3x combat veteran with severe small duct chronic pancreatitis.

[ChronicPancreaspatient]

Hello I’m new to the forum. I am a recently separated combat veteran (been a civilian for four years now)

 

 

I returned from my last deployment in 2012. I complained of stomach issues while in country, mostly abdominal pain. According to my specialist I have small duct chronic pancreatitis and my pancreas is wasting away. I’ve reviewed the criteria for pancreatitis and my question is. Is there any hope to get my CP service connected? I can’t work I can’t do anything. I can’t help to wonder considering how rare my disease is. If the my deployment to Afghanistan had anything to do with it.

[Berta]

Yes if a medical doctor can provide a strong nexus statement of the pancreas disability to anything in your SMRs that reveal stomach issues and abdominal pain.

Did you ever  have a ERCP procedure and if so was it done at the VA.

We have a member here with pancreatitis (necrotising) and I wrote a 1151 claim for him because it was due to a ERCP. I found lots of evidence to help him but I think he was more concerned about another theory of entitlement. 1151 claims mean the VA itself caused a veteran harm, causing additional injury , or death.

https://www.va.gov/vetapp04/files/0405453.txt

VA compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was granted in

"a July 1996 rating decision following July 1995 VA surgical

treatment.  In 1995, CT scan of the abdomen was performed,

revealing a dilated common bile duct and biliary tree.  An

ERCP was performed in July 1995 showing the dilated biliary

tree and common bile duct with no obvious cause.  A small

sphincterotomy of the sphincter of Oddi was performed in

order to release any stone which was not visible."

He did have 30% for pacreatitis but BVA decided:

"Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent 
for history of pancreatitis is denied. " 

I think the decision holds the rating info for pancreatitis.

Have you googled to see if any chemicals can cause this, or oil fires etc etc,?

Has any doctor suggested a cause that could stem from your service? 

" According to my specialist I have small duct chronic pancreatitis and my pancreas is wasting away"

How long after service were you diagnosed and was this a diagnosis from the VA?

 

 

 

 

[broncovet]

Berta, as usual, posted a great answer.  I certainly agree you need a nexus.  However, you will also need a current diagnosis and, something called an "in service event".  

Your in service complaints, if documented, may serve as your "in service event".  

Best would have been if you had applied within 12 months of your exit from service.  It sounds like that is too late now?  

[Berta]

This article supports what you said as to abdominal pain in the Military-I sure hope it is in your SMRs.

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/181554-overview

Also with 3 tours  in Afganistan... do you feel you have PTSD?

Reason I ask- chronic pancreatitis is often associated with alcoholism-as the cause.

If a veteran has PTSD and self medicates with alcohol and then gets a physical disabiity that can be traced to theur self medication with alcohol, under Allen V Principi the additional disability can be service connected.

If you search here in the searh feature- I just posted info  on Allen V Principi earlier today or yesterday.

But there is also a genetic component  to some types of chronic pancreatitis- and VA likes to deny over genetic or hereditary disabilities.

CHRONIC PANCREATITIS "CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

Cause and Burden of Chronic Pancreatitis

Whereas there are causes of chronic pancreatitis that are unknown; several factors have been identified to cause chronic pancreatitis:

• Heavy alcohol use
• Autoimmune conditions (when the body’s immune system attacks its own body)
• Genetic mutations due to cystic fibrosis
• Blocked pancreatic duct or common bile duct
• Familial pancreatitis (runs in the family—with 2 or more immediate family members with a history of pancreatitis)
• https://pancreasfoundation.org/patient-information/chronic-pancreatitis/causes-and-symptoms/

Did they diagnose bile duct problems prior to the formal diagnosis?

Do you have any infectious disease you might have gotten in SW Asia?

There are quite a few presumptive infectious diseases-for South West Asia vets. 

Also I did a radio show here on the 9 newest presumptives for GWVets.

The show link should be in this link:

https://community.hadit.com/forums/topic/51414-gulf-war-registry-results-got-a-letter-from-va-what-next/