pelicanbrave

I am a 50% vet with a claim for two conditions, Cervical radiculopathy as secondary to left knee surgery and chronic lower back pain as well. I was released in January 2000 and have had chronic back pain since before I got out. I went to a local ER in early December of 2000 with shoulder and elbow pain, numbness in hand and his opinion was that my conditions were consistent with cervical radiculopathy and for the last 14 years I have been in a whole lot of pain.I have been on meds for years as well. I have been going through pain management for two years through a private pain management doctor and before that the VA had me on methadone for over two years. I filed a claim back in 2010 but was denied because I was told I didn't have the condition in service or it had not manifested within a certain amount of time. I recently found in my medical records from 2000 where I was diagnosed with possible Cervical Radiculopathy. I heard that if the condition manifests within a year of discharge I could be considered service connected, Is that right or wrong? and if I am granted service connection will it be retroactive to 2010? I would appreciate any information I can get and thank you all! I can upload the doctor's report if that will help?

Thank you both, I will take your advice and run with it!

I am a 50% veteran with a claim in for an increase for my sc left knee, Lower back secondary to sc left knee and a few other things. I have done most of my own work on my claims over the years but I am a a point where I need some help. I got a call from Columbia a few months ago asking me for supporting documentation such as names of private providers and statements in support of my claim which I sent in and they received. I got a call two days ago from the rating department asking for me if I would go to all of the private providers I listed and get a copy of my records and send them in because they were ready to rate my claim. They said that the new company that had the contract to get the records was overwhelmed and it would be quicker for me to get them and send them in. I listed eight different providers so thats a lot of legwork which I am willing to do but I would like to know if this is something that anyone else has had to do and if so I would like some feedback on what I should do. Thanks!

I was just approved for Voc Rehab and I am in my 11th year and haven't even started school yet. Your counselor can give you extensions until you complete your education goal. I am very fortunate to be extended 36 months and not even opened a book yet! I wouldn't sweat the small stuff but I would recommend calling her counselor ASAP so that all of the paperwork is in place ahead of time. Good luck!

Thanks for the responses!

My claim is at the Columbia, SC Regional Office and I was just wondering if anyone has any idea how fast or slow, they are processing claims. I know each one is different but the wait is getting to me I guess. Mine went to the rating board on 28 Feb 2011 so I'm already past the national average for the amount of days it's supposed to take, (16-27 days), but I understand that is the average from last year. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

Actually I had spinal fusion at c-6/c-7 for a herniated disk which I have had for as long as I have had carpal tunnel symptoms. I always thought they were related but I wasn't sure. What is LOU by the way? Thanks!

Before leaving active duty in January of 2000 I filed a claim through the VA for four things: Three left knee surgeries, Hypertention, Hearing Loss, and Right Wrist Gangleon Cyst. A was awarded 20% for my left knee and 10% for Hypertemtion, the other two conditions I was denied for. Nine months after I got out of the service I went to the ER for Back Pain, pain in my right wrist and numbness in my fingers in my right wrist. Earlier this year I filed a claim for Carpel Tunnels on my right wrist and I noticed something the ER doctor had written on my exit report. It states: Most likely Carpal Tunnel, versus the ganglion cyst that is not palpable at this time. Patient has a positive Tinnels Sign. Since this was within one year of leaving the service and I have in service medical records where I went to Sick Call for a wrist problem, will this be a no brainer claim and the ER report clearly states that I had a positive Tinnels sign within one year of discharge. I also had a nerve enduction test done through the VA in Charleston and I was diagnosed with major carpal tunnel syndrome with no median nerve response at all. Will I need any more than that doctor's report? Please tell me if I have a valid shot at winning this claim based on the information I've provided. Thanks!

Thank you for your responses! I fractured my patella while in service but not combat realted. I had a lateral release which is where they incise the quad to, from what I was told, loosen the muscle so my kneecap would have more range of motion. This has left my left leg much weaker than my right. I think this as also why my left leg is 2cm smaller than my right. I have so many issues back, leg, and ankle issues but if I wear a brace at my job I will probably be fired or at least scrutinized a lot more. I am a painter and work for a city government in South Carolina and I am afraid I will lose my job. I live by myself and this would be devestating to me.

Thanks Berta! I really don't mind paying for an IMO, after all, I am taking up the doctor's time, and time is money. I just wish each city had a list of doctors that wrote IMO's without having to go through the whole process until you finally found someone! Thanks again for your opinion!

After reading and posting on this forum I knew exactly what the nexus letter needed to say. I agree, he should have known the format if he had written letters in the past. He is a very good neurosurgeon and was highly recommended other than that I have no idea what his standing in the medical community is. I haven't had a C&P for my back. I have only had C&P exams for increases in my already service connected disabilities which are left knee and hypertention. He would not ammend his letter but the VET REP said the letter would work. The waiting really sucks but if I am denied I will try to connect secondary to 3 knee surgeries! Thanks for responding.

