Service For Non-Va Prescribed Medications.

[sawgunner]

If a veteran is prescribed meds from his private doc, for service connected conditions, and thise meds cause issues, can the vet file on thise conditions?

Im being told by a vet rep here at the VA hospital that the anwser is no.

[Berta]

The answer is Yes.

For example :

http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http://www.va.gov/vetapp12/Files5/1234241.txt

In Part:

“Postservice treatment records include VA outpatient treatment records 
that show as early as 1987, the Veteran was placed on nonsteriodal 
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (i.e., Ibuprofen/Motrin) taken for
 his service-connected residuals of a right hand injury.  In July 1989,
 he was diagnosed with gastritis.  In February 1990, he complained of
 epigastric pain for four months, and that Motrin upsets his stomach. 
 An April 1992 upper gastrointestinal radiology report found his esophagus was
 normal, and findings suggestive of duodenitis.   

A February 1993 VA examination report includes the Veteran's complaints 
that he had developed recurrent digestion, heartburn, and nausea with 
occasional gagging and spitting up of phlegm, which he attributed to his 
antiarthritic medication.  
A January 2003 VA examination report includes a brief comment that 
the Veteran was presently on Tylenol (versus Ibuprofen/Motrin) as needed for recurrent hand pain.”
And:
  “Based on the above, it was opined that "it is at least as likely as not
 (i.e. 50% or higher) that the Veteran's Barrett esophagus is proximately 
due to or caused by the use of NS[AID]s to treat his service-connected residuals of a right hand injury."  
http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http:

//www.va.gov/vetapp07/Files4/0730582.txt
The veteran claimed ED due to his PTSD meds.
The 
Board notes that the examiner's rationale only specifies that 
wellbutrin is a medication unassociated with erectile 
dysfunction; the opinion presents a less emphatic conclusion 
regarding the unlikelihood that amitriptyline would be 
associated with erectile dysfunction.  Indeed, significantly, 
the veteran has submitted a prescription information sheet 
for amitriptyline which clearly indicates that "decreased 
sexual ability" is a documented side-effect of the drug.”

“In light of the specific and unequivocal medical opinion 
regarding the causation of this disability presented in the 
May 2007 VA consultation report, the Board finds the evidence 
to be, at least, in relative equipoise.  In giving the 
benefit of the doubt to the veteran, the Board finds that 
service connection for erectile dysfunction is warranted.  

The Board notes that even if the veteran's erectile 
dysfunction was not caused by the veteran's PTSD medication, 
service connection would be warranted if the veteran's 
erectile dysfunction was either aggravated by his PTSD 
pathology or the treatment of that pathology.  Under the 
circumstances, the Board finds that entitlement to service 
connection is warranted.


ORDER

Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is 
warranted.  The appeal is granted.”  

Any VA prescribed med ,for a SC disability , if it causes a secondary
 documented and ratable disability, 
can be awarded as a secondary service connection condition.
Of course that would also need a nexus statement from a doctor.

This is why the VA monitors statin meds as well as other meds that can 
cause secondary problems.
The VA almost replaced my WWII neighbor's hip until they realized his hip pain and limp 
problem was directly due to a statin med he was prescribed by the VA.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Berta

[brokensoldier244th]

That NSAID med was prescribed by outpatient VA, though. He's asking about non- VA prescribed meds for a VA covered condition.

[sawgunner]

Thats right..

These meds were prescribed by a private doc for my VA service connetced conditions.

Thing is.... my GERD is service connected for these same meds, but the service rep here said no.

[sawgunner]

The service rep here at the VA hospital is not my rep.

I only went to her office for the nexus form.

[brokensoldier244th]

Hmmm......Well, if the GERD is SC, I can see VA asking why private meds are being used and something through VA formulary.....maybe that is where he/she is coming from?

[Berta]

I am sorry, you are correct Brokensoldier....... sorry I didnt answer this right.