Opinions

[Akdiesel]

I am looking for some guesstimates of what to expect for a rating. I have no idea and it seems you guys are very knowledgeable. My claim had: tinnitus in both ears, hearing loss (USMC issued me hearing aids) but I understand it's likely 0%, instability and joint pain in both knees, instability and joint pain in both ankles and retinal holes noticed at my military PRK surgery. Also during the general medical the doc noticed my shoulder is painful and limited in motion but my DAV rep hadn't put that in there as I've never officially been seen for it. Any ideas at % rating?

[ghost14d]

Now it went to pending decision approval

[carlie]

Well got my decision of 40%. Pretty happy with it bummer that my state the majority of benefits are at 50%

Congrats on getting some positive adjudication !

[Akdiesel]

I did the Gulf War Registry that how I found out about persumstive illness. I checked Ebenefit and it said I was on preparing for decision . I'm 70 now

Would the Gulf War Registry apply to OIF vets like myself or just Desert Storm guys?

[Berta]

To answer your question:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp

The VA Burn pit registry has been delayed per this receny VA info:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/action-plan.asp
Hiowever.....


In essense all OEF and OND vets are also Gulf War vets except for OIF vets.

The Gulf War limiting date for claims in December 2016 but I expect that to be changed.

I did a SVR show here on the 9 nine presumoptives, in 2010 or 2011 available in our hadit Radio show archives.

There are many oterh shows on GWV issues in the archives as well.



"Va to Cover New Illnesses for OEF/OIF and gulf war Veterans
a new Va regulation now makes it easier for Veterans to
obtain disability compensation for certain diseases associated
with service in iraq and afghanistan, as well as the gulf War.
the final regulation, announced in September 2010, establishes
presumptive service-connection for nine specific infectious
diseases associated with military service in Southwest asia during
the gulf War and other conflicts in iraq from august 2, 1990 to
the present; and in afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001.
“this is part of historic changes in how Va considers gu....etc"


http://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/oefoif/oefoif-newsletter-dec2010.pdf



"More than 650,000 Service members served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Gulf War period is still in effect. This means that anyone who served on active duty from August 2, 1990, to present is considered a Gulf War Veteran. For example, the Veterans Pension benefit requires service during a wartime period. Therefore, any Veteran who served on active military service for any period from August 2, 1990, to the present meets the wartime service requirement."

http://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-gulfwar.asp

"PERSIAN GULF - 2 Aug. 1990 to [be established]

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM: 7 Oct. 2001 to [be established]

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM: 19 Mar. 2003 to 17 Feb. 2010

OPERATION NEW DAWN: 17 Feb. 2010 to [be established]"

http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Eligibility.asp

[ghost14d]

Does the Veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed with an

intestinal condition (other than surgical or infectious)?

[X] Yes [ ] No

[X] Irritable bowel syndrome

ICD code: 564

Date of diagnosis: 1990s

2. Medical history

------------------

a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's

intestinal condition (brief summary):

37-year-old African-American veteran who had normal stool pattern until

deployed to the Gulf in 1999. Patient was given malaria pills and one

to two

weeks after this he as well as several of his colleagues developed

watery non-

bloody diarrhea 2-5 times a day and occasionally at night. They were

informed

that diarrhea was from the malaria pill. However, after stopping this

medication

the diarrhea has persisted. Patient redeployed to the Gulf 2004 where

the

diarrhea again worsened. Patient indicates one of his major duties in

the Gulf

was burning human waste and other toxins with jet fuel on a regular

basis.

Patient currently has several watery to soft stools preceded by a

couple minutes

by bilateral lower abdominal cramping. He also notes increased

borborygmi

without distention. The cramps gradually dissipate within an hour

after

each

tool. Patient has urgency for stool, occasional tenesmus, occasional

incontinence for liquid stool. Patient denies fevers, chills, nausea,

vomiting,

anorexia, early satiety, arthritis, skin, ocular, liver related

symptoms. Has

tried Imodium which he took 3 to 4 times a day with initial marginal

benefit but

became less effective and discontinued this. Metamucil marginal help

with some

stool formation. Patient was placed on metformin but this was

discontinued

immediately due to severe diarrhea. Some benefit by discontinuing milk

and soda.

Started Wal-Mart Spring Valley probiotic two days ago with significant

improvement in borborygmi but not with diarrhea as of yet. Patient

states that

several of his colleagues in the Gulf War have similar chronic

diarrheal

symptoms without diagnoses.

