Carl the Engineer

Update 22, Went to "prep for dec" today with end date 10/22, Hamslice

Undercover audio between VA doctor and nurse. "I was given 500 patients on May 23" Not sure, but that seems like a lot to me.. Just saying, Hamslice

John, No, and no. Iraq vet, FWIW, I went to Irag when I was 42 in 03. Age 55 now. Waiting for this round of claims to finalize, let it ferment for a while, then look at my med record and c-file, and see where I'm at. Hamslice

Update 21, So, today I see a second addendum to my C&P exam in myHealthyvet. Looks like they wanted an explanation for my right foot Achilles problem. I think the examiner did good by me. Anyway, now wait for eBenifits update, Hamslice

Well here is more towards the original post and paramiding, This is what was referred, along with my left ankle. Really need my left ankle rated at at least 10% so I can get the bilateral math help to get to 90. Anyway, "Please provide the following clarification: VA examination findings from VA Medical Center Iron Mountain, dated June 22, 2016 show that the examiner noted diagnosis of left Achilles tendinitis on foot and ankle examination. Also, imaging studies involving the right ankle indicate findings of right calcaneal spur with calcification of insertion of Achilles tendon. However, no diagnosis of the veteran's right ankle is shown. A review of ankle examination findings show that the examiner noted range of motion of the veteran's to demonstrate full range of motion. However, the examiner made no comment or assessment with regard to objective pain on motion with range of motion findings on examination. VA examination addendum from VA Medical Center Iron Mountain, dated August 1, 2016 show that the examiner provided a medical opinion stating that the veteran's right ankle condition is at least as likely as not the result of or aggravated by the veteran's service connected right foot plantar fasciitis. However, a review of the aforementioned examination findings note no current clinical right ankle diagnosis. Please review the aforementioned VA examination. Please clarify as to whether evidence supports a current diagnosis of a right ankle disorder. If so, please provide a diagnosis. If the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of a right ankle disorder, please so state. Please clarify as to whether there is objective pain on motion with regard to range of motion of the veteran's ankles. Also, please clarify as to whether the veteran's right Achilles tendon condition is a condition separate and distinct disability apart from right plantar fasciitis." RESPONSE: However, no diagnosis of the veteran's right ankle is shown. 1. Diagnosis is right achilles tendonitis M76.61 A review of ankle examination findings show that the examiner noted range of motion of the veteran's to demonstrate full range of motion. However, the examiner made no comment or assessment with regard to objective pain on motion with range of motion findings on examination. 2. Right ankle examination was normal, as was stated. ----------- [X] All Normal [ ] Abnormal or outside of normal range [ ] Unable to test (please explain) [ ] Not indicated (please explain) Dorsiflexion (0-20): 0 to 20 degrees Plantar Flexion (0-45): 0 to 45 degrees Is there evidence of pain with weight bearing? [ ] Yes [X] No Is there objective evidence of localized tenderness or pain on palpation of the joint or associated soft tissue? [ ] Yes [X] No Is there objective evidence of crepitus? [ ] Yes [X] No Also, please clarify as to whether the veteran's right Achilles tendon condition is a condition separate and distinct disability apart from right plantar fasciitis. Also, please clarify as to whether the veteran's right Achilles tendon condition is a condition separate and distinct disability apart from right plantar fasciitis. 3.Plantar fasciitis, a foot condition, is swelling and inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, and can cause heel and sole pain. The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles to the heel. Achilles tendinitis, or tendinopathy, is an ankle conditon, caused by degenerative changes of the Achilles tendon that can manifest as swelling and inflammation, and can cause ankle and heel pain. They are separate conditions that may have similar symptoms. So, from what I see, they examiner was to opine the difference between plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. And I believe she did it. Now, well see if they are rated separate or together, plantar vs Achilles, Hamslice

cliff, I believe I was rated for pain. In myHealthyvet it is under ICD-9-CM 719.47 In my August 2009 decision, REASONS FOR DECISION, it states; "An evaluation of 10 percent is assigned for findings of plantar fasciitis with complaints of foot pain with ambulation." FWIW, I had a LOD from when the injury occurred while running up hills during PT. And treatment records while on active duty. Both civilian and military. Anyway, thats how I got it, Hamslice, If I can help more, let me know..

