Sean

I just received this letter from the VA stating they got my NOD. They want me to fill out some form to do a de novo by the DRO. I just wanted them to review the evidence I gave them. What should I do? Will it just be a records review, or do I get a new physical as well? Yipes, and I thought this would be easy!!! Sean

David, I too have SC for DDD which is only 10%. I went to my Primary Care guy at the VA at kept complaining everytime I went in my back still hurts. I finally got a CT-scan, then results of that showed two herniated discs, Spina Bifida as well as the severity of the DDD...virtually no disc left at all. After that, withing two weeks I had a MRI ordered for me by the VA, so it can be done, just keep at it. Infact, I have to go see the osteo-specialist in Seattle in two months, but I already did my NOD. Persistance is the key to the VA. Good Luck, Sean

Well, Hopefully I'll find out soon. I just mailed my NOD claim off last week for my measely 10% rating I got for osteoarthropathy which is Arthritis I guess. A CT scan and MRI revealed DDD, Hernisted disc, partial herniated disc, and Spina Bifida. Hopefully I'll snaggle some more. I'll let you know when they decide to screw me B) Sean

Berta, I received my first payment on in October for September, they said since I was Active Duty for 5 days in August, that I was not entitled to disability pay for that month, not even pro-rated. I had a letter typed up originally when I sent it to the DAV representitive, so I guess I'll just tweak it a little bit and send it with my documents back to the main Salt Lake office who rendered the original decision then. Is there any example of a good letter to go by as a guide that might increase my chances? Thanks for your time. Sean

Good morning from Spokane fellow Vets! First off, I would like to share my appreciation for this site and to all the posters who contribute the best information I've found yet. I just just happened here today, so I'm playing catch-up trying to read all the posts! A little background on me, I served from Mar 96' to Aug 05, USAF. I filed my initial VA claim before I left the Service in June and got a rating of 30% in September. Since then I have gone to the local VA hospital here in Spokane which is excellent, and requested that my Lower back be looked into further. Now I'm not hip to the lingo to much, so I'll say it word for word from the papers, since most of you understand this type of talk. My only back rating was 10% SC for Osteoarthropathy of Lumbar Spine. The report says there was there was tenderness at L-5, loss of joint space at T4-5, and the begining of facet joint osteoarthropathy of the lower lumbar region. Now, when I get to the VA hospital I am still in constant pain of 4-5 daily with flair ups to 8-10 coming on strongly as the years progress. So my Doc orders a CT of my Lower back. It reveals a herniated disc in L5-S1 and Spina Bifida Occulta. So he then orders a MRI immediately, which I go have, and here is the results: Degenerative disk disease at T12 L1 with small left paracentral disk protusion. There is a frank disk herniation at L5-S1, likely old, in a right paracentral location that descends posterior to the S1 vertebral body segment as well. Anyhow, I sent the VA records I have from the hospital which has the CT scan results and the MRI report I got from the Civillian hospital to my Seattle DAV office and he sent it back to me with a form 21-4138, Statement in support of claim form, to fill out. My question is, do I have enough evidence to file a new claim, or do I have to appeal my original 10% back rating? And who do I sent the information to? Directly to the VA in Salt Lake that gave me my original rating, or to the Seattle VSO or NSO whatever it is. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all who served....and who still are Sean