I Got My Rating After Long Last.

[sawgunner]

I blew out my hip back in 1998 and again in 2003. I first filed in 2005 but was denied.. I re-opened my claim in Jan 2008 and after getting my Congressman involved I got a rating of 10% for the DDD in my lumbar spine and 10% for the IT band/ Hip Snap Syndrome in my left hip.

I have started developing probs in my neck over the last couple of years or so and have a history of treatment... I was at my orthopedic yesterday and he is going to write a letter to the VA stating that the probs in my neck C-5 and C-6, I believe.... were "at least as likely as not" caused by the DDD in L5-S1 lumbar spine. I am also going to have aletter from my chriopractor stating the same... These are the same doc's I used to get my claim on the DDD and hip.

I have limmited range of motion in my neck as well as chronic pain. I ahve been treated with steriod shots and PT for the condition...

Couple of questions....

What are the chances of getting a rating on my neck the first go around and what % might I be looking at? Again... the problems in my neck are related to a condition that I allready have a rating for, thee dd in my back.

Also.... How do I go about filing for any nerve damage that might have been caused by any of my conditions?

If any of you guys have any information to share, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

saw-gunner

[Pete53]

Congrats.

[broncovet]

I saw some statistics one time that said that more than 80% of Vets claims are denied the first time. I dont think I am misquoting Linda Blimes who basically said that most Veterans who apply for benefits will eventually be awarded them. The question is, of course, is why are Veterans made to go through a multi year appeal process to get benefits they deserve?

I would say your odds of being approved on the first go around, within a year, are maybe 20 out of 100. If you persist through 10 years of appeals, I would say your odds improve to 70%.

[jbasser]

I blew out my hip back in 1998 and again in 2003. I first filed in 2005 but was denied.. I re-opened my claim in Jan 2008 and after getting my Congressman involved I got a rating of 10% for the DDD in my lumbar spine and 10% for the IT band/ Hip Snap Syndrome in my left hip.

I have started developing probs in my neck over the last couple of years or so and have a history of treatment... I was at my orthopedic yesterday and he is going to write a letter to the VA stating that the probs in my neck C-5 and C-6, I believe.... were "at least as likely as not" caused by the DDD in L5-S1 lumbar spine. I am also going to have aletter from my chriopractor stating the same... These are the same doc's I used to get my claim on the DDD and hip.

I have limmited range of motion in my neck as well as chronic pain. I ahve been treated with steriod shots and PT for the condition...

Couple of questions....

What are the chances of getting a rating on my neck the first go around and what % might I be looking at? Again... the problems in my neck are related to a condition that I allready have a rating for, thee dd in my back.

That depends on your actual Range measurements.+

Also.... How do I go about filing for any nerve damage that might have been caused by any of my conditions?

Nerve damage is rated separately to the effected nerves caused by the spine.

If any of you guys have any information to share, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

saw-gunner

Edited October 21, 2009 by jbasser

[Testvet]

I blew out my hip back in 1998 and again in 2003. I first filed in 2005 but was denied.. I re-opened my claim in Jan 2008 and after getting my Congressman involved I got a rating of 10% for the DDD in my lumbar spine and 10% for the IT band/ Hip Snap Syndrome in my left hip.

I have started developing probs in my neck over the last couple of years or so and have a history of treatment... I was at my orthopedic yesterday and he is going to write a letter to the VA stating that the probs in my neck C-5 and C-6, I believe.... were "at least as likely as not" caused by the DDD in L5-S1 lumbar spine. I am also going to have aletter from my chriopractor stating the same... These are the same doc's I used to get my claim on the DDD and hip.

I have limmited range of motion in my neck as well as chronic pain. I ahve been treated with steriod shots and PT for the condition...

Couple of questions....

What are the chances of getting a rating on my neck the first go around and what % might I be looking at? Again... the problems in my neck are related to a condition that I allready have a rating for, thee dd in my back.

Also.... How do I go about filing for any nerve damage that might have been caused by any of my conditions?

If any of you guys have any information to share, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

saw-gunner

I hope you have some great board certified ortho specialist making the statement that your lower back problems are the nexus to your neck problems because there are a lot of disks beteen L5/S1 and the neck disks and if there is no damage up the entire spine thats going to be a long shot to get that awarded. I had a friend that was SC for neck problems and then developed L5/S1 problems and there was no way the VA would buy the argument that they were linked since none of the disks in between were showing any damage I hope you have better luck than he did.

[LarryJ]

"Also.... How do I go about filing for any nerve damage that might have been caused by any of my conditions?"

Well, firstly, I'd think that that would depend upon whether you HAD any nerve damage that may have been caused by any of your conditions?

What nerve damage?

What condtions?

Answer these two questions and you may find that you have your answer. If not, then let us know so WE'LL have some sort of an idea how to help.

[Vync]

Hey sawgunner,

I am 0% for DDD and am trying to fight a similar fight as you to get an SC rating. I lost on two appeals, but am looking at taking a new strategy. From what everyone says, you have to have a serious nexus letter, but even with that some folks are continuously denied. The rubber stamp at work...