USMCVMO

Its a very comprehensive writeup the doc did for the DBQ. They specialize is helping veterans with increases.

Hi all. Quick question - I had a private mental health provider fill out a DQB for an increase and filed it. If the VA calls and wants to do their own exam and I dont show up, will they use the private docs DBQ? I get the sense they want to call you in so they can use their own doctors evidence.

The lawyer is not asking for money. He sent a polite letter saying he had a few tough years and couldn't keep the office afloat. Within that e-mail he withdrew his representation. He is sending my case file for free. At this time I am going to wait because I do not think this is waiting for a hearing. its waiting for a judge to decide the appeal. I am not going to give another attorney money to do nothing. Iwill contact the VA to see what evidence they need to take my prior counsel off my file.

i dont know. It does not say if its waiting on a judge for a hearing. My appeal was submitted for a previously denied claim. He filed the appeal a couple of years ago. This appears to be waiting for a judge to make a decision but I have no clue.

Yes I am getting my file back.

Hi, I have had an appeal waiting for a judge for a couple of years now. During this wait time my attorney closed his office and sent me an e-mail withdrawing his representation for me. Do I need another attorney or just wait and see what happens with the appeal? Thank you.

This one is a little challenging for me. I am fortunate enough to have a home based job that requires just a laptop and phone. I often work from my inclined bed when I get my flare ups or blow my back out which happens every couple of months. If I go to the doctor they just give me more pills and tell me to take it easy which I am already doing. I don't get much benefit from MDs. I go to the chiropractor at least once a week , sometimes twice and it helps free me up. Does the VA value a chiropractors bedrest note?

Hello fellow Vets! I am currently at 70% rating total. Last updated in 2020. T10-T12 – Disc herniation – 20% Lower left radiculopathy – 20% Right lower extremity – 20% Depressive disorder (secondary to back pain) – 30% I have some questions. I continue to get worse back pain and its becoming increasing more difficult to sit for any period of time to do my day job. I also have developed lumbar disc problems now. I had once read that spinal issues can be connected. Would it be worthwhile to submit a claim for the lumbar as secondary? Any advice on how to be successful? Any advice on if my current rated conditions could be increased to 100. What would the VA look for to make such a increase for those conditions.

I do indeed stay in touch with some of the Rugby guys, including the team captain. I have had buddies write statements before but what am I asking these guys to say? Something like how bad our bodies were abused? I went through my record. I found 3 sick call visits due to back pain from rugby. I also found another one when I went it for trauma to the right leg.. the side where the hip issues are. I wonder if this would help build my case. .

You are right - I have a secondary depressive disorder connected to the back.

I met with my ortho today. He is a big supporter of vets and has worked at two VA facilities before starting his private practice. He said connecting the hip to the back is going to be extremely difficult. I asked about altered gate etc and he said medically he couldn't write even a 50/50 chance. He did say if the hip was the connected item then its easy to connect back pain to that. I could tell he was having a hard time saying no to me. With this said, I have no in service event other than I did play rugby for the Lejeune team and got beat up pretty bad but no specific sick call visits for hip. Do you guys still think this is worth pursuing?

I listed above but here they are again 20% lower left extremity sciatic radiculopathy 20% lower right extremity sciatic radiculopathy Thoracolumbar spine disc herniations 20% - this is primary.

Thanks all. I do not have anything in my medical record complaining about the hip. If connecting to my back I currently have these primary and secondary conditions. 20% lower left extremity sciatic radiculopathy 20% lower right extremity sciatic radiculopathy Thoracolumbar spine disc herniations 20% - this is primary. I see the advantage of claiming to an existing condition since service connection is already established, but from a medical perspective can the hip joint degenerate faster due to lower back issues? How is that proved or disproved? I am sure I can get my ortho to write a letter about likeliness.

