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Caluza Triangle defines what is necessary for service connection
Tbird posted a record in VA Claims and Benefits Information,
Caluza Triangle – Caluza vs Brown defined what is necessary for service connection. See COVA– CALUZA V. BROWN–TOTAL RECALL
This has to be MEDICALLY Documented in your records:
Current Diagnosis. (No diagnosis, no Service Connection.)
In-Service Event or Aggravation.
Nexus (link- cause and effect- connection) or Doctor’s Statement close to: “The Veteran’s (current diagnosis) is at least as likely due to x Event in military service”-
- 0 replies
Picked By
Tbird, -
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Post in ICD Codes and SCT CODES?WHAT THEY MEAN?
Timothy cawthorn posted an answer to a question,
Do the sct codes help or hurt my disability ratingPicked By
yellowrose, -
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Post in Chevron Deference overruled by Supreme Court
broncovet posted a post in a topic,
VA has gotten away with (mis) interpreting their ambigious, , vague regulations, then enforcing them willy nilly never in Veterans favor.
They justify all this to congress by calling themselves a "pro claimant Veteran friendly organization" who grants the benefit of the doubt to Veterans.
This is not true,
Proof:
About 80-90 percent of Veterans are initially denied by VA, pushing us into a massive backlog of appeals, or worse, sending impoverished Veterans "to the homeless streets" because when they cant work, they can not keep their home. I was one of those Veterans who they denied for a bogus reason: "Its been too long since military service". This is bogus because its not one of the criteria for service connection, but simply made up by VA. And, I was a homeless Vet, albeit a short time, mostly due to the kindness of strangers and friends.
Hadit would not be necessary if, indeed, VA gave Veterans the benefit of the doubt, and processed our claims efficiently and paid us promptly. The VA is broken.
A huge percentage (nearly 100 percent) of Veterans who do get 100 percent, do so only after lengthy appeals. I have answered questions for thousands of Veterans, and can only name ONE person who got their benefits correct on the first Regional Office decision. All of the rest of us pretty much had lengthy frustrating appeals, mostly having to appeal multiple multiple times like I did.
I wish I know how VA gets away with lying to congress about how "VA is a claimant friendly system, where the Veteran is given the benefit of the doubt". Then how come so many Veterans are homeless, and how come 22 Veterans take their life each day? Va likes to blame the Veterans, not their system.Picked By
Lemuel, -
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Post in Re-embursement for non VA Medical care.
broncovet posted an answer to a question,
Welcome to hadit!
There are certain rules about community care reimbursement, and I have no idea if you met them or not. Try reading this:
https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-emergency-care-at-non-va-facilities/
However, (and I have no idea of knowing whether or not you would likely succeed) Im unsure of why you seem to be so adamant against getting an increase in disability compensation.
When I buy stuff, say at Kroger, or pay bills, I have never had anyone say, "Wait! Is this money from disability compensation, or did you earn it working at a regular job?" Not once. Thus, if you did get an increase, likely you would have no trouble paying this with the increase compensation.
However, there are many false rumors out there that suggest if you apply for an increase, the VA will reduce your benefits instead.
That rumor is false but I do hear people tell Veterans that a lot. There are strict rules VA has to reduce you and, NOT ONE of those rules have anything to do with applying for an increase.
Yes, the VA can reduce your benefits, but generally only when your condition has "actually improved" under ordinary conditions of life.
Unless you contacted the VA within 72 hours of your medical treatment, you may not be eligible for reimbursement, or at least that is how I read the link, I posted above. Here are SOME of the rules the VA must comply with in order to reduce your compensation benefits:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.344
Picked By
Lemuel, -
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Post in What is the DIC timeline?
broncovet posted an answer to a question,
Good question.
Maybe I can clear it up.
The spouse is eligible for DIC if you die of a SC condition OR any condition if you are P and T for 10 years or more. (my paraphrase).
More here:
Source:
https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/
NOTE: TO PROVE CAUSE OF DEATH WILL LIKELY REQUIRE AN AUTOPSY. This means if you die of a SC condtion, your spouse would need to do an autopsy to prove cause of death to be from a SC condtiond. If you were P and T for 10 full years, then the cause of death may not matter so much.Picked By
Lemuel, -
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Question
lfredrick123
Here is the most recent CT Exam
GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER
Adm: 6/6/2017, D/C: 6/6/2017
CT Chest Abdomen And Pelvis Wo Contrast]
Resulted: 06/06/17 1617, Result status: Final
result
Ordering provider:
Resulted by: MD
Performed: 06/06/17 1522 - 06/06/17 1539 Resulting lab: SVB STRESS SERVICES
Narrative:
CT OF THE CHEST, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS WITHOUT INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST
EXAM DATE AND TIME: 6/6/2017 3:22 PM
INDICATION: Lung mass. Vascular disorder of the kidneys.
