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Dennis

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Everything posted by Dennis

  1. I also was granted SC for my PN due to pernicious anemia, a B12 deficiency. They granted 10% for each extremity. The only problem was it took them twenty years to make the diagnosis and by that time the neurologic damage was permanent. Go figure.
  2. Jayg, Do not discount the vitamin deficiency possibility. I have been diagnosed with pernicious anemia, also known as B12 deficiency, for 27 years. Peripheral Neuropathy is the most obvious symptom but there are many more that can be far worse. Long term undiagnosed B12 deficiency can lead to subacute combined degeneration of the spine, heart failure, dementia, eye problems, unsteady gait, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Good blood tests for diagnosis are for Homocystine and Methylmalonic Acid. Increased levels above normal are indicative of deficiency and you should begin taking shots montly for life. Most of your symptoms could be caused by deficiency but only a doctor can make that call.
  3. Ed, Something you might want to consider is the possibility of heart valve disease. It could account for the flutter in your chest when the valve fails to close properly. My internal med doc tells me about 7 out of 10 people could have this problem without ever knowing it. You get an echo cardiogram to diagnose the problem. Just something to check out.
  4. Jangrin, I am SC for peripheral neuropathy in all extremities. My most recent rating decision for left and right peroneal nerves resulted in evaluations of 10% for each. The decision was based on motor nerve conduction studies and neurological examinations. The motor nerve conduction studies provide quantifiable evidence of the impact to specific nerves while the neurological exam provides visual evidence of the overall impact of motor and sensory nerves on your ability to function. Although some of this is very subjective, the nerve conduction studies are very specific and a good neurologist can determine the impacts to your extremities. Good luck with your claim. Dennis
  5. The language below was copied from a BVA decision that pretty much scolds the VARO for not complying with the terms of a previous remand. My question is what remedy is available to the veteran when the VARO fails to comply with remand orders? Can anything be done or is this just so much fluff? A remand by the Board confers on an appellant the right to VA compliance with the terms of the remand order and imposes on the Secretary a concomitant duty to ensure compliance with those terms. See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998) (holding that "where . . . the remand orders of the Board . . . are not complied with, the Board itself errs in failing to insure compliance). Dennis
  6. Carlie, The diagnostic code is 7700-9326. The 7700 is for pernicious anemia (10% SC). The 9326 is for dementia. According to the CFR it is 9326 Dementia due to other neurologic or general medical conditions (endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, Pick's disease, brain tumors, etc.) or that are substance- induced (drugs, alcohol, poisons). The neruologic connection is PN (40% SC). Is it necessary to have a nexus when what you are asking for is an increase due to a complication of an already SC condition? Now I'm starting to wonder. B) Dennis
  7. Hi to all I finally got a copy of my C&P results in the mail today. Who says the mailman doesn't ever bring anything of value? B) So many of you have been through the VA wringer and I am eager to here what you guys think of my appeal. The basic approach to my appeal is that I was SC for Pernicious Anemia with mild memory impairment and got 10%. The award letter explained that if I met the requirements below I would qualify for 30%. Occupational and social impairment with occasional 30 decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events)........................................... At the end of a very lengthy report (5 pages), the VA psych says: J. DIAGNOSIS STATUS- As requested by the board, it is the opinion of this examiner that the veteran's observed symptoms are more likely than not a result of events experienced during his/her active duty military experience. AXIS I: Dementia secondary to pernicious anemia. Anxiety Disorder NOS. Depressive Disorder NOS. AXIS II: 301.9 Personality Disorder NOS with Avoidant and Negativistic and Paranoid Traits. AXIS III: See Medical Chart. AXIS IV: Family discord, inadequate social support, work stress. AXIS V: 55 moderate to serious symptoms. If I am reading this right, and the VA does the right thing, 30% should be the award. What do you guys think? As always, your opinions and insights are highly valued. Dennis
