Claims 101 Question

[betrayed]

Would you be better of when filing a claim put down asbestosis or lung disease?

Seems like the VA plays the name game to their advantage when they can...........

[Guest jstacy]

Here is what I put down for My Asbestos claim. Request compensation for a Lung disorder, ( Restrictive) with a FVC of 56 and Diffusion of 40 with rounded atalectasis with commet tail, Lower lobe scarring due to a direct result asbestos exposure during Naval Service as an asbestos worker.

They are still kicking it around and have admitted the fact of asbestos exposure in service.

Ask for the lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure.

[Hoppy]

FLHRCI,

When you find that SO I bet he will file on more general terms. If you read BVA cases you will find some all inclusive types of claims.

In the mean time my suggestion is the following. " Any disease, injury or condition that is related to the symptoms noted in treatment notes. Such diseases, injuries and conditions including but not limited to Asbestosis and restrictive airway disease". Provide them with any medical records. You do not have to weight for them to get your file. Go to the hospital and get records you think are relevant and submit them to the RO. Also give them records from your SMR.Always provide them with the name of any hospital where you were treated. They will probably send you a form requesting such information about treating hospitals and physicians.

On my first statement of the case it was obvious that they do not read records with such expertise to know what they are reading. That is why you need to get medical doctors to go over the records. Such as during C&P exams or if you can get a doctor to write a nexus letter for you. VA hospital are required to write bexus letters. There is a form you can take them explaining the law. Remember I won my claim without ever having a C&P exam. I got a nexus letter that was a slam dunk. I went to the hospital with my records and the letter circumvented the C&P process.

[john999]

When I had my AO exam the doctors took an x-ray of my lungs and said I had some pleural thickening. What does that mean?

[Guest jstacy]

Diffused Plural Thickening

This is similar to pleural plaques but it affects more of the pleura. The membrane in the chest wall becomes thicker. This process can impair the function of the lungs.

The symptoms are breathlessness and/or chest tightness and/or pain. This condition is usually caused by heavy exposure to asbestos

Have you had a cat scan of the chest?

It would be a good idea to follow up on this.

[john999]

Istacy

Maybe I will look into this. Since it was a VA x-ray I am suspicious of the diagnosis. I would get confirmation from civilian doctor.

[betrayed]

When I had my AO exam the doctors took an x-ray of my lungs and said I had some pleural thickening. What does that mean?

they told mw that in 91 and 97, then they told me it may be just "FAT" :)