HPSE-7

Thank you both so much. I obviously am a GW Vet, but did not go, I ran a Special Handling section in Germany for the duration. Until I saw the articles conerning Asia2 I had no idea that there was any type of connection to vaccinations, then all of my issues I have tried to figure out for years with an Endocrinologist just started screaming at me, and felt like and idiot for not ever considering the tie in. I do suffer from depression, IBS and heighten Fibromyalgia symptoms that no one to date had been able to pin down. Everytime I have labs done I get irradic results and the kicker it has driven my testerone down to the 100 range, which in and of itself has been a true game changer for me. I will be following your suggestions. Again thank you so much this site has been the best source of information for me.

Can anyone give me a quick idea of what establishment of GWS/I would mean in regard to my disability rating. I hopeful to connect fibromyalgia and IBS. I never put the issues together until recently after reading several items. I intend to file this new claim as quickly as possible. Luckily I have had the same PCP for the last 5-6 years and he has been aware of the individual issues. I appreciate any info and guidance any of you can forward. Thanks for the help.

Sharon, I have a Nexus on this leg on appeal that is now at the DRO in final phase. I was told if I submit any eveidence at this point it stops the process and I back to the end of the line. Please let me know if that is not the case. I have been waiting since August of 2010 for this to get finished. Since that date I have injured the other leg and also had surgery (arthro), which this has caused the new pain and need for surgery to correct. Long story short, they have removed enough material from both knees that now there is bare minimum cartilage on both interior sides of the knees and max'd on exterior causing a tilt acroos the joint. Now looking at having both repaired at the same time to give me 10-15 years of use before I need a total replacement.

Just a quick question if someone can point me in the right direction I would truly appreciate it. I am SC for several issues, my appeal for an additional knee injury is now in the DRO decision phase. I went ahead with my insurance and had arthro on the knee. Now 18 months later a specialist is now telling me I will need a partial or total knee replacement to correct the knee pain I am still having. Can I file again for the 2nd surgery, obviously the condition has become worse and ask for disability for the 6-8 weeks it will take to get through the surgery and physical therapy?Thereby asking for a increase in disability rating as well. Let me know, just lost at the moment about what to do. Thanks

DeaconDukes, Congrats, It's always good to hear someone win their case. GOd Bless moving forward and hopefully back into your family life. HPSE-7

You will never believe this, After finding the HIPAA violation, I figured I should really look at the recent denial I received and see if any of the documents were used in the decision. Of course. So now the VA has used unathorized documents to continue a denial of a secondary issue. It gets funnier actually. They state it is from a specialist, it is not, it is from a PCP requesting a test. Then of all things, the results of the test aren't even listed, they came back negative. So, I have been denied on obsolete information, sweet.... Does anyone know if there real channel to get unathorized documents removed, even a direction to start? Looks like I looking for a HIPAA Attorney and someone who has knowledge of the VA. I'm sure someone is laughing pretty hard about this, but it sure isn't me.

Sorry, I forgot to mention the records division of the Dr's office has already admitted the forms were sent in error. The person was being notified then of their error. I don't know if I have any intention about persuing the HIPAA as far as an Attorney, I just want to know what do I need to do to keep this from happening again. I don't need information in my C-file that contradicts what other Dr's have linked. The last thing I want is for the VA to re-examine an issue and decided that they remove a SC, for the injuries I know happened while in the service. A even bigger question is, If I do succeed in getting information removed. How do I know that they won't have some reference to it later down the road? I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but after nine years I know they do not play fair.

I specified the Dr., dates and in relation to his/her specialty what could be released in the comments section and again on the reverse of the form. All my issues are with forms from Dr's not specified, a total of 7 forms. 3 give impressions contrary to the VA findings, as to the order of the causal link from one condition to the next. They even released a diagnosis from a Dr. that was not in their practice, that was sent to them to substaniate the origin of another condition.

I have recently found, after requesting my C-File, that the VA is in receipt of several medical forms from my private insurer/provider that have not been authorized. They allow the VA to see the path I am pursuing in regard to secondary issues that have not been brought to their attention at this point. One on the forms actually holds a differing opinion than the VA as to the cause of some of my leg pain, thus if used could possibly reduce my %. I called the VA and mentioned the situation and asked can these files (without identifying) could be removed from my file, as they were given without a specific release for them. Answer was, "Nope" they are now part of permenant record, "we don't delete/destroy any medical evidence once it has been received. Does anyone know of another way to deal with this situation? The medical group that released is now looking at my charges of a HIPAA violation and seem pretty nervous about the whole situation, not sure whether to push that or leave alone. Thanks for the thoughts.

Please forgive me if this is in the wrong forum. I am trying to find a responsive representative in the Nashville/Spring Hill, TN area. I have recently sent in a NOD, and can not get the American Legion Rep to contact me back. Three emails and six unanswered voicemails later over the course of the last month is enough for me to realize I am not going to get any help from them. So, if anyone can point me in the direction of someone they trust in my area I would greatly appreciate it.

I have been reading through forums for sometime and appreciate all of the info. I have recently received SC for ankle injury from 1986, it has taken well over eight months and tons of background evidence from many sources that I was finally able to piece together. I had no ankle issues or pain prior to entry to USAF and subsequent knee pain became an issue within 2-3 years of ankle injury, progressing most aggressively in the last 7 years as ankle pain/aggravation has picked up pace. VA has consistently denied secondary connection of knee issues that appeared about four years after ankle injury, until the last 6 years just haven't been able to arrange for specialist to look at knee. With this last denial, I immediately asked Ortho for referral for knee specialist who very quickly sent me in for MRI of both lower back and knee. He immediately removes the lower back as source of pain and identifies torn interior ligament that has never been identified, stated it needs to be reconnected or trim or it will compromise the head of femur if unchecked. Dr. says he believes both injuries happened at the same time, but with the severity of my ankle injury the knee had healed as best it could before I was walking on the ankle 5 weeks later. I originally brought issue to VA in 2001, they denied ankle. Opened the issue back up in 2005-06, again denied for ankle and knee. The VA has never asked/scheduled me for an exam concerning knee, my ankle was x-rayed at time of accident, but not again until 2010. From 2004-present I have gained over 65 lbs because I can't take the constant a irritation of either joint. I have now developed severe sleep apnea. I am working with an American Legion Rep and will be filling a NOD for the denial of the knee now that I have the MRI to prove that there has always been a problem. My question now is, is the onset of sleep apnea something that I should now have documented as a secondary issue or just leave it alone? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.