LOA

Windy, I too have FMS and yes I have lower extremity pains. When I sit in the evenings my calves ache really bad. I have to continuously move my legs around because the pain is so bad. About a month ago I could not lift my legs off the ground without assistance, walking up stairs was impossible. I am now on 300mg neuroton three times a day and an antidepression. I take a muscle relaxer at night to sleep. In just a month I am feeling much better and I can lift my legs up again. I disagree that it is a garbage dx but I do agree that your problem could be caused by a number of different things. I would ask for a complete work up to include a nerve conductor test and also a sleep test to see if you have restless leg syndrome. If you do have FMS there are several medicines out there that may help you. I hope that you find a dx soon and that your pain stops

Windy city: it is hard for Gulf War Vets to claim both these because the VA has established a catagory/disease called Gulf War syndrome which encompasses all the symptoms of FMS, CFS and IBS. Because these diseases are very similiar and the symptoms of each are exactly the same it is hard to determine or differentiate between them. Most doctors think they are actually the same condition. Normally depending on what type of doctor you see will depend on wether they call it FMS(rheumatogolist) or CFS or there are a few others. Again as Rick said if your doctor makes a strong case as to why they believe it is both CFS and FMS and deliniates between the 2 in a well written IMO then you should stand a chance with VA claim. Good luck

Am I understanding you all correctly: 2 disablied Vets, married to each other with one child. lets say each was rated at 30%. They would both draw $429 (the Vet with spouse and child rate) or would One recieve $429 and the second only $356. The reason I ask is because the military only allows one person to claim the child and the other is considered without dependence?

If you are asking can you be diagnosed with both FMS and CFS, the answer is yes. The criteria for these while similiar have different triggers and identifiers. CFS is deliberate fatigue which has an acute onset and not relieved by rest. It is normally caused by a disease or illness FMS is widespread musculosketal pain requiring 11 of 18 tender points to be present. To be diagnosed with either of these diseases all other causes of symptoms must be ruled out ie. Thyroid, depression, sleeping disorder.

I agree with Hoppy get treatment now for your chest pain. Congrad on the new baby. think about it and get treatment now. While you are still on active duty insist that the Army doctors sent you to whatever specialist you need to see (neuro, heart, rheumatologist, and even psychologist) whatever it takes to get a correct diagnosis and treatment. I know is hard some times as a SFC but it is time you put yourself first and get the treatment. Ask for a nerve test for the pain in your legs to see if you have nerve damage. I wrote psych-- although it is hard ask to see one. Chronic pain causes other issues, the psychologist will help you through these as you get treatment. Do not let your pride stand in the way. I am telling you this because I understand. I am also a SFC on active duty. I was in a car accident 10 years ago and have gone through all the treatments you have listed. I was getting fustrated, but I now have a good PCM who took all the issues into consideration together and seperately. I ended up have a disc replacement and have fibromyalgia and nerve damage. I could hardly move, Getting in and out of the car was a task, could not walk up stairs but after about 2 months of a combination (cocktail) of medicines I am better. I still have some pain but nothing compared to what you are feeling now or I was feeling. There is hope do not give up, If I am correct you are too young and have a lifetime of playing with your child/children.

Hello, these medical conditions are in my SMR. I have the diagnosis and because they are all in my SMR from active service, I believe this covers the nexus (not positive) but what I don't have is a reason. What I mean by that is I was diagnosed with depression- due to medical conditions FMS, and CFS and my lack of mobility. But to descibe to someone how I feel on a daily bases is hard. Also when you say I am unemployable (which I am not) because I have a job now but my work is limited due to my impairments. This is where the letters I thought might help? A doctor or Va rep can not make an accurate assessment of me (hell any of us) just by looking at us, only the people who spend all day with us and see us at our best and our worst know what we go threw. If you do not think these letter will do any good please let me know as I know combined you all have more experience with Va then any VA or service rep does. I value you opinions. If it will help or could possible be useful in the future, is there an example I can give them. Thanks

Wing, they are very supportive of me. I currently work in a office with just me and my co worker, our boss is at another location in another state. My co worker understands my situation and medical conditions. He finishes my sentences for me when I forget my words (so I don't look dumb), he reminds me of deadlines and always reminds me of appointments and meetings. He helps me a great deal and in doing so my boss does not know the extent of my medical problems. He has seen me when I was depressed, tired, short tempered and when my mood change in a split second. He and my husband are the only two to really see and understand the impact my medical and mental conditions have on my life both occupationally and personally. IF VA does not capture it correctly, I want to have something to back up my situation. The second co worker use to work with me several years ago. He saw my mood and out look on things change when a 17 year old kid I had recruiter for the military died in a car accident going to his reserve unit drill one weekend. He was so young and still in high school. I am not saying I have PTSD but I hated my job after that and continued doing it for 4 more years. Shortly there after I was placed on Prozac but I never told anyone about the situation. Again I am not making a big deal out of it but I think it had something to do with my realization of life. I think a letter from each of these people will help to bring a full circle to my situation that I could never convey in the short sessions with the Va doctor.

