Neuro C&p Exam Scheduled

[oldtimer88]

hello all,

This site is amazing! I have a question regarding the Neuro C & P exam. I am SC 30% for Headaches (NOS) claimed as migraines. Not sure why they are rated as such but anyway several years before my claim was even done, I had noticed that my left eye had started jumping. It would come and go. Well I was thinking no big deal, when I went in to see my PCP and reported this, I was always told it was stress. Each eye appointment I had, it was contributed to stress. Well about 8 or 9 months ago it started getting really intense when I had a headache. It gets to the point it wants to close up. Then it started getting worse even when I didnt have a headache, but when I had a migraine, it would put me down, can't keep the eye open sometimes, lights bother it even more. Working on my computer at work when it starts to go crazy really bothers me to the point I have to keep opening it myself. Anyway, back in March I finally got tired of of the intense and frequency of this happening plus being embarrassed with people asking me why am I winking at them or what is wrong with your eye. So I scheduled an appointment with an Eye care specialist, he examined me and saw what it was doing and automatically told me what he thought it was, so he scheduled and brain MRI. It came back as Hemifacial Spasms/blepharospasm and this effects facial nerves or cranial nerves. He also stated that these attacks (if you will) comes from people that suffer with migraines and do contribute to the migraines as well.

Sorry to make this so long, I submitted a new claim for these issues secondary to migraines. I listed as eye disease, facial nerve disorder, hemifacial spasms/blepharospasm. Also requested increase for migraines. Now I have a C& P exam (Neuro) coming up. I wanted to know if I am going to have to go thru another brain MRI (such a scary process) or what is going to take place. Has anyone ever heard of migraines causing this?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[oldtimer92]

Hello All,

Thanks for responding to my question. Yes, I had the brain MRI with and without contrast in March 2015. The optometry specialist I was seeing did write a statement saying the migraines and spasms do affect each other. So I am going to have to experience that again and its only been 4 months. All records from optometrist and MRI paperwork requested from VA. I am going to the C&P next week,

[broncovet]

It may depend upon how long ago your "other" MRI was. It has been my experience that a C and P exam is good for about a year, and beyond that its pretty much obsolete. I applied for hearing loss and have been seeking an increase since 2002. So far, I had C and P exams in 2002, 2008 and 2015.

If your MRI exam was 5 years ago, it may be in your best interest to get a new one, as the current MRI may indicate a more serious problem than one 5 or more years ago.

I do think C and P exams are a way of "weeding out" some Vets. You see, if you dont show for the exam its an automatic denial, no questions asked. I can actually see their point, too. If your malady is not bad enough for you to go to the doc to get it documented, then maybe you dont deserve benefits. (I do hate it bad, tho, when VA schedules an exam then never informs the Vet and denies him for not showing up for the exam. They are famous for this.

You are gonna have to have medical evidence to document that your eye issues are secondary to sc migraines. NO evidence=no benefits.

YOu could kind of "feel out" the doc by asking the c and p doc, point blank, "do yout think the eye problems are related to migraines?"

He could say "Yes" "NO" or maybe.

If he says yes, then there is your nexus. If he says no, then it probably wont help to get an MRI. If he says, "That depends on your MRI, as to whether this is related to your migraines or not.

The obvious answer here:

If he says yes, then no mri will be needed. The doc already knows what he will say.

If he says no, then you should consider challenging a negative C and P exam.

If, however, he says it depends on your MRI, then you will have to endure it or get denied.

[toddt]

Here are several BVA decisions that may help you: http://www.va.gov/vetapp08/Files2/0810331.txt

http://www.va.gov/vetapp15/Files2/1511264.txt

Edited July 3, 2015 by toddt

[Navy04]

Welcome aboard and yes you will probably have to have another brain MRI. I just went thru this and my Migraines/TBI was increased from 30 to 50%. Yeah that MRI with the contrast dye made me sick, and I have had quite a few Scans and MRIs and they never get any easier. Good luck and God Bless

[oldtimer92]

Hello All, not sure if I am posting this right so I am trying it again. Here is my c&p exam for increase on migraines. I also filed the new claim for hemifacial spasms, other facial nerve disorder, eye twitching.

After I got back from my exam, I got a call to see an Opthamology Surgeon next month for the spasms. Also I am concerned about the mention of anxiety and HTN in the remarks from the doctor. Any Feedback??

Was the Veteran's VA claims file reviewed? [X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, list any records that were reviewed but were not included in the Veteran's VA claims file: vbms If no, check all records reviewed: [ ] Military service treatment records [ ] Military service personnel records [ ] Military enlistment examination [ ] Military separation examination [ ] Military post-deployment questionnaire [ ] Department of Defense Form 214 Separation Documents [ ] Veterans Health Administration medical records (VA treatment records) [ ] Civilian medical records [ ] Interviews with collateral witnesses (family and others who have known the Veteran before and after military service) [ ] No records were reviewed [ ] Other:

1. Diagnosis ------------ Does the Veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed with a headache condition? [X] Yes [ ] No

[X] Migraine including migraine variants ICD code: 784.0 Date of diagnosis: 2009

2. Medical History ------------------ a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's headache conditions (brief summary): CO- "patient not aware when headache and migrains strated but got got worst in basic training, also in Germany after she delivered her daughter with migrains".

Frequency of headache and migrains-18 per month.

Prostrating attack frequency-5 per month.

Work:- Computer private sector-full time for past three years

b. Does the Veteran's treatment plan include taking medication for the diagnosed condition? [X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, describe treatment (list only those medications used for the diagnosed condition): Meloxicam.Sumatriptan.

3. Symptoms ----------- a. Does the Veteran experience headache pain? [X] Yes [ ] No

[X] Pain on both sides of the head [X] Other, describe: sharp b.

Does the Veteran experience non-headache symptoms associated with headaches? (including symptoms associated with an aura prior to headache pain) [X] Yes [ ] No

[X] Nausea [X] Vomiting [X] Sensitivity to sound [X] Other, describe: dizzy,eye twitches,concentration problems

c. Indicate duration of typical head pain [X] 1-2 days

d. Indicate location of typical head pain [X] Both sides of head

4. Prostrating attacks of headache pain ---------------------------------------

a. Migraine / Non-Migraine- Does the Veteran have characteristic prostrating attacks of migraine / non-migraine headache pain? [X] Yes [ ] No

b. Does the Veteran have very prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraines/non-migraine pain productive of severe economic inadaptability? [X] Yes [ ]

No 5. 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 related to any 56 conditions listed in the Diagnosis section above? [X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, describe (brief summary): HTN,Anxiety

6. Diagnostic testing --------------------- Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings and/or results? [ ] Yes [X] No

7. Functional impact -------------------- Does the Veteran's headache condition impact his or her ability to work? [X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, describe the impact of the Veteran's headache condition, providing one or more examples: Slows her prodoctivity.

8. Remarks, if any: ------------------- PE: BP-136/75 -HEENT-normocephlaic,EOME,PERLA,no facial drops or tongue deviations,cranial nerves II/XII gorssly normal. -Neck-Supple, no JVD or carotid bruits.

Current level of headache and migrain severity:- moderate to sever based on subjective reporting by patient.