Art

Question for my fellow vets at hadit- I went for a C/P ortho exam today, for back and arm/shoulder conditions, are the ortho drs supose to use something to measure how far you can move your arm and bend and twist, mine did not. And are they supose to take a history of what is going on I showed my C/P dr a lot of paperwork which he did read but did not want copies of. Just asking in case I need info for future complaint.

Sent VA Regional office copies of Army Med. records that state possible fibromyalgia 1995, Right arm going to sleep as well. Is this clear SC connection or could the VA say otherwise?

Thanks Pete June 5th when my ortho c/p is on a Saturday and one person told me the ortho drs. were all interns, and that about 100 vets were to be seen that day. But i am hoping for the best.

Pete53, Would it be a good idea to ask the c/p examiner where I can get a copy of the c/p exam that I am going to have on 5 June, would this make them cautious or just mad. I just want to get this done fair.

Thanks Pete I am trying to think of everything they may try since i had to fight with them for two years before. I am trying to review my med records from service, and my Drs. notes, so if they try and say different things I can show them what is service connected and what i had in service. I also have my c-file.

My C/P exam on the 18th was a complete waste of time. The exam was nothing more than having someone remeasure scars from a surgery i had on my left leg while on active duty. This is rated at 10% and is not what i applied for an increase in compesation for. I go back now to the VA hospital on 5 June for another c/p exam by ortho. I have copies of all med records from active duty which shows a problem with my arm and leg while on active duty. Some of my records show djd in my lower spine , t-spine. (is this compensatable?) right now my lower back is rated at 10% right arm 20%. I just want to know hwo to prepare for the next time i go to the va because one person told me the ortho exam may be done by interns.

I have discussed if what is going on with my right arm and right leg is connected with my current rating (10% lower back 20 % right arm) with my Neuro. Dr. he says maybe, could be, he says here try these meds most of which make me high, one pill (NEUROTON 600 mg) made me high for two days. I could not get out of bed, felt light headed, that is one of the side effects and his plan was to possibly have me take two a day. My primary Dr. is just a regular MD. so he has no idea. I know about some C/P Drs. they think VETS just do not want to work. If that was the case then I would not have worked nights and went back to school during the day for 5 years. I plan on maybe telling C/P Dr. this if he asks. What I really want is to know why my arm is twitching and my right leg is going numb.

My plan is to take the copies of medical reports which pretain to what has been going, on the same ones i have sent to VA along with meds that both my primary dr and neuro dr has prescribed. If they ask i will show them. My right arm is rated at 20% so i figure they should know that. I do not plan on even mentioning disability increase because that has to be made at VA regional office. I am sending VA regional office back paperwork so they can get copies of all of the tests, Cat scan, MRI, EMG, Ultrasounds and all blood work from my hospital stays. Last hospital stay in early March this year, they have eletronic records, my Neuro dr pulls them up on his office computer i hope VA can do the same. My primary dr should give them my records as well as my neuro dr. Basically i plan on telling them what is going on showing them any information they need because the only other choices are just dealing with the problem, or being bounced between my dr who says he can do nothing, and neuro dr who says undiagnoised reason but agrees i have a problem, and hope for the best. Thanks for any advice.

May 18, with ortho exams june 18. I am also getting an appointment for gulf war registery. Since my neuro dr does nothing but give me meds and no answers about cause of my arm twitching and my primary care dr has no idea i figure by going back to va i have nothing to lose. I know they can reduce disability rating also but since i am retired unless they give me alot more disability, then only how much of my retirement is tax free is the only concern. They tried to reduce my disability once with another c/p exam but it stayed the same. At this point i would just like an answer about my right arm and at least i will get claims in for the future if needed.

Just got my letter from VA regional office about my claim for increased compensation for my right arm and leg. I sent them reports that i had from my neuro dr and other drs but they say they need more info. They sent me forms so they can try and get my medical information from two hospital stays and every test I have ever had done. I do not know how the c/p exam will go but i am hoping for the best.

They are all private Drs.

Just a wasted trip to Neuro. Dr. he says he cannot refer me for anything, just another prescription for more meds. My primary Dr. now says I have an overactive thyroid problem now after finally taking some tests? I do not know where this is going from here?

It is back to the neurologist. I don't know what he will do or say but my dr has sent me back to him? this is getting really tiresome.

I went to see my primary care dr today, this is a follow up from my hospital stay. He really acted like he did not want to see me. I know in the past he has said that he cannot help my problem but when his nurse put me in a room she came back and said he wanted to know what he could do for me today. I showed her the discharge paper work earlier and said it was for a follow up vist for insurance purposes. He acted like he really did not want to see me thou. He suggested I go back to Neurologist that I have been seeing who also does very little. This is getting really stressful!! Just wanted to vent!!

I hope I can find one here. My regular DR took blood today. He is going to check thyroid, hormone levels to rule out that problem. Take Care Marti

I am not sure if I should file for SSD or TDIU since my disability rating is 10% for left leg, 20% for right arm, 10% for lower back.

Marti, I live in north Mississippi, the nearest VA hospital is in Memphis, Tn. I have only been there once about my arm twitching it was not a good experience. You can see my post need advice under Gulf War for explanation. Also since I live in Mississippi I always have to remind them to send my paperwork to Jackson, Mississippi Regional office and not Nashville Regional office which they have done several times and then it is lost. I am sorry to hear about your problem aswell, I appreciate your input and help as well as anyones. Take Care Art

Marti I have been seeing private Neuro. Dr. I have not been seeing anyone at VA. Lots of vets here do not like the VA. some VA,s have a good reputation not the one near me. My DR. has said he does not think I have ALS but could be Parkinson but his offical diagnosies is unknown cause. He has a couple of times said it may not even be Parkinson disease. I do not think he knows really. Art

Yes I am and he has done various nerve tests but has no diagnosies for why my arm is weaker and twitches and my leg feels numb.

Sorry to hear that Marti. I have been wondering if what is affecting me maybe ALS but my Drs. have not made any diagnosies yet. I have lots of twitching in my arms and legs.

Just got back from a two day stay in the hospital. I just started twitching and shaking in my arms and legs. My wife took me to ER. and DRs thought I was having a small stroke. But after another MRI, CT, and several tests no diagnosies. Blood work and everything all negative. I guess this is more paper work to send to the VA. I am thankfull for all advice everyone here gives me. I just wish DRs would tell me something. Thanks again

I do not drink, never have, that is something that the VA ortho DR. asked me. It is just frustrating to see several Drs. and nobody can give me any idea about this problem. It makes me wonder if it could be ALS or something. I have filed for an increase with VA.

My Primary care doctor called and said he had talk to my Neurologist. He said there is nothing either one of them can do for me. Where should I go from here? Almost two years of seeing both of them and lots of test.

Hey Marti, If you don't mind me asking do you have ALS and what were your earlier syptoms?