  8. Berta, After reading your response to Pete I was moved by the details of Rod's death and the courage and determination that you have shown since then. I am a strong admirer of yours and the work you do here on hadit. More to the point, your story hit me like a bucket of ice cold water in the face. I too have peripheral neuropathy and on March 17, 2004 had an angioplasty with stent inserted to open an almost completely closed artery. My cardiologist told me I have had a heart attack but like Rod, I have never felt any of the symptoms. I only went to my doctor because I had become short of breath. After learning what happened to Rod I am more concerned about protecting my family so my wife does not find herself in the same situation you had to face. Currently, I am sc for peripheral neuropathy (40%) but do not have DM. It is caused by B12 deficiency. I got secondary sc for pernicious anemia (10%). I filed a NOD for the pernicious anemia and just had one of the C&P exams and am waiting for the psych to schedule another one. I have sleep apnea and the VA provides a CPAP. I have done a lot of research but cannot find much information on PN and heart conditions or PN and sleep apnea. Can you direct me to any information you may be aware of, either on the web or in print? Thanks for anything you can do. Dennis
  9. I have been reading the posts in this forum for several weeks now and find a strong membership with a great deal of knowledge. I am hoping someone here can help me. I am SC for peripheral neuropathy and pernicous anemia. I was diagnosed earlier this year with sleep apnea and have found some indications that it could be connected to pernicious anemia. The VA provided a CPAP machine in January but I don't believe any of the references I have found would standup to a VA evaluation. I would like to file for an increase based on the sleep apnea but am not certain as to how I should proceed. I recognize that some of you here have sleep apnea and I am certainly interested in hearing about your experiences with the VA. If your sleep apnea is not your primary SC how did you make the nexus between the two? Thanks for any and all replies as I am at a loss at to where I should go from here. Dennis
  10. Nichole, You were very much correct when you called it a "gift horse". Unless the rules have changed, 30% is the magic number you needed. If everything goes for you as it did for me (25 years ago) you will spend a little time on tdrl and then proceed to pdrl (permanent). It will entitle you to all benefits as if you retired after 20 years service. One of the other benefits you will get is an opportunity to purchase life insurance from the VA. I thought it was a good deal and took it. The future looks good for you and I wish you well as you travel the path many have taken before you. Thank you for your service to our country and good luck! Dennis B)
  11. Vicki, thanks for your advice. The pernicious anemia actually goes back to 1980 and is the cause of the polyneuropathy. The Army did not make the connection although they documented a B12 level of 134 in a two month hospitalization in 1980. So, consequently, the VA doesn't have it right either. There is no thyroid problem. I am followed very closely by a civilian docter in Shreveport for a heart problem that I have. The depression and anxiety were revealed in a consult with a VA psych docter. I have not been "treated" for either although I have seen the docter twice. Thankfully, restless leg syndrome is not an issue either. My work had me in New Orleans this week and I saw the VA people moving out of 701 Loyola. The building is open but not very many people have returned yet. Word is that the VA will not return at all. That makes me think the Gretna location might become permanent. :P
  12. Thank you both for your prompt replies. I suppose a little history is in order. I was diagnosed in 1981 with polyneuropathy and medically retired from the Army. The VA evaluated me and granted 40% disability. In June, 2004, I filed a new claim for pernicious anemia and was granted SC secondary to polyneuropathy with a rating of 10% for pernicious anemia with mild memory impairment. My polyneuropathy was found to be stable and no increase was granted. I filed a NOD in May, 2005, based on information in the rating decision letter. In part, it states that a "higher evaluation of 30 perent is not warranted unless there is occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal) due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events)." In support of my claim, I submitted medical evidence of sleep apnea, mild-moderate levels of depression, and moderate to severe levels of anxiety. I have called the 1-800 number and they have my claim. It just seems like an awful amount of time has passed with no action taken. I asked for a DRO to review and make a decision. Was that a mistake? I thought this would have been much simpler with the evidence I submitted. In January, VA gave me a CPAP machine for my sleep apnea. Should I pursue this as SC? Would it be secondary to pernicious anemia? Please forgive all the questions but it seems the people on this forum have alot of experience dealing with the VA and I am hopeful someone can advise me with their experiences. Thanks, Dennis
  13. I am a veteran from Louisiana and new to this board . I submitted a NOD last May to the Louisiana VARO. I understand Katrina kept them out of their office and they recently reopened in Gretna. My question is in two parts. How long should it take for a DRO to return a decision? Secondly, is there anything I should do to expedite the process or anybody I should be contacting for help? I have read many of your posts and there seems to be alot of knowledgeable people here. Your comments are certainly appreciated. Dennis
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