mrmark1999

Yea I was put on NPQ status and was not able to drill I was told not to call not to come after 6 mo I called and got the same response from the navy doctor at my Marine reserve unit then a year went by called and same response the medical officer was retiring . The new one came on staff found my file and 5 others shoved in the back of a file cabinet I was recalled for a final retention physical and went back into no knowing anything I found I was honorably discharged because I receved a honorable discharge cert in the Mail I was like ok WTF so I figured that's it before I knew anything about what was going on I was assigned a JFR3 separation code I do t even know what that means .looking at the dates I was to be in the IRR on February 5,2001 I was recommend for discharge on March 6,2001 1) what can or should I do? 2)can I get it changed to medically retired? 3) i don't really care about pay but how would it have affected me? i have found that there are some benefits to being retired then as just disabled

OK I have a strange question I was put up for a med board toward the end of my service before I received my recommendation for my medical discharge I received my honorable discharge Question IM now rated at 40 % at the VA could I retroactively request a medical retirement? IM just really confused what happened . They lost my paper work and I received my discharge before my meb evaluation was put through did I get screwed ? Can I have it changed ? There are some benefits from being retired that I cannot get just being disabled

go get an IMO from a Civilian doctor connect them with your service records showing a nexus should give a few good ideas

get copys of everything clinic visits sick calls etc go get them yourself just in case

maybe file for an earlier effective date if the medical evidence from the original doctors or va show the same conditions but good luck i have a NOD for an Earler effective start date and doctors letters and buddy letter and its been 2 years still waiting

almost 2 years on a NOD

Hadit has helped I was completely lost when i filed a clam and turned down.Thanks to the smart members it opened my eyes and made me realize I made a few simple mistakes that I was able to correct on my NOD . The next clam I was more prepared thank you Semper Fi

ok i was wandering if the heal spurs could be calmed as a secondary issue caused by the Achilles tendinitis and what would i need to prove or connect it to the original Achilles tendinitis

you wrote that blank check just like the rest of us file for every thing

Hey manni if you go to a civilian doctor for an IMO (Independent Medical Opinion) or IME (Independent Medical Evaluation) this is one of the statements needed to be in their medical opinion to create a Nexis or a (Connection or related to Military service) VA law requires the "as likely as not" standard. Doctors are used to stating opinions to a medical certainty. That is a much higher burden of proof. Show your doctor the following chart. It may help. How to give an opinion for Nexus (relationship to a military incident)? When asked to give an opinion as to whether a condition is related to a specific incident during military service, the opinion should be expressed as follows: 1. “is due to” (100% sure) benefit to the veteran 2. “more likely than not” (greater than 50%) benefit to the veteran 3. “at least as likely as not” (equal to or greater than 50%) benefit to the veteran 4. “not at least as likely as not” (less than 50%) benefit to the VA not the veteran 5. “is not due to” (0%)" benefit to the VA not the veteran They have to state the exact words as listed above in their medical opinion they must also stater that they have reviewed all of you Military medical records and any continued treatment from your civilian records 3 things that must be shown is 1) In service incident or records 2) Continuation of issue over years 3) Current diagnosis of same problem Good luck and be very patient