Buck, Hope the biopsy comes back clean, And good luck if you have the surgery. Don't put that off (like my Dad), it don't get better with age. Hamslice

I don't think civilians understand VA disability. They lump it in with SSDI and Insurance disabilities. Not the same. The VA comp is the difference between when you signed up and when you left service. They bought you at 100%. You either retire (or leave) at 100% or they pay the difference. A total guess, but your 40% could be from limited Range of Motion, or even required bed rest. How riding a bike or playing volleyball a investigator could determine your ROM, etc., would be a good read. I would imagine your disability(s) are static, which means permanent (almost, I know, but I say permanent) I wonder how many phone calls the VA gets from civilians questioning a Veteran's compensation? I would not worry, Hamslice

Update 20, I see I had a C&P yesterday. Did not attend. Like the last one. Veteran not needed. Hopefully I will see the examiners imput on myHealthyvet soon. Hamslice

Ok, I got a partial decision last week. Along with the decision letter, I got the usual stuff, the 4107 (your rights to appeal our decision), 21-0958 (instructions) and the "Where to send your written correspondence" piece of paper. Also, I got a piece of paper that says, NOTICE St. Paul Restricted Access Claim Center, cover letter. Apparently, if I send a appeal or nod, I'm supposed to use this cover letter? I think? Not sure? First, that (St Paul) doesn't jive with the where to send paper. And second, am I special, or something? Probably something, Hamslice

Ok, so now that the smoke cleared, Back to gathering evidence, 3rd request for evidence from VA, nothing needed from me. New end date 2/11/2017 I think the are reading this and playing with me, LOL, Hamslice

Update 19, Gathering evidence this morning and now it wont let me see claim, and show 0 open claims. So they are working on it in eBennies currently. Letter still shows 80. and still deferred under disabilities. Should be done soon, Hamslice

Update 18, Prep for Decision (for the referred part of claim), new end date of 10/13, Hamslice

"claim date completion" on eBenifits is just a computer algorithm and has no meaning as in that if some one picks up your claim file and does some work on it, your date could change to next week. Your best info would be from Veterans that have experienced the same situation that you are. Also, I personally don't think family education benefits would be a hardship by VA standards, Compared to some of the injured Veterans on here just trying to get compensation due. I got VA benefits while my daughter was in a two year college program and then got another year (nursing program waiting list). Took 8 months to ad her back on. She was almost done by then. Hopefully more will opine. Good luck, Hamslice

Update 17, Retro (80%-70%) for two months came in today. Yippy, Hamslice

Update 16, Got the envelope today, Heart disease (LVH) second to HBP @ 30% Left foot pain denied became same issue as deferred left anke Left ankle deferred for further development Right plantar increase deferred for further development So, more too come. Hamslice

Got the envelope today, Heart disease (LVH) second to HBP @ 30% Left foot pain denied became same issue as deferred left anke Left ankle deferred for further development Right plantar increase deferred for further development So, more too come. Hamslice

Ok, sounds like your rating came back at 80%. Good job. As far as labs for your medical issues, I don't think anything you or your doctors need too help you medically will have impact at all with you VA compensation. Remember, the VA health system and the VA comp system are too separate things. Get the help you need and don't worry about anything you did in the past. Lean forward in the foxhole, Hamslice P.S. I got 80/5 this week also!

Rough crowd tonite! Hamslice

I had one previous deferred claim and it was favorable. I think, not sure, but the rater deferred it to another rating facility that has the experience for that issue, etc. Also, it was a secondary claim, which is the case here. Hope that helps, Hamslice

EODCMC, I started at 30% in 2008. You got to just keep plugging along. And dont forget secondary issues to what you do get service connected. I have harped this before, but service connection is the most important. I just got 30% secondary to a 0% rated disability. All, I am at a honest 80% (80 raw points), just need at least a bilateral 20 or two bilateral 10's to get a hard 90% (86). Now I wait the "deffered", Hamslice

Your benifits letter will usually show first. Then you should see it under your disablilities, and then you should get the letter in the mail. It happens quite fast. But, it could go backwards. Mine went backwards last Friday, but came back to Notification on Wednesday and showed up on my benifit letter today. It also showed in my disabilities, that one was found not service connected, one was service connected at 30% and one was deferred. This was out of 4 things claimed. So something is still in the air. So, today I know this much because of eBennies. When I get the letter, I will know more. Good luck, Hamslice

All, Maybe just the diet, plate today, but hey, got to love it. Claimed heart disease secondary to my HBP and got 30% for LVH. Left ankle claim is deferred. I won my last deferred claim, so hoping its just a math problem. Thanks for all the help. Yahooooo, Hamslice An 80%er now!!!

Update 15, My claim went back to review of evidence and a new date of 09/22/2016, but, they sent a notification letter. From what I can tell on eBenifits; Secondary to my 0% hypertension, -tricuspid regurgitation-not service connected -hypertensive heard disease (concentric left ventricular hypertrophy)-service connected-30% -left foot condition-not service connected -left ankle condition-deferred So, it looks like I got 30% for heart disease, 0% for left foot pain, but left ankle is deferred. Not too sure what happened to my increase for right foot plantar fasciitis, but maybe stayed the same at 10%. More to come, Hamslice

Its an algorithm. That said, I have seen them work on my stuff in eBennies on a Saturday. The good news is, when its starts gyrating, then your close, Hamslice