ptsd Hip Arthritis Appeal

[bergin c/o]

recieved 10 percent for ptsd but they denied service connection for bilateral hip arthritis. one hip has beed replaced and the other is on the way. i began having hip pain while in desert storm but did not give it much thought. i discharged shortly after returning and it grew progressivly worse. i was 30 when i had my first hip replaced. v.a said in denial letter that my docters relied on speculation in the evidence letters i provided the va. words like possibly caused by service in the military and may have been caused by . also c-p exam stated a cause could not be assigned without resorting to speculation .even though my docters stated abnormal amount of degenerative arthritis in a young individual..got a letter today asking me to pick between traditional appeal or a decision review officer.were do i go from here to get more supporting evidence?

[bergin c/o]

thank you i will work on this

[bergin c/o]

have been reading on infectious diseases, brucellosis has me concerned. but since it has been so long since my service in the gulf ,how do you get a diagnosis? would it still be evedent in a blood test.

[Commander Bob]

have been reading on infectious diseases, brucellosis has me concerned. but since it has been so long since my service in the gulf ,how do you get a diagnosis? would it still be evedent in a blood test.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brucellosis

[bergin c/o]

docters letter. just faxed a new docters letter over to my service officer and just wanted an opinion . from dr gary hartell , such pronounced degenerative changes at such a young age are generally the result of trauma. the only history the patient reports is that experienced during his years of military service. those activities with the resultant micro and or macrotrauma is the most likely cause for his present degenerative joint disease. end of statement... would this be considered new and relevent or would the va disregaurd it as redundent..thanks

[bergin c/o]

i just faxed a new letter vso for appeals. from my docter it says ----i have been working with mr. moyher since oct 2008 regarding ostearthritis and chronic pain management through holistic modalities. he has required total hip replacement and experiences degenerative changes to the left side. although he has eperienced some relief through holistic modalities, he contiues to have chronic pain. likely bone changes were aggravated during his time of duty in the military due to heavy lifting and walking in sandy conditions. the extent of his injuries in someone so young is consistant with the level of work in combat conditions of iraq. end of state ment my vso sent this up to appeals.hard to get any information out of my vso if this helps or hurts my case. they just said to gather more evidence and that i my wait a long time in appeals.

[Berta]

"likely bone changes were aggravated during his time of duty in the military due"

Aggravating a pre existing condition when you enlisted?

"they just said to gather more evidence and that i my wait a long time in appeals." The VSOs are right.

What type of medical doctor gave you this opinion?

"he has required total hip replacement and experiences degenerative changes to the left side. " Was this done by the VA or a prvate doctor and hospital>?

If private doc-have yopu asked him or her to prepare an IMO?

They will need to follow the IMO format here in our IMO forum.

The other letter however you mentioned seems much better.from dr gary hartell

What are Dr. Hartell's qualifications?

Have you claimed brucellosis?