well the Va is still sitting on my nod ughhhhhhh

Ok i was diagnosed with heal spurs from my civillian doctor. i was awarded 20 %for Achilles tendonitis after this IMO.in my C&P exam they noted heal spurs as well did Question did i miss filing for somthing else like the heal spurs ? this was my imo from my doctor ABC Podiatry/East Patient: XXXXX Account No:XXXXXX Date 5/10/2012 Chief Complaint: Pt presents with longstanding foot and ankle pain. Pt has had foot and ankle pain for about 17 years and this is ongoing even through treatment. Pt was first diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis on August 21, 1995. Pt was in boot camp at Paris Island, SC at the time of diagnosis. Pt had been pain free prior to entering camp. Pt had been training and fell with large backpack and injured his right patella and had pain in knee. Pt was seen for this problem and was put in the medical rehab platoon and was there about 3 months. While in rehab, pt noticed tightness and pain in both legs. Pt was then sent for physical therapy and was given stretching instructions as well as ice for inflammation. Pt also had therapeutic ultrasound done for these problems. This was all in the spring and early summer of 1995. Pt was running and walking during rehab for bilateral leg pain when he started to have tightness and pain in back of calves and heel areas. Pt was seen August 21, 1995 for pain in feet and shoe irritation as well as blister formation from all of the rehab exercise and diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis and was told to rest. September 26, 1995 pt returns to clinic and was given a diagnosis of shin splints a this time, and told to ice and stretch. In November, 1995 according to a medical review pt is still dealing with Achilles tendonitis and taking NSAID for treatment. Pt was seen on May 21, 1996 and July 24, 1997 and while he was still having problems with his Achilles, his knee pain was greater and this was the focus of the visits. However, his ankles were still painful swollen and documented by his marking the box of painful and swollen joints. This box was not specific to his knee or his ankle. Pt went to Marine Reserves and went back to school. Pt was limited in his activity and had increasing pain because of his Achilles tendonitis and subsequently was gaining weight. Pt got married and started a family and his pain never completely resolved. Pt has been and was at the time taking Ibuprofen regularly. Pt was see by his family doctor January 11, 2001 and was still complaining of heel pain esp in right. Pt has been seen at this office since August 26, 2010. Pt had been complaining of shooting pain and sharp pain in both legs and this was exacerbated by walking and standing. Pt had a long history of Achilles tendonitis. Pt was told about shoegear changes, given ¼ heel lifts, told to stretch and changed his NSAID. Pt returned February 11, 2011 for follow up and was cast for custom molded orthotics and told to continue to stretch. Pt picked up orthotics about 1 month later and also received an ankle foot orthosis for his right ankle and heel. Pt admits some minor improvement through the stretching activities given to him by our office. After usage of custom molded orthotics, pt did obtain increasing relief, however this will not be a permanent change and he will likely have continued pain throughout his lifetime. Allergies: ERYTHOMYCIN Medications: Fish Oil-capsule, Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet Past Medical History: Admits Unremarkable. Past Surgical History: Admits hernia repair. Past family and Social History: Denies alcohol and tobacco use Height: 69 inches Weight 273 pounds BMI 40.31 pulse: 74/min Sitting Blood Pressure: 125/90 Vascular: Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses are graded at 2 with digital hair growth present bilateral. CFT with the leg elevated was less than 3 seconds at the distal hallux bilateral. There is no evidence of ischemic skin changes. Temperature was warm at anterior tibia to warm at the distal digits bilateral. Lymphatic: No popliteal lymphadenopathy noted Neurolgical: Pt oriented X3, with appropriate affect, no anxiety or depression. Coordination WNL to right and lefty lower extremity. Exam reveals epicritic sensation is intact along defined dermatones to protective threshod, symmetrical Achilles tendon and patellar deep tendon reflexes with a negative clonus and down going toes. Patient is able to heel and toe walk with ease. Normal sharp/dull, vibratory, proprioception, light touch sensation to right and left foot. DTR Achilles 2/4 right, 2/4 left. Dermatological: No edema, erythema, ecchymosis, open lesions, interdigital macerations or signs of infection evident at this time bilateral. Musculoskeletal: Good muscle strength to all prime movers of the foot and ankle with adequate muscle tone and symmetry bilateral. Decreased ht in medial long arch BL decrease with wt bear. Pain on palpation posterior heel at insertion of Achilles tendon BL. Decreased dorsiflexion in ankle BL with pain at end ROM. ----------------Xray analysis: Diagnostic lateral BL x rays show large, mature posterior heel spurs BL with possible fracture line in left posterior heel spur. Decreased caldaneal inclination angle BL with degeneration STJ BL. Plantar heel spur right. Impression: Equinus, BL Achilles tendonitis, BL-chronic. I believe that this is very likely to be connected to his time in the service by approximately 90% level of certainty. This is because before entering the military there was a health evaluation that made no mention of lower extremity pain or problems. 3. Early STJ DJD BL Plan: Diag lateral BL x ray Long discussion on eitiology, treatment and prevention of Achilles tendonitis. Discuss treatment options for Achilles including physical therapy, home stretching, shoe and insert changes and ultimately surgery either to lengthen Achilles or to inject with platelet rich plasma or use of radiofrequency conlsyion I believe that the examiner from February 14, 2012 failed to understand the chronicity of the injury and the fact that he never fully recovered from the initial pain. Pt had other problems from his service including patellar injury at about the same time which were higher priorities at the times of exam in the mid/late 90s therefore his heel pain, even though stil present was not mentioned in the exams. In Aubust, 2010 it was documented that he had gradually gotten worse over the previous month or so, but this condition is intermittently worse at certain times and can be aggrevated by activity or weight as well. However, without the first episode and without full resolution of symptomatology, this would not have been an ongoing issue to this date. Pt to return as needed for follow up Pt to continue stretching and orthotics/good shoegear

