Sc Knees Would Correlate With Low,thoracic, Cervical Back Problems

[mountain tyme]

You wrote in another thread the question "SC knees would correlate with low,thoracic, cervical back problems"....

yes, it is very possiable that if you have stresses that effected your right or left fibula at the knee joint, it would make sence that the stress would transfer..many chiropractors now think of the thoracic region as being reactive to the forces transferred from the extremities..I quess the best way I can explain this would be take for instance a base ball player...just swinging the bat could cause stress to there knees by the motion over time it would not be uncommon for the player to have to have knee surgery which overtime your body would have to compensate for the damage knees hence the transferance of stress to other muscleskelton areas which would be your thoracic cervical back problems....I don't know why you are s/c for your knees...but If I was you I would have my family doctor refer me to a specialist for joint problems...that could write you an IMO as to why your conditions are SECORDARY TO YOUR s/c knee injuries...I feel that you would have a strong case.

There is a member on this site his name is sixsence he know's alot about this area...more then I.

but prior to filing for the back condition you really should first get an IMO...as to how the knee's effected the overall deteriation of your back...it can be done you just need to have a doctor write that your back condition is secondary to your damaged knees.

hope this helps

and that others will chime in!!!

mt

[william n]

About the waiver, He did say that. If your next question is how He got service connection, I would put forth the answer that inservice he had additional injury that represented more than the ussual progression of his condition. Just because you have a preexisting conditon doesn't automatically prevent service connection.

Good luck on the claim Williamn, I have been sc for thoracic arthritis for 20 years and am having problems with them granting SC for cervical arthritis. They keep trying to avoid the issue when I get the SOC I may have to get an IOM ( I know should have already, but being cheap about it).

I wouldn't classify this as a strong case, going in without one doc already stating that it's secondary SC is a long road to hoe. Hoping that you get a compassionate rater is like swinging at a ball that is way high and inside. Regardless, I hope you get a home run but you should be prepared for STRIKE ONE!

Best regards,

Tyler

its agreed..i'll take one for the home team..William n

[huskerfanfl]

Actually my next question would be IF he got service connected for the knees yet. If he did, there is little doubt that he will be granted compensation for the back issues as secondary to the knees. If he did not get service connected for the knees it is an entirely different issue.

[william n]

my question? would be to clarify your statement..If i am SC for Knees would i, could i, claim back as Secondary? William n

[huskerfanfl]

If you are service connected for knees then you should definitely put ion for compensation for back problems as secondary to your knees. If you are depressed claim depression as secondary to your knees. If you have hp or ankle problems claim that as secondary to your knees. The knees will affect all of those, so if you are SC for your knees you should indeed file

[john999]

If you are SC for feet do you think you could pursue SC for back problems. If I could walk more I don't think I would have these back problems because it hurts when I sit and lay down not when walking or standing.

[71M10]

my question? would be to clarify your statement..If i am SC for Knees would i, could i, claim back as Secondary? William n

We can claim anything we wish. We can point out why something should be SC. We can point to studies/research papers that indicate in a broad medical sense there is an association, but nine times out of ten that rater is going to need to see a doctors statement linking the two.

I was given SC in 1988, but a 0% rating. My letter stated "bone condition" later when I got a copy of the original exam/rating they rated on thoracic strain and arthritis. I filed for an increase in 2007 and was given 40% for thoraco lumbar fwd flexion 30% or less. I have NODed for Radicular neuropathy left leg (mild 10%), Cervical Spine arthritis and kyphosis (20%), Dyspnea/restricitve lung due to thoracic kyphoscoliosis(10-20%), Nocturnia (10%), and K rating for ED.

It has been clearly stated that my thoracic kyphoscoliosis is realted to my SC strain/arthritis the spine has been pulled out of normal alignment due to the years of muscle spasms and alteration of posture from pain and nerve damage.

The examiner listed no opinion about SC the cervical spine, in my NOD I ask for a rating on it based on 38 CFR part 4, 4.59 painful motion. In that section it states "It is the intention to recognize actually painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint". kyphoscolios represents a misalignment of the spine in the axial and sigital planes. By law they need to rate a joint that is malaligned due to SC injury or disease. If they deny again I will pick up a medical opinion and have the BVA look at it both ways, statutory obligation and medical opinion.

Since your knees are not adjacent to your back you will most likely need some type of medical opinion that specifically addresses the connection between you knee injury and your back injury. BVA decisions are generally not precident setting so even though you can see people have won this argument it gives you no specific advantage accept that it has been done.

Best regards,

Tyler