rales

I posted this 18 months ago..... I finally had my c and p exam at the local VAMC on Monday. The doc agreed with what I had to say and that my hunch that all of this was connected. I am filling out my statement in support of claim right now. I am optimistic about my chances of an increase. If I do receive an increase, will it date back to the date I filed? Or will it be retro to the date my large intestine ruptured? I filed my claim within a year of that happening. I am also making a connection with the hernia I had operated on being connected to the constipation brought on my the diverticulitis. We'll see! Thanks, Rales

I haven't asked for an opinion regarding it being connected as of yet. My physician/surgeon and I have a very good relationship. I'm going to 1, ask for a complete copy of my records from her and 2, ask her for a letter stating that in her opinion it's possible that this is the reason my back has been hurting me for so long. I don't have a VSO as far as I know. Other than my initial claim 8 years ago I have had very little contact/experience with the VA. We have a VA hospital here in town. Should I go there and talk to someone?

Hello all. I have lurked here for a while but I am finally getting on the ball. I registered and I am going to attempt what feels like an impossible task. I have searched through the forums and I apologize of I missed this exact type of post from someone else. I am 37, ex USAF. 30% Service connected (10 each tinnitis, lower back and skin condition). I got out in may 2001 and filed shortly thereafter. I have had lower back pain regularly since I got out. I have lower back pain and abdominal pain dr visits in my military med records. I think the abdominal pain was just addressed once. In august 2007 I had severe lower back pain and lower abdominal pain. I went to the Dr and they said it was prostatitis. I was treated and released. In Jan 2008 I had the same thing happen. Feb 2008 I have an attack of pain like I have never had before. Lower back, abdominal etc....I go to the ER and find out my large intestine perforated. I had been suffering from diverticulitis. Emergency surgery saved me although I lost a foot of my large intestine. I am convinced the pain in my lower back has (in part) been caused by the prostatitis and diverticulitis. I just didn't know I was suffering from them. I have decided to ask for an increase from the VA because I feel the condition(s) causing the pain are more serious now. The diverticulitis/perforated intestine) almost killed me. I have been basically unemployable for the last year (lifting restrictions due to surgeries) I am already receiving voc rehab benefits through the VA as well. I possibly jumped the gun and filled out 21-4138 through VONAPP this morning. Dumba** me listed all my reasons but failed to specifically ask for an increase. I also found on hadit that VONAPP should not be used in my case. What should I do now? Resubmit through vonapp with my increase request? Call my regional office? Punt? Thanks in advance for any and all help you can provide a rookie like myself.