Ranmic

Thank you El Train! I appreciate it!

I've been reading the criteria for scars....etc. Not sure where if any mine would fall. I had to have a small mole shaved off of the tip of my nose while on AD to see if it was cancerous. It's all in my record. There is a scar with a small deformation on the tip of my nose......imagine having the tip of your nose cut off though be it small. The entire scare might but 1/4 squared. It is clearly visible with a slight deformation (in my opinion). Do you think this would rate a VA claim? Thank you!

correct, that's exactly what I did. Thank you!

Thanks Broken. This is new territory for me. So now that I have a denied HLR, lets say I go to an Ortho and get a favorable medical opinion, would I file this as a supplemental?

I filed an HLR for a previous denial for my hips issues. I filed it as a secondary to my currently service connected knees (Left and right knees). My process was, Denied, filed an HLR, error identified by the reviewer and sent back for a new medical opinion. Well, apparently they don't think your knee injuries can affect your hips. Here is a copy of my denial. Thoughts and or advice for my next step? This is twice I've been denied for this. "Service connection for left hip strain as secondary to the service-connected disability of left knee strain with arthritis (limitation of flexion). The evidence does not support a change in our prior decision. Therefore, we are confirming the previous denial of this claim. Service connection may be granted for a disease or injury which resulted from a service connected disability or was aggravated thereby. The evidence does not show that left hip strain is related to the service-connected condition of left knee strain with arthritis (limitation of flexion), nor is there any evidence of this disability during military service. (38 CFR 3.303, 38 CFR 3.304, 38 CFR 3.310) VA examiner of April 29, 2023, opined that there is no clear evidence from review of orthopedic literature to suggest that an injury to one joint would have any significant impact on another or opposite uninjured joint or limb, unless the injury resulted in a major muscle or nerve damage causing partial or complete paralysis, or shortening of the injured limb resulting in length discrepancy of more than 5 cm so that the individual's gait pattern has been altered to the extent that clinically there is an obvious Trendelenburg gait. This level of severity is not supported based on record review, history or exam. It is not unusual for two joints to share properties in the same person, but one joint's disease does not 'spread' to another or cause damage to it. Therefore the left hip strain is less likely than not related to the left knee strain with arthritis. Your service treatment records do not contain complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for this condition. The evidence does not show an event, disease or injury in service. We did not find a link between your medical condition and military service. (38 CFR 3.303, 38 CFR 3.304) Favorable Findings identified in this decision: You have been diagnosed with a disability. VA examination received January 21, 2022, diagnosed left hip strain. The claimed primary disability is service-connected. You are service-connected for left and right knee strain with arthritis."

Thanks Broncovet! Had my C&P this morning, so we'll see how it went. Just like normal it could go either way.

I filed a claim for Gastritis recently and got a call today from QTC Medical Services. My exam is scheduled for tomorrow (14Jun) and is a "general exam" according to QTC. I recently had an upper GI performed at the VA back in Jan/Feb timeframe when I was diagnosed with Gastritis. My question is, other than talking about all of my symptoms (pain, gas, burning in stomach and chest) does anyone have any tips to share about their experience with these type exams? My justification is the constant amount of NSAIDS I take to combat my knee pain (my knees are service connected). Also, I'd like to add that during my upper GI with the VA they discovered H. Pylori. I'm kinda nervous that they will link my gastritis to that and deny my claim of NSAIDS for a cause along with the other VA meds I take like cholesterol, Paxil and Ibuprofen daily. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone! I have a question please. I got my results from my HLR and I'm happy to say at least it wasn't a denial as I thought it would be. But, I'll admit that I'm a little perplexed on the what is being done and what is next, so I was hoping y'all could shed some light on this for me. Quick backstory. I filed a claim for my hips (secondary to my knees) and got a denial. The "favorable findings" were 1. I have a diagnosis, and 2. I have a service connection to it. What I was missing was a nexus to tie them together. I had an HLR interview last month and was sure it would be denied, but today I got the actual paperwork and here is what it stated. Decision: A duty to assist has been identified during the higher-level review for the left hip. A duty to assist has been identified during the higher-level review for the right hip. Reason for decision: The issue of left hip strain was returned for correction of a duty to assist error in the prior decision. We failed to get an examination(s) and/or medical opinion(s). We will develop for clarification of medical opinion. The issue of right hip strain was returned for correction of a duty to assist error in the prior decision. We failed to get an examination(s) and/or medical opinion(s). We will develop for clarification of medical opinion. Basically that's it. So do I just sit back and continue to wait or what? The paperwork really didn't tell me I needed or should do anything. Thank you in advance.

Not sure if this is just me or not, but I've noticed every time I get an x-ray on my knees or hips from the VA at the VA they always say it looks normal and is "within normal limits", but for every C&P exam I have went to using a private doctor they have always found the signs of OA and damage. Recently I went for my knees to be re-x-rayed along with my back. I can promise you the whomever read the x-rays put very little effort or time into the reading them because they said everything was normal, and for my back x-ray they talked about my knees and didn't mention one word about my back. It was basically a copy and paste into four reports. Has anyone else experienced this?