TECHNIQUE: Routine CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis without IV
contrast. Dose reduction techniques were employed.
COMPARISON: None available.
FINDINGS:
CHEST:
Lungs: Evaluation lung bases is hindered by extensive respiratory
motion artifact. There is patchy left greater than right bilateral
lower lobe consolidations, consistent with pneumonia and/or
atelectasis. The upper lobes appear clear.
Mediastinum/Hila: There is mild cardiomegaly. Aortic valvular
calcifications are noted. Calcified plaque is seen in the aortic arch.
No mediastinal or hilar adenopathy. Tracheostomy tube appears in
satisfactory position.
Pleura: Tiny left pleural effusion.
Chest Wall: Right-sided VP shunt catheter is seen in the subcutaneous
right anterior chest wall, terminating in the right upper quadrant of
the abdomen.
ABDOMEN:
Liver: Normal size and homogeneous, without focal suspicious
parenchymal lesion.
Gallbladder/Bile Ducts: Few tiny calcified gallstones are seen
layering in the gallbladder, which otherwise appears unremarkable.
There is no biliary dilation.
Pancreas: The pancreas appears normal.
Spleen: The spleen appears normal.
Adrenals: The adrenal glands appear normal.
Kidneys: 3.3 cm simple left upper pole renal cyst. No hydronephrosis
or nephrolithiasis.
Bowel: Numerous colonic diverticuli are noted, without CT evidence of
acute diverticulitis.
Mesentery/Omentum/Peritoneum: The mesentery, omentum and peritoneum
appear normal.
Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes appear normal. No adenopathy.
Vessels: Calcified plaque in the abdominal aorta, without evidence of
aneurysm.
Abdominal Wall: The abdominal wall appears normal.
PELVIS: Unremarkable urinary bladder. Unremarkable prostate gland. No
free air. No free fluid.
Printed on 6/8/2017 9:37 AM Page 1
GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER
200 Exempla Cir
Lafayette CO 80026
FREDRICK,GERALD W
MRN: S0406306
DOB: 2/28/1940, Sex: M
Adm: 6/6/2017, D/C: 6/6/2017
CT Chest Abdomen And Pelvis Wo Contrast [213904399]
(continued)
Resulted: 06/06/17 1617, Result status: Final
result
BONES: Multilevel degenerative changes in the lumbar spine are noted.
No destructive bony lytic or sclerotic osseous lesion.
IMPRESSION:
1. Patchy bilateral lower lobe left greater than right
consolidations, possibly representing atelectasis and/or pneumonia.
Evaluation of these regions are hindered by extensive respiratory
motion artifacts. Underlying mass, while considered less likely cannot
entirely be excluded. Follow-up chest CT suggested after resolution of
acute symptoms.
2. Right-sided VP shunt apparently in satisfactory position, tip
terminating right upper quadrant.
3. Cholelithiasis, without CT evidence of acute cholecystitis.
4. Diverticulosis, without CT evidence of acute diverticulitis.
THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN ELECTRONICALLY SIGNED:
MD
6/6/2017 4:17 PM
Contributed By:
Printed
What do you see in this report?
as compared to the initial finding in February?
02/19/2017 6:16 PM
Ordered By:
, MD
Result Status:
Final result
CT ABDOMEN AND PELVIS WO CONTRAST - Details
About This Test
The My Chart portal may not provide a complete representation of the laboratory test results in your medical record.
If you have questions, please contact your physician. If the report is not complete, you may contact Health Information Management for a complete report.
· Details
Narrative
HISTORY:
76M. Diarrhea. Noncontrast CT abdomen and pelvis with coronal
and sagittal reformats.
FINDINGS:
Mild basilar atelectasis.
Mild cardiomegaly.
Right abdominal ventriculoperitoneal shunt partially seen
extending along the liver.
Dependent cholelithiasis without pericholecystic inflammation.
Unremarkable spleen, adrenals, pancreas.
Retroperitoneal lipomatosis with mildly atretic kidneys.
Left renal 3.3 cm hypodense lesion with indeterminate density.
