green

Thought I'd share that there are home A1C tests that are very accurate. You could test your own blood to see if another test is warranted. I'm a type 1 diabetic and I use a home A1C test to periodically determine my control. Green

Glad to read about your positive report, I'm very happy for you. Green

What an unexpected blessing that the claims examiner actually provided you with a suggestion that may result in an award for secondary conditions you didn't claim. Definitely over the top. Green

I wanted to thank all those who helped and provided advice and guidance for my expedited claim. I started the online claim the beginning of December and finally got all my ducks in a row last night. I submitted what I think is a well-documented claim for 5 secondary conditions. I submitted a letter of introduction covering the facts, my wife created and I submitted her letter of fact/support of my claims. For each of the 5 claims I created a separate PDF consisting of a cover sheet (with a detailed statement of the facts) and supporting documentation including chart notes and test results. It feels nice to have this submitted and now I am hoping to be able to think of other things while my claims work through the process. I currently have a 60% rating for Diabetes and my medical discharge was over 32 years ago. I'll keep you posted on the progress/happenings. Green

Berta, first I have to say how appreciative I am of your help. I sincerely appreciate your replies as they always have information that help me research and "think through" the situation. I apologize for the LT reference, I've spent some much time recently looking through chart notes and other medical records I suppose I am no longer providing clear information. It meant to indicate Long Term. My situation is a little strange I believe. I have had no history of heart disease but have noticed a few oddities. I recently had a CT scan which stated I have an enlarged heart "cardiomegaly" (but my heart and arterys have no plaque). Additionally, my blood pressure up to a couple years ago was always 120/80 and has recently started to climb and are now more typically 140/90. I am on a drug that is meant to protect my kidneys but is also used to lower blood pressure, the doctor recently increased the dosage. Lastly for the last 5 or 6 years my resting pulse rate has been over 100 "constant tachycardia". I'm guessing all of these issues are related to autonomic neuropathy but I suppose I need a consult with a cardiologist to really sort this out.

Over the last several months my doctors have noted that I have a high resting pulse (over 100 bpm), high blood pressure (always 120/80 up to 12 months ago, now it's closer to 145/88 ish, and an enlarged heart. I was curious if other hadit members with Diabetes have similar issues. Thanks, Green

I went to GoFundMe and couldn't find hadit or hadit.com. Could you post the link? Thanks, Green Update - found it here http://www.gofundme.com/xgd57q64

Actually I was awarded 60% in 1994 and have received that rate since. The VA for some reason is saying my effective date of the 60% award is 2007 or 2008 depending on who you talk to. If the date is noted as 1994 (as it should be) the 20 yr award is in effect and as such my rating can never be decreased. So... this is the issue how do I get the VA to acknowledge the earlier date so my rating is never questioned. Pete, I didn't receive an increase in 2007 as this rate had been established several years prior. Thanks, Green

Hello everyone, I'm finishing up with pulling together the support for an application of secondary conditions. In looking at EBenefits I noticed my primary disability is named and rated correctly but that there is a problem with the effective date. They show my effective date as of 2007 when it was in fact 1994. I'm concerned the VA may ask for a re-evaluation and not consider the 20-year rule at some point given the rating factors have changed. What is the best way to get this fixed without creating an issue with my upcoming claim on secondary conditions? Thank you! Green

I'm so confused. I called the neurologist who filled out the form and stated that the VA wanted to know the neural path with issues identified. they revised the form and although they noted significant issues and an abnormal EMG they marked on the VA disability benefits questionnaire that I have upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy they note (under the severity section) (where the form asks for an assessment of paralysis of specific nerves) the nerves as "normal". I'm guessing that the actual nerve is undamaged but the path it takes is degraded due to the disease and the Dr. wasn't comfortable stating it wasn't. I'm not sure what impact this will have on my rating. In submitting the form to the VA for review I plan on including the doctor's notes and the actual EMG document. The NCS says: right sural and ulnar sensory responses are abnormal due to unobtainable responses right median sensory response was abnormal due to prolonged latency and low amplitude right radial sensory response was abnormal due to reduced amplitude bilateral peroneal motor responses were abnormal due to low amplitudes and slowed velocity right tibial motor had borderline normal velocity right ulnar motor response was abnormal due to slowed velocity Needle EMG limited needle exam of selected right upper and lower limb muscles was performed and was abnormal. Increased insertional activity was present in selected right hand m and EDB. If there are any ex VA raters out there or other knowledgeable folks I would definitely appreciate your perspective.

