Notalgia Paresthetica

[PE1]

I saw the Dermatologist. After a skin biopsy was unremarkble for any one diagnosis. She said it was Notalgia Paresthetica. A large dark spot in left upper back. She asked if I had back problem and I do. x-rays of upper back show anterior osteophytes. x-rays and mri of lumbar spine shows L5-S1 IVDS. Anyway, got a steroid shot and doesn't help. She said nothing was going to help.

Well, do I claim it as a rash. But it's not a scar. Do I claim it as a Neuritis? But as a Neuritis it's not in a Nerve that's rated. It's along the left side of the upper back.

[PE1]

I found out on my own. It's 8611 Neuritis.

Does anybody else have something similar? A Nurse Practitioner that used to work in a spine clinic where they saw alot of patients with back pain, said that she used to see alot of those "spots" on people.

[Berta]

I think that this would have to have nerve involvement to be rated at a compensable level.

"The Board observes that a 20 percent rating is applicable for

mild, incomplete paralysis, neuralgia, or neuritis of the

middle radicular group of nerves (major or minor). 38 C.F.R.

§ 4.124a, Diagnostic Codes 8511, 8611, 8711 (2007).

According to the Rating Schedule, when the involvement of the

nerve injury is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the

mild, or at most, the moderate degree."

from:http://www.va.gov/vetapp08/files1/0806176.txt

If you put Notalgia Paresthetica into the search field at the BVA web site and also do a search under Neuritis-you might find more info-

If this condition is directly due to the back problems- these back conditions would have to be first service connectred for any other disability to be claimed as secondary.

Do you have a nexus from your SMRs as to the back problems?

[PE1]

I guess I was right then.

I'm still active duty. I retire 31 August 2009 and have multiple entries atributing the spine injuries to bad military parachuting falls.

[broncovet]

Hi Berta..

No, I dont have a Nexus..I usually drive American cars instead.