dive2deep

I went to sick call several times in service with severe heart burn. I was told I had acid reflux "GERD" and given Mylanta or some other green nasty stuff. I have had two scopes done over the past 15 years. The first one was about ten years ago at a private doctor. He found a couple of ulcers and mild gastritis. The second was two weeks ago at the VAMC. They found 4 ulcers and moderate gastritis. The doc said that the ulcers, one of which is at the spot where the stomach and esophagus meet, was caused by GERD. My question is can/should I file a claim for this? If so what kind of rating could I expect? I have also been on PPIs for the GERD which I get from the VA. Am I right in thinking that if I can get this service connected I will no longer have to pay for the prescriptions?

I sure hope you are right Carlie, 10 years of retro would be nice, very very very nice! ;)

Page 2 of what I have referred to at a "letter" is a VA form on blue paper that says "Rating Decision" at the top. Presumablly the same thing cowgirl is talking about. The cover letter and the "Rating Decision" page both state in more than one instance a 20% rating. The rating decision gives the results of the exam and reasons to be rated at 20% vs. 30%. It has all been sent to my VARO so I will let you all know what becomes of it. ;)

I have an IMO letter from my private doctor and was wondering how helpful it will be in making the connection between injuries. The following is an excerpt from the letter: "Mr. XXXX is a long standing patient of mine. It is my professional opinion that his right knee degeneration occurred secondary to posture problems dealing with his service related injury to his left knee..."

I was going through all of the paper work I have form the VA in preparation for an upcoming C&P exam. Among the stacks of appointment schedules and other junk I found a letter dated Aug 13, 1999. This letter was sent after a C&P I had back then. The findings attached to the letter stated that I meet the criteria for 20% compensation. What makes this interesting is the fact that I have been receiving pay at the 10% rate. I called that 800# and faxed them the letter. I was told this would be opened as a claim and the letter would be forwarded to my RO. Should I be paid retroactive for the last 10 years? Has anyone seen this happen to anyone else?

I am 10% SC since '96 for right knee pain. My right knee has continually gotten worse over the years and my left knee (according to my VA doc) is now in as bad of or worse shape than the right. I have filed for reevaluation of the right knee for an increase and for 2ndSC on the left. What, besides a lot of waiting, should I expect from this process? Thanks for any help you guys can give me.