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mikep23661
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Posts posted by mikep23661
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IMO defined 'Individual Medical Opinon' and to be helpful, it needs to help clarify that you incurred the 'condition' while in service. The IMO could also support diagnosis for 'aggravated condition' of a Service Connected (SC) issue the VA already recognizes. For example, my knee problem causes my other knee to 'overwork' and a condition ensues because of this - I think its a aggravated condition, but would need to prove it with a diagnosis relating it to service or a currently service connected (SC) condition.
For specifics, best to read up the regulations and rating worksheets VA examiners use. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm
Hope this helps a bit,
Cowgirl'up!
Thanks again. Feels like I have more ammo to use now. One last question regarding QTC examinations. Do you think it is the purpose of the examiners at the QTC to "not" give us the benefit of doubt? I feel that every time that I have went to an exam, I was shafted somehow. Also, should I use the Va doctors or is it best to stay with my Primary care physician in you opinion?
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In my case, they said my lumbar problems were not related to service. Planning on getting the golden IMO/nexus letter to resolve that!
This IMO/nexus letter that you speak of, could you give me more details on what that is and the importance.
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Thank you guys and ladies a bunch. This information seems very promising.
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Chronic Pain is rated under mental health.
carlie
Thanks Carlie. So, although I know that I have chronic "physical" pain, they call it a mental condition? Any ideas what route i should take for filing for that?
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What EXACTLY is your "official" medical diagnosis?
You are not going to be the determing factor as to what is "so-called" lumbosacral strain which is really a bulging disc which could be called IVDS!
You will be best served by not asking US what you have and what to call it, but, instead, to rely upon the doctors, letting them do what they do best.
I was diagnosed by my Dr as having a bulging disc, but Va is calling my claim a lumbosacral strain. Are they one in the same? Any information on the Chronic Pain Syndrome? Thanks.
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I was told by a member that I may be able to file for Chronic Pain Syndrome for my "so-called" lumbosacral strain in which Ireally is a bulging disc. Does anyone have any information about that? Also, I know that I spoke of it in a previous post, but would having a bulging disc classify as IVDS?
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Actually you can't change your diagnoses or classification of your rating. What happends is when you put in a new claim for your back the rater decides which diagnoses gives you a higher rating. But your medical records will have to show that you have degenerative disc disease before a change to diagnoses and rating could take place. Now it is possible ( but unlikely) that the claim you have for secondary issues will set in motion a relook at the back issue.
I know in my case this is how I went from lambosacral strain to IVDS.
Oh, ok. So that reclass. is out of my hands then right?
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I feel it would depend on what your medical evidence
and your doctor/s state.
jmho,
carlie
Thanks for the response. I guess that is the assistance I am also looking for up here as well.
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I was told that I should file a claim changing my classification from Lumbosacral strain to IVDS by one of the poster on the site. My questions are how should I go about doing that and will that hurt my "secondary issues" associated with lumbosacral strain? Thanks to all who help out.
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Regarding the PTSD, Pete can help out more than I can. But if you are in contact with some old buddies who were stationed with you in Bosnia, you can ask them to write you a buddy statement to help support your claim.
Regarding your rating, I was primarily interested if you were 0% SC or 0% non-SC for your sinusitis.
Also, I looked up the ratings. Check into these, because they are all related to sinuses. Keep these in mind when you start digging through your medical records.
6502 Septum, nasal, deviation of:
Traumatic only,
With 50-percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side 10
6510 Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic.
6511 Sinusitis, ethmoid, chronic.
6512 Sinusitis, frontal, chronic.
6513 Sinusitis, maxillary, chronic.
6514 Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic.
General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514):
Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by
headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated
surgeries ................................................................................
.................................................. 50
Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six
weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis
characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting .............................................. 30
One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six
weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized
by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting ..................................................... 10
Detected by X-ray only ................................................................................
............................................. 0
Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician
6522 Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis:
With polyps ................................................................................
............................................................................ 30
Without polyps, but with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction
on one side ................................................................................
.......................................................... 10
Vync,
regarding that SC for chronic pain syndrome you spoke of earlier, do you have that also? I do have chronic pain.
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Regarding the PTSD, Pete can help out more than I can. But if you are in contact with some old buddies who were stationed with you in Bosnia, you can ask them to write you a buddy statement to help support your claim.
Regarding your rating, I was primarily interested if you were 0% SC or 0% non-SC for your sinusitis.
Also, I looked up the ratings. Check into these, because they are all related to sinuses. Keep these in mind when you start digging through your medical records.
