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30 Years to file claim, is this possible to win?

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Michvetinfla

Question

Disproving a discharge for a physical disability existing prior to entry determined by a medical board.

Facts.
Entered the United States Marine Corps November 7th 1990,  discharge date May 20th 1991 for a total of 6 months 14 days. 

In Wagner v. Principi, 370 F.3d 1089 (Fed. Cir. 2004), the 
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 
(Federal Circuit) found that, when no preexisting condition 
is noted upon entry into service, the Veteran is presumed to 
have been sound upon entry and then the burden falls on the 
government to rebut the presumption of soundness.  The 
Federal Circuit held in Wagner that the correct standard for 
rebutting the presumption of soundness under 38 U.S.C.A. § 
1111 (West 2002) requires that VA shows by clear and 
unmistakable evidence that (1) the Veteran's disability 
existed prior to service, and, (2) that the preexisting 
disability was not aggravated during service.

When I entered active service in Detroit MEPS no waivers were signed As I had no disabilities including flat feet or bunions Etc. I was 100% healthy, passed my background check for top secret clearance and signed a five-year enlistment with a $10,000 bonus, MOS 0231. 

While in Marine Corps boot camp, during the third phase or last part of training until graduation,  I went to sick call for the first time complaining of lower leg and foot pain, that they were numb painful feel like knives are in them and hurts to walk or march. I was put on light duty no marching running PT and  ordered to wear go fasters or sneakers. I did miss the final last long march with the platoon at the very end of boot camp because of being on light duty, but I did graduate with my platoon (01Feb91). (Stating this now as there should be evidence of it somewhere in San Diego MCRD of me going to sick call, Proving the beginning of my foot problems and leg problems happened in boot camp). Went home for boot camp leave ,returned 10 days later for MCT Marine combat training, put in a guard platoon until a position opened up for me in the combat training class. The first week there while pulling guard Duty, (Reported back 11 February 91)- 19Feb91, and doing various Marine guard Duty tasks, the same problem occurred that happened in boot camp, shooting pains numbness etc etc. This time they took x-rays the first time 19Feb91, I came back in two days, 21Feb91, for another series of x-rays and that was it for my medical services at Camp Pendleton, and apparently that was the whole of my Medical Board in terms of talking to me or even having any contact with me upon making a final decision 29 April 91 Medical Board.

The Veteran was not shown to have any foot 
disability when examined for entry into service and the 
Veteran asserts that he had no foot disability prior to 
service.  The Board, however, finds that there is clear and 
unmistakable evidence that the Veteran had bilateral foot 
disability prior to service.  This is shown by the inservice 
medical findings that the bilateral foot disability existed 
prior to service.

Nonetheless, in order to rebut the presumption of soundness, 
the evidence must also show, clearly and unmistakably, that 
the Veteran's bilateral foot disability was not aggravated by 
service.  

A preexisting injury or disease will be considered to have 
been aggravated by active service where there is an increase 
in disability during such service, unless there is a specific
finding that the increase in disability is due to the natural 
progress of the disease.  38 C.F.R. § 3.306(a).  Temporary or 
intermittent flare-ups of the preexisting condition during 
service are not sufficient to be considered aggravation 
unless the underlying condition, as contrasted to symptoms, 
has worsened.  Crowe v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 238, 247-48 
(1994).  Aggravation may not be conceded where the disability 
underwent no increase in severity during service on the basis 
of all the evidence of record pertaining to the 
manifestations of the disability prior to, during and 
subsequent to service.  38 C.F.R. § 3.306(b).

(this is my conjecture of extrapolating recorded VA cases and actual notes with my facts in my case)

Although the April 29th 1991 medical board report states that the veterans physical disability had not been aggravated by service, But in almost every instance of cases I've been studying, like this, the VA court case inspected disagrees and Rules in favor of the veteran. It usually will sound like this. “ in this case the service treatment record clearly shows that the veterans bilateral foot disability increased in severity during service. the veteran went from having no foot complaints to having extreme foot pain and difficulty walking. even after going on light duty and 10 days bootcamp leave and refraining from marching and wearing boots after all that he still had the same symptoms and pain as in boot camp the pes planus flat feet. Despite the medical board, the evidence does not clearly and unmistakably show that the foot disability did not worsen in service.

