Foxhound6

Vync Is this the 21-4142 form? If so, do I need the 21-4142a with it or can I just fill out the 21-4142, sign it and bring it with me to my exam? I have an exam coming up on 9 DEC to which I have an MRI report that the VA does not have yet. I had sent in the supplemental before the report was made available to me from my provider. Thanks!

UPDATE: Had the exam yesterday. I feel it went well (but based on readings here, that generally means nothing lol). Talked for about a full hour. Didn't give any negative details on history or anything of that nature. She also didn't dig into any of the history details, just asked the question. She did dive into my issues and how they relate to home, social, and work life which I felt was good. At the end she even told me she felt she could opine in support of the claim, connecting it to my SC knee injury without trouble. I will keep an eye in the mail box for a decision letter and update again once I do. Thanks for everyone who has helped me. I plan on upgrading my Sub to the yearly and donating once I have an award to show my appreciation!

Jfrei Thanks for the info..aside from someone almost flat out saying I was bullshitting regarding the TBI thing, most have been helpful with it. Ill shoot you an email with full details at some point soon. Thanks for replying!

Roger that..

It is more of a question of criteria rather than me "knowing I had a TBI". I believe, to the VA, any event where there is trauma to the head, causing unconsciousness (it sure did), headaches(understatement), etc. is considered a TBI. I have no medical because we were on a 36 hour exercise and well, it just never sits well with leadership when someone gets hurt and has to go to sick call.. I just pushed on. Had headaches for few days after, couldn't sleep the entire exercise. Just figured I was fine. I was young and very dumb. Small silver lining is the buddy statements I have is from the person who caused it and a person who helped me when I was unconscious. I am really just trying to see if I even should bother. Like you said, hard to do much after the fact. I'll most likely add it to the list of things I need to try to see a specialist for and see if I ever get around to it. I do have memory issues, albeit more short term things, balance is off, things like that. Thanks..

I have been reading that it is difficult as the VA still understands very little of it. Well, I can just submit it and see where it goes! Couldn't hurt. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Evening all! Having been going through my records awhile for my current claims, I found another claim I may be able to pursue. However, I am unsure exactly how to proceed with it. Possible TBI in service (Unconfirmed medically as it happened during an exercise and I did not go in, but have buddy statements confirming event for another claim on back). The VA treated me for Depression and Anxiety for several years, as well as during my Reserve time after active duty (have claim in for this, exam on 11/19) I was also diagnosed with Bipolar Mood Swings later in 2014 by a non-VA psychiatrist. I submitted this DX as a claim at that time as well when I didn't know what I was doing. It was denied, obviously. My question now is: Should I file as TBI and TBI Residual Bipolar Mood Swings OR file the TBI by itself and file a Supplemental for the denied Bipolar claim from 2014? The only "new and relevant" evidence would be the buddy statements of the TBI event in service? I was thinking that since it may be listed under TBI-R coding, I should file it as TBI/TBI Residual Bipolar Mood Swings? Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

Vync I was thinking they may just be merging a condition into it as I pointed them to the insomnia in my STR. The odd thing I find is how it is listed in the claim. My depression and anxiety show as "SECONDARY" while the Insomnia says "NEW" as if I was attempting a SC for it. Could just be that they added it so it displays as "NEW" but I am not sure. I have looked over the DBQ for the other than PTSD. I need to take a peek at the rating formula itself still but will do so soon. I will also bring my STR, profiles that support claim, and my Health E Vet Blue button report that will have my VA treatment records over the years. They technically should have everything I am bringing but on the off chance they don't, I will have them all with me. I'm just waiting for the packet to come in the mail with the appointment info. Thanks for replying! I appreciate it. It helps to know I am doing the right steps.

I was just contacted by VES regarding my secondary claim of anxiety and depression due to my SC left knee. I had used my DX of insomnia from my STR in my statement I submitted with the claim to link to the time frame of my knee issue. The VA seems to have added in Insomnia to the anxiety and depression claim? Not sure how that will go, but I am just waiting on the paperwork in the mail to tell me the date and time of appointment now. The last time I did any C&P exam was in 2012 or so at the local VA hospital. This VES contractor is new for me. Anything I should know/bring going in? Thanks!

