ptsd New Claim

[ruby]

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM

January 28, 2008

1. By this document I am filing a claim for service connected compensation for prostrating headaches and bilateral radiculopathy secondary to my service connected cervical arthritis.

2. My headaches are frequent in nature occurring on average 3-4 days a week, lasting from a few hours to constant pounding at the base of my skull for days to weeks. These headaches occur primarily at night while I am sleeping. I wake up in mild to severe pain depending on how long my neck was not in proper ligament. I must sit up and put on a neck brace (soft collar), take some form of pain medication either ibuprofen, soma ( muscle relaxant), or percocet. At times when the headache is severe it is necessary for me to take all the above for pain relief. These actions may eliminate the pain or I may have a constant ache at the base of the skull for days. As a result of the headaches my sleep pattern is disturbed. I may get no sleep throughout the night or a limited number of hours. The headaches are becoming more severe in nature due to the ambien (sleeping pill) and prozasin (hyperviligance) that I now take for PTSD symptoms.

In accordance with CFR 38 the percentage for this condition under section 8100 would be 50%.

3. I also have constant tingling and numbness in both hands specifically in the little finger and ring finger along with weakness and pain in my arms and hands. This condition also wakes me frequently at night. In order to eliminate the tingling and numbness I must change positions and shake both hands.

As indicated in the MRI dated June 19, 2008 this condition is moderate to severe in the left and mild to moderate in the right. The EMG performed on November 8, 2008 showed bilateral muscle membrane instability in the C6, C7 myotomes. According to the CFR 38, section xxxx this condition should be rated at 30% for the left and 20% for the right.

4. Enclosed are of pertinent medical records to support this claim.

1. VA Medical Records:

A. rheumatlogist notes--- notes dated August 29, 2008.

B. MRI dated June 19, 2008

C. EMG dated November 8, 2008.

D..I have more notes like from PT saying they wont do PT until I am cleared from a neurosurgeon. I am having pain procedures on my neck for the headaches and numbness and tingling. I also have another note from rheumatologist

Thank you for your time and consideration to my claim.

Respectfully submitted,

Thanks for any response.

[poolguy11550]

ruby,

What have the Dr's told about your condition? Specifically, your bilaterial radiculopathy. Is your HA claim also secondary to cervical?

[ruby]

yes both are caused from the arthritis/djd in my neck--the emg proved it was radiculopathy and not neuropathy.

I was wondering if its too much info and should I just put in the claim the first part and the evidence part.

Someone I know mentioned I need to get the doc to write that I need to lie down in a dark room, I am asleep when I get them and they wake me. Thats why I put all the other info in the claim

Thanks

[john999]

Ruby

I think it is good since it fits on one page. They don't read beyond that usually when you first make a claim for a condition. Short attention span at the VA.

It is 2009 not 2008.

[poolguy11550]

yes both are caused from the arthritis/djd in my neck--the emg proved it was radiculopathy and not neuropathy.

I was wondering if its too much info and should I just put in the claim the first part and the evidence part.

Someone I know mentioned I need to get the doc to write that I need to lie down in a dark room, I am asleep when I get them and they wake me. Thats why I put all the other info in the claim

Thanks

Sorry if I am asking to many questions here, but what are the conditions of your radiculopathy? Carpal tunnel? Ulnar? 50% might be too lite of an award.

Edited January 29, 2009 by poolguy11550

[ruby]

No your not asking too many questions I appreciate the help.

The rheum wrote--cervical disc diseases--she is having increasing and prostating pain in the neck at frequent intervals--see mri

soft cervical collar

at another visit he wrote again prostrating pain in neck-see mri

pt for eval for traction

Physical Therapy denied me therapy until cleared by neurosurgeon--I have some side effects indicating possibly unstable spinal cord compression which would require immed. surgery.

Its the brachial nerve--- emg showed

bilateral c6,c7 radiculopathy with normal nerve conduction and muscle membrane instability in c6 c7 myotomes.

MRI says its worse on left moderate to severe and mild to moderate on the right.

Thanks for the help

John thankyou also esp reminding me of the year--I don't have blonde hair for no reason.

Ruby

[poolguy11550]

Sounds to me that you need to file additional claims for cubital and carpal tunnel syndromes- bilaterally. I believe these two conditions are easily S/C in your case. Talk with your Dr about these.