I told the Dr. that I would even re-write the letter and he said no. My vet rep said that the letter looked good and with all of the additional evidence from the service and a continuation within the first year after leaving the service that it looked like a no brainer to him but I'll believe it when I see it! I even went to another Dr. and asked him if he would review my records and was up front and honest and he gave me some story about a patient that had came in to his office and asked for the same thing and later he found out that that person was arrested for fraud and I told him I wasn't worried about that because I had a valid claim and if he would look at my records he would see that I wasn't trying to cheat the system! I am not a whining and complaining fraud and all I want is someone to take the time to look at my medical history and they would see that. I told him that I was willing to pay for his opinion and he kept on with the story. It sucks!

I don't even know where to begin writing and I know this is boring but I need help. I have had lower and upper back problems while I was in the service but I am not service connected for my back. I filed a claim earlier this year after having spinal fusion at c-6/C-7. I was diagnosed with chronic lower back pain through the VA in 07 or 08. I am hurting all over my back. I got out in 2000 with service connections of 20% for my left knee and 10% for hypertention. I have been seen over 25 times for my back since I got out in 2000. I was seen within a year of getting out of service and I found where I went to the clinic twice while I was in the service for lower back pain. After I had spinal fusion my neurosurgeon looked at alot of my medical records from the military and local hospitals and wrote me a letter stating the had reviewed many military treatment records and local hospital records and it is QUITE POSSIBLE that my back problems were caused or aggrivated from my military service. I asked if he would write it in VA format and say it was as least likely as not and he said that he had written many letters to the VA and this would be good enough. I'm so depressed from my back hurting all the time and taking methadone everyday. I sent in the letter and asked for a reconsideration since I was denied earlier in the year. I didn't have proof that it happened in service or evidence of a continuation of treatment after service but I did find additional records where I was seen 10 months after I got out for lower and upper back problems plus new evidence of treatment in service so I hope that the new evidence plus the so called nexus letter from my neurosurgeon will put me over the top. I work for a city government as a painter and I am really having a hard time doing my job everyday. It's a great job that most people would love to have especially in this economy but I just don't know how much longer I can take it. Please give me your opinions as to what I should do. Do I need a lawyer or should I just sit back wnd see if this claim gets approved or denied? I need some good advice. The weakness and depression are taking a great toll on me. Any advice or help will be appreciated! Thanks.

Just had C&P exam for my Left Knee in early December and I have a few questions on rating certain things: I am SC at 20% for left knee lateral laxity after 3 surgeries in the Army. I was kind of confused because I actually had 2 C&P exams for my knee within a week and each had different results but I just went with the flow. Here's what was written on my copy of the C&P: One doctor had knee range of motion: Left Flexion 0 to 90 degrees and extension was 0 degrees Summary of joint findings Joint: Knee SIDE: Left Findings: Crepitus ADDITIONAL DISCRIPTION OF ABNORMAL FINDINGS: Mild crepitus with ROM PATELLAR ABNORMALITY: YES TYPE OF PATELLAR ABNORMALITY SUBPATELLAR TENDERNESS IS THERE LOSS OF A BONE OR PART OF A BONE: YES One third of knee cap removed. IS THERE A HISTORY OF HOSPITALIZATION OR SURGERY: YES REASON FOR SURGERY: Had one third os knee cap removed with lateral release also left knee debridement and scopr A Fabella is noted otherwise normal X-Ray. OTHER SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL FINDINGS: Scar located mid patella, 1cm x 6cm linear scar< well healed, no keloid formation, no tenderness to palpation affecting 0% of exposed skin and less than one percent of entire body The other doctoe stated that my extention was 20 and flection to 95. LEFT THIGH: Is 2cm smaller in circumfrence than his right SUMMARY OF SYMPTOMS: JOINT: KNEE SIDE: LEFT DEFORMITY: NO GIVING WAY: YES INSTABILITY: YES PAIN: YES STIFFNESS:YES WEAKNESS: YES INCOORDINATION: NO DECREASED SPEED OF JOINT MOTION: YES EPISODES OF DISLOCATION OR SUBLUXATION: NONE LOCKING EPISODES: NONE EFFUSIONS: NONE SYMPTIOMS OF INFLAMATION: NONE DOES THE CONDITION AFFECT THE MOTION OF THE JOINT: YES FLARE UPS OF JOINT DISEASE: YESSECERITY: MODERATELY FREQUENCY: WEEKLY DURATION: 1 TO 2 DAYS CAN ANYONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THIS MEANS AND AM I IN DANGER OD LOSING MY 20% SC RATING? I HAVE BEEN SC'D SINCE 2000. THANKS!!