Diffuse fluid-filled stomach, small bowel, and large bowel
without evidence of obstruction compatible with infectious
gastroenteritis/enterocolitis and diarrhea.
Normal appendix, axial image 64.
Distal colonic diverticulosis without diverticulitis.
Central mesenteric misty appearance with subcentimeter lymph
nodes.
Unremarkable bladder.
No free fluid or free air.
Small fat-containing inguinal hernia is without inflammation.
Bowel seen immediately deep to the umbilicus.
No acute osseous finding.
IMPRESSION:
1. Diffuse fluid-filled stomach and bowel compatible with
infectious gastroenteritis or enterocolitis.
2. Indeterminate left renal 3.3 cm lesion, most, a hyperdense
cyst. Recommend all sound further evaluate if not stable on
prior exams.
3. Cholelithiasis.
4. Central mesenteric misty appearance with subcentimeter lymph
nodes most commonly associated with mesenteric panniculitis or
sclerosing mesenteritis. Consider 6 month follow-up CT abdomen.
Component Results
There is no component information for this result.
General Information
Collected:
02/19/2017 7:02 PM
Resulted:
02/19/2017 7:02 PM
Ordered By:
MD
Result Status:
Final result
Help Please!!!!
Blood Testing
KAPPA/LAMBDA LIGHT CHAINS FREE WITH RATIO, SERUM
KAPPA LIGHT CHAIN, FREE, SERUM Reference Range: 3.3-19.4 (mg/L) Actual 41.3 H
LAMBDA LIGHT CHAIN, FREE, SERUM Reference Range: 5.7-26.3 (mg/L) Actual 24.2
KAPPA/LAMBDA LIGHT CHAINS FREE WITH RATIO, SERUM Reference Range: 0.26-1.65 Actual 1.71 H
DOB: 02/28/1940
Sex: M
Phone:
Patient ID:
Age: 77
Fasting:
Specimen: KS400824A
Requisition: 7737005
Report Status: FINAL / SEE REPORT
Collected: 05/31/2017 17:19
Received: 06/02/2017 06:23
Reported: 06/09/2017 05:21
Client #: 70300946
Quest, Quest Diagnostics, the associated logo, Nichols Institute, Interactive Insights and all associated Quest Diagnostics marks are the registered trademarks of Quest Diagnostics. All third party marks - '®' and '™' - are the
property of their respective owners. Privacy policy can be found at: http://questdiagnostics.com/home/privacy-policy/online-privacy.html. © 2017 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved.
These results have been sent to the person that ordered the tests. Your receipt of these results should not be viewed as medical advice and is not meant to
replace discussion with your doctor or other healthcare professional.
Performing Sites
AMD Quest Diagnostics/Nichols Chantilly-Chantilly VA, 14225 Newbrook Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151-2228 Laboratory Director: Patrick W Mason M.D.,PhD
EZ Quest Diagnostics/Nichols SJC-San Juan Capistrano,, 33608 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042 Laboratory Director: Jon Nakamoto
MD,PhD
THYROGLOBULIN
THYROGLOBULIN Reference Range: <0.1 (ng/mL)
Reference range applies to differentiated thyroid
cancer patients following treatment. The presence of
measurable thyroglobulin indicates the presence of
thyroglobulin-producing thyroid tissue. Clinical
correlation is advised.
This test was performed using the Beckman Coulter
Chemiluminescent method. Values obtained from
different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably.
Thyroglobulin levels, regardless
of value, should not be interpreted as absolute
evidence of the presence or absence of disease.
THYROID CANCER (THYROGLOBULIN) MONITOR
THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY Reference Range: <=1 (IU/mL)
This Thyroglobulin antibody test was performed
using the Beckman Coulter Immunoenzymatic method.
Values obtained from different assay methods cannot be
used interchangeably. Thyroglobulin antibody levels,
regardless of value, should not be interpreted as
absolute evidence of the presence or absence of
disease.
If the sample contains anti-thyroglobulin antibodies
of greater than 1 IU/mL, the presence of these
autoantibodies may cause falsely low thyroglobulin
values.
SEROTONIN, SERUM
SEROTONIN, SERUM Reference Range: 56-244 (ng/mL)
This test was developed and its analytical performance
characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics
Nichols Institute San Juan Capistrano. It has not been
cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated
pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical
purposes.
