Can I Get Dental S/c To Already S/c Eating Disorder?

[Navy4life]

I am S/C for my Eating Disorder.....I have numerous fainting spells documented which is what helped get me S/C for Anorexia Nervosa....

In November 2014 I passed out and was rushed to the VA hospital. I damaged both front teeth due to my eating disorder. I was treated for other issues while at the ER and released. I had two consults to the VA dental denied due to no S/C for my teeth.

I had to get over $4,500 in dental work done on the outside. I had both my dentist and specialist dentist fill out DBQ's and I submitted them along with all receipts and I did an FDC. I filled out everything needed and submitted in Feb 2015...

QUESTION...Can you get your teeth S/C(secondary) if you already have a S/C disability (Anorexia Nervosa) that attributed to the secondary issue?

I noticed on the VA site for FDC claim's it states:

Who Can File an FDC?

Veterans may file an FDC for disability compensation for the following reasons:

• An injury, disability, or condition believed to have occurred or been aggravated by military service.
• A condition caused or aggravated by an existing service-related condition.

Edited April 19, 2015 by Navy4life

[Buck52]

as for as I know to be eligible for dental care veterans need to be 100% rated.

Rating Formula for Eating Disorders

Rating

Self-induced weight loss to less than 80 percent of expected minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks total duration per year, and requiring hospitalization more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube feeding. 100

Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of six or more weeks total duration per year. 60

Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of more than two but less than six weeks total duration per year. 30

Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder and incapacitating episodes of up to two weeks total duration per year. 10

Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder but without incapacitating episodes. 0

Note 1: An incapacitating episode is a period during which bed rest and treatment by a physician are required.

Note 2: Ratings under diagnostic codes 9201 to 9440 will be evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Ratings under diagnostic codes 9520 and 9521 will be evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Eating Disorders.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155)

[georgiapapa]

Buck,

I may be wrong but my reasoning for my opinion regarding the dental injury being secondary to a service connected condition is based on 38 CFR 3.310 (a) "Disabilities that are proximately due to, or the result of, a service connected condition." If Navy4life damaged her front teeth due to her eating disorder, the damaged teeth should be considered secondary to her service connected eating disorder and therefore service connected. Navy4life's dentists have completed DBQs for dental disability claim (VA form 21-0960D-1) which have been submitted with her FDC claim.

There are about nine (9) different classifications or groups of veterans eligible for VA dental care. 100% P & T veterans are one (1) of the classifications or groups.

GP

[Navy4life]

If I do get my teeth S/C secondary does that mean I am entitled to dental work on my entire mouth or only the two teeth I damaged?

[georgiapapa]

Navy4life,

I believe you will only be eligible for dental work on the teeth damaged as a result of the eating disorder unless your dentist stated your eating disorder is damaging other teeth as well. JMO.

GP

[Navy4life]

That makes sense! thank you for all your replies!

[Navy4life]

**UPDATE** I received a release of medical records back in late March - I signed off on it and both my Dentist received a letter from the VA asking them to provide all my medical records. I am currently in an FDC process.

The other day I received a letter stating even though they have requested the medical records, I am still responsible for getting them the medical records. I spoke to both Dentists and one FAXED on 5/26/15 and the other mailed the records on 5/26/15.

So I called my rep at the RO office and she noted in my file to NOT have them make a decision until the records are received. She told me if they are not in my file by the end of next week to get copies of them and submit them on Ebennies...

I would rather wait for the VA to have all my documents in front of them so that they will make a positive decision!

Fingers Crossed!