Great ToeNail, bilateral remnants cauterization, scars, open wound, chronic

[ToxicSgt73]

Question: 
I am not even sure yet what my question is? 

Situation: 

I had ingrown toenails on great toe bilateral chronic in service.  Aggravated by weight control program policy (I was on 3 years, 8 months, 29 days) of running in combat boots, and last ditch effort of adding speed (amphetamines USAF strength). I did a lot of running from basic till the end, a lot more than I had not been on that program.

After multiple inservice removals of nails (complete).  USAF hospital at Tyndall removed nails and cauterized the 'matrix' the 'roots, or bed' of the nails where the nail grows from.  The idea was my nails would not grow back? Bad idea....

An Airman First Class was assigned the task. 

Result: My nails grew back.  Except neither one the same, and neither as original stock equipment.

I have 3 nails remnants on one toe, I have one nail that grows 90 degrees to the horizontal flat plane of the top of my toe.  This causes repeated open wounds? breaks in skin? over scar tissue? They are a nightmare to trim, as they are deformed and multiples times as thick as originals.  Varying degrees of pain during the time span between trimming, and great pain, open wounds and blood every time trimming is necessary. I can no longer trim them myself as my tremor isn't part time much of the time.

This has limited my choice of footwear over the years, as hard shoes don't feel that great with a toenail growing straight up.  Probably affected my gait, posture, etc. (never thought about it that way) until now that i have arthritis in my knees, just had an xray of my right knee, no obvious trauma to knee, just arthritis from oral report (request in for written and image). I do know that my running days were over when I left the service.

 

I am starting to build my claim.  I am using VLB template along with my other research into everything.....and I still am stumped as to how to treat this one.  

I have read a lot of denials for ingrown toenails on the web, and only one instance period of anyone having this cauterization done.

I though I would use this injury as first question about go about the claim process as it seems to be multiple routes.

Would this be pyramiding if I also have peripheral nephropathy? 

I am going to have a lot of doctors visits ahead if I need doctors to diagnose everything that isn't documented (I know the answer to this one).

Where does this injury fit into the claims types?

[GBArmy]

I'm going for the obvious on this. Do you use the VA for Health Care? If you do, do you use them for your foot problems?  If you do, I would request an appointment with the specialist for a consultation. Hopefully you also have your str's from service which documents this stuff; if you don't have them, get it now. The VA doc should be asked about what does he recommend as to immediate care and for a long term resolution. If he sounds really helpful, ask him politely if he/she would kindly put it in your record.The foot injury, if you get them to do s-c, is probably a small rating, 10%? But you have potential for a bunch of secondaries ex. your gate, back issues, knee(s), etc. ??? If you don't use a VA doc for your foot, I would get an eval from your civilian doc and ask him to write a report on the complexities of the problem. Research dbq's and find out what he should use (maybe more than one dbq?) Because your situation is so different, I wouldn't worry too much about putting in everything all at once for your initial claim. The important thing is getting your foot s-c first.

[ToxicSgt73]

47 minutes ago, GBArmy said:

I'm going for the obvious on this. Do you use the VA for Health Care? If you do, do you use them for your foot problems?  If you do, I would request an appointment with the specialist for a consultation. Hopefully you also have your str's from service which documents this stuff; if you don't have them, get it now. The VA doc should be asked about what does he recommend as to immediate care and for a long term resolution. If he sounds really helpful, ask him politely if he/she would kindly put it in your record.The foot injury, if you get them to do s-c, is probably a small rating, 10%? But you have potential for a bunch of secondaries ex. your gate, back issues, knee(s), etc. ??? If you don't use a VA doc for your foot, I would get an eval from your civilian doc and ask him to write a report on the complexities of the problem. Research dbq's and find out what he should use (maybe more than one dbq?) Because your situation is so different, I wouldn't worry too much about putting in everything all at once for your initial claim. The important thing is getting your foot s-c first.

1). Have not been to VA for health care.
2). I am about a week and half into request on service medical records, eta is end of Sept, or 3 months or 6 months...
3). I do have a new diagnosis of knee arthritis with no evidence of injury, but, I haven't seen the radiologist report yet, just my soon to fired family doc's visit.....records request already in the works....learned that lesson already, and yes, will have to go to a foot doctor to get current diagnosis, 

I have thought about going to the local VA clinic, actually I did, I got a blank form and nice welcome from receptionist, and some tips, she suggested I fill out the form and come back when I got my DD214, I have received it, but (not connected I am recovering from Shingles) she suggest that I could have that paperwork forwarded through that desk and someone up the chain might approve me seeing someone.    Thoughts? Knowledge? 

