My Skin Cancer Fight

[Jim MAC]

What do you all think? My NOD has been turned in so I beat the year deadline

Jim

Department Of Veterans Affairs

VA Regional Office

210 Franklin RD

Roanoke VA 24011

Dear Sir

RE 314/10post

VA xxxxxxxxx

1. Statement in support of my NOD

2, I was turned down for an increase in my 0 percent skin cancer on 18 may 2007.

3 Since that time I have had 3 more skin cancer operations on my nose and one more plastic surgery with more plastic surgery scheduled for the October time frame. I have enclosed a picture so you can see how in depth the surgery was.

4. Since January 1st this year I have already lost 25 days from work due to having operations and follow up care. I was operated on again on July 24 and July 25th this year. The operations were both fee based and my records were scanned into the VA computer Files by the Hampton VAMC fee based section.

6. I fully intend to continue to appeal any further denials of this claim

V/R

JIM MAC

VA Claim Number xxxxxxxxx

[purple]

Sounds like it should.....maybe you could point that out directly (but very nicely--LOL) in your appeal. I swear the majority of the time they forget their own regs and need reminded.

[Jim MAC]

Sounds like it should.....maybe you could point that out directly (but very nicely--LOL) in your appeal. I swear the majority of the time they forget their own regs and need reminded.

Thanks

I always can count on hadit for some good brainstorming

Jim

[Pete53]

Jim:

If you can access NBC National News I think that they referenced a Medical Study that suggests that younger people who have skin cancer are more at risk for later cancers. I think that you could use the info in your claim.

I am sorry to tell you this but I think that you need to look at it.

As we used to say Information is Power.

Good Luck

[Jim MAC]

OK Sent it out today here is the final version what do you all think

Dear Sir

RE 314/10post

VA xxxxxxxxxxxx

1. Statement in support of my NOD

2, I was turned down for an increase in my 0 percent skin cancer on 18 may 2007.

3 Since that time I have had 3 more skin cancer operations on my nose and one more plastic surgery with more plastic surgery scheduled for the October time frame. I have enclosed a picture so you can see how in depth the surgery was.

4. Since January 1st this year I have already lost 25 days from work due to having operations and follow up care. I was operated on again on July 24 and July 25th this year. The operations were both fee based and my records were scanned into the VA computer Files by the Hampton VAMC fee based section.

5. I feel I should be rated under the following code

7818 Malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma):

Rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800), scars (DC’s 7801, 7802,

7803, 7804, or7805), or impairment of function.

Note: If a skin malignancy requires therapy that is comparable to that used for

systemic malignancies, i.e., systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy more

extensive than to the skin, or surgery more extensive than wide local excision,

a 100-percent evaluation will be assigned from the date of onset of treatment,

and will continue, with a mandatory VA examination six months following

the completion of such antineoplastic treatment, and any change in evaluation

based upon that or any subsequent examination will be subject to the

provisions of §3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence

or metastasis, evaluation will then be made on residuals. If treatment is

confined to the skin, the provisions for a 100-percent evaluation do not

apply.

6. I fully intend to continue to appeal any further denials of this claim

V/R

xxxxxxxxxx

[purple]

Jim,

Did you already send this letter out? If not, there are several minor changes which would be helpful. (grammar-type stuff). Also, I would have recommended removing the paragraph about saying you will continue to appeal any and all denials (might be taken as "threatening"), and replaced it with something more positive like "thank-you for your prompt consideration of my request".

Just some thoughts....

[Ricky]

7818 Malignant skin neoplasms (other than malignant melanoma):

Jim what type of neoplasmas do you have. Maybe they are considering your condition as Melanoma.