Question For Jstacy & Berta

[david walker]

In my last C&P the doc stated cervical radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities, he did not address anything about my shoulder and said the arthritis in my wrist was mild. My question is: can the VA take away the 10% I was awarded for my shoulder (due to trauma) and/or the 10% I was awarded for my wrist (arthitis due to trauma) earlier? I'm worried they will claim these 2 are the same as the cervical radiculopathy.

I'm really worried they may lower my percentage. I guess this is due to not feeling like I've gotten a fair shake the other times. Guys I'm tired, I feel like thats what they are hoping for (I'll give up). Its hard having to take a had full of pills just to get to work and a hand full to stay. Thanks for listen & all your advice, it gets really hard this time of year. Theres so much to do & I'm having to stay medicated just to get through it.

I'm really aggravated with the VA. Seems to me the C&P docs purpose is to disprove what you civilian & VA doctors say.

[Berta]

"Seems to me the C&P docs purpose is to disprove what you civilian & VA doctors say."

Yes -I agree- this is so often the case-

Do your service connected disabiliies "aggravate" the cervical radiculopathy ? If so you can make claim as secondary under the regs in 38 CFR as well as direct SC claim.

I cannot imagine that upper extremity bilateral cervical radiculopathy would not be medically related to or aggravated by the two SC conditions. Then again I am no doctor-

But your claim makes sense to me-

Do the meds you take affect your ability to work?

Even though you are employed -this is still a factor in your overall disabling conditions-

The VA cannot lower or take away comp without clear and convincing medical evidence of substantial improvement.

[Guest jstacy]

I totally agree with Berta.

The Cervical Radiculpathy should be considerd in both arms. Mine is left side only and It is 20 percent. Yours should be bilattarel.

Edited December 11, 2006 by jstacy

[Dale Jr. 8]

David,

If the C&P doc didn't address the shoulder the VA doesn't want the doc to look at it. My guess is that you put in a claim concerning pain radiating down both arms. The shoulder and wrist should stay the same. You also should get a % for the cervical radiculopothy. Do you have a % for your cervical spine? If so you probably won't get an increase for that if you get the radiculopothy %. Va does try to wear you down. They proposed to reduce my % from 50-30 but couldn't do it on the C&P doc's exam alone. since my C&P I submiitted new evidence and they decided to leave the % alone. The day after I got my SOC from them I filed another claim for Sciatica in the left leg and an increase on my lumbar spine. Hope all turns out well with your claim. Don't despair and give up. Dale Jr. 8

[david walker]

Jstacy, how do they come up with the percentage for cervical radiculopathy? Mine is worse in my right side. But the NCS states chronic bilateral cervical radiculopathy. I'm guessing 10% I don't think the VA goes any higher.

[Guest jstacy]

These are the main nerves effected by cervical radiculopathy. What did the exam say as per sensory defect.

The median nerve

8515 Paralysis of:

Complete; the hand inclined to the ulnar side, the 70 60

index and middle fingers more extended than

normally, considerable atrophy of the muscles of

the thenar eminence, the thumb in the plane of the

hand (ape hand); pronation incomplete and

defective, absence of flexion of index finger and

feeble flexion of middle finger, cannot make a

fist, index and middle fingers remain extended;

cannot flex distal phalanx of thumb, defective

opposition and abduction of the thumb, at right

angles to palm; flexion of wrist weakened; pain

with trophic disturbances..........................

Incomplete:

Severe............................................ 50 40

Moderate.......................................... 30 20

Mild.............................................. 10 10

8615 Neuritis.

8715 Neuralgia.

The ulnar nerve

8516 Paralysis of:

Complete; the ``griffin claw'' deformity, due to 60 50

flexor contraction of ring and little fingers,

atrophy very marked in dorsal interspace and thenar

and hypothenar eminences; loss of extension of ring

and little fingers cannot spread the fingers (or

reverse), cannot adduct the thumb; flexion of wrist

weakened...........................................

Incomplete:

Severe............................................ 40 30

Moderate.......................................... 30 20

Mild.............................................. 10 10

8616 Neuritis.

8716 Neuralgia.

Musculocutaneous nerve

8517 Paralysis of:

Complete; weakness but not loss of flexion of elbow 30 20

and supination of forearm..........................

Incomplete:

Severe............................................ 20 20

Moderate.......................................... 10 10

Mild.............................................. 0 0

8617 Neuritis.

[carlie]

David,

I remember you've held steady and fast, come a long way in this fight.

I know you will not give up and let them prevail, you hang in there buddy,

down the road it will be worth your tenacity.

carlie