My Thoughts are to let VA tackle this one from the get go....there is no denial here, unless they deny it was done in service.  Is there any priority for correcting a service medical problem without a rating? 

This is so complex....and so counter intuitive.....logic seems to have no bearing on anything.  

I am going to post another one that I am working DBQ on Ischemic Heart Disease....with an ER medical visit in service, with an EKG done. My wife and I are working that one up first....toes and tinnittus....and the 99 other things whenever.....I just want to keep a roof over my head....its just that as I go through this stuff...its all there.

So, just toes on this one.

It looks like to me under some interpretation of the idiocy of ratings.....I come up with 10% for each great toe, because of multiple reasons, chronic scarred tissue opening up because of deformed nails, pain and tenderness...chronic, constant maintenance, I am unable to perform anymore.....trying to figure out what that means in VA talk.

[GBArmy]

OK Toxic Let's do a little more...You fill out a VA 10-10 EZ form; you can get it on line and submit w/ a copy of your DD214. By the way, NEVER send original cos to the VA, only copies. I don't believe your info on ETA on med records, but that's just me. So, if I understand correctly, you have not been seeing a pediotrist for your foot, but just your family gp? If you are anticipating changing docs, see if you can get a letter/dbq on your foot that he has been working on for ? years before you do. It might be good to reinforce you have had this problem ? years. You can't put in for your knee unless you connect to your foot and altered gate??? or whatever secondary to your foot. When you talk about setting secondary s-c you will need an independent medical opinion, imo, from a specialist in the field i.e. foot doc/orthopedic who can provide the nexus from your s-c disability and the new one (Knee). The VA isn't going to see you for this problem unless you can prove it s-c, which at this time, you can't. Submit the 10-10 EZ. It's a lot easier. If they deny you, then we can work that issue. 

"My Thoughts are to let VA tackle this one from the get go....there is no denial here, unless they deny it was done in service.  Is there any priority for correcting a service medical problem without a rating? " I want to make this as clear as possible; the VA Benefits is NOT YOUR FRIEND. They do not intend to hand over any disability benefits that they don't have to. Assuming that they will do the right thing by you because this happened while you were in the service is very poor judgement on your part. You get the record if you can; don't  leave it up to them to "not be able to locate." You are your best advocate to get benefits, not the VA Benefits dept. You must have records that it occurred and was medically treated while in the USAF. No ticky, no laundry. IHD: when did you serve? you are not a Vietnam Veteran, and this is not AO and presumptive correct? Much harder to prove if not. You must get your med records, ekg, etc. that was taken while in. Do you see a heart doc now? If so, you will need a dbq on that as well. Tinnitus could be easier; do you have evidence of an accident, or something that exposed you to loud noises? Were you on the flight line? What was your MOS? Some are a lot easier to show exposure to loud noises. That's all I got for now.

[ToxicSgt73]

18 minutes ago, GBArmy said:

OK Toxic Let's do a little more...You fill out a VA 10-10 EZ form; you can get it on line and submit w/ a copy of your DD214. By the way, NEVER send original cos to the VA, only copies. I don't believe your info on ETA on med records, but that's just me. So, if I understand correctly, you have not been seeing a pediotrist for your foot, but just your family gp? If you are anticipating changing docs, see if you can get a letter/dbq on your foot that he has been working on for ? years before you do. It might be good to reinforce you have had this problem ? years. You can't put in for your knee unless you connect to your foot and altered gate??? or whatever secondary to your foot. When you talk about setting secondary s-c you will need an independent medical opinion, imo, from a specialist in the field i.e. foot doc/orthopedic who can provide the nexus from your s-c disability and the new one (Knee). The VA isn't going to see you for this problem unless you can prove it s-c, which at this time, you can't. Submit the 10-10 EZ. It's a lot easier. If they deny you, then we can work that issue. 

"My Thoughts are to let VA tackle this one from the get go....there is no denial here, unless they deny it was done in service.  Is there any priority for correcting a service medical problem without a rating? " I want to make this as clear as possible; the VA Benefits is NOT YOUR FRIEND. They do not intend to hand over any disability benefits that they don't have to. Assuming that they will do the right thing by you because this happened while you were in the service is very poor judgement on your part. You get the record if you can; don't  leave it up to them to "not be able to locate." You are your best advocate to get benefits, not the VA Benefits dept. You must have records that it occurred and was medically treated while in the USAF. No ticky, no laundry. IHD: when did you serve? you are not a Vietnam Veteran, and this is not AO and presumptive correct? Much harder to prove if not. You must get your med records, ekg, etc. that was taken while in. Do you see a heart doc now? If so, you will need a dbq on that as well. Tinnitus could be easier; do you have evidence of an accident, or something that exposed you to loud noises? Were you on the flight line? What was your MOS? Some are a lot easier to show exposure to loud noises. That's all I got for now.

