LindaDP

Thank you all for the advice! I will find out how to get my C file and gather any evidence I can get my hands on. Thanks again for the advice.

You were med boarded out, and only got 10% for it?  Would seem to me that if it was something serious enough to get med boarded for, then it certainly should be rated a lot higher.  But of course I haven't a clue to what I'm talking about, mostly thinking out loud.

The C & P examiner (with or without a military background) is only supposed to address those issues designated by the VA Rater that requested the C & P Exam. You'll know soon enough, if you filed an FDC. Awards/Denial Decisions for FDC's have been rendered in as little as 4 months after the C&P.
Don't wait for the Decision, start planning your NOD. What possible N & M Evidence could you or should you have supplied?
Semper Fi

I'm not too knowledgeable about circulatory system claims, but I'll try to help. Perhaps others might be able to help, too.
 
The examiner might have avoided discussing the blood clots because she relied on the results of the vein image study instead.
Even though the word "possible" is present, the fact is that you had the rib removed as treatment for TOS. Back in 1980, they did not have technology like we have today, so the surgery was performed to identify the "possible" condition, which was confirmed, the rib resection was performed to treat the TOS.
The C&P doc confirmed you were already SC for TOS and states you did receive what they thought was the appropriate treatment (rib resection) for it.
The C&P doc also opined "recurrent right shoulder subclavian vein thrombosis is the result of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome". I'm not sure if "subclavian vein thrombosis" would be rated separately though. It could either be a case where the doctor is saying these are the same thing or they could be saying SVT is caused by TOS and is a new secondary claim. I'm sorry, but I am just not familiar enough to offer an opinion on it.
However, I did search BVA claims and found this which might be similar to your situation:
http://www.va.gov/vetapp07/Files3/0721570.txt
 
I hope this helps!

Check the med board %.  IF the VA rated you to low, you might be able to reopen the old rating if you can show an error. 
 
Have you requested your C File yet?

I mentioned this before but it bears repeating.

If you subsequently succeed on getting a SC rating for something VA deemed as NSC in the past, and it was at a ratable level when they stated NSC 30% PTSD for example on the old rating sheet,
and is exactly the same disability that they finally awarded (giving you retro just back to the date of that claim,
and all of the evidence they had established at time of the older decision should have warranted a SC rating then but they gave you NSC instead......
it is common sense that one should seriously consider the CUE regs here, and file a CUE.

Never overlook 38 CFR 3.156 either.....for a different possible approach....too.

Welcome aboard, sorry to hear of your issues, good luck and God Bless

I wish i could help, from my gut i would say that its slim chance. If you do research contact specialists in that field, cardio, send them what was available as far as exam notes from military time and VA (if applicable) when you were first diagnosed with an issue. find out if they feel in their opinion that thoracic outlet syndrome should have been looked at from a normal diagnosis point of view. basically do they as specialists feel as though it was a no brainer that this should have been checked?

The problem with getting an earlier EED date is that it has to be based on what the VA had available at the time, if the military dropped the ball in diagnosis and said it was something else and thats what the VA had, then its not really the VA's fault that they didnt rate you for that.

Start the claim for increase immediately to lock down your date for retro. so even if they wont backdate it.

I would wait for Berta to respond to this whether or not she thinks this might works as a CUE case. might even start a new thread with "Is this a CUE case"

State what you wrote above but in more detail. she will probably see it.

Well I can't believe its true, finally the VA is recognizing the contamination at Ft McClellan and surrounding area such as Anniston:


http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/fort-mcclellan/?hc_location=ufi



Maybe sticky this up somewhere up top or another topic.