and you already have the NARSUM.


"My Narsum has on there C&P exam indicates severly impacts on all activities of daily living except personal hygiene. I am just 4 months from my last day of active duty."

DONT lose this paperwork. It will be good evidence for TDIU.

Since you did well with the DAV (if you mean DAV by DVA) for the sleep apnea, I think you should contact them again for the TDIU claim.

"I am no doctor but I have a feeling I have some depression because of my condition and how it has and does affect me"" That is a very reasonable feeling and I think you should file for the depression.But if I were you would wait for a concrete diagnosis on that.

Was any of your service incountry OEF?

Reason I ask is that if so so ,it might be possible that you have PTSD,manifested by depression but I would think the other disabilities you have ( particularly the analogous fibro one), would give anyone depression.

The comp for SC of any MH is the same amount and they only compensate one MH disability.

The PTSD criteria is in our PTSD forum here.

Thank you for your service!