Hi All - I have been out since 1995 - I am at 70% due to medical discharge with my back and related issues. Over the last 8-10 years I have had hip discomfort and has got really bad. I saw a hip specialist who looked at the MRI. He said at my age my hip joint has way more wear and tear than it should at my age. Its bone against bone and I am getting injections to treat. He said he normally sees this condition in marathon runners. I am by no means a runner. I have a desk job. I did play rugby and soccer in the marines and general PT of course. I cant explain this wear and tear other than those activities. I have not played any sports after getting out. Does anyone think this could be connected if I put in a claim? I have included the MRI notes.

Hello, My head was broke open pretty good in an aircraft maintenance accident. I think I got 10 staples at the ER in Camp Lejeune. I had not thought about this in 20 years until my wife shaved my head because I was sick of my long hair due to COVID barber closures. I read somewhere that there is compensation for scars. I was not sure if this would even be worth pursing. Do they have any rules around where the scar is? I have included a picture of the top of my head and the drawing from the doc at the ER from my medical record. I am currently 70% rated mostly for back and secondaries to that. Not sure if this would be enough to move the needle even if approved.

I just finished a mental health C&P. I have to say the experience was excellent. The female doctor was very thorough and took the time to listen. She asked a question - How is my relationship with my wife. I replied my wife typed up a detailed description of how it was going. Have you reviewed it? This was a buddy letter that I had submitted about a month ago using the online system. She said she would have to "Look" for it. This really disturbs me not know what they got and what they didn't. Should I wait for decision or should I take some kind of action now?

In my case I don't have a problem with them billing my insurance since this was a check-up bloodwork and not related to my SC. My grievance is the amount they billed for the blood-draw and lab work.

Since I recently moved to another state I decided to try the VA Primary Care facility near me. I am 50% service connected for back. The PCP wanted to order some blood work for my first visit. I had no health conditions except the back pain. I assumed this was the basic stuff any doctor would ask for to check cholesterol, etc. When I went to the VA lab they drew about 6 tubes of blood. I joked with the nurse and called her a Vampire. She said your doctor ordered a lot of tests. When I get the results I was iterated to find out they drug tested me. I am not a drug user and didn’t pop positive for anything, but I felt a bit misled. I logged into my private insurance portal. They billed my private insurance $8600.00 for the blood tests. The discounted amount is $4,000 which the insurance company paid. Luckily my deductible was met for the year. I noticed my doctor already has lab work scheduled for me again early next year. With my private doctor I never had more than one per year unless there was a specific problem we were tracking. Is this how the VA is making money and driving up insurance costs at same time? I feel like I should be reporting these outrages prices to somebody.

Well the VA psych said when he was prescribing the pills he was going to write it due to back condition, so he already connected it to the existing disability.

Thanks for the responses. How long do you have to get treated for the depression condition before you should file? I have had it for many years and finally went to the VA for help recently.

Hello All - Let's say a veteran has a service connected issue for a spinal condition causing pain at 50%. Because of the pain and limited mobility, the veteran develops depression which I assume could be a secondary claim to the first condition that caused it. Veteran gets treated for depression at the VA and put on some anti-depressants that greatly improves their depression. Veteran needs the pills for life likely. Does the veteran still have a disability if treated and under control? Does the rating change because it is under control? I guess this question apply to any condition that is treated. Thank you for your advice.

I was recently denied connecting a cervical disability. One of the reasons stated was reference to me not saying anything about it on some DBQ from 2000. I was discharged a bit early for back issues in 1995 and went back 5 years later to start collecting benefits for it. I had no idea at the time I could do that. I don't remember that exam very well or what I might have or might not have said about my neck. My question is - What is the fastest way to get a copy of that DBQ?

I have used the VSO nearby (Chicago) I just feel a bit rushed through every time I go and the wait can be very long. It's not their fault , they want to help - they are just overloaded. I understand I do not or should not have to pay, but if there is a service that would spend more time with me I would prefer to pay to get extra attention.

Thank you. I will redact and send, just like Washington On this subject is there a paid service that will just help me? I am in the middle of moving and this is long overdue. I appreciate all the help from other veterans. I would really just like to have someone go over everything and make sure I have the best chance of success. It well worth it to me.

Thanks so much. The MDs letter states he believes it is "highly likely. He will change if needed. I would love to share the whole letter with you if you are willing to review.