Abnormal Gait

[cooter]

Can anybody tell me if abnormal gait can effect the neck and entire back or is it isolated just in the Lumbar area?

[Wildchild915]

I have sc for DDD, applied for abnormal gaite secondary to DDD. It was denied. Any advice on what to add to my appeal?

[Berta]

It certainly could but you would need specific medical evidence with a full medical rationale based on your clinical record to support a claim for neck and back problems as secondary due to the abnormal gait.

[cooter]

It certainly could but you would need specific medical evidence with a full medical rationale based on your clinical record to support a claim for neck and back problems as secondary due to the abnormal gait.

Thank you Berta!!!

Since you have dealt with Dr Bash numerous times in the past I have a question regarding his IMO procedures. Would he wrote out an IMO for everything I'm claiming as one IMO or would he break it down to several IMO's? For instance would my neck and entire back written as one IMO, or?

[Berta]

I think it might be best to email Dr. Bash at his site (Veteransadvisor) or call him as to that question.

In my case his IMOs involved multiple disabilities but they all stemmed from one etiology so he prepared 2 IMOs for me on that basis.One should have been enough but VA refused to read it.

He can give you a fee estimate and he will need all available clinical records, the SMRs (if this is claimed directly due to your service), and all C & P results and copies of SOCs.(and any private records)

Being a NeuroRadiologist- he will certainly review any MRIs and Xrays regarding your claim.

I prepared cover letters for him when he did my IMOs and took him step by step through the medical evidence.

I tabbed specific medical records and other non medical dcuments so he could easily find them.

He did review every single record and document and his IMOs were costly but well worth it.

I knew before I paid him that he would agree with my findings as my evidence was solid.I had done a lot of research and leg work before I wrote those checks to him.($4,000 total)

Not all IMOs get a veteran or widow what they need.Or the IMO doc could even find something critical they overlooked -that would help the claim.An IMO doctor cannot perform a miracle and they base their IMO strictly on the record.

Unfortunately a vet or widow can present the same medical evidence and logical assessment of the clinical record , as I did, to the VA, but they disregard lay statements in favor of medical ones.

In your case the abnormal gait stems from something, It is a symptom and might not be a ratable disability on it's own but it could cause other residual problems. Flat feet for example causing severe pronation could result in knee,hip and back problems causing an abnormal gait that then contributes to the overall disability.

Not being familiar with your entire medical profile I cannot guess what is really causing your gait problem and if it is seriously affecting you or could raise you SC rating.

Any IMO doctor will consider all available records in order to assess the cause and extent of this problem and if it is more than likely directly due to a SC condition

[Berta]

His site (Dr. Bash) has changed since I last used it:

http://www.craigbashmd.com/contactingdrbash.html

He has a brief questionnaire there now for inquiries.

[carlie]

Can anybody tell me if abnormal gait can effect the neck and entire back or is it isolated just in the Lumbar area?

cooter,

We have a member here that took photos of his boots inorder for the VA

to see just how unevenly they were worn down, on the soles.

I don't remember what the VA awarded / granted, but I know he got some

kind of increase for this.

Hope this helps a vet.