[Knee]

I have to say, my experience is similar, except for the "slight" part of it. I fell down a flight of cement stairs on day 5 of boot camp....November of 92. I landed on my knees first, then chest and chin. Wore a brace on my R leg for 8 days, then back to regular training cycle. Developed a cyst behind L knee, feels like a fire in there, when it flares up...several times a year. Whole knee gets tight and hurts like hell, then R knee hurts because of the limp. Went to sick call several times over the years, for pain and such. Then took VA 18 months to say, okay, maybe something so here's 10%. What finally did it was the Dr in Philly saw a fracture scar on my R knee cap about 2 inches long. I never knew that. My rating is for bi-lateral petellafemoral(?)knee syndrom. Nothing about the cyst or the fractured knee cap. Got a C&P on May 1st for my knees, gonna let it all hang out. Gonna bring up all those med clinic visits, the MRI and X-RAYS...see what happens.

[Increased Rating Of Lumbar Spine Disability]

Axelbrain,

I have to say, you certainly went forward in reverse! I got upgraded several weeks ago, for my back. Lots of other stuff was denied, tho. I fell down a flight of stairs during boot camp. That was November of '92. My original rating was 10% for low back strain, despite showing spina bifida, disc narrowing, degenerative disc disease and sciatica down the left leg. That rating was given in early '99. I finally got some relief after my 4th attempt. Now it shows the DDD has progressed to the point that the disc is bulging out enough to touch nerves on both sides. Sciatica in both legs, artharitis now as well as some notable changes on more than half my vertabrae. Doc wrote her opinion that the DDD should have been the original rating. And that the bulging disc as bi-lateral. New rating is still coded as low back strain. Hmm.. I'm thinking CUE. Oh, and this was all because she "mentioned" that she could schedule an MRI. Well, thank the Lord I said yes to that! ICE your pain turkee and it makes me curiuos as well.

Semper Fi.

[Reduction To My % For Ddd?]

Berta,

I noticed you said you thought the 40% for the DDD is possibly too low. I recently was awarded an increase to 40%, but it's coded as low back strain. Is that something I should be looking into? Even the original finding, from 1998 was coded as low back strain, but DDD was noted then, too, as well as disc narrowing.

Semper Fi.

[Is This True?]

I think I may be in a similar situation. I filed for several upgrades and secondary ratings. I had C & P for each except for my knees. On their decision letter it states that an exam is required, so no change. Well duh! That is kinda the point of applying for increase. The exam is so they can see what I already know. And a few days after that I got a letter stating that they are working very hard to ensure a fair and just ruling on my claim. And they requested an exam. Why would they separate my claims out like that? I thought they were going to try to rule on me without even checking me out.

[Children Of Vietnam Vets]

GP,

I'm not sure to what extent my nephew is affected by autism. Just that he is in the high functioning end. Does a lot of OCD type actions that are commonly associated with Autism.

As for me, I don't know any Vets in this category. Didn't mean to imply there weren't any at all.

Andy

Simper Fi

[Every Vet Please Read! Incorrect Recording Of Service Medical Records Left Vs. Right]

Dang, I really need to get a complete copy of my med jacket. I fell down a flight of cement stairs on day 5 of boot camp. Landed knees first. Fast forward a bit, developed a cyst behind L knee that feels like a hot coal when it flares up. MRI at Camp Lejeune in 94 confirms it. Jump ahead to mid 2000, 18 months of VA runaround finally sent to Philly, surfer dude from Baywatch moonlighting as an orthopedic dr shows me my X-ray with a 2 inch scar where my knee cap had been fractured! Only got 10%, but was happy, finally got them to see the light. Now I need those records to ensure they have the correct knee indicated before seeking an increase. I hope and pray you are successful in your persuit and vindicated!

Semper Fi!

[Children Of Vietnam Vets]

GP,

I have seen a rather extensive list of ailments stemming from AO exposure of parents to their children. But the list was generated for general info, and not because the VA or the FED are recognizing anything beyond spina bifida, from male Vets. Ironically the list of accepted illnesses in kids of female Vets has maybe 2 dozen entries, versus only one for kids of exposed male Vets. One of my nephews has autism, my twin brother's son, high functioning, but still.

I just learned, 2 days ago, a fellow Marine that I only know from the gas station where I get my paper at 0400hrs, is one of the lucky Camp Lejeune water drinkers. I encouraged him to get himself checked out at our local VA hospital.

As for me, I have yet to even hear of another Veteran, disabled or not, who is also a child of an AO exposed Vietnam Veteran. I really do feel like the odd man out.

Semper Fi.

Andy

[Hello To All]

Me, again. I am an Airwing Marine, spent time at Cherry Point, NC at VMGR-252, a C-130 squadron. And a few years at NAS JRB Willow Grove, PA with HMH-772, CH-53 helicopters. I saw my Dad come home way too many times covered in dust and too tired to even climb the stairs for a shower. So, I told myself, I gotta do it differently. That was during the build up for the Gulf War. Anywho, was something I had to do, it's in my blood, and this country is worth it. My twin bro is a 100% SCD, Army Dog. He spent a year at J I. That's Johnston Atoll/Island for the uninitiated amongst us.

Phillip,

The only thing I saw was dated from 2002, and it showed the pay scale for AO related spina bifida. It showed mid 200 range for stage I, mid 700 for stage II and mid 1300s for stage III. And is covered by COLA adjustments. Interestingly enough, my SCD DDD is @ the same spot as the spina bifida. I read that degenerative disc disease(DDD) is one of the effects of spina bifida. And some emotional and cognitive issues as well.

Semper Fi.

[Children Of Vietnam Vets]

GP,

Thanks, I will check that out. If you or any one else has any personal insight on this particular subject, please share. Va already has accepted and diagnosed degenerative disc disease at the same spot.

[Hello To All]

I'm new to this whole online community thingy. Anywho, glad to have found ya'll. Me, 6 yr Marine Vet, 18yr Army Brat. 5th generation Military man. Main reason I came here looking for answers. I believe I may have a claim for being a Child of a Vietnam Veteran who was exposed to to AO. My father has it documented in his service record on 3 separate occasions that he experienced the AO shower. My initial rating letter from the VA shows spina bifida of the S1. So, let me know what ya'll think.

Semper Fi.

[Children Of Vietnam Vets]

I'm not sure where to post this, since I haven't been able to find any threads of this nature. I believe I may have a possible claim as a child of an AO showered Vietnam Veteran. My original VA rating letter mentions Spina Bifida of the S-1. Can anyone give me some input on this? Thanks

Semper Fi.