Diagnosis

[ammodad]

hello once aagain my friends its me , i am writing this to ask a question that has been eating away at my wife and i . when does the word diagnosis stop meaning what its meant to ? is it when its in a vets favor or just when they feel like changing the meaning . identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon . is just one of the deffs listed ..

if i go to a c@p exam and the doctors notes under diagnosis on my records state lung disease , status post asbestos exposure .

i was told by some people that that could mean anything but after going to the va respiratory therapist she tells me i shouldnt even be there that that diagnosis should have settled my claim . so i am asking some of you who may know if you dr diagnosis you with a brain tumer and says status is post the exposure of the 2x4 you took to the head what does that mean is there a double meaning hidden there or does it mean your tumer came from a wack to the skull ... some people would argue with you and say well the tumer could have already been there the 2x4 just made it act up or that aint what we really meant by post exposure from my understanding post in medical terms means after the fact like post mortem which means after death , example we took his arms post mortem or we did the autopsy post mortem ....

if i am missundertsanding any of this please set me straight? if iam right let me know that also i am tired of guessing at what this means .. lost in translation

[luvHIM]

I added my nickel to say that I too agree with Berta.

[carlie]

I also agree with Berta's post on this.

My concern is the Nexus connection. The C&P doc apparently put post asbestos exposure on the diagnosis ---- BUT DID NOT relate it to military service, did not refer to evidence in SMR's or

any letter penned by an active duty supervisor, from what I read, listed in ammodad's post.

The rater might not connect the dots, and I think if the C&P doc would have backed up the part of the diagnosis (post asbestod exposure) from evidence I listed above, then there would be MUCH less problemo.

jmho,

carlie

[jbasser]

my then supervisor sent in a hand written statement o the affect that during the time of my active duty that every boiler room we worked in was covered in asbestos and that myself along with others worked in it on a daily basis . it was even documented in my military paper work and highlighted in my exit papers if that isn't nexus enough for them what is ? not to mention he fact hat i came in perfect health and or what ever that is to them

Ships built before 1975 did have Asbestos insulation on most of the steam piping systems. As for exposure, Boiler Techs and Machinest Mates did get exposed. ( See Navy Pies List). The most difficult part in the exposure is proving it. The VA and Navy will say that the steam pipes were covered with insulation and paint thus sealing the asbestos inside. One issue was when a ship took a hit or the piping burst or the insulation became damaged and allowed the fibers to become airborne. If you ever have documented insulation work or lagging experience and actually removed asbestos your chances of Service connection are increased especially if it is stamped on your medical record like mine is,it is not cut and dry as they have been denying my asbestos claim for years.

[cowgirl]

Ammodad, first, ya got a great name here! Secondly, I agree that 'post" has different meanings based upon the subject being discussed. I have read and reread the replies here and seeing the diagnosis statement, lung disease, status post asbestos exposure seems concrete in itself. Do I understand that you have lung disease because of 'past" exposure to asbestos? I am sorry that you have to deal with this, do you have a civilian doctor that treats you? If so, the Dr. can that confirm and interepet the VA diagnosis as well. (also known as IMO).

If your respiratory therapist wants to give you a written statement, thats good too,just not enough to L-I-N-K your military service rendered to your health condition today.

So if I get your question, you wanted this 'statement" interpeted. I am not medical any more than the next veteran here. So we guess on your behalf and hope to have helped.

Where are you at in your claim process, did you just complete your C&P or was that a while back? Whats your next step? or, how are you going to prove, with paperwork, that you were exposed while in the military? You can reply here or if you use search for a claims checklist.

Again, good advice from Carlie and Berta - you are on your way.

Best of luck and keep asking questions.cg