Continues with above-described symptoms-recent upper and lower

endoscopy negative consistent with diagnosis

b. Is continuous medication required for control of the Veteran's intestinal

condition?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, list only those medications required for the intestinal

condition:

Imodium

c. Has the Veteran had surgical treatment for an intestinal condition?

[ ] Yes [X] No

3. Signs and symptoms

---------------------

Does the Veteran have any signs or symptoms attributable to any non-surgical

non-infectious intestinal conditions?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, check all that apply:

[X] Diarrhea

If checked, describe:

See above

[X] Nausea

If checked, describe:

Associated with frequent bowel movements

[X] Vomiting

If checked, describe:

Occasional/infrequent

4. Symptom episodes, attacks and exacerbations

----------------------------------------------

Does the Veteran have episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress,

or exacerbations or attacks of the intestinal condition?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, indicate severity and frequency: (check all that apply)

[X] Episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress

If checked, indicate frequency:

[ ] Occasional episodes

[X] Frequent episodes

[ ] More or less constant abdominal distress

5. Weight loss

--------------

Does the Veteran have weight loss attributable to an intestinal condition

(other than surgical or infectious condition)?

[ ] Yes [X] No

6. Malnutrition, complications and other general health effects

---------------------------------------------------------------

Does the Veteran have malnutrition, serious complications or other general

health effects attributable to the intestinal condition?

[ ] Yes [X] No

7. Tumors and neoplasms

-----------------------

a. Does the Veteran have a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases

related

to any of the diagnoses in the Diagnosis section?

[ ] Yes [X] No

8. Other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs

and/or

symptoms

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Does the Veteran have any scars (surgical or otherwise) related to any

conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the Diagnosis

section above?

[ ] Yes [X] No

b. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings,

complications, conditions, signs and/or symptoms?

[ ] Yes [X] No

9. Diagnostic testing

---------------------

a. Has laboratory testing been performed?

[ ] Yes [X] No

b. Have imaging studies or diagnostic procedures been performed and are the

results available?

[ ] Yes [X] No

c. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings and/or results?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief

summary):

Upper and lower endoscopy February 2014 negative-consistent with

diagnosis

10. Functional impact

---------------------

Does the Veteran's intestinal condition impact his or her ability to work?

[ ] Yes [X] No

11. Remarks, if any:

--------------------

No remarks provided

[ghost14d]

Does the Veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed with an

esophageal condition? Yes

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)ICD code: 530 Date of

diagnosis: 1990s

Medical history

---------------

Description of the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's

esophageal conditions: Develop GERD-like symptoms while on active duty which

persisted

Does the Veteran's treatment plan include taking continuous medication for

the diagnosed condition: Yes

Medications used for the diagnosed condition: Omeprazole

Signs and symptoms

------------------

Does the Veteran have any of the following signs or symptoms due to any

esophageal conditions (including GERD)? Yes

Sign and Symptoms:

Pyrosis

Reflux

Regurgitation

Pain

Substernal

Nausea

Frequency of episodes of nausea per year: 4 or more

Average duration of episodes of nausea: Less than 1 day

Esophageal stricture, spasm and diverticula

-------------------------------------------

Does the Veteran have an esophageal stricture, spasm of esophagus

(cardiospasm or achalasia), or an acquired diverticulum of the esophagus? No

Other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs and/or

symptoms

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does the Veteran have any scars (surgical or otherwise) related to any

conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the Diagnosis

section above? No

Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications,

conditions, signs and/or symptoms related to any conditions listed in the

Diagnosis section above? No

Diagnostic Testing

------------------

Have diagnostic imaging studies or other diagnostic procedures been

performed? Yes

Diagnostic Testing Preformed:

Upper endoscopy Date: February 2014 Results: consistent

with diagnosis

Biopsy, specify site: small intestine

Date: February 2014 Results: negative

Has laboratory testing been performed? No

Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings and/or results? No

Functional impact

-----------------

Do any of the Veteran's esophageal conditions impact on his or her ability

to

work? No

Remarks, if any: No response provided

-----------------

NOTE: VA may request additional medical information, including additional

examinations if necessary to complete VA's review of the Veteran's

application.

Can you guys take a good guess to see if I might get rated and if so what