UPDATE: So I went thru the process of Medici and the app. It was very simple to use and the concierge was great. The provider I spoke with that was trying to get me to a specialist was very informative and personable. Great chat experience really. The unfortunate news is that after a good long wait (but great conversation about Vet struggles with claims and getting outside medical help at lower cost), the rep informed me that disability forms or those alike are not a part of the emerging tele-medicine world quite yet... So if you had some small hope of that on this initiative, it doesn't seem to be the case. However, they do provide excellent services today for those who don't need the DBQ's and opinions. Definitely a nice initiative, a better one I have seen for vets in some time to be honest. Free food is great but this is probably much more beneficial. The rep even went as far as recommending what Oceanbound has regarding Psychical Medicine and Rehab and provided a nice link to look up board certified PM&R providers in your area: https://members.aapmr.org/AAPMR/AAPMR_FINDER.aspx The rep is actually still messaging me! Even after we have fully established that I cannot be assisted. They stated they work with a great PM&R physician and may interested in seeing if they would like to try and form a network of PM&R physicians to deal with our highly sought after DBQ and IMO/E dilemmas at a discounted rate. I told the rep that this would be FANTASTIC. He informed me he already put out the feelers with their physician and some sort of networking platform for PM&R physicians! Right now, the rep tells me if they get traction they will connect me directly via the app chat. I will follow up with more! .

GBArmy, Broncovet, and Jfrei Thanks for the replies! I had assumed as much. Being on this forum has opened a lot of different doors in my memory; like an information overload lol. However, I am tracking the process. The TBI, based on my reading, seems to clear a lot of "odd" things I have noticed with myself over the last several years..The depression and anxiety, the ease of becoming very irritable, high sensitivity to loud noises, all odd things I never had a problem with before the event and now thinking about it, it all makes much more sense. Ill do some more research and probably add that to my problem list with this Medici Operation 11/11 event. See where it goes with the VA. Thanks again for the replies everyone.

So I have stumbled across the TBI section of the forums and am realizing my back claim, or at least the event I am claiming cause my back and neck problems, turned out to be a TBI event...Should I try to submit for a TBI claim or just ride out my back claim and see how they code it? The "new and relevant" evidence for my back are buddy and lay statements (it was initially denied due to no in service event). One of the buddy statements from the person who knocked me out with an up-armor hatch, and the other buddy statement from a squad mate who helped pull me down from the vehicle when I was out cold. I have heard of the VA slapping additional claims or terms in with decisions. I am just curious if I should just file for the TBI with that evidence or not. I do have residuals I believe (have secondary claim in for depression and anxiety based on SC for knee, concentration issues, etc). I do not have any medical evidence except for the Depression and Anxiety diagnosis I have from my VA doc, the buddy statements and any other lay statements I can get. Thanks!

Just a side note: I am attempting something a little radical during this event. I just picked up a digital goniometer and I am planning on asking for DBQs and IMOs for a couple claims I plan to make. Seems too simple to work but if these docs really are willing to play ball AND its done over a video chat session, I don’t see why it can’t work! Will update..

UPDATE: I did my periodic check of Va.gov and found my supplemental claim was received on OCT 16 and is under review with a "We don't know your status" so far. Took 22 days for VA.gov to get the update. They didn't kick it back; so far so good. Will follow up with more as I get updates. 20 NOV 2019 - Received call from VA health care system. I have a C&P Exam appointment for my back on 9 DEC 2019 9 DEC 2019 - Completed C&P Exam for Back and Neck along with new Xrays of entire back at the PHX VAMC. Awaiting results of that and a denial/award letter to be shipped off...VA Examiner was a PM&R Doctor by the name of Edelson. He was OK. Older gentleman, seemed to know what he was doing. He did the exam by the book it appeared (goniometer, repetitive tests, etc) he also ordered new xrays to be done as the newer report done at a private care facility conflicted with what the VA had already taken images of and diagnosed me with. Will post the results of the DBQ once it is made available to me online in a few days. 12 DEC 2019 - Here is a look at the C&P performed Xray report 23 JAN 2020 - My supplemental claim has been closed and a decision made. Awaiting letter to arrive, however, no change to ebenefits so presume denial. Will update once letter arrives.

Buck Good to know! Have you used this service before? I wouldn't mind sharing my records with the doctor. I could use a nexus for bilateral knee. Eventually ankles too.

