Can I Get Some Answers?

[wreckinball]

Guys & Gals,

Here's my situation..... I was "healthy as a horse" when I left active duty about 20+ years ago. As of two years, I have had a diagnosis of PM; (MANY MUSCLE DISEASE) .... I have this "gut feeling" that I may have been exposed to pesticide(s) while in the USAR....But since this was on a non - drill weekend I doubt if anyone or any records were kept on this.... How should/What should I do to proccede???? Follow up question..... Before I recieved the diagnosis of PM I had the diagnosis of ALS (I filed a claim for that,but I was denied due to it not being a definate diagnosis ) but the neuro doc said, and I quote, "ALS cannot be completely ruled out, I'll just have to do more testing to make an accurate diagnosis....." So, here I sit in limbo.... What can/should I do???? Any logical reply would be most helpfull....

THANKS!!!!

[Berta]

If you get a confirmed diagnosis of ALS, by all means file the claim for it.


§ 3.318 Presumptive service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis manifested at any time after discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service is sufficient to establish service connection for that disease.
(b) Service connection will not be established under this section:
(1) If there is affirmative evidence that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was not incurred during or aggravated by active military, naval, or air service;
(2) If there is affirmative evidence that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is due to the veteran's own willful misconduct; or
(3) If the veteran did not have active, continuous service of 90 days or more.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a)(1))
[73 FR 54693, Sept. 23, 2008]

[Guest]

"ALS cannot be completely ruled out, I'll just have to do more testing to make an accurate diagnosis....." So, here I sit in limbo.... What can/should I do???? Any logical reply would be most helpfull....

Don't sit in limbo, get more testing to get a proper diagnosis.

[63SIERRA]

sounds presumptive unless they can prove otherwise.