tinnitus Wolf14 - New Member With Question/s

[WOLF14]

Hello,

I am a new user on Hadit. First let me thank all for your informative posts and continued service to our men and women. I have a few questions regarding filing a FDC for Increase to my current rating.

Here are my current service connected ratings:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea- 50%

Anxiety Disorder-30%

Right Shoulder degenerative arthritis-20%

Left Shoulder degenerative arthritis-20%

Degenerative Disk Disease lumbar spine-20%

TMJ Syndrome with Crepitus-20%

Right Elbow Tendinitis-10%

Left Knee Strain/pain-10%

Right Knee Strain/pain/soft tissue/instability-10%

Right Achilles bursitis with Metatarsalgia-10%

Tinnitus-10&

Mild Radiculopathy right hip-10%

Right Hand 4th Metacarpal strain-0%

Left Hand 5th Metacarpal strain and boutonniere deformity-0%

Left Ear Hearing Loss-0%

Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease-0%

Left Vericocele-0%

Migraine Headaches-0%

I am currently rated at 90% and am 1 1/2 years after my retirement. Some of my service connected symptoms are getting worse (specifically the Migraines, shoulders (left and right), Left hand 5th Metacarpal and Back (Degenerative Disk Disease lumbar spine). I have recently opened a FDC on Ebenifits to "lock-in" a start date for back pay purposes. I have also elected a VSO to assist me but I haven’t been in contact with them yet. I am currently in the process of building my evidence for the service connected symptoms that are getting worse by scheduling appointments with my PCM and Specialists and will obtain all documentation after appointments. Here are my questions for Hadit:

1. Am I going about this the right way?

2. For all my SC disabilities rated at 0% listed above will having my PCM doctor note that these symptoms are getting worse finally get these above a 0% (like they should have been in the first place) and are there any statements I may need to write to support my case?

3. Do I need to explain to the nurse and doctor that my visit(s) for any of these symptoms are for a re-evaluation for my FDC Claim or not?

4. Will VA send me appointments for these worsening symptoms or will they just use the evidence I submitt from my PCM doctor(s) and specialists?

Thank you in advance for helping me with this process and providing any helpful information.

26 Years US Army®,

WOLF14

[carlie]

Welcome.

I moved your post for you.

[WOLF14]

Thank you Carlie.

[WOLF14]

Any advice out there?

[jbasser]

Migraine increase if you have Documented proof of increased frequency.

J

[john999]

You need a new claim of at least 50% or an increase of 50% or more to get to 100%. I am at 90% as well, but I have TDIU. Are you able to work? It does not sound like it. If you could add depression and pain disorder to your mental problems you might get overall rating of 70% for mental. Is there a difference between TDIU and 100% for you? What kind of pain meds do you take? What kinds of psychiatric drugs do you take? How can you work if you are stoned. I know because I have chronic pain disorder on top of everything else (sleep apnea too).

John

[WOLF14]

jbasser and john999,

Thank you for the reply.

jbasser, yes, I have documented evidence of the migranes continuing after retirement and becoming more frequent (more than once a month over the past several months). When I get the migranes it takes me a few hours to be able to concentrate again. Does it effect my work- yes, can I work-yes but not until the migranes have subsided. I have been taking Zolig and that is also documented. I have another appt with my PCM and plan on asking them to fill out the DBQ for my migranes. Will the DBQ plus the documented evidence be enough for the increase? Do I need to explain to the nurse and doctor that my visit(s) for any of these symptoms are for a re-evaluation for my FDC Claim or not? Will VA send me appointments for these worsening symptoms or will they just use the evidence I submitt from my PCM doctor(s) and specialists?

Thanks for the assist,

V/r

Wolf14