Eye Disease Claim

[Beachy]

Hello All, I am new to this group and have found tons of useful information here.

I was denied service connection for an eye disease (retinitis pigmentosa) about 2 years ago. The denial stated that my disease is genetic and was not caused by my military service,. I felt frustrated, and let the appeal lapse. I have since met other vets with RP who have been awarded SC. So, I am going to try again.

I called my local rep, and he said he could re-open my case... I wasn't aware this could be done after the appeal period. I was planning to file myself this time, and starting a whole new case. I'm aware I would be giving up nearly two years of retro if I win. But, I feel I answered some questions poorly at my C&P, and would prefer a fresh start.

BTW, my eye disease causes tunnel vision and poor night vision. I have a copy of my C-file and have gone though my visual tests. I was never given visual field tests or night vision tests, so how could they prove I did not have this disease prior or during my TIS?

So my question is; Should I start a new claim or re-open if possible?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[carlie]

As I understand this (and there has been a commercial recently on Fox news as well as a brief part about a lawyer with this condition)-

yor condition is progressive and this is a factor VA must consider- that it started out with minor limits-such as the inservice night duty relief- yet progressed.

You might well need to consider getting an IMO-to connect the dots between the inservice duty change and anything in your SMRs that supports the claim.

yo can re-open this claim with a 21 -4138 form and send with it something that will be considered as evidence tat is new and material enough to warrant the reopen.

there is no need to send them another 21-526 form.

Yo can also ask them for a higher rating and re open the estabkllished SC claims by telling them that these SC disabilities have gotten worse since your last rating.

This will establsh the best EED (earliest effective date) for these re opened claims and you will have time to prepare evidence but make sure the RP claim has somethng sent with it and referred to in the 4138 that indicates to VA you have a valid RP claim.(

Ditto on the above.

[Darknow]

Hi Mike,

I am sorry to to read about your condition. I can sympathize with you. I don't understand about the VA process stuff you have all discussed here because I am just getting started. Any advice about how-to is always appreciated.

During my exit exam I was told about some "funny stuff" going on with my eyes. The interest was enough to have everyone come look in my eyes, but they did not explain and when I showed concern they told me not to worry about it. I have not located a record of that in files I finally received after YEARS , of course.

Soon enough, I was being treated by an opthmalogist every 6 months. I have pigmentary dispersion syndrome which was in the pre-curser to pigmentary glaucoma. I have similar symptoms that have progressed quickly.

Well, I have been watched, tested and photographed for years only to have the hospital lose it all. That union hospital would have recommended that this was service related because I had been a welder and had many eye issues during that time. Now, my eyesight is shot but I can't see that doctor through my insurance any more. I understand that heavy excercise (work) and flash burns make this condition appear when it normally wouldn't. I'd like ot know how you are handling the claim as I am trying ot begin mine. Blindness is coming fast and I am not young anymore. BTW, if you can increase the font or BOLD your responses that would be great. Any advice on how to approach this would be much appreciated. I have had two doctors since then photograph and want to perform experimental surgery on my eyes, agreed to note my record and then backed out: they are really self-absorbed.( I'm going blind and they want to do another study on me for their own benefit so they can publish, but not help me be compensated though they believe my work could be the cause or catalyst.) Please, please help. Thank you.

Hello All, I am new to this group and have found tons of useful information here.

I was denied service connection for an eye disease (retinitis pigmentosa) about 2 years ago. The denial stated that my disease is genetic and was not caused by my military service,. I felt frustrated, and let the appeal lapse. I have since met other vets with RP who have been awarded SC. So, I am going to try again.

I called my local rep, and he said he could re-open my case... I wasn't aware this could be done after the appeal period. I was planning to file myself this time, and starting a whole new case. I'm aware I would be giving up nearly two years of retro if I win. But, I feel I answered some questions poorly at my C&P, and would prefer a fresh start.

BTW, my eye disease causes tunnel vision and poor night vision. I have a copy of my C-file and have gone though my visual tests. I was never given visual field tests or night vision tests, so how could they prove I did not have this disease prior or during my TIS?

So my question is; Should I start a new claim or re-open if possible?

Thanks in advance,

Mike