Jump to content
VA Disability Community via Hadit.com

VA Disability Claims Articles

Ask Your VA Claims Question | Current Forum Posts Search | Rules | View All Forums
VA Disability Articles | Chats and Other Events | Donate | Blogs | New Users

  • homepage-banner-2024-2.png

  • donate-be-a-hero.png

  • 0

Confused About What To Do

Rate this question


JHawks

Question

I haven't had much to do with the VA for 30 years. I never thought I would need to be looking at a rating increase. Here goes:

I was sent to a medical board in 1978 after 6 years of service in the Air Force. I had crushed my ankle and had 3 surgeries while on active duty to repair it. Left the AF with 20% rating at the VA and went on with my life.

Today, I am much much older (59) and the old bones have decided it was time for them to give me grief.

My ankle is full of arthritis and I also have a mal-union of the tibia and fibia as a result of the original facture. Hard to believe I have had this all these years and only now is it keeping me from walking too far. I have been wearing a brace since 2005 per my podiatrist. Recently I purchased a custom made brace (Arizona Brace) to stabalize my ankle.

My wfe talked me into putting in a claim to increase my disability rating. I am glad she did. I am rated as follows but have a review in process which I will explain.

30% for: status post trimalleolar franture, left ankle, with post traumatic arthritis with distal tibular deformity

10% for: scar #1

10% for: scar #2

The scars are on my ankle and are exremely painful to the touch so each is rating individually.

I am now rated (combined) 40% SC.

When got this rating there was no mention of the fact I was required to wear a brace which according to the schedule would qualify me to 40% instead of the 30% for my ankle.

Now, here is my question...

I asked for reconsideration of my rating decision based on the brace. I was told by another poster that all I could get for my ankle was 40% and I was at the max already and my request for reconsideration would not change a thing.

I am new to this so I have no idea. My scars are rated seperately. The rating decision is quoted exactly as I received it below:

"We have changed the status post trimalleolar fracture, left ankle, with tarsal syndrome, mild degenerative changes, to status post trimalleolar franture, left ankle, with post traumatic arthritis with distal tibular deformity, and increased your evaluation to 30% disabling, effective March 10, 2009, the date we received your claim for increase. An evaluation of 30% is granted for malunion of the tibia and fibula with marked ankle disability. A higher evaluation of 40% is not warranted unless a brace is required because of nonunion and loose motion."

Am I waisting my time with this or was the other poster wrong?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Answers 0
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters For This Question

Popular Days

Top Posters For This Question

0 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

There have been no answers to this question yet

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use