I am currently SC'd 30%: 20% for Left knee Laxity and 10% Hypertention. I had C&P exams in early December seeking an increase in ratings for both conditions. I got the results back from the exams and I would like some clarification of the results if someone would please help me. I'll start with hypertention: I could not finish the Bruce Stress Test due to alot of pain in my back and right ankle. The test lasted 2 minutes and 44 secondsand the results read... Stage 1 METS 4.60 Target HR 151 Max HR 178 Interpretation: 1. Suboptimal Test 2. Low Exercise Tolerance 3. Symptomatically Negative 4. Electrically Indeterminant secondary to target heart rate not achieved. 5. Indeterminant risk by Duke Score Positive History of Hypertension; Dyspnea Dyspnea onset: On moderate exertion Continuous medication is required for heart disease Continuous medication is required for control of Hypertension ECHO: The left ventricular ejection fraction is >60% Borderline elevated RV filling pressure Mild PI WAS TESTING FOR LV DYSFUNCTION DONE? YES EJECTION FRACTION: < 30% This is the short version and I'll address the C&P for the knee if anyone responds. Can someone tell me what this means and if this is good or bad? Thanks in advance!

Notorious Kelly, Getting the doctor to write the letter is my biggest problem. I know I need the nexus letter to tie everything together but the doctors won't write it in the format that I need. I know the VA has guidelines but he got upset with me when I asked him if he would put it into VA format. He said that he has written many letters for veterans and have never had any problem getting the VA to accept his letters. It didnt make sense that he wrote Quite Possible, which means very possible, but couldnt write as least likely as not for me. Has to be an ego thing!I just need a doctor that will write me a letter here in Myrtle Beach. Thanks for your help!

Thanks for responding so quickly. I have been to two doctors asking for nexus letters and one flat out refused to write one even though I had lots of evidence to support my claim and my neurosurgeon who did my fusion on my back wrote me a nexus letter for a claim I have for my back but he refused to put it in the format that the VA requires. He wrote that he has read a great deal of service medical records and civilian and VA medical records and he said it was "Quite Possible" that my back problems were caused or aggrivated from my military service. This could be viewed as speculation. He could have written as least likely as not but he wouldnt. It's depressing really. I am 42 years and have valid claims but i cant find a doctor that will write a few words in VA format. I am willing to pay for it and I told them I would even write the letter and let them look over it and sign it if they agreed with the letter. I have been denied once already and have a NOD in with the new evidence of the injuries happening within a year after discharge and continuation of treatment since 2000. I just had C&P exams last week for an increase in rating for my knee and hypertintion. We'll see how that goes. Trying to stay positive!!!

Hi everyone, I have posted here before but I don't think I worded my post correctly. I got out of the Army in 2000 with a 30% SC rating. 20% for my left knee, (3 knee surgeries), and 10% for hypertention. I also filed a claim for hearing loss and a ganglion cyst on my right wrist. I was denied for both of those because they were not well grounded claims. I went to sick call one day with pain in my right wrist and numbness in 3 of my fingers. I have the medical record from the Army that shows where I went for that. I was never giving an x-ray and was told that it was tendinitis and was given a splint and on my way I went. He said it could possibly be a ganglion cyst bur I lived with the pain and when i filed my claim when I got out I claimed a gangleon cyst as my problem. 10 months after discharge I was having a lot of problems with my hand and I went to the local ER. The doctor examined me and said PE: "On physical exam, pulses are 2t and equal, grip 5/5. Cap refill less than 2 seconds. Radial, ulnar, and median nerve all test intact. He does have a positive Tinel's sign. HC: Most likely Carpal Tunnel, versus the ganglion cyst that is not palpable at this time. six years later after dealing with the pain long enough I went and had a nerve enduction test done throu the VA in Charleston and I was diagnosed with major carpal tunnel syndrome with no median nerve response at all. I want to know if this could possibly be a sc disability and is the letter from the ER doc and confirmation from the VA enough to service connect? Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for responding. Happy Holidays!

Cooter, I haven't considered TKR as of yet but I may down the road. I would like to know more though!

Thank you both for responding.I did not put in for chronic pain but I plan on it soon. I have several claims in and hopefully they will service connect those. My lower back has been diagnosed with chronic pain and Spondylosis and I just had spinal fusion on my cervical spine almost a year ago. I also have major carpal tunnel which was diagnosed through the VA and I can show where I went to the clinic in the Army for each of the things I have now. I have been to the doctor 25 times in 11 years for my back problems and if they don't service connect them I will claim secondary to my knee condition. I have never filed a claim until this year but It's because I am broken down, in constant pain, and I don't know how much longer I can take it.I have a great city job that most people would die for but I just may not be able to do it soon and it really scares me to think about losing this job. Sorry to ramble!