Oh yea, I know they are not my friend, I was railroaded out, and I haven't much encouraging stuff online, the only encouraging stuff I hear is from those I meet who are singing the praise of what they have been awarded.  So, I understand that. 

And I was not including any of the secondary stuff to the toes in this question, I have absorbed about the secondary issue, that is why I just got the diagnosis from civilian doc for the knees right now, I am going to get rock solid diagnoses on all the stuff that I have that I don't have rock solid medical papers on.....no worries about any that....my rock solid list will fill a book.

No, I am not presumptive by VA's definition and I don't want to tackle the big boys through the front door. I don't have to.  

So, lets move all talk about anything but toes on this post, I have not seen any civilian docs that I can get any records from, already tried.  

I should have multiple in service records.  I have requested medical records from NPRC, waiting on them.  It took ten days for me to get a DD214 from them last month.  I am about 11 or 12 days in waiting right now for medical records. I got an email eta of 4 to 6 weeks at receipt of signature, I called at ten days and was told mine was Sept somthin' at the end of the month. But, typically requests such as what I had made take 3 to 6 months. Do you know of another way? Would attempting another way complicate what I already started?

I have NEVER been seen after the service by a VA anything for medical.  I got out in APR 77. Correct, no SEA, no VN, K, G, no Pacific or Asia. I will tackle that in my diseases, I will only deal in diseases that I actually have chronic conditions.....I couldn't possible tackle all that I think are actually connected.   

I see multiple specialists for multiple things, chronic and bad. Toes are just an easy one.  Anyone can see the injury.

So, that is what I was asking, if I can get in the VA Clinic, I am in a rural area, clinic is just down the road, no line, just walk up to window, and empty seats.....if I can get in on low priority, I have been total disablity since 2010 SSDI...and workplace income replacement....but when I hit retirement age, I am down to just SS..that is why I didn't show up sooner.....I thought I was being noble....instead I was an idiot.

So, if I can get into the VA clinic.....just for the toenails, let them do the diagnosis, it is what it is, or maybe they can fix it right then and skip the rating.....I don't care.....I will flip 100% a few times......I am just asking if any benefit to doing this.....all I have is time.

 

I keep breaking my own rules.....tinnitus.....yes.....flight line.....F106....Weapons Control System Mech 32251A, and I worked Red Balls, I have that documentation, I did not attend 1/2 day ojt training in classroom, my trainer took me on flightline with him to carry his tool box from day one....my training records reflect that....I have them.....my ears had both ends of engines running surrounding me most of my work days for two years.  That sound has never left me. Not for a second.  and I did have hearing loss in service, if those records show up....and I have at least 3 hearing test with the right diagnositic code for hearing loss, and one audiogram? the actual plot of hearing loss.....with 70db loss in one ear on high end.....but with the other ear starting out at 0db......on the low end.....its equal to 0% 20 years ago....what it is now will take another doctor.

So, Toes and VA Clinic attempt? now? any positives from this? any negatives?

Records, sit back and wait, while I fill out my DBQ's for practice.....I have sorted out two file boxes of doctor diagnosis and hospital visits.......Ischemic Heart Disease, Angina, Myocardial Infarction, Stent, AFIF + hypertension + more? and I have a half a dozen gastro visits, and scope jobs.....BUT.....I have one about 15 years ago......clean as a whistle and have the endoscope pictures to prove it.....so....chest pains = heart.....

 

[ToxicSgt73]

GBArmy, 

Form 10-10 EZ that looks like what I was given at the clinic. What you said, matches what the clinic said. thanks

[GeekySquid]

1st thing I will say is read what @GBArmy said and pay attention. he is right

2 hours ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

have thought about going to the local VA clinic,

You are referring to a Community Clinic and not the VAMC Hospital?

That is not the fastest way, visiting the VAMC is faster, but it will work. Go to your VA Regional Office, which is also the location of your local Benefits people and the various VSO services typically have an office inside the VARO building. The VARO is the fastest way to get your records into the local system.

You cannot get medical care until you are Enrolled in the local VARO & VAMC systems.

