C&p Results In Support Of Increase For Service Connected Conditions

[porter74]

Here are my current ratings:

Sleep Apnea 50%
Menieres Disease 30%
Degenerative Arthritis Cervical Spine 20%
Tinnitus Recurring 10%
Carpal Tunnel Right 10%
Carpal Tunnel left 10%
Right Knee Patellofemoral with degenerative arthritis 10%
Left lower extremity radioculopathy with L4L5S1S2S3 sciatic nerve involvement and IVDS of the lumbar spine 10%
Left Knee instability 10%
Right Knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis 10%
Degenerative arthritis of the Lumbar spine 10%
Left knee pattellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis 10%

The C&P that I attended April 5 and 6 were a Gen Med and Hearing C&P

I am attempting to gain an increase on the following items:

Menieres Disease 30% 1-2 Vertigo attacks per week, hearing loss
Degenerative Arthritis Cervical Spine 20%
Carpal Tunnel Right 10%
Carpal Tunnel left 10%


Here are the results for the C&P in the areas I requested an increase:


Meniere's Disease: Current Rating 30%

The examiner found that patient has diminished hearing and tinnitus with direct effect on balance, vertigo 2-3 times per week, disequilibrium and nausea with vertigo and staggering gait.

Final Diagnosis progression of his service connected diagnosis as the vertigo component of the Meniere's disease has increased in frequency. Diagnosis remains the same and progression has occurred.


Sinusitis/Rhinitis: Service Connected 0% Current Rating

Non-Capacitating Episodes in Past 12 Months 4

Final Diagnosis is a progression of the current service connected diagnosis due to sinusitis with headaches and allergic rhinitis.

Peripheral Nerve Conditions

Does the veteran's peripheral nerve condition and/or peripheral neuropathy impact his or her ability to work: Yes
Symptoms limit his ability to perform repetitive motions that aggravate his condition Ability to perform fine motor tasks is diminished due to his symptoms.

All nerves were evaluated. Final diagnosis is a progression of the current service connected diagnosis due to increase in pain and paresthesias and recent onset of stiffness of radial wrist/hand as well as decreased dexterity and ability to perform repetitive tasks using first 2 digits of either hand.


Wrist Condition: Carpal Tunnel 10% Service connected Right and Left Hand


ROM Measurements:

Right Wrist palmar flexion; Normal Endpoint: 80 degrees. Endpoint: 45 Degrees

Painful motion begins: 45

Right wrist dorsiflexion Endpoint 70degrees. My endpoint was 40 degrees

No evidence of painful motion.

Left wrist palmar flexion: Normal Endpoint 80 degrees My endpoint 60 degrees

Painful motion at 60 degrees.

left wrist dorsiflexion. Normal endpoint 70 degrees, My endpoint 55 degrees


Repetitive Motion after Repetitive Motion Testing:

Right Wrist post test ROM:

Palmar Flexion: 40 Degrees

Right wrist dorsiflexion 35 degrees

Left wrist post test ROM:

Palmar Flexion: 55 Degrees
Left wrist dorsiflexion. 55 degrees

Final diagnosis is a progression of the original service connected diagnosis due to increase in pain and paresthesias and onset of stiffness of radial hand/wrist. Decreased dexterity in both hands.

Neck Cervical Spine Conditions. Current rating 20% Degenerative arthritis.

Initial ROM:

Forward flexion 30 degrees.
Painful motion 20 degrees.

Extension ends: 30
'Evidence painful motion 20 degrees.

Right Lateral flexion: 35 degrees.
Left lateral flexion: 35 degrees.

Right lateral rotation ends 30 degrees.
painful motion 30 degrees.

Left lateral rotation ends: 35 degrees
Painful motion 35 degrees


ROM after Repetitive Testing:

Post test results:

Forward flexion 25 degrees.
Extension ends: 30 degrees

Right Lateral flexion: 35 degrees.
Left lateral flexion: 35 degrees.

Right lateral rotation ends 40 degrees.
Left lateral rotation ends: 35 degrees


Final diagnosis is a progression of the current service connected diagnosis due to degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy and bilateral radicular nerve group involvement. There is severity of pain as well as radicular pain down upper arms bilaterally. Demonstrates decreased ROM.


Foot Service Connected 0%

Final diagnosis is a progression of the current service connected diagnosis due to plantar bilateral fasciitis and mild bilateral hammertoes. Plantar fasciitis has worsened in severity of pain in bilateral feet. he had tenderness on palpitation which was absent during prior evaluation, limits functional capacity at work with respect to the time he is able to spend doing weight bearing activities.

Ankle (Claimed as secondary to Foot)

Initial ROM:

Right ankle plantar flexion: Normal Endpoint 45 degrees

35 degrees

Right ankle dorsiflexion; Normal Endpoint: 20 degrees

20 degrees

Left ankle plantar flexion: Normal endpoint: 45 degrees

30 degrees

Left ankle plantar dorsiflexion: Normal Endpoint: 20 degrees

15 degrees

ROM After Repetitive Testing:

Right ankle plantar flexion: Normal Endpoint 45 degrees

35 degrees

Right ankle dorsiflexion;

20 degrees

Left ankle plantar flexion: Normal endpoint: 45 degrees

30 degrees

Left ankle plantar dorsiflexion: Normal Endpoint: 20 degrees

20 degrees


What are the possibilities of these service connected conditions being increased as a result of these C&P results.

Thank you

[Philip Rogers]

50/50 chance. jmo

pr