Result Of C&p "less Likely Than Not"

[Quint7]

Hi All,

I went and got the copy of my C&P for knee and back that was done 10 days ago. The results are unusual. I will start by saying that I claimed an increase for my 0% knee, a claim for my back being secondary to my knee and a reopening that my back alone is SC.

My measurements were:

Knee 0-90 degrees out of 140 degrees.

Back 0-20 degrees forward out of 90 degrees, 0-5 degrees extention out of 30 degrees, 0-20 degrees right lateral flextion out of 30 degrees, left and right rotation is 0-30 degrees out of 30 degrees.

The PA that examined me mentions that I have had therapy for both problems. She also mentions that I had a MRI and that it shows DDD and Stenisis along with disc buldge.

She then states that the "spine condition is less likely as not secondary to his right knee condition. The vet has a lot of other contributing factors to his back condition, including his occupation as a firefighter. The vet's gait was normal on exam today. The MRI findings do not support spinous condition as secondary from the right knee. It is more likely from other causes."

OK, a few things:

I had the actual MRI films with me and I asked the PA to look at them, to which she said "I don't need to, I have the report here".

I have been a firefighter for 11 years. I filed originally for my back upon my end of enlistment in 1994. I also saw a chiropractor in 1998 or 99 (XRays from then show some disc damage already) which is only 1 or 2 years into my firefighting career. She made no mention of this in person or her report yet it claims she reviewed my file.

She claims there are "a lot of other contributing factors" yet other than my job, she does not mention any.

As I posted before, she had 2 huge folders that were my file with her. My exam lasted 20 minutes at most.

Any comments or suggestions?

She states that no further tests are needed.

As I see it, she did not fully review my folder, did not ask my history, automatically took my current career over my explanation that I have had this problem since I was in the service. She did mention that I have had the pain since 1992.

thanks!

jason

I can post any other info from the paperwork I received that might be relavent if I am missing something.

[rentalguy1]

pretty doubtful. I say that because you really can't tell what happened from the picture, and even if you could, it can't be proven that you weren't just a bystander that got his picture taken. However, statements from the other two guys in the picture would be worth their weight in gold.

PS...remind me never to go for a ride with you. Your new nickname is Teddy (Kennedy)...lol

I was a helicopter crewchief. I could tell you a story about the one accident where we ran into something called the ground. And if one crash wasn't bad enough, I was almost in another one two years later.

[Quint7]

Well the sad but true thing is that I actually hit a ship AGAIN a few years later...... while as an instructor at my MOS School no less!

That one though was cause they added armor to the trac and made it even wider........ that's my story and Im stucking to it!

Seriously, I might be able to track down the guy on the left. He found me back in 1999 after seeing a copy of Popular Science that had a full page pic of our platoon in the Gulf (to see Bob Hope if you can believe it! Poor Bob fell 10 feet getting of the back of a 5ton truck! The y had made a se of stairs out of MRE crates........ didnt work so well.). He said I was the only guy he could remember name and hometown.

I stated over and over in my letters that my unit was very much against Marines going to sick call and punished them if they did. It is also documented in my SMR that I was forced to go to the field for an infantry exercise even though I was on light duty for my (now) service connected knee condition.

This is the kinda stuff that I am just hoping the raters take into account......... not holding my breath, but can't hurt.

[Quint7]

I just talked to VA "Eduacational" in Buffalo about getting a history of my GI Bill payments to use to show that VA had my info and they told me that there are only records for 6 years..... then they just get rid of them!

Say what?????

So my payments in 1994 never happened? WOW.......... I thought the VA was messed up, but man oh man I had no idea.........

[Quint7]

Hey Rentalguy... you wont believe this, but I spent two days trying to track down a phone number for that guy in the picture I posted. Finally, I tried the only name that looked exactly like his.... but was in Michingan instead of Illinois. I remembered that his parents had a place up there (cabin) and whadda ya know.... it WAS his parents! I forgot that he was a "Jr."

His mom took my info and 10 minutes later we were blabbing our faces off. He said he kept a copy of the picture on the wall too and now the crazy part............

HE IS SC FOR DDD/IVDS!!!!!!!!!

He stayed in the reserves and got activated after 9/11. He was moving something w/ 2 guys and popped his back. When he got back to the states from his call up he found out a woman in the same reserve unit worked for the VA and she walked him through his claim.

What the hell are the chances???? We talked for over an hour (has been 9 years since we talked and 13 since we saw each other). He is going to write a statement of support and anything else. Plus he has had on/off contact with some guys we served with and we are going to try to get 5 or 6 of us together for some beers or something.

Man, even if this doesn't pan out it was awesome to talk to him again!

I also have a meeting with my service rep tomorrow to discuss the C&P and see what he thinks about that and getting a IVDS claim ready.

If it was 20 degrees and 60 mph winds I would say that it was a damn near perfect day. LOL

[Pete53]

Jason:

Welcome to Hadit. If you want you can go to the VARO and view your file to make sure it is complete and correct in all details. Even get copies of things that you need. Best way is to call 800 827 1000 and punch in 0 after the announcement and ask a Counselor to set up a date and time that you can do it. They may require you to put the request in writing but you can deal with that.

It will also afford you the opportunity to talk to someone at the VA and possibly be given advise on what is needed or how the claim looks.

Good Luck

[Quint7]

Pete, I actually talked to the VA this week about seeing my file and both times I called the councilors said that "if they were me" hint... hint.... they would wait until this claim gets a decision because a request to get a copy of my file would move it from the rating board to freedom of information area or something like that. The one guy did say that as soon as I get my decision I should request a copy and that I should have it within two weeks. Both also said that my request HAD to be in writing. I think that I might request to view it in person first so that I can make notes of what is and isnt in there and THEN request a copy of the entire file.