John, I have a service connected disability for juvenile onset diabetes or diabetes 1. My initial diagnosis was 33 years ago and having lived with the disease for this long I have several issues going on. PN has been noted in my VA records for 15 years but I'm just now filing. Given the ratings are noted as mild, moderate or severe, I'm wondering what the rating officials will do with the information I provided. Thanks, Scott

I had an outside neurologist perform an assessment of my diabetic peripheral neuropathy and would like to know how those of you who have experience in this area see this as being rated. The VA form includes the following information: Diagnosis - Diabetic Polyneuropathy History - 15 yrs of stabbing pains in feet, burning in feet, numbness in hands and feet, difficulty with fine finger motor control and gait imbalance. Does the veteran have any symptoms attributable to diabetic peripheral neuropathy Constant pain - right upper (mild) left upper (mild), right lower (severe) left lower (severe) Paresthesias and/or Dysesthesias - right upper (moderate), left upper (moderate), right lower (none), left lower (none) Numbness - right upper (mild), left upper (mild), right lower (severe), left lower (severe) Other symptoms - loss of balance Strength (all normal except grip and pinch rated at 4/5) Deep Tendon Reflexes (all normal except ankles = absent) Light monofiliment - shoulder and inner/outer forearm = normal, hand/fingers, knee/thigh = decreased, ankle/lower leg, foot and toes = absent Position sense - upper = decreased, lower = absent Vibration sensation - upper = decreased, lower = absent Cold sensation - upper = decreased, lower = absent Trophic changes - loss of hair on legs and feet Although the neurologist noted I have upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy they didn't assign a specific nerve or indication of severity of the paralysis EMG studies - yes looked at right upper (said that the assumption would be the left would be the same) form noted as abnormal looked at both left and right lower and form noted as abnormal Functional impact on ability to work- neuropathic pain drugs interfere with cognitive function, hand use impairment (typing and use) due to pain and numbness Thank you for your input, it is much appreciated!

GP, I'm sorry, let me back up. I'm scheduling an appointment with a neurologist to see me and complete the VA 21-0960C-4 form "Diabetic Sensory-Motor Peripheral Neuropathy Disability Benefits Questionnaire" From the posts I've read it appears that the VA makes determinations of ratings (mild, moderate, etc.) in part based on an EMG. I find this a bit confusing as this report would seem to focus on motor neuropathy rather than sensory neuropathy but I would rather trust an outside neurologist than the VA medical folks. So what I'm wondering is if I can schedule the appointment with the neurologist and have the EMG done at the same time or if each requires a separate appointment. I've never had this test so I'm not sure what to expect. Green

Question for those of you who had a private neurologist to conduct a C&P exam, did you request an EMG/NCV when you set up the appointment or is that something that was scheduled at another time? Thank you!

I was diagnosed with diabetes 32 years ago. There are all sorts of references in my VA med records that I have PN going back to 2000. I'm wondering if I should go see another neurologist and make sure they fill out the form in its entirety prior to filing for the secondary.