 Because the veteran bilateral PES planus did increase in severity during service and because there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the veterans pre-existing bilateral foot disability was not aggravated during service, the board finds that the veterans pre-existing bilateral pes planus was permanently aggravated by service. Because the presumption of soundness has not been rebutted, service connection for bilateral PES planus is warranted. !!!!
That is the outcome that I see coming from the facts of this case unless I am wrong. I want to add the rest of the information to complete the Nexus. 

I am including in this the x-rays and doctors prognosis of those x-rays which are the originals from 1991. this was given to me by the nurse who told me I was getting screwed over that clearly my injuries occurred in service in that they're doing this so I don't get any disability she was a Vietnam vet nurse very angry gave me all the records that I took pictures of below and told me to hold them until I was ready for disability I never forgot that and kept them in the safe place for 30 years that is why I have this evidence.

The discharge papers and the board paperwork I have included, does state a physical disability existing prior to entry determined by a medical board as the narrative reason for separation.The medical board consisted of going to sick call twice and getting x-rays. 

Two different times I went for x-rays as you can see I was diagnosed the first time February 19th with possible stress fractures of the proximal tibia of both the right and left leg as well as the right foot hallux valgus deformity otherwise within normal limits my left foot degenerative changes in the MP joints. Then on the February 21st prognosis was of bilateral mild pes plannus.

And the most important part of the case, I believe is, my father has been my primary doctor my entire life and he was a licensed chiropractor who retired in 2005. He did have all my records and notes for all my years, he did keep them the required seven years when he retired in 2005 and burn them along with all his patients in 2012. But he is willing and ready to go on record for me from memory. Again this was one of the factors I never attempted this because I have no doctor except my dad, and I didn't know they allowed Chiropractic doctors and gave the same weight of evidence as medical doctors.(I found out starting in 2004 so I guess I'm 16 years too late) I was always told the opposite so I felt I never could do anything about this unjustice that has been done to me all these years. 

When I was discharged I was Furious because I was perfectly healthy and they claimed that it existed prior when it actually happened in boot camp because they didn't want to pay disability to me. Now it doesn't matter per se proving I didn't have it previously if they failed the presumption of soundness test but my father will testify to the fact that I never had flat feet or fallen arches are any problems with my feet until I returned from the service and that is when he did his own X-rays of me and can testify that, yes they(USMC) had permanently injured Me by causing the flat feet tibia stress fractures hallux valgus and degenerative changes in the MP joints. 

Again all the files have been burned as per law but he will testify that he gave me physicals every year and noted the declining health of my feet and how it has caused back damage, lower back damage. He noted this all through my life while treating me, giving me adjustments Giving me arch support to try in my shoes as well as Orthopedic inserts and shoes all to no avail as they did not help my feet just got worse as well as the Nexus needed from my father to associate my lower back pain specifically the MRI that I included with the information about the disc herniation with severe Central stenosis and sacral nerve root impingement. 
Will the VA take into account my Father being a chiropractor as well as being my father and having an intimate knowledge and relationship of my health my entire life would they give his testimony the same weight as a medical doctor or more? He will testify that more so than not it is likely probable that my flat feet conditions led to the secondary conditions of the lower back where it is evident with the MRI from 2017 how bad my back truly is. As a matter of fact I'm waiting for a decision for Social Security disabilityI just sent in one month ago. I fit the listing for sacral nerve root Central stenosis lower back listing And have not been able to work since August 2019 where I had a bicycle accident and broke my right scapula resulting in the secondary hurting my back which was already end herniation and sacral nerve impingement. 

