Lots Of Issues

[chris1975]

I have a lot of questions? After waiting a year I recently recieved my rating back from the VA. There are all kinds of problems (I all ready requested a new rater and a face to face re-evaluation) but I need to know what do to get ready. This will be lengthy so I apologize. I was medically discahrged from the Marines in 1999. I went in with moderate A symptomatic pes planus. I was discharged for left foot planter faciitis and tight achillies. It is also notated for my right as well. This is the Aggravation of Pes Planus so I filed for it. The VA rater denied me and actually quoted my in service Dr. on June of 1998 as saying "flat feet not problematic" I have a copy of the medical record and what the Dr actually said was Flat feet not problematic previously." They did not set me up for a compensation and pension exam. I got Lyme disease while I was in and it was notated in my service records. I submitted 2 private IMO's including one from a specialist who said I have migraines, fatigue, memory issues, neck pain and polyarthtralgia from Lyme disease. The VA set me up for a 2 C+P exam's one with a Dr for Lyme disease and the other to test my memory. The Lyme disease Dr gave the opinion that my Migrianes started while in service and were not connected with Lyme disease but where service connected. He also gave the opinion that my neck pain was being caused by degeneterive disk disease and not lyme disease (the first time it was reported was at my follow up for Lyme.) The VA Dr gave the opinion that the polyarthralgia and fatgue could not be caused by Lyme but offered no alternative for cause. The VA made no mention of the Memory C+P exam though the examiner did tell me I was suffering from memory loss. The VA dr who tested for Lyme also tested my blood but that line was left blank on the results as well. I ws given another C+P examination to see if my arthritis in my hips and my knees was being caused by my planter Facsciitis back in OCT but it was not mentioned by the rater either. A letter I submiited from my family Physician said I suffer from 3-4 completley prostrating mirgraines per month. The Rater rated me at 0% because there was no evidence that my migraines are prostrating it is noted that letter was used in the evidence in the rating letter as well. Did I just get a bad rater or what? Any Ideas suggestions I am using the DAV and they do not seem to be to interested other then telling me to file an appeal. I could really use some advice. I do have DR. who is willing to help me.

[Commander Bob]

... I wont give up and I wont go away.

Good morning 'chris1975',

JMHO... You have the right attitude to get you through this maze of madness, called the VA bureaucracy.

You write "(I all ready requested a new rater and a face to face re-evaluation)". Did your DAV rep file a "Notice of Disagreement" (NOD), along with what appears to be a DRO review request? I would guess you know , you have one year after your award letter, to file a NOD. If you miss that deadline, you have to start over with new evidence.

Good luck with Voc. Rehab. You have earned it.

Edited June 6, 2010 by Commander Bob

[chris1975]

I had to type it up so I used information I gathered here and faxed it to my VA rep. He did nothing more than tell me to type it up and he would submit it.

[Pete53]

Chris:

I wanted to let you know that besides the advice given already there are many on Hadit who have read and support you with prayers and hope that you will prevail.

Don't tale the VA as personal they actually do the same poor job on many of us.

Although the struggle and the waiting can really get to you know that if you don't give up and hang in there that you will win.

[carlie]

i requested a personal meeting with the RO and the DAV said it takes about 3 months to get that in my area.

chris,

In my opinion it will take considerably longer than 3 months to get a DRO Hearing, so just be prepared

for a longer wait.

jmho,

carlie

[saturneptune]

Chris,

There is lots of good technical advice in those posts. All I can restate is that the biggest battle to overcome is the time element. After lots of time passes and things get lost or delayed, the human spirit weakens, and it is very tempting just to give up. It sounds like you have a great case. There is no better place than this board to give the encouragement to carry on.

[deltaj]

Claims should be filed with V.A. to service connect any condition you believe was incurred by or aggravated by military service. I recently took some courses in medical terminology and medical terminology. Poly = many, artho= joints, algia=pain. As far as I know as a layman, polyarthalgia is a medical term for pain in many joints. Your post mentions Lyme disease and arthritis. Have you filed a claim to service connect arthritis? Have you also filed a claim to service connect the polyarthralgia?