Nerve Damage And Muscle Atrophy

[parsavers]

Guys and Gals,

Background on myself, 20% for DDD after 2 back surgeries, 10% for Siatica. Last C&P exam, examiner told me I had signs of drop foot and atrophy. Final decision, same disability ratings. I'm left handed and now my left calf is smaller than my right. Sounds like atrophy to me. Should I get be rated higher than I am. I'm getting ready to file another claim for Irritable bowel syndrome do to Gulf War. Any advise on this IBS, in order to maximize the %. Dang, it sucks getting old.

[jbasser]

File for an increase on the radiculopathy. Foot Drop should warrant an increase.

J

[Pete53]

Par

Good Luck.

[Berta]

BVA decisions like this one :

http://www.va.gov/vetapp09/files1/0906770.txt

(30% granted for IBS) can be a valuable source of info on how VA will consider symptoms and medical evidence for IBS claims.

At the VA web site , click on BVA and then decisions, and If you put IBS into the search thing and then the year (I always go with the recent 2009 decisions first) there is plenty of info in the decisions.

JBasser is right on the mark here-and I think he means the SMC K award for the foot drop-

The SMC K award is for loss of or loss of use of hand (such as inability to ,manipulate objects such as phone, money,keys etc)and the K for feet loss of use of means inability to propulse (to push off the foot) and/or to balance properly.

J has the expertise here and I hope he chimes in here again as I think the SMC K award is often overlooked by vets as well as the VA in rating decisions.

J-do I understand that a vet could get the "K" award for each hand and foot if the medical evidence warranted it-

without bilateral and funny math factor?

Edited October 15, 2009 by Berta

[jbasser]

Yes Berta. The Vet should be entitled to a higher rating on the nerve it self as the condition have evolved to includea foot drop. That raises the level of disability from a 10 percent (Mild) to a severe.

Foot drop is beyond the control of the person who has it and may also qualify for a LOU SMC of K.

J

[Berta]

Thanks Jbasser-

I am looking for a proper decision on accrued SMC (they say it is pending)-regarding my deceased husband.The LOU came from a 1151 stroke (which recently became a Direct SC stroke)

and caused him to have LOU of hands and feet.

[parsavers]

Guys and Gals,

My decision is at the rating board. How long should it take to get at this stage?