I Am Dead

[kw34]

I have been reading for some time now and thought I would share my experience. I served in DS/DS EF/IF and was denied SC for malignant melanoma with 2 positive sentinel lymph node and left groin dissection as a of exposure to burning petroleum and jet and diesel fuels and their exhaust in july 2008. I am working on my NOD however, there wos one item in the denial letter that I wanted to share and get the boards take on it.

In the introduction it was stated that the claim was a death claim and from reading my post you reconize that I am very much alive. In my NOD I mention this and that my claim was not fully developed nor properly ajudicated because it was assumed that I was dead. I did not recieve a c&p exam so in my opinion the links between petroleum and the develoment of tumors was never explored. I look forward to your responses.

kw34

The Big Man

[Berta]

Me too- an outrage- make sure you keep copies of the opinion before you mail it to the VARO-

Hopefully this will turn the tide for you-

and show them you are still VERY Much alive.

[hotcoffee2]

I took quick spin around internet to see if things changed as far as etiologies of melanoma. carcinogens ie jet fuel et al. are in the investigative stages. the melanoma docs are the specialist dermatology guys and pathologists. i think a history and letter from a dermatologist regarding your history, if it was pre exisiting and possibly exacerbated by jet fuel would appear more credible than the surgeon (probably general surgeon) as diagnostic of service connection. just a thought.

patti

Hey Guys,

Here is the latest I recieved my IMO from my surgeon today he stated that it is a slikely as not that my service contributed to my condition. This is what i think works in my favor he is the head surgeon at the Durham NC VA as well as at Duke Medical center where I am being treated. I wrote it he ditated it and put it on Duke letterhead.

kw34

[kw34]

Pattik,

Melanoma is his speciality he is the Chief of Surgical Onoclogy at DUMC and the Chief of Surgical Services at the Durham NC VA Medical Center. He is involved in al kinds of studies that I cant even pronounce. He is pretty heavy!

[hotcoffee2]

kw

i spent about an hour on pubmed, toxnet and a couple other sites to see what research is out there. you may have a predisposition that he is aware of. he may know of more definitive medical findings that show a connection (cause and effect). i don't see it in the literature. i see cohort studies which are studies to prove studies...but none definatively linking petrol chemicals (god i hope i got that right) to melanoma.

i would hope the va settles for this guys 'more than likely least of whatever' clause they use. duke is duke. duke is where the first pathologists' assistants students were hatched.

i think if the frickin va turned you down after being this ill, they are splitting f..ing hairs. i hope that you get the treatment you need; the benefits you deserve. you will be in my prayers kiddo.

Pattik,

Melanoma is his speciality he is the Chief of Surgical Onoclogy at DUMC and the Chief of Surgical Services at the Durham NC VA Medical Center. He is involved in al kinds of studies that I cant even pronounce. He is pretty heavy!

[kw34]

Guys,

Latest update, I have a C&P exam Friday at Winston-Salem outpatient clinic the 20th 1 year 3 months after initial claim. I fill like I am prepared I have all of my information that I sent in my IMO. Does anyone have any additional advice as to what else i may need or need to do to prepare.

Kw34

[Pete53]

Take someone with you. Don't dress up. Answer questions directly don't elaborate a lot. Provide any info that helps your claim. Don't dress up its not a job interview. Don't worry about it.

Good Luck