ptsd Research Help

[chucknewcomb]

I went to the bussiness office the other day and had them print off a list of all my diagoniss and they have codes out to the side these codes don't seem to correlate to 38cfr. I tried a internet search on one and It wanted me to join a pay site to view the info

here is a example

TRAUM ARTHROPATHY-L/LEG (716.16)

where can i find out about this code and I am about to submit another claim as soon as i get the offical notification that the previous one has been closed .

Here is where I am according to the letter I got from DAV the other day

10% chondromalacia right knee granted 06/15/10

10% bilateral tinnitus granted 06/15/10

10% retro patella pain syndrome left knee is continued

Denied bilateral hearing loss

I also have 2 at 0% but I cant remember what they are for

one was for a skin condition

the other maybe a wart that I had when I got out

I am planning on trying to add

Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe (ICD-9-CM 296.30)

PTSD, Chronic (309.81)

Insomnia with Sleep Apnea (ICD-9-CM 781.51)

I am also thinking of fililng a NOD for my left knee

Can I file a NOD while starting a new claim

[boomer2]

Chucknewcomb

I found this link on the VA's site with all the codes and then a bunch of sub codes. I don't what it all means since I'm not doc. or an atty. Anyway here's the link

http://www.index.va....earchbtn=Search

[carlie]

I went to the bussiness office the other day and had them print off a list of all my diagoniss and they have codes out to the side these codes don't seem to correlate to 38cfr. I tried a internet search on one and It wanted me to join a pay site to view the info

here is a example

TRAUM ARTHROPATHY-L/LEG (716.16)

Chuck,

These are ICD codes. VA does not use the codes for claims adjudications.

The only time ICD codes come into play regarding VA is in a situation of

something like VA billing your insurance carrier or Medicare, etc...

These codes are mainly used for things like insurance billing

and SSA claims.

[broncovet]

Yes, you can file a NOD while starting a new claim. The earlier you file, the earlier your effective date and the more the retro. If you think you have a compensable SC condition, I would not delay. Of course, you also need to file your NOD within the one year after the decision, but the day you file the NOD has nothing to do with your effecitve date.

[chucknewcomb]

Yes, you can file a NOD while starting a new claim. The earlier you file, the earlier your effective date and the more the retro. If you think you have a compensable SC condition, I would not delay. Of course, you also need to file your NOD within the one year after the decision, but the day you file the NOD has nothing to do with your effecitve date.

The DAV service officer told me I should wait untill I get resolution on this claim before starting a new claim. My PTSD is gonna be a tough one I think it comes from training that simulates combat not from actual combat. So I guess I will have to try and track down a witness and have to write a stressor letter.

For my NOD I believe that they are igrnoring my arthritis in my left knee as they are just continueing the previous rating. My left knee is has a range of motion of less then 20degrees and by looking at the rating table the way I read it should be 30% maybe higher if I got arthritis added with it

[broncovet]

It is up to you when to file a claim for benefits. However, the earlier you file, the earlier your effective date. I am not going to tell you that you should go against your VSO...I am sure he knows way more about your case than I do.

That being said, I can not find ONE PERSON who has ever said..."Gee, I wished I would have filed that VA claim Later"

But, I can tell you I am in the group who says, instead, "Why was I so stupid when I could have filed my claim much earlier?"

Retro checks are like garages...they can never be too big.

Most people only ever get ONE retro check (a few get more than one, especially if you were lowballed, then later got 100% or TDIU, but you usually only get one BIG retro check)

Edited March 14, 2011 by broncovet

[carlie]

Personally, if I have claim issues in being adjudicated

and I feel fairly close to a decision time is nearing

say 4-6 months - I would not file any additional claim requests

at this time.

I would let the ones in the works get processed.

There's always the pros and cons of getting an earlier effective date,

but I would rather go ahead and get something sooner than later.

In my particular case, loosing out 6 months of say a 40 % increase -

that by VA math would compensate at only a 10 percent increase

isn't enough money for me to risk getting the current rating decision that

should be soon - pushed back further.

JMHO