Is There A Dc For This...

[rpowell01]

Whenever i was in the Army I was diagnosed with a few Facet Rib Dysfunctions after my accident. The Physicala Therapy attempted to treat them and she was able to reset them so she referred me to a Family Medical Doctor on the base who stated he could reset them. Basically I had a few ribs at my thoracic spine area that were kind of popped out of place. He pushed on my back and a few days later is when I started having some serious issues. Anyway, this issue has never went away and I truly believe I have been dealing with this dysfunction since 1994 since the Army. I am wondering if this would be a totally separate issue than the thoracic spine issues I have? Does anybody know of a Diagnostic Code for this because I can't seem to find one?

Thanks

Edited May 30, 2012 by rpowell01

[71M10]

I know of no direct code for this. I have some issues with chest expansion/kyphoscoliosis/sleep apnea. It would/should be rated by analogy and would have th generic 5XXX series code. I am trying to get them to give me a rating for the kyphoscoliosis under the respiratory section where kyphoscoliosis has its own code.

Best regards,

[jvretiredvet]

I am wondering if this would be a totally separate issue than the thoracic spine issues I have? Perhaps but likely slim chance. Because of recurrent dislocations/subluxations, there could be some T-spine arthritis which would be evaluated as part of the T-spine. I suggest you review the Rating Decision granting service connection for your T-spine condition (you are s/c for the T-spine, correct?) to see if the Facet Rib Dysfunction was considered or construed to be part of the T-spine.

Does anybody know of a Diagnostic Code for this because I can't seem to find one? In the absence of any other information about your limitations, I'd go with the analogous code 5999-5247. That is, if it could be service connected separately.

Whenever i was in the Army I was diagnosed with a few Facet Rib Dysfunctions after my accident. The Physicala Therapy attempted to treat them and she was able to reset them so she referred me to a Family Medical Doctor on the base who stated he could reset them. Basically I had a few ribs at my thoracic spine area that were kind of popped out of place. He pushed on my back and a few days later is when I started having some serious issues. Anyway, this issue has never went away and I truly believe I have been dealing with this dysfunction since 1994 since the Army. I am wondering if this would be a totally separate issue than the thoracic spine issues I have? Does anybody know of a Diagnostic Code for this because I can't seem to find one?

Thanks

[rpowell01]

Well after 16 years I finally got them to recognize the thoracic spine which an MRI does show Type II endplate disease and spondylosis/arthritus throughout my thoracic spine. They never brought up my thoracic spine originally in the 1996 award letter. It was like they just totally disregarded it.

On past and current award letter not once do they mention the facet rib dysfunction. But in my army records it shows this is where all my issues started after the injury. From there it went to my lower back and then up to my neck. Just think about this injury. I had hyperextensionto my neck and upper back in on incident. I bent them so far backwards I was able to see my feet from behind me. The MEB gave me Mechanical Lower Back Pain Syndrome. But, on the MED doctors report it does show that I had Facet Rib Dysfunction at T8-T9 and the goals to reset them were not met, along with my other issues in my cervical spine. I just didn't understand my rights back then like I do today and if I knew back then what I know today I would have disagreed with the MEB. It also shows I had mild scoliosis and a leg length discrepancy. I didn't think about the leg length discrepancy until a few days ago whenever I read it in the most current C&P report. Correct me if I am wrong but if I had the leg length discrepancy and the army doctor gave me a show insert as treatment isn't this a cause to file a claim if I am having an issue with my right leg today? No, I couldn't wear the insert because it hurt my foot too much. Even though the VA C&P examiner said was less likely than not (less than 50%) caused my my back issues he noted that I had the insert due to leg length discrepancy. He did this a couple of times on the C&P report, kind of hinting to me this is why you are having these problems and the problems existed from the military. Of course they denied just about all my secondary issues except the Anxiety NOS.

Now I am at a stand still because I filed a NOD with DRO and TDIU. It seems the VA is working on the TDIU before the NOD with DRO for some reason.

71M10 I never thought about this is why I could be having chest pains which I filed as secondary to my cervical issues they denied it of course.

jvretiredvet I don't see those codes you mentioned anywhere.

BTW they never even mentioned my rib dysfunction in any of the C&P exams nor any award letter. I also know that I now have to get an IMO from a specialist such as Dr. Bash who knows about this area.

I know I have a long haul in front of me and me filing for TDIU and SSDI I am hoping they get approved. I have guarded my neck and back since that injury and now I have spondylosis throughout my thoracic spine and neck which is causing disc protrusions in my neck with foraminal stenosis. One C&P examiner said she couldn't make a determination if the Cervical DDD was a progression of my injuries "without resorting to mere speculation" and then this last examiner stated "less than" (less then 50%) on my secondary issues of the pain in my arms, right leg, shoulders and chest. So I am in a world of sh** as it was said in Full Metal Jacket. But I will hopefully be able to get that IMO soon...

Edited May 31, 2012 by rpowell01

[rpowell01]

nvm

Edited May 31, 2012 by rpowell01

[71M10]

I also have a slight leg length issue due to my scoliosis. You might consider getting a doctor to opine on the scoliosis being related to the rib facet injuries and then have them expound that the scoliosis is causing a leg length problem that is causing undue stress on your lower extremities (therby making them Service connectable). If you have any respiratory issues you might look into a med opinion on the relationship to the rib problems.

My scoliosis is to the right and I have had 5 boughts of Kidney stones. If I have another one (certainly don't want one)I think I will ask the doctor if my body getting scrunched(new medical term) to the one side is contributory to the stones not clearing/catching.

Best of luck!

[rpowell01]

I am wondering about something. On the increase from 2010 and the new award letter this is how it shows:

Mechanical Cervical spine pain (also claimed as limitation of motion and bulge in neck and previously evaluated under DC 5290)

I know what "also claimed as limitation of motion" is but what does "and bulge in neck" mean? I do understand the DC 5290 which is an old evaluation they did away with in 2002 or 2003. Are they saying that the bulge in my neck part of my sc'd diagnosis? See why I am asking what this means because I have been denied radiculopathy as secondary to my neck.

The shortness of breathe I had for about 1year or so is coming from my cervical disc protrusion at C5-C6. After I had Physical Therapy for a month back in December the shortness of breath went away. I still get it once in awhile but not everyday like I use to.

After Physical Therapy the VA sent me to my neck sounds like Rice Krispies and I am only 43. The only neck and/or back injury I have ever had was the one from the Army. I have guarded them ever since them very carefully.

BTW here is the BVA I am standing on that I found recently.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp/wraper_bva.asp?file=/vetapp11/Files5/1145925.txt

Lay letters over ruled the examiners "without resorting to mere speculation"...I have one lay letter that has been written and I can get many others written by family and friends who has known me ever since I got out of the Army and have seen my cervical issues.

Edited May 31, 2012 by rpowell01