I need help. I am going to get stressor letter or actually just letter from two of my co workers who have seen pyschological and medical changes in me over the past few years. I am filing a claim but I want to get the letter in case I have to challenge there decision. I want to get the letter now in case they move away. My question is can anyone tell me where I can find an example of a letter? Is there such a thing?

John I am trying to prove connection between chronic pain and depression, the service connection is already in my SMR. I am also trying to get a correct diagnosis (mild depression, moderate, severe or anything else). I am on medicine and for the most part it does help, but I thought understanding and trying to get a handle on the depression would also help. Larry, what you are discribing is what I am afraid of-- someone asking me to close my eyes and focus on the bad energy, Like yoga and telling me to focus on liking myself. I like me just fine, I just hate feeling like I am 80 years old when I am in my 40's. I want to run and play and have fun like all the other kids. I guess I was expecting something else from the psyc. I don't want to go to an AA meeting disquised a "Pain Management Group" and tell everyone I am a veteran and I am in pain.

Yes Larry, I have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lower Back Pain (DDD which resulted in a disc replacement) with radiating pain, IBS, headache syndrome and several other illnesses which cause me pain daily. They are all service connected. My doctor wrote the depression is due to these illness and this is what I told my psych. and I thought she was going to help me through this and maybe this Energy medicine will help but I am really worry about it. The more I think about the treatment the more depressed I get. Kind of like every time the doctor said he would send me to a pain clinic to learn to live with the pain. It has taken me over 10 years of treatment to finally be diagnosed and begin treatment for some of my illness.

This is an Army Psyc. at Army hospital. I am trying to establish a clear diagnosis for my VA claim. As my regular doctor just diagnosed depression due to other medical issues. I am trying to get the Army pysc to narrow the diagnoses. I have not seen the medical notes from my exam yesterday but I will try to get them this week. All my current documents just say depression secondary to medical conditions.

Hi everyone, I had a psychological consult yesterday, my first. I was diagnosed with depression by my doctor several years ago and have been on antidepressions but was never sent to the psych. It is/was believed that my depression is due to my medical conditions and poor health. My psych did a history of my life and then talked about treatment. Here is my concern: She had me read about Energy Medicine by Donna Eden, and said this will be the bases for our treatment when I see her next time. Has anyone ever heard of this and If so can you please give me some insight on it. I have read a lot of material on it and It appears like witchcraft or it is all in your head medicine. I am thinking about not going back because of this. I know none of us are doctors ( or at least most of us) but I am not asking for medical advise, just friendly advise as I know alot of you have been dealing with issues like this alot long than I have and have been very helpful to us young veterans. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all I will start making phone calls tommorrow. One thing I've learned from you all is don't give up and I won't. Cowgirl don't appologize you did not offend me. short memory and forgetfulness is a way of life but what you said gave me a great idea (how do I know it was my fault and can anyone prove it- no because VA didn't give me or send me anything). Hopeful this will help when I call. Thank you for the phone numbers. I will let you know how things work out. Also I am going to the base hospital tommorrow to see about talking to the physciatrics.

yes I am still on active duty this C/P was part of my retirement physical. The military has a new program where you can have VA do your retirement physical and file your claim at the same time (prior to seperation) but I will not get my rating until after I retire. If is suppose to speed up the process. This is the only VA appoints I will have prior to them awarding a disability rating. My PCM diagnosed me with depression due to medical/physcial condition, but I have never seen a physciatrist. It is documented in my medical record. I do take prozac. I will try to find the patient advocate number to the VAMC in Columbia Mo. Also should I just go see the military physciatrist and ask them for a complete diagnosis with a GAF number just as if I had done the VA physical. My fear is VA will say I didn't go to my appoint just as Quint had said and deny my claim. If I can not get them to reschedule it and I do see the military physciatrist will VA use this. Im thinking, like cowgirl said ,if I explain to the military physciatrist what happened and link it to my other medical conditions CFS/hypersomnia which cause forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion and alot of other issues while VA have to except this.

Thanks rick, I tried that and although she remembers me writing it down, she said there is nothing she can do. She gave me the phone number to the people who do the scheduling and they said because the request is closed, now that I no showed that they can't reschedule it. They said they need a new order/request to schedule another appointment but no one will tell me how to do that. I just keep getting the run around.

I really need some help. I am part of the BDD (filing VA claim while processing for retirement from military). I had my 1st C/p which was phase 2 of my retirement physical and then my Nurse Pratictioner scheduled me for a Psyc eval for depression. She called and sccheduld the appointment and as she said it I wrote it down. 10:00 today- when I showed up for appointment they said it was scheduled for 10:00 yesterday and I no showed it. Now they say they can not reschedule it until I officially retire and get my initial claim. Some how this does not seem fair. My actual retirement date is not until Aug, which is when the claim will be adjudicated. I know without the C/P exam for depression they will not rate me, So I will have to refile. After what I read that could take forever. You would think that VA would want to get it right the first time. Also it looks like I didn't show up when in fact there was a misunderstanding on what date it was. The NP never gave me anything with the date and time but I am very careful about writing down everything because of my other illnesses. Anyone have any ideas what I can or should do, now?

thank you very much

hi everyone, I just got back from a electronic nerve test and the physician said I have nerve damage. He believes it is caused by my lower back. He is not sure wether it is rejuvenating itself or it is stable. This is all S/C from a motor vehicle accident. I had a disk replacement at l4/5 and now I have an artifical disk. I still have lower back pains with pain radiating down my legs with interior thigh numbness and calf (bilateral) pain/aching. I have limited ROM which is caused because my back will not bend. My back moves as one unit (like it is fused), I can bend forward about 45 degrees, 0 backwards and about 10 degrees to either side. I also had a L2 spinous process fracture that is healed, but is still a tender point. Can you tell me what code they should list this under? Does the stack rule apply here or can it be rated under several codes.