Just to let all know, (Thanks to Berta and Stumpy for catching this!) Medici is offering free consults to Veterans this Veterans day. I signed up as I need a consult with an Ortho. My hope is that this helps us establish medical baselines for some of us so that we can proceed to get our IMO's or just to have a diagnosis. I am not sure how effective these consults will be with the VA process but it is worth a shot. For all those interested, head here and click the learn more link under Operation 11/11. https://www.medici.md/ Then sign up, get app and wait for the day to arrive.

Berta THANKS! Having a need for an Ortho specialist, I signed up for this and will try to post the results here if/when this goes down. Thanks for the sharp eye!

I am going thru something similar right now. However, I knew going into it that I will need more. I am still new here so bear with me. From my understanding you should be looking to do this: 1. Get to a doctor, one that is a specialty in that field. You will want them to do ROM measurements, the DBQ, imaging (bring X-Ray/MRI if you have any, etc) for your back. 2. Once you have the DBQ and measurements, head over to a spine-ortho or physiatrist and have them review your C-File, Images, DBQ from the other specialist and have them do an IMO/E (Independent Medical Opinion/Examination) for your secondary condition. The key there is the IMO. The doctor should state in his IMO that it is "just as likely as not" the secondary condition is caused by the service connected condition. 3. Once you have the IMO and the previous documentation, you can do a Supplemental Claim for your claim. Or just resubmit it from there. however, if you are less than one year from your initial denial, you can file the supplemental claim with all the documentation as the new and relevant evidence (make copies!!) to protect your effective date of the claim and get a little back pay for your trouble. NOW with this being said I would like to reiterate I am new here and learning still. I hope everything here was accurate. Please correct me if I am wrong. This is essentially the process I am going thru now so I would hope it is accurate!

Oceanbound SOLID info, Thanks! I am about an hour to an hour and a half from Tucson (assuming you meant AZ) so they could be an option. I have been looking for a Vet friendly doctor but that has been about as easy as helping an LT thru the woods at night... I have heard my 30% is pretty favorable. Im primarily looking for the bilateral issues. It has been almost 9 years and I am feeling it. I am hoping my back appeal goes well too. I do need to request my C-File (I know, I know, behind the curve on that but that's next step now). This gives me a nice road plan to work with, I appreciate it. I will update as I learn more.

Absolutely. Only been on the forums for about a week and a half but already know TONS more than I did. I plan on updating all questions i ask with final results. Also, any clue as to the final question? With my left knee being the SC'd leg, does the same ankle fall under bilateral OR as a secondary to the knee but separate from bilateral from the opposite knee and ankle? Thanks for all your input!

GBArmy Indeed. Thanks for the assurance. Fortunately, with the opioid problems in the states, I don't get pain meds, but I do take a muscle relaxer time to time. I am waiting on an appeal for my back as I felt its due to a trauma injury versus my knee (asked a question on that, will update once I know more on outcome as its pending in RAMP). My hips do hurt but I feel if I can SC the back, I can secondary the hips to that. But knee could also work I suppose. Hard to tell whats causing it lol. Just may be easier to secondary hips to knee instead..

Hello all! I am contemplating filing my intent to file for bilateral knee and ankle. I have service connected Internal Derangement of Left Knee @ 30%. I have had it since I was SC'd for it sometime in 2012 after i exited AD. It has been some time and my other knee screams as well as both my ankles. My plan is to get an IMO done for the issues and submit it. My main question is: for the ankle that is on the same leg as SC injury, is this considered a bilateral secondary as well or is that a separate secondary claim for the knee? If there is anything else that I may be missing with filing all this correctly, please feel free to let me know! Thanks for all the help!!

Thanks to everyone who left answers and advice. It has been helpful. I was able to reach "Peggy" and got to someone who told me the claim was in process as it was received on OCT 18. Ill standby to see what develops and update. I then plan to try for secondaries for my knee and back.

Hamslice You took my thoughts! I figured I could claim something like this, just hadn't started thinking about it until now. In addition, my presumption is I'll get a low rate for my back and I'll just have to plug away with secondaries on my knee and back (if it gets SC'd). It's a start! Thanks for the feedback, that was good to hear.

Oceanbound, my subscription is not active, no worries. I just use manual formatting. I haven't bought an office product for quite some time lol. Id bet the rater may not. I am hoping with the supplement process, the evidence I sent over will be documented without being lost. If it does, I have copies. I would assume a C&P would be next if they are accepted and filed properly in the c-file. Ill also bring copies with me if I am scheduled. I will watch for what comes next and read up in the mean time.