Can I File For An Increase.

[usmc0599]

Good evening good people of Hadit.com,

im currently 10% sc'ed for cervical arthritis. the evidence that led to this was a MRI evalution in March of 03 that revealed mild spondyloarthritis at C4-and C5. I was denied an increase a few moths back even though the pain is getting worst, but i was give 10% for shoulders, arms and fingers pain secondary to my cervical arthritis.

well, two weeks ago i was given another MRI and the result was as followed:

C4-C5: Tiny central disc protrusion with effacement of CSF anterior to the cord.

C5-C6: Disc bulging incompletely effacing CSF anterior to the cord without focal cord impingement.

there is a 3mm posterolateral disc protrusion without significant impingement on the lateral recess or neutral foramina.

this is the side of the patients symptoms, however.

Impression:

1. small posterolateral disc protrusion to the left at C5-C6 without neutral impingement.

2. C4-C5 central disc protrusion effacing CSF anterior to the cord with adequate capacity in the canal and foramina.

My questions is; can I or do I have enough to file for an increase? will i need a doctor to say C5-C6 is secondary to c4-c5? and, if possible, can someone tell me what all that crap meant.

Ive been calling my doctor for the past two weeks but she havent returned my calls.

thank you all

[Seabee14]

Please note this is a theory based only on the information provided, and without your file NO ONE can make an accurate assessment of your claim or benefits.

Ok.

If a few months back is less than one year, you might send in the med reports for a reconsideration of the claim for that rating. If it is VA treatment just let them know where and when you were treated.

You have a year from the date of the rating notification letter to send in additional evidence for review.

I would never speculate as to the severity of your condition as I am not an MD.

Thank you for your service, brother.

Best wishes.

[*Bergie*]

Good evening good people of Hadit.com,

im currently 10% sc'ed for cervical arthritis. the evidence that led to this was a MRI evalution in March of 03 that revealed mild spondyloarthritis at C4-and C5. I was denied an increase a few moths back even though the pain is getting worst, but i was give 10% for shoulders, arms and fingers pain secondary to my cervical arthritis.

well, two weeks ago i was given another MRI and the result was as followed:

C4-C5: Tiny central disc protrusion with effacement of CSF anterior to the cord.

C5-C6: Disc bulging incompletely effacing CSF anterior to the cord without focal cord impingement.

there is a 3mm posterolateral disc protrusion without significant impingement on the lateral recess or neutral foramina.

this is the side of the patients symptoms, however.

Impression:

1. small posterolateral disc protrusion to the left at C5-C6 without neutral impingement.

2. C4-C5 central disc protrusion effacing CSF anterior to the cord with adequate capacity in the canal and foramina.

My questions is; can I or do I have enough to file for an increase? will i need a doctor to say C5-C6 is secondary to c4-c5? and, if possible, can someone tell me what all that crap meant.

Ive been calling my doctor for the past two weeks but she havent returned my calls.

thank you all

If you are within 1 year from the date on the SOC than you can file an NOD. However, cervical arthritis awards are based on ROM and you probably still have decent ROM even though you have pain that is probably the reason for the denial of an increase.

JMO,

Bergie

[usmc0599]

If you are within 1 year from the date on the SOC than you can file an NOD. However, cervical arthritis awards are based on ROM and you probably still have decent ROM even though you have pain that is probably the reason for the denial of an increase.

JMO,

Bergie

So Bergie, what youre sayin is no matter how many bulging discs I have, it all all comes down to ROM?

[jbasser]

The Cervical spine is considered a body segment so all Vertebrae and disks are the same. Your ROM is the key to an increase unless you have radiculopathy.

J

[*Bergie*]

So Bergie, what youre sayin is no matter how many bulging discs I have, it all all comes down to ROM?

That's what I'm sayin, it's in 38 CFR Part 4. Besides bulging discs are very common.

JMO,

Bergie