Good day Hadit family, First let me thank all of you that post on hadit, through your help I believe I was prepared for my first C & P exam. I am still on active duty and processing my VA claim through the BBD program. I will be transitioning out of the military on 23 April 08 with 22 years of service. Thanks to you I was armed with the exam worksheets and had everything written down. The exam seem to go well but I have a couple of joint problems-- 2 ulnar shortenings of my arm and a discetomy with an artificial disc replacement of my L4/5. My examiner was a Nurse Practictioner and she did not use a giometer (something like that) to do my ROM measurements. I tried to mention it non aggressively but she still did not do them. I did not push it because the few measurements she did on my arm I felt that she did them wrong anyways. I did not want to have the wrong measurement listed. Then I have CFS- the rating is based on the percent of disability as compared to preillness. She did ask me how it affected me in my social, occupational and personal life (mild, moderate, severe or intermittent) but did not ask me percentage wise how much the illness has hindered my life. I claimed IBS, Hypersomnelence/Narcolepsy, FMS, Gerd, sinusitis and a hysterectomy also. I have 1 more C&P for depression due to medical conditions. Not sure how to prepare for this? 1) Anyone who has insight on the BBD program for active duty soldier, anything information/recommendations you can provide me and Hadit reader with would be greatly appreciated. 2) Should I worry about not having the ROM measurements, As she may just have estimated them or used ones that where in my SMR? If I should what can I do prior to my rating decision being made OR should I just wait and use this a evidence to rebut the claim when I get it, if needed. 3) Any insight on the Psychitrist exam, I have never seen a psych. was diagnosed with depression by my prior care doctor. I thank you all in advance- As you have already been very helpful.

One- Zero, Congradulations on your rating and retirement. I know you are by no means an expert but I to am getting ready to retire (22years) and use the BDD system. I will be starting a new thread and any information you can provide those of us that are still on active duty that are retiring soon would be greatly appreciated. Again Congradulation and thank you for your service

T-bird and other hadit family members, I too want to thank you for this site and all your information. Like SSGMike, I have been to several other Veterans help sites but left because of all the bickering. This is by far the most professional and most helpful site I have found. I enjoy reading everyones post and find them all very helpful, being new to the VA system. T-Bird if you have time to add things to the site great but if not please just keep helping us with your knowledge, that goes for everyone else. Thankyou all. I hope you have a Happy New Year

Thank you so much for your assistance. I will be truthful and go from there. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas

Thank you, I will try again to get my doctor to give me a connection or cause for my illnesses but I am not sure that he will because he says there is no known cause and infact may be caused by many different things. But I will try My C & P is next month. I am still unclear about the physc eval, LarryJ you wrote The results of my exam for service connection for my Major Depressive Disorder wound up being stated by the examiner something like this "the veteran probably suffered from depression since childhood, but this depression was excerbated and made worse due to injuries suffered in service...........". This is exactly what I don't want to happen because I was never depressed as a child, although as I look back on my childhood I should have been. But I was not. See different please will see my situation in a different light and I do not want to have the VA phsyc turn it around. I have never been to a phsyc for that reason. Again I have been diagnosed with depression (by a general DR)and it is due first being ill (CFS and Fibro) and secondary to stress from my military job. I guess I will have to see what happens. Thank you all for your advise. It is very helpful

hi, My military doctor tells me that as long as I was diagnosed with an illness and treated for it while in the service (22 years of service), I do not need to have a statement- Was most likely due to... He said because my claim is filed as soon as I get discharged and the illnesses occurred after I entered the military, VA will have to except them as service connected. Is this correct? The reason for him saying this is because a couple of my illness have no known cause. Also a second question: As far a psychiatric evaluation- I have depression, which is caused by my illness and prolonged stress of MOS. When I go for my psych consult, should I talk about my childhood (not great childhood), if asked. My doctor said yes because although my childhood was messed up, I was healthy and happy and the events of my childhood made me subseptible to the depression caused by military events. I am afraid VA will claim preexisting problem even though I never had depression until about 10 years into my service. Thank you all for your service to the nation, to veterans and this website. You have helped me alot already.

Merry Christmas to all of you. As a newbie, Please let me tell you that I am thankful for all of you and all of your comments as they are all very helpful to those of us that are new to the VA system and don't understand it. May you all have a blessed holiday and please keep posting.... to me my Christmas present was finding this site!