Berta, in the doctor's notes he states that I'm a diabetic and have had it over 30 years, it reads as they are citing that as the cause. and I'm service connected for diabetes

There is a section for pain and numbness and although the dr. marked that I have it, he didn't rate it none - severe. All my reflexes were either rated as decreased or absent, monofilament all listed as decreased or absent, position sense as decreased in lower extremities, vibration sensation as decreased, cold sensation decreased in lower extremity. The severity section she did not fill out at all. I'm guessing that is because the section is tied to certain nerves and the realitiy is that peripheral neuropathy is tied to small fibers not necessarily to the radial, median, ulnar, sciatic or femoral. Under 6B the DR stated "small fiber diabetic neuropathy in hands bilaterally as well as lower extremity bilaterally to above the knee"

I paid to have a private neurologist complete the C&P paperwork for peripheral neuropathy. The paperwork was not filled out in it's entirety. It does not note "mild" or "moderate" but does note small fiber peripheral neuropathy in hands and feet, no motor reflex in knees and ankle, diminished reflex in elbow, decreased sensitivity to cold, notes numbness in feet to the knee and my hands to the elbow, also notes numbness in outside thigh from hip to knee. I'm using this along with years of statements in my VA medical files referencing peripheral neuropathy. An EMG was not conducted. Any idea where the VA will go from here and the rating this information might indicate? Thank you! Green

I'm in the process of pulling data together for my claim for secondary conditions. I requested my medical files from two VA hospitals and now that I have all the information I'm going through it. I'm pursuing the expedited route (21-526 EZ) and was thinking that the most straight forward approach would be creating a separate PDF file with the necessary medical files providing support for each secondary condition and naming the PDF as such (i.e. peripheral neuropathy medical records, etc). There will be some redundancy given the secondary conditions may be mentioned during the same medical appointment. Does this seem reasonable? It was interesting that in reviewing my files there are a lot of inaccuracies in how the Dr's and PA's documented things. Should I include the data that is incorrect in my records submission or only the accurate information? The inaccurate data is clearly a mistake as the vast majority of information supports my claims. I appreciate your help! Green

I realize that these folks are most likely overworked but have to agree with jbasser. I have called my local VSO 6 times over 3 months and can't get him to return my call. He has a frustrated office assistant who consistently parrots "I'll give him the message and ask him to give you a call". I decided to move forward without his assistance.

I've now received all my medical files and am going through them. I'm pursuing the expedited route (21-526 EZ) and was thinking that the most straight forward approach would be creating a separate PDF file with the necessary medical files providing support for each secondary condition and naming them as such (i.e. peripheral neuropathy medical records, etc). There will be some redundancy given multiple secondary conditions may be mentioned during the same medical appointment. Does this seem reasonable to you folks? It was interesting that in reviewing my files there are a lot of inaccuracies in how the Dr's and PA's documented things. Should I include the data that is incorrect in my records submission or only the accurate information? I want to fully disclose everything I have but am concerned that a rater may read the inaccurate data and as such make incorrect decisions. I certainly appreciate your help. Green

1983 = separation initial 20% rating 1994 = request for reconsideration and rating decision being 60% And now I'm submitting for the following secondary conditions peripheral neuropathy hands and feet autonomic neuropathy, intestines diabetic retinopathy, both eyes I started the VA Form 21-526-EZ on ebenefits, when you start it explains that the clock starts ticking and you have 364 days to finish the process of providing all the necessary information. I simply provided part of the information, clicked save, and exited the program. I later received an email on ebenefits acknowledging I started a new claim.

Broncovet The attorney I spoke to has the following contact information: Art Gage Law Attorney 2573 N 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 881-8300 http://www.artgagelaw.com/

Can someone tell me what the difference is between starting a claim (and not submitting) on ebenefits using the VA Form 21-526-EZ versus filing a claim using the VONAP? Thank you, Green

My 60% award resulted from my request to have it rated again. This took place over 20 years ago so I believe it is now protected by the 20-year rule. The secondary conditions have been noted in my VA medical records for years. I didn't want to file them because I was worried they might re-rate my primary condition with the new rules as there was a change in my primary rating conditions 12 years ago. So, after I hit the 20-year mark I started this process to seek rating on my secondary conditions.