Jump to content
VA Disability Community via Hadit.com

VA Disability Claims Articles

Ask Your VA Claims Question | Current Forum Posts Search | Rules | View All Forums
VA Disability Articles | Chats and Other Events | Donate | Blogs | New Users

  • hohomepage-banner-2024-2.png

  • 27-year-anniversary-leaderboard.png

    advice-disclaimer.jpg

  • donate-be-a-hero.png

  • 0

New Diagnoses Agent Orange Exposure

Rate this question


SprayedandBetrayed

Question

Good Evening Everyone,

I have been browsing this site for a few hours. I did not find answers to what I have questions for. So I am hoping someone can advise me.

My Father served in the Marine Corp In Vietnam from 7/1967 to 5/1970. It was determined that he was exposed to Agent Orange. Along with being on a registry for Camp Lejeune for water contamination.

My Father wears AFO leg braces for the Neuropathy. He was falling a lot and I had discussed with his Primary Care Dr a few years back that I felt my father had the beginning stages of Parkinson's. The Dr sent him to the Neurologist at the VA. Which they did a EMG, along with a MRI. They found that my dad had really bad Neuropathy. He could not even feel them shock him. He also had filed his claim for PTSD. Which initially they had denied, he appealed. He finally got it. But after seeing QTC Dr they tried to say my Dad was incompetent to manage his affairs. Which I had taken my Dad for 2 different evals to prove competence. So that did not go thru with the Fiduciary. My Father's conditions make it where he can not drive. He had an accident because he could not feel the brake pedal. My Dad has lived with me for the past 8 years. He manages all of his own money, medication refills, everything. He just needs help to get where he is going. Because of the physical limitations. Fast forward to 2015. After he got his claim for PTSD about 3 years ago my Dad was having chest pains. I took him to the Emergency Room where my father was found to have 2 major blockages in his heart. They did 2 Stents. There were still some more blockages they could not get to them because it was not reachable. I want to say they diagnosed him with CAD which I found VA referes to this as IHD. I believe he also has COPD I am waiting for his medical records. He has quite a few disc issues in the Cervical, Thorasic, and Lumbar areas. Along with the Siatic Nerve issues. My Dad was receiving VA transportation but since they say he no longer qualifies for this. With the new regulations. But he is unable to drive because of no feeling from the waist down.

We were in to see his Cardiologist a few months back and he asked me how my dad was. I had told him my concerns that he was falling a lot. That I cannot leave him at home alone. Because of the falls.We are with him 24/7 My dad has fallen and broken his ankle he was complete and total care for 3 months. He also fell before that and broke his toe and had a huge laceration. When I had addressed the issues a few years back with PCP, he said the Neurologist said all of this was from my Dad's Neuropathy.

I have addressed it multiple times with my Dad's PCP about the worsening of his symptoms with nothing being done. My Dad was finally diagnosed by outside Neuro with Parkinsons. The funny story is this Dr we did not know at the time had worked previously at the VA. I took my dads records into the office with me. He asked questions did the testing. He did another MRI to check for any issues that could cause this. He put my dad on some Trial medication with a follow up a few weeks later. My dad was falling at least 5- 6 times per week. Not small falls very hard ones. He had all the symptoms of Parkinsons. The medicine helped my dad in the past few months has only fallen 2 times which is a major improvement. So we cant chalk all of my dads issues up to the Degenerative Disc issue, Neuropathy. The medicine would not have worked. My dad had another EMG done with same Dr and his neuropathy is so severe. We follow up next week with him for results.

Sorry for the long winded history. I just thought it may be helpful. If they look at the new diagnosis will we have to go back for an appointment with QTC? Went to VA when we were into see PCP we told him of the new Diagnosis.. He said wow I know you had mentioned it a few times in the past. So with me mentioning that would they back date it? The Neuro said my dad has had the symptoms all along but the VA said it was the Neuropathy. Which is not fun either. The VA now sends my dad his meds for the parkinsons. On top of all of this my dad also had a Upper GI bleed, from the medications VA had him on. It tore his stomach up. My dad has an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm as well. They have done nothing for it. Just watching it.

The outside Neuro has filled out the DBQ saying he does have Parkinsons. His Motor Manifestations are Stooped Posture Moderate. Balance Impairment Severe. Bradykinesia Moderate. Loss of Automatic Movements Mild, Speech Changes Moderate. Tremor Yes Right Upper Mild. Left Upper Mild, Right Lower Not affected, Left Lower Not Affected. Muscle Rigidity Yes R Upper Moderate, L Upper Moderate, R Lower Moderate. L Lower Moderate. Depression he marked Yes and wrote PTSD. Cognitive Impairment None. Loss of sense of smell None. Sleep Disturbance Moderate. Chewing None. Urinary Problems 2-4 is marked Constipation no. Sexual Dysfunction Yes Mild . Financial Responsibility he marked dad in his judgement is competent. Then does the veterans parkinsons impact his ability to work he put Yes. Unable to walk because of Postural Instability.

My questions are 1 with him already being at 90% SC, with Unemployability making it 100%. Does he have a claim to compensation for the following Diagnosis's

Parkinsons Diagnosis.

IHD or CAD ( I will check his records and see exactly what it says)

Sleep Apnea

Severe Peripheral Neuropathy ( it says on the report Length, Dependent, Predominatly axonal peripheral neuroapthy. 2 Sensorimotor median neuropathy across the right wrist consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome. Acute C8-T1 radialculpathy on the right. Chronic L2,3,4 and S1-S2 radialculpathy on the right. Acute on Chronic L4-5 radialculpathy on right. absent responses of the lower extremity sensory nerves. In short his Neuropathy has worsened.

Hypertension

Drop Foot

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

ED ( You guys will know what that is)

My dad gets a lot of swelling as well retention of water. Which he is taking meds for.