berta you are awesome you have told me that before for my Achilles tendinitis i did ask for my doctors references when i sent in my IMO he was the national board president for Podiatry and head of several podiatrist organisations he wrote 2 books on the subject matter basically a genius in his fiels and his resume showed it when i got my approval letter back from the VA the went with his expertise it sounded funny thy basically said your doctor was smarter then the one who examined you so we will go with yours please keep doing what you are doing you are helping more then you know thanks for every thing mark

thank you georgiapapa i was discharged in 2003 in service records it shows 1995 as first report of back pain and for several months it shows continued treatment for "lower back pain"and treat with Motrin and that's about it i had not went to a civilian doctor about my back specifically till about 2012 . As with most here i didn't want to complain so i did not go till 2012. i had sharp shpooting pains down my leg and slight numbness so i was sent for x rays .the x rays showed 2 herniated disks as for buddies hell i can not locate any one pluss on the obstical course i just got up and sucked it up and limped on till the next day

1) What would be considered current diagnosis ? the back x rays are 2 years old 2) Do i need to go back and get current diagnosis or will that do? 3) Do i need to got to a back specialist? 4) Are there any VA questionnaires that could help with the diagnosis during the CP exam?

great start i will go back to my regular doctor and see where it goes from there i really dont like the doctors but they are a nessary evill most of the time the just send me to get more x rays or surgery i really dont like having surgery that was the next sugestion for my back but i really dont like that option

I have currently have a diagnosis for bilateral patella phemorial syndrome I am rated at 20 %for that and 20 % for bilateral Achilles tendinitis .I have in my medical files after falling off a obstical course it says add back therapy to treatment and for months after that date continuation of back pain and therapy. In my civilian records in more recent times i have been diagnosed with 2 herniated disks in my lower back. in the same area where the back pain was at in service. I have had pain in my back sense service .I was informed that the disk issue could be caused by the fall. 1) how do i connect the 2 in the VA's eyes ? 2) Other then the doctor's current notes and x rays showing the herniated disk what current medical evidence do i need? The pain has Progressively been getting worse with age and weight gain 3)Other then getting an IMO what are the KEY WORDS they are looking for in a fully developed claim ? ​During service I was basically given Motrin for all pain and told to suck it up.Now I realize there could have been a real underlying issue thank you for all you do i would appreciated any help you can be

Ok well i finally have all of the service records and all of the civilian records and list of current medications that i have for kidney stones 1. is there any regulations i can site in the claim so i can steer the VA raters inn the right directions 2 any format to help organize i just dont want to send a bunch of medical files im try ing to find a way to get them organised any help would be appreciated

Yes you are finally you need to file we all wrote that blank check up to including our life you deserve it I receive close to 700 a month for less severe injurys it has been a god send for me and my family it may take a while but it is well worth it

well unless i want 800 mg Motrin i already have more of that then i could ever use for the first several years in service that was the only treatment the seem to offer

Ok great information I will continue to go to a private doctor and pay out of pocket for any treatment thank you

OK Im service connected but i do not go to the VA for treatment because i don't trust some of them if i see a civilian doctor for treatment of my sc condition will the VA cover any thing copay's prescription etc Im at 40 % at present or is there a percent that is needed to receive that type of benefit?

over a year waiting for my NOD just don't dwell on it assume it will not be approved and prepare your case for the next step of appeals

Ok What would i need to do to file for it would i need to have all the times i was in the emergency room for the stones after i got out ? medications given ? MRI reports there has been so many stops at the doctor office while in service in 29 palms i was sent to med clinic for dehydration but my medical records don't show clinical records i just need to know what info i need to start the claim

same boat they denied me for a claim i filed nod then they approved me 3 years later and would only go back one year not to the original start of the claim i current hava NOD for a earlier effective start date with buddy letters and all and it has been over a year and 3 months so far waiting to receive a decision so frigging frustrating i had requested a supervisors responce and was told i would get a call or a letter in 10 days 2 months later i called back and they said well not sure what happened still waiting