6502 Septum, nasal, deviation of:
Traumatic only,
With 50-percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side 10
6510 Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic.
6511 Sinusitis, ethmoid, chronic.
6512 Sinusitis, frontal, chronic.
6513 Sinusitis, maxillary, chronic.
6514 Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic.
General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514):
Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by
headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated
surgeries ................................................................................
.................................................. 50
Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six
weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis
characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting .............................................. 30
One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six
weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized
by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting ..................................................... 10
Detected by X-ray only ................................................................................
............................................. 0
Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician
6522 Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis:
With polyps ................................................................................
............................................................................ 30
Without polyps, but with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction
on one side ................................................................................
.......................................................... 10
Thanks again. I will check those out. I believe they denied me outright.
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Mike,
What is the exact wording regarding sinusitis on the claim you had with the VA? Can you transcribe it here? (might take a bit of typing)
Pete,
Is it possible to be SC at 0%?
Vync,
I'm at work at the moment, so I cant produce that document right now. But I am positive that it said that although my service records did show a history of sinusitis, my claim was being denied because there wasnt any proof on the x-ray.
Pete,
Yeah, i am able to work. As far as you saying get a Dr. to link it, are you speaking of the PTSD claim I inquired about? I was told that if you dont have the proof in your medical records, then you have no case.
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There is a percentage calculator here on hadit (but I don't have the link). It helps to estimate what you will be rated depending on your various percentages.
You may have bent over too far, but they actually calculate range of motion from several different directions.
I actually went to my VA primary care doc and asked about it. Here is what I said:
I have sinusitis. My girlfriend says I snore a lot. I always am tired, especially when I wake up, and even doze off during the day. I wake up at night and often have to go to the bathroom. All of this despite taking ambien.
The doc upped the strength of my ambien and said I will receive a thick sleep questionnaire packed in the mail within 7-10 days. He could not specify how long it would take before they get me scheduled.
The sleep study might show you have sleep apnea, restless leg, both, or who knows what else. Also note that people with sleep apnea are at higher risk for other conditions. I have atrial afibrulation (irregular heartbeat), which might be caused by sleep apnea, which might be caused by my sinusitis. If they confirm I have it, then having these conditions linked as secondary will become even more realistic.
Also check your service medical records to see if you ever were treated for any nose injuries while in service. If you have a deviated septum, like me, it could impact inability to pass air through a nostril. It factors into the sleep apnea because you cannot breathe as well.
Thanks for the great information. I do have in my records a history of sinus problems and nosebleeds, but because the x-ray showed no scarring, they denied that.
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Chronic lumbosacral strain is a generic statement indicating that you have injured your back. A bulging disc may put pressure on your nerve roots, which cause you pain. Check the spine repository topic here and compare that with your diagnosis. If your range of motion has decreased, then you might qualify for an increase. Due to the pain, look into possible SC for chronic pain syndrome.
I am SC for sinusitis, but mine was really bad off and showed clearly on x-rays and I have a lot of scar tissue. Look up the rating requirements for sinusitis. Because you snore, you may also suffer from sleep apnea. Ask for a sleep study. If you are SC for sinusitis and they link it to sleep apnea, you might be able to get it rated as secondary.
Thanks for the reply and information. I actually just got my appeal back. They raised me from 10 to 20% but my compensation stayed the same. They said my forward flexion had to be 30 degrees or less I believe. Does that basically mean I bent over too far?
As far as the sinusitis goes, how do I request the sleep study from VA or my primary care physician? One personal question, pertaining to your sinusitis, do you constantly snort?
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Mike
Welcome to Hadit and yes you show classic symptoms of PTSD. Good Luck with your claim
Thank you for the welcome. Could you offer your expertise on weather or not I can or cannot claim due to no records?
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Hello everyone. As you can see, I am new to this board and website. I am hoping that someone can guide me in the right direction.
I have three things, the first being my service-connected disability for my back, my acute sinusitis, and also possibly and hopefully, a claim for PTSD.
I will start out with the most severe conditon, which is my back. I injured my back in a fall back in 1996 or 1997 while in FT. Lee, Va. moving wall lockers from one building to another. Since that time, my back has gradually gotten worse. I used to be able to pass a PT test, but now i struggle to run or even jog for longer than three minutes. What I feel is intense pressure on my lower back almost like its pulling towards the ground. Because of that, I have gained more weight than I have ever thought that I would. I slso experience tingling in the back of my legs and feet and excruciating pain if sit down too long in one spot. I believe I currently at 10% for this condition with some secondaries. My question to you guys is does this condition warrant a higher rating? Furthurmore, is there a difference between chronic lumbosacral strain and a bulging disc, in which an MRI showed that i have?
