Need Help W/another Vet

[Cavman]

I am trying to help another vet with a claim. He was treated for a terrible rash while in the Navy and still has it since he got out a couple years ago. The claim was filed because he feels he contracted it on the ship. He also served in the middle east. The Navy docs never could diagnose the rash. He went for his c & p last week and the examiner told him he would be compensated. He also got him into a VA doctor a few days later. They have no idea what it is. They did note it was the most awful rash they have seen.

The doctor wants to schedule him for biopsies and said his decision might be amended later. He has no idea what that meant.

I told him he should not go back to the VA doctor, but get one outside the VA. He thinks he has to go to them. I assured him he didn`t.

When he asked for a copy of his c&p report be sent to him he was told she didn`t know how they were going to rate him because they can`t say he is awarded a certain amount disability for question mark diagnosis. They admit it is service connected, but they don`t know what the heck it is.

I think he should lay low for a few weeks. He can hardly work. sleep or go in public because of the tremendous itching constantly.

Any ideas on a rating and how much?

Cavman

[Berta]

Has he been ruled out for Leichmaniasis?

I dont know what the symptoms are- I DO know that the VA would not acknowledge a FTCA case that a woman filed against them as her husband came back from Saudi Arabia- serving during th PGW- with this disease---after over 50 visits to the VA- he went to a private doctor who found he had leishmaniasis-

this is a serious infectious condition from SAnd fly bites-

it is transmitted sexually- it infected two unborn children in his wife's womb-

Actually I think I posted this all here the other day-

The wife is back in court and Michigan DC judge stated that the VA doctors must inform patient's families of any potential infectious disease a vet has----

VA will be found liable on this one-

I dont know if he sounds symptomatic of this or not-

he needs to see- in my opinion- a doctor who deals with skin disorders-

I would imagine he might even be considered for schedular 100% if this condition prevents him from working-

His physical appearance with a rash visible to everyone- and with probably continual scratching ? would in my opinion render this veteran unable to find and sustain employment-

at least until they might be able to treat it-

You said he can hardly work- I think if it becomes impossible for him to work

(and if his employer finds it interferes with his ability to work)

he should apply for TDIU and /or 100% extra schedular ASAP and let the VA rate it from 100% and then try to downstream the rating-

[Cavman]

First of all Berta, thank you so very much for the form for another vet I`m working with. I even had one in Kentucky call me today that heard from the older Navy vet I helped. I think this could be a business.

This kids rash is in the private area front and back. He said the examiner was big time shocked when he saw it. The problem is he is working because he has to, but its hell because of the itch and lack of sleep. He has lost a couple jobs over this since getting out of the Navy. He can`t quit his job in hopes of getting 100%.

Cavman

[Hoppy]

cayman,

It depends on which doctor wants to see him. If it is the C&P or a doctor referred by the C&P examiner, he might need to continue going. A DRO scheduled a C&P for me and told me if I did not follow through on this exam he would deny the claim.

The reason they are balking on the rating is because if they do find out what it is and cure it then the rating will be affected. By the way many rashes are curable. Many rashes are caused by food allergies. If they identify a food allergy it is unlikely they will service connect it. (See the M21 for diseases of allergic etiology.) I have battled rashes all my life. I applied for service connection of a rash within one year of my discharge in 1970. Angioedema produces rashes that make it so you cannot use any appendage of your body. Arms, legs, feet, hands etc.

[Berta]

Gee-Cavman-

it almost sounds like jungle crotch rot- the Vietnam vets here know about that-

I am wondering if it might even be the same thing-

The actual name is tinea curia or something like that-

Nam vets were often in monsoon water filled dug outs and continually sweated in their BDUs and utilities and often could not get them dry -causing this type of condition that would last years after getting back to the world----

I would think anyone serving in the desert -even these days-would suffer from consequences of being in sweat or water soaked clothes and boots-all the time

My husband had this-the jungle crotch rot- as he called it- and the VA treated it with the same stuff they treat athletes foot with-which worked-until it returned-it wasnt catchy -just irritating-

But I agree with you-this vet sure needs to see a real doctor -a skin specialist-

His nexus sounds solid-

There are many skin rash claims at the BVA site. This one involves two types of skin disorder- but gives some idea of how VA rates rashes-

it looks like they consider the extent of the rash and where it is-as far as is it visible to everyone else-

http://www.va.gov/vetapp07/files1/0702507.txt

If the vet gets a real doctor's opinion it would help if the doctor saw the Diagnostic codes and ratings to help diagnosis this properly and be able to sdo an IMO that helps the VA rate him properly.