I am 20% service connected for left knee laxity and 10% for Hypertention. 30% total. I filed for an increase in both conditions and had one C&P exam today for my knee. I had three knee surgeries while I was in the service and was medically discharged in 2000. Since then I have had a lot of problems with my knee and quadracep muscle. It is so tight that it burns and has numbness. My quad is also smaller on the leg that I had surgery on. I pointed this out to the doctor that did my C&P exam and he took measurements of both legs and agreed that it was smaller. Also 0 to 90 on knee flection with popping and clicking and giving out. Can someone tell me how this would be rated. Thanks!

Good Afternoon, I don't post very often but I can't seem to find a claim that is similar to mine. Here's my history: I am service connected at 10% for Hypertintion and 20% left knee laxity due to three knee surgeries. They removed part of my patella and performed a lateral release. I filed several claims this year, three of which I'm trying to service connect. My military service includes 4 years Air Force, 1987-1991 and US Army 1994-2000. I recieved a medical discharge for my knee and hypertention. I filed a claim for Cervical Radiculpathy, Carpal Tunnel, and Tinitus along with a few more. My questions are I filed a claim when I was leaving the Army for a cyst in my wrist which was denied because it was not well grounded. Looking back I agree but I was seen about 10 month after getting out at an ER and the doctor wrote that I had a positive Tinels sign which is consistent with Carpal Tunnels and not a gangleon cyst.Seven years later I was diagnosed at the VA with severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I have no median nerve response at all. I did go to the doc in the Army and complained of pain in my wrist. - Is this a valid claim with a chance of winning - Should I claim Direct Service Connection - If so, what degree of compensation is set for no median nerve response Next, Cervicai Radiculpathy. I was also seen within 10 months of discharge for this at the ER. Pain in shoulders, numbness in fingers and muscle spasms in arm. I have been many times for this and last December had spinal fusion at C6-C7. I have also been diagnosed at the VA with Chronic Back Pain for lower back issues. I was seen in service for lower back pain but not service connected for my back at all. I was seen for pain in my shoulder as well. I have been to the doctor ans VA 25 times or more in 11 years. - Is my claim for Cervical Radiculpathy a valid claim with a chance of winning - Should I claim Direct Service Connection - My neurosurgeon wrote me a letter which he stated that he had reviewed an extensive number of Military Treatment records and civilian treatment records and it was "quite Possible that my condition, Cervical Radiculpathy, incurred or was agrivated by my military service. This is not in VA format, Will it be a good enough IMO? - Should I file a claim for Direct Service Connection for my lower back as well? Thank everyone in advance. I had one C&P exam already and two more are scheduled for this week. This site was dead on with what I expected at the exams.

Thanks for responding. I will try to get him to write me another letter. My packet was sent in a few days ago so I assume I can have him write it and send it in without starting over.

Hi, Im service connected at 30%, broken down its 20% for left knee partial pattellectomy, and 10% for hypertention. I got out in January of 2000 and started having issues with my back and went to our local ER. The Dr noted that "the patient is a 32 year old male with right hand numbness and left shoulder pain that radiates into the neck, that could be consistent with radiculpathy." Between the VA clinics and local hospitals I have been seen 25 times in 11 years for this problem. I recently had surgery on New years Eve of last year for cervical radiculpathy at C-6 and C-7. My neurosurgeon wrote a letter stating the following, " I reviewed his significant number of prior medical records, indicating symptoms consistent with neck issues and radiculpathy. It's quite possible that his neck condition was initiated or aggravated during his time in service." I was denied twice for service connection based on the fact that I couldn't produce records within the time frame to connect it back to service but I found two ER reports within a year of being separated. Is my neurosurgeon's letter along with my treatment records enough for service connection? Sorry for the long post! Thanks.

I am service connected for left knee and hypertension. But was having numbness in my fingers on my right hand and pain in my right wrist. Discharged in Jan 2000 and was denied for cyst on wrist(NWG). Was seen in ER 10/26/2000 for hand and neck pain. Doctor stated that Patient has positive tinels sign and most likely has carpel tunnel, versus the ganglion cyst that is not palpable at this time. I have ordered my smr's and have gone to all local hospitals and had copies of all records and I'm even shocked at how many times I had to be seen for the same thing. On I2/13/2000 I had a CT scan and it states "Mild degenerative changes at C4/C5. If there is clinical evidence for degenerative disk disease or disk herniation to cause these neck and hand symptoms, an MRI may be of additional value. I struggle with my back pain. I have a fantastic City job but find it hard to do the simplest of tasks any more. To be sure DDD couldn't have just happened in 10 months. I have been diagnosed at the VA for severe median neuropathy across the right wrist consistent with carpel tunnel syndrome. Pain and numbness in the hand, pain in the shoulder radiating to the neck finally leading to spinal fusion. I sure hope there is some place in my smr's where I went to the doctor in the service for my back! Thank you all for replying