10.4 H
Performing Location Name/Address:
DENVER VA MEDICAL CENTER
Lab Test: Immunogloblin Panel NOS
Lab Type: Chemistry/Hematology Ordering
Provider:
Specimen: Serum (substance) Ordering
Location:
DENVER VA
MEDICAL CENTER
Date/Time Collected: 29 Mar 2017 @ 1525 Collected
Location:
Test Name Result Units Reference Range Status Performing
Location
IGA 464 High mg/dL (79-356) Final DENVER VA
And last but not least Pulmonary
15 Mar 2017 @ 1328
Note Title: CHEST CLINIC CONSULT REPORT (T)
Location: VA Eastrn Colrado HlthCare Sy
Signed By:
Date/Time Signed: 15 Mar 2017 @ 1717
Note
LOCAL TITLE: CHEST CLINIC CONSULT REPORT (T)
STANDARD TITLE: PULMONARY OUTPATIENT CONSULT
DATE OF NOTE: MAR 15, 2017@13:28 ENTRY DATE: MAR 15, 2017@13:28:53
AUTHOR:
URGENCY: STATUS: COMPLETED
REASON FOR CONSULT: Suppressive therapy
Mr. is a 77 yo man with a history as below presents for initial care.
Doing ok right now. Has been having wheezing intermittently which improves with
budesonide and duonebs. Uses vent at night (BiPAP 25/5 with 8LPM bleed in) and
is on oxygen during the day 2-2.5 LPM TTO. Continues to have a chronic
productive cough of thick, yellow sputum through his trach. No recent blood. No
recent fevers > 100.4, chills or night sweats. No nausea, vomiting or
abdominal
pain. Had a bout of diarrhea that resolved early Feb 2017.
Per Linda, his wife, started developing breathing trouble and was diagnosed with
COPD in 2000. Since then, he had been experiencing shortness of breath with
exertion and treated albuterol PRN. Subsequently, had a cerebellar dural AVM
rupture complicated by chronic hypoventilation necessitating a tracheostomy. He
has since then developed multiple infections with most recent sputum cultures
5/2015 growing klebsiella, psuedomonas, and stenotrophomonas.
He has since been hospitalized multiple times for pneumonia, (twice in the last
year). Since 2008, has had approximately 27-28 hospitalizations.
FREDRICK, GERALD WALTER CONFIDENTIAL Page 9 of 18
Up about 8 lbs since 12/2016. Oxygen levels have been stable.
Per St. Joes discharge (2/2017):
"Mr. Fredrick is a 76yr old male who presented with COPD exacerbation with
thick
mucous and wheezing, complicating his tenuous resp status with chronic resp
failure from prior ICH, requiring trans-trach O2 and nocturnal vent at
baseline. He actually was only modestly ill with this, afebrile and without
sepsis. Started on IV steroids and frequent nebs along with supportive care. His
initial CXR was read as LLL pneumonia. WBC and procalcitonin was negative,
however. Subsequent resp pathogens panel was pos for RSV. His abx were stopped.
He improved with respect to his wheezing and was stronger on am of discharge as
well. Felt to be safe going home with the excellent care from his wife."
MEDICAL HISTORY:
?COPD although no history of smoking, but hx of occupational exposure.
Cerebellar dural AVM s/p hemorrhage 2008 necessitating tracheostomy due to
chronic hypoventilation
Chronic bacterial colonization due to hypoventilation with 2 hospitalizations in
the past year
Arteriosclerosis.
? possible pleural plaque related to asbestos exposure.
Tics
Social history:
Worked with a lot of tanks in Fort Knox and had significant exposure to fumes
and probably asbestos and herbicides, Was an artillery tank mechanical. Army 1962-1964.
Reserves for four years after that. Baggage handler for United after that.
Smoking: Never smoker
Alcohol: Rarely
Drugs: None
Family history:
None
TEST RESULTS:
CT Hi-res 3/12/17
Impression:
Consolidations at both lung bases, infection not excluded
Coronary artery calcification.
Cardiomegaly
Tracheostomy tube
VITAL SIGNS:
Temp:97.2 F [36.2 C] (12/30/2016 13:10)
Pulse:63 (12/30/2016 13:10)
Resp:20 (12/30/2016 13:10)
BP:102/62 (12/30/2016 13:10)
Height:71 in [180.3 cm] (12/30/2016 13:10)
Weight:231.7 lb [105.3 kg] (02/22/2017 13:11)
Pain:7 (12/30/2016 13:10)
Pulse Ox rest:
" " walk:
PHYSICAL EXAM:
Gen: Male
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