Once you get enrolled go to the actual VAMC and get "verified" for Premium Access to My Healthy Vet, which is an online portal for medical stuff at the VA.  You can self enroll online but Premium access is needed for many features. You will also want to get a VA ID card while there. It takes time at some VAMC's and will be mailed to you. You want this card.

2 hours ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

My Thoughts are to let VA tackle this one from the get go.

what in hell's name does that mean?

2 hours ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

Is there any priority for correcting a service medical problem without a rating? 

The VAMC has priority groups, and even NON-Service Connected Veterans can get treated.... but it will cost you out of pocket. You mention financial hardship. You can apply for care under that and when the bills do show up (before you get rated) you take them to the VA and say "hey, I'm in a hardship" and fill out some papers.

This also applies to when you go to the VARO and enroll there. Tell them your situation. You mention losing your home. That places a flag on you file and you are moved to a higher priority processing group for intake and claims processing. They will connect you to homeless resources and a social worker. work with those people as they are there for your advantage. T

Take your SSDI paperwork when you go to the VARO. They will check but handing it to them can speed stuff up.

 

2 hours ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

and so counter intuitive.....logic seems to have no bearing on anything.  

not sure what you mean here. It is a process and you have to follow the steps. You cannot really believe that the VA will just take your word for stuff and hand over medical care and money. You waited all these years and suddenly realized that your only income will be from SS after years of limited contributions to the system. Take ownership of your choices.

2 hours ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

t looks like to me under some interpretation of the idiocy of ratings.

The ratings are set by Congress and are a result of professionals and the DSM which is incorporated as a whole by law. Medicine and disability are complex situations, and frankly scammers abound.

Some people want stuff for free and think nothing of cheating the system. That means departments like the VA and Social Security NEED to be thorough and have consistent standards of care, and standards of harm, that translate to any compensation that may be due.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

I was railroaded out,

do you have an Honorable Discharge? if not then you are barking up the wrong tree at this moment. You would need to get that discharge (what ever it is) upgraded to Honorable.

I will further offer an observation on former military people who say they were railroaded out. They usually contributed more than 50% to the "railroading".

Some vets, with PTSD or MH caused by service events, may have had an understandable reason for bad behavior, but without that excuse they just brought the problem onto themselves with their actions and attitudes.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

my rock solid list will fill a book.

while you may be right about having a list, the concept of "rock solid" is something many vets believe until they have to show proof that the VA will accept. Many of those vets end up very disappointed that they cannot meet that standard of proof.

Maybe you will be different, just don't be surprised if you are not.

Just because you have a medical problem does not mean it is service connectable. Even if you had treatment for a related thing in service, does not mean the service caused it or that it is compensable.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

I will only deal in diseases that I actually have chronic conditions..

see the previous note.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

have been total disablity since 2010 SSDI.

if you can service connect your disabilities that SSDI rating can help you, but it is not a guarantee.

Don't ever believe there is a slam dunk in this process. You will be disappointed if you do.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

I will flip 100% a few times......I am just asking if any benefit to doing this.....all I have is time.

three parts here. 1) maybe-maybe not, you are not the rater. 2) if your conditions are legitimately service connected and you can prove it, then yes there is benefit. 3) this will take a huge chunk of your time for a while.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

tinnitus.....yes.....flight line.....F106....Weapons Control System Mech 32251A, and I worked Red Balls

This may be the easiest way in the door for you to basic service connection. Proof of this claim maxes out at 10% which is a starting point.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

I did have hearing loss in service, if those records show up....and I have at least 3 hearing test with the right diagnositic code for hearing loss, and one audiogram? the actual plot of hearing loss.....with 70db loss in one ear on high end.....but with the other ear starting out at 0db......on the low end.....its equal to 0% 20 years ago....what it is now will take another doctor.

to rate an HL from that long ago you will need your STR to say there is an OSHA STS. If you have/had one it is marked on the audiology test form next to your results, and there will be a separate page stamped with that phrase.

Unless you are stone deaf, HL for most vets is 0%. that is just the way the law is written. An SC at 0% for HL is a benefit that may support future claims.

1 hour ago, ToxicSgt73 said:

Ischemic Heart Disease, Angina, Myocardial Infarction, Stent, AFIF + hypertension + more? a

Without a "presumption" like Agent Orange, some of these will be hard to SC after this many years.

If you smoked, worked in a "dirty" industry setting, are overweight (which you stated you are) lack exercise, which you blame on the toes, getting SC'd can be a problem.

However, if you do SC your toe issue, even at 0%, you can try to connect the weight issue as secondary to the toes, and these others secondary to the weight.

That would be your causal chain connections that would bypass the lack of presumption.