Second, I have stated in my medical records that I suffer from acute sinusitis. I have frequent nose bleeds, and I snort quite frequently. They told me that although it was service connected, a 0 rating is what they will give me because of no anomalies found on x-rays? Any words of advice?
Lastly, and what i feel is legitimate, but will be a far stretch to prove is PTSD. I have nothing in my medical records about it or the incident, but at the time, I didnt feel as if I needed to make it an issue. I was part of the 603rdTC (PLS unit) when we were deployed to Bosnia back in 1998. They briefed us on the dangers in theater. THey said that being that Bosnia is one of the most heavily land-minded coutries on earth, that it is vital that we stay on the pavement at all cost. Needless to say, after crossing the Sava river, this E-5 I was riding with constantly kept swerving off the road. Me being the passenger, I am sitting there almost litterally messing my pants because A, the dangers that tolds us about when traveling in theater and B, because I actually say freaking landmines on the shoulders of the road!!! Fast forward to today, I took two trips to San Antonio form Okc with my in-laws to see their father who was at the VA their. Those were the two most excruciating rides that i have ever been on other than the one in Bosnia. I am not used to having other drive me to places. I do all the driving myself. But while on the road, I broke out in cold sweats, I became very, very anxious to get out of the vehicle, and i pretty much felt as if I was transported back in Bosnia on that ride. Sorry so long, but do any of you think I have anything as far as a Ptsd case goes. Thank you for listening.
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Hello everyone. As you can see, I am new to this board and website. I am hoping that someone can guide me in the right direction.
I have three things, the first being my service-connected disability for my back, my acute sinusitis, and also possibly and hopefully, a claim for PTSD.
I will start out with the most severe conditon, which is my back. I injured my back in a fall back in 1996 or 1997 while in FT. Lee, Va. moving wall lockers from one building to another. Since that time, my back has gradually gotten worse. I used to be able to pass a PT test, but now i struggle to run or even jog for longer than three minutes. What I feel is intense pressure on my lower back almost like its pulling towards the ground. Because of that, I have gained more weight than I have ever thought that I would. I believe I currently at 10% for this condition with some secondaries. My question to you guys is does this condition warrant a higher rating? Furthurmore, is there a difference between chronic lumbosacral strain and a bulging disc?
Second, I have stated in my medical records that I suffer from acute sinusitis. I have frequent nose bleeds, and I snort quite frequently. They told me that although it was service connected, a 0 rating is what they will give me because of no anomalies found on x-rays? Any words of advice?
Lastly, and what i feel is legitimate, but will be a far stretch to prove is PTSD. I have nothing in my medical records about it or the incident, but at the time, I didnt feel as if I needed to make it an issue. I was part of the 603rdTC (PLS unit) when we were deployed to Bosnia back in 1998. They briefed us on the dangers in theater. THey said that being that Bosnia is one of the most heavily land-minded coutries on earth, that it is vital that we stay on the pavement at all cost. Needless to say, after crossing the Sava river, this E-5 I was riding with constantly kept swerving off the road. Me being the passenger, I am sitting there almost litterally messing my pants because A, the dangers that tolds us about when traveling in theater and B, because I actually say freaking landmines on the shoulders of the road!!! Fast forward to today, I took two trips to San Antonio form Okc with my in-laws to see their father who was at the VA their. Those were the two most excruciating rides that i have ever been on other than the one in Bosnia. I am not used to having other drive me to places. I do all the driving myself. But while on the road, I broke out in cold sweats, I became very, very anxious to get out of the vehicle, and i pretty much felt as if I was transported back in Bosnia on that ride. Sorry so long, but do any of you think I have anything as far as a Ptsd case goes. Thank you for listening.
Changing My Classification From Lumbosacral Strain To Ivds
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
To Berta and Cowgirl: Thank you once again for the knowledge that you have bestowed upon me. I will be the first to admit that this all sounds so menacing.
To Vync: Thank you as well. To uncloud confusion I may have made, my lumbosacral strain has already been deemed service-connected, however, I feel as if they are treating it as something more minor than what my body feels. Im only 31 years old, but feel as if I am older with the pain I deal with. I wished that I had more knowledge about this stuff. The older I get, the more i worry about how my condition is going to affect me in the future an I am deathly afraid to allow anyone to dig into my back.