@broncovet Thank you very much for that explanation. I really appreciate you taking time to respond. Happy New Year.

I need some help or your opinion please. I have a few SC disabilities and have been considering filing a few secondary's in relation to them. Example, one of the meds that I'm taking has a side effect of GERD, so talking to my VA doc about it I just said straight out that since I started taking it my GERD is off the hook. She is sending me for a scope in Feb. Not sure how that will turn out but I guess what I need to understand is how do I get a "diagnosis" and does it have to say that I have GERD now because of the VA meds I'm prescribed and taking in order to get my claim approved. Next one is my hips in relation to my knees. I have both knees SC and over time due to the constant shifting back and forth while standing to relieve my knees my hips are hurting. I have told my VA doc about that one too and she wants to send me to therapy. She said xrays show mild arthritis and that I'm awful young to have that (her words). I did file a secondary for my hips in relation to my knees early this year and it got denied so recently (Oct) I filed for an HLR and I expect that one to get denied also honestly. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to get them diagnosed and a link to my SC disabilities. I complain to my VA doc, but I'm not sure if that is enough. Thanks for listening to my long rant.

Congrats!

Thanks Pacmanx1

Does time of injury matter? Basically I was looking over my medical record and remembered I went to medical while in boot camp twice for lower back pain sustained in training along with shin splints. After a couple of treatments I just let it go so I could move on with training and really never went back. I've had back and shin issues over the years and basically treated it myself, but at this point it is even worth wasting my time with a VA claim? I'm assuming I don't have much evidence other than it being noted in my medical record while in boot camp. I wish I had see this years ago, but I was just trying to get though boot and move on.

Wow! Good luck brother. Rooting for you.

Bronco, sorry for the additional questions but I think of more as I see more data. The denial letter stated a disability in my hips from the xrays they performed during my C&P. Now, with that said how do I approach my VA doctor to get her to tie my hips and knees together? Do i just outright ask her, "do you think my hips are jacked up because of my knees?" Guess other than complaining (which I have recently) I'm not sure how to get my VA doc to word it for my benefit to later file a claim.

Again, thank you all for your input. I think I know my way forward now and how I should address it. I think I'm gonna hold off on asking for an HLR and just continue working with my VA doc and ensure that I get the link between my knees and hips. To me it's not a big deal if I lose the original filing date (last year) as long as I eventually get it connected and approved. Thanks again.

Thank you all for your feedback. I guess I thought that if I had a SC disability (knees) that I could file for a secondary condition (in this case my hips) due to the constant shifting back and forth on my legs eventually causing issues with my hips. I didn't know that my secondary had to have some type of service connection also. Maybe I misunderstood what secondary meant. Again, thanks for the information.

I just went back and reviewed my decision letter for my claim for knees and hips. The hips said denied, not service connected but it did say: Favorable Findings identified in this decision: "You have been diagnosed with a disability. VA examination received January 21, 2022, diagnosed left hip strain." It said the same thing for my right hip. Looks like the reason for denial was my VA or service records didn't show any treatment or complaints for my hips. I guess I should have been bitching more to the VA about my hips. Next question. What happens if I let the time period for the HLR expire? Will this not be reviewable ever again?

Thank you!

Last Nov I filled two claims, one for an increase in my current SC knees and then I filed a second one for my hips as a secondary to my knees. The VA combined my two claims and then I got C&P exams for my knees and my hips. I got an increase for my knees but they said my hips were not service connected. I'm unsure if I file a higher level review for my hips if they will review my knees also. All I want is for them to re-evaluate my hips, and not my knees as they are maxed out for instability and knee strain and I don't want that touched. Below is what I filed for. Again, I did get my knees increased and now they are maxed out. I just want to challenge my hips. Any advice? knee condition bilateral (Increase) hip condition bilateral (Secondary)

Great info everyone and I really appreciate the guidance.

totally agree. thanks for the advice.

Thanks brother, I appreciate that info and yes, I'm asking for a secondary to my sc PTSD and claiming gerd. I am not currently diagnosed with gerd but that was the route I was heading. I mentioned it to my VA Doc recently and asked if there is anything I can do to help it. Haven't heard back from her yet. Maybe I should get her to address it before I go the route of trying to claim it. Assuming is I can get her to address it then I will have some medical backing, vice me just claiming it and hoping the C&P person will write in my favor.

I have a couple of questions. I have been taking Paxil for awhile now and have developed acid reflux (GERD). I have a constant nagging cough, heartburn and sometimes stomach acid will come up. I know one of the side affects of Paxil that I have read is GERD or acid reflux but have any of you dealt with this? Also, should I file this as a new claim and list that taking Paxil for my mood disorder is the cause? I'm assuming that is the way to go as I don't think I want to file for an increase in mood disorder and say the increase is for gerd/acid reflux. Thank you for any help you can provide.