The person down at VA we had stopped in to get the clothing allowance form. We had asked a question. He said my fathers case when he pulled it up he had no clue why he wore the AFO's we told him the Neuro had ordered them a few years back. He said well if it was correctly put in there he would have seen why. He also said that if my dad wears those. Then he should be getting more compensation. ( He briefly explained how it all worked) We have an appointment to go and talk to a rep there about my dads case. We did submit the DBQ for his Parkinsons. The Dr will fill out a DBQ for the worsening of the Neuropathy. Should I take a DBQ to the cardiologist? My dad takes blood thinners for life with the heart issue. He also gets very short of breath. But is not on O2 yet. He gets also SMC (I)

My father had applied a while back for Aid and Attendance when he broke his ankle. The PCP at VA filled out the paperwork. To date we have heard nothing. I cannot even see the claim status on the ebenefits. Nor do I see the Parkinsons claim

My Dads conditions says below that this is all service connected to Agent Orange. Will we have to go and see numerous Dr's if he files for benefits for these since there is a trail already?

The guy we spoke to at Clothing Allowance said there are some grants that will modify or add onto a home for him to have accessibility. We own our home, but it is in our name. Will my Dad still qualify for these to make things accessible for him. or do an addition of a downstairs bedroom for him? Below are his ratings.

Disability Rating Decision Related To Effective Date diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic nephropathy and tinea pedis 20% Service Connected

Agent Orange

02/2004

early peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity

10% Service Connected 02/2005

early peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity

10% Service Connected 02/2005

hypertension

0% Service Connected 02/2004

peripheral vascular disease left lower extremity

20% Service Connected 12/2008

peripheral vascular disease right lower extremity

20% Service Connected 12/2008 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)/major depressive disorder 70% Service Connected 10/2008

Thank You for all of your help. I will honestly say that it is an honor to take care of my Father. But it is also the hardest to see his decline with his physical abilities. My Dad has always been my best friend and Hero.

Thank You to each and everyone of you for your Service and Sacrifice for our Great Nation. Welcome Home!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Recommended Posts

  • 0

Sounds like to me this veteran should seek an attorney asap the sooner the better and get medical attention ASAP We have been seeing outside Dr's Gastro, Cardio, and Neuro. Because of the issues and history of them not listening to whats going on.

Ms Berta knows what she is talking about here, this is very serious and needs prompt attention.

There are some great hadit members here that are professional's with VA Law

Dr Bash and Attorney Bob Walsh.

I believe Ms berta has there address emails and phone numbers. Do they look at cases if they are in different states? Or is there a way to find out who handles VA cases in your state?

I wish your Dad the very best and pray that he gets the help he needs. Thank You. There isnt a battle I would not fight for him.

..........................Buck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

I think the VA needs to be aware of the older Nam veterans, because for some of us we were ok when we got out but that old Agent Orange will sure creep up on us over the years, In my opinion All veterans that was exposed to that nasty stuff should be check periodically.

..............Buck

I couldn't agree more. My dad receives care. Im thankful for that. But I am also thankful that he has other insurance besides VA. So he has the ability to go outside of VA. I have seen to many times where vets could not get the care. Now I am seeing the effects of them not listening to my dad about his issues, along with me saying clearly.

He sees Mental Health for PTSD What I find ironic is they bill my Dad's Private insurance for it. Yet it is 70% SC. He has had more social workers then I care to count. He had a really nice one who would actually listen to him and talk with him. This last one was a horrible WITCH to put it nicely. My Dad was talking about his frustration over the transportation denial. Only to listen to her say that doesn't effect your mental health. Or when he said he was depressed because of not being able to get around. She said that had nothing to do with it. Bull Hooties it doesn't. It has everything thing to do with it you don't think a Vet who has lost the ability to be independent. They are basically stuck in a Wheel Chair or Limited Mobility because of their conditions caused by AO exposure. I was in the room with him. When she told my Dad that. He said well then why do I bother to even talk to you? Why do you even ask me How I am doing? I said can you explain to me what you do exactly? Because you are billing my Dad's private insurance. Yet you don't even let him get a word out. You immediately say that has nothing to do with your mental health. I told her flat out. It does. I said imagine you are in my Dad's shoes how would you feel not being able to get in the car, and go to the store. Or you need someone to help get you off the toilet, or help bathing. Yeah you better think about that and see why Vet's are suffering from depression. On top of the PTSD.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Sorry. Hes currently 90% SC. But hes getting paid at the 100% rate due to his Individual Unemployability. Hopefully his claim for Parkinsons will take him over the hump to 100% on its own with future exams to get the current level of severity or Permanent and Total where he has no future exam dates for review.

Edited by USN_HM_VSR
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

How do you know if they are Permanent and Total with no more exams?

Also for the unemployability, he has to send back a signed form stating he has not worked I believe its every year. Would he still get unemployability if he is over the 100% mark.

He has heard from other Vets that if you have numerous conditions. They told him they get 100$ Sc times 2 because each is 100%. I have never heard of that before.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

What Berta and everyone else said. If your Dad has an official DX that could be SC'd as a Primary or Secondary condition, file the claim. Your Dad's condition, in my very Lay opinion qualifies him for SMC's for A&A and Housebound.

While your waiting for those claims, look into the VA's "Independent Living Chapter 31 Program," administered through the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Department. Quite possibly your Dad will qualify for a number of additional Services and Benefits. 2 Nam Vet friends I pushed into the program, just got $6500.00 Grants to upgrade their bathrooms. It will be worth your time and effort to check the IL program out. You can apply on your Dads E-Ben site.

Usually requires a couple trips to the IL Department at your VARO and a home visit by a case worker.

Semper Fi

Gastone

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use