Now in terms of what to claim disability wise, I still need to speak with someone and I mailed in my intent to file a claim today and would like some advice?? I was going to use the Disabled American Veterans as my VSO the one in Tampa Florida Does anyone recommend them in Central Florida or have a better vso recommendation?. Again I am waiting for my SSI disability which I just put in 2 weeks ago and how will that ruling affect my VA ratings at all if any?

And should my father the chiropractor be putting in his prognosis such as my pes planus is either pronounced or severe Etc should he be making prognosis on my feet and back because he is a professional in that needs to give his professional opinion?

Any info would be great I guess I'm fairly confident that I finally have the facts straight that even if they claim it existed prior to enlistment they have to then prove it wasn't made worse in service and as I pointed out that's very high bar,  but again connecting the Hallux valgus, stress fractures, pes planus as Service-connected so that the secondary connection to my documented lower back issues that he, my father the chiropractor, has made the Nexus Link to the primary and it definitely happened at the direct result from my flat feet in it problems that happened to me while in service in the Marine Corps. United States claim

Any info would help should he be putting in a rating for my back there are many codes should he be trying to figure out all these codes and ratings or is that something my vso should help me with as I said my father is in my corner and knows that this was all caused by my in-service primary and secondary and will do whatever he has to to back that up. 
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Edited by Michvetinfla
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  • HadIt.com Elder

Submit all your favorable records with your claim also give your statment in support of claim.  

Again mention you were examined at your entrance into the marine corps and you were fit and in good health, you must have injured your feet while in Basic training  and submit any records from your boot camp Dr's

you can use your Dad as your Dr as long has he is a license to practice medicine in his filed of medicine. for an IMO/IME  (Independent Medical Opinion)or examination.

They will try anything to discourage a veteran  from getting his well deserved benefits.

  even if your denied   Appeal the decision and fight them tooth and nail   stay here on hadit  we will get your claim approved.

Medical records (SMRs) are necessary to prove we were injured while in the military and this goes for Boot camp. SERVICE MEDICAL RECORDS  

Just ask any questions you need.

Welcome to Hadit

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Ty! I guess then I have a potential problem, my father was license to practice until he retired in 2005. Again he had all my entire life medical records in x-rays and will and can attest that I was 100% healthy before I went in as he gave me a pre-service physical, I just asked him again because I have the x-rays from the medical board at camp Pendleton I have possession of them to look at them and if it's even possible to discern if these are genetic or if it was aggressive flat feet, he said unequivocally no I was not born that way that all my previous x-ray showed my normal feet and that these x-rays true to him the steak they were in after I left the service which was call Lee not the shape they were in before but I need that testimony to be counted, my father also is a army veteran honorable discharge was drafted did his time and continued on with his life, so he was familiar with the physical and also capable and licensed,qualified to assess my health pre and post service but the question is....will his IMO statement and a Nexus statement up until 2005 when he retired, that's the last year he can make a professional opinion about me? is that correct? Just because he retired he doesn't lose his ability to speak on patients that were his before he retired and was still licensed does it? He should be able to report that every year since boot camp my feet have gotten worse and worse affecting my gate thus DDD and herniated disc xcetera all my lower back problems which were present before he retired. I guess will that be considered just a statement from my father or will his statements be considered an independent medical observation but only up until 2005? Thank you again sorry this seems long the question that I'm asking.

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 Is this your very first claim for these service connected disease/injuries of the foot or a reopening of an older one? I just want to make sure before I offer advice.

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Short answer is YES. Very first anything at the VA since I got discharged.

Long answer follows...

Yes. Very first time. I have been to the VA with my DD214 numerous times in Ann Arbor, MI (where I grew up and my Father practiced licensed Chiropractor as my primary physician until he retire 2005) and every time they tell me I was not in 24 months and on my DD214 it says physical disability existing prior to entry determined by a medical board. That always would stop me in my tracks. For years my father kept x-rays and records for me bc I insisted he document the decline of my feet after service and effects on the rest of my body, i.e. back, and after 14 years of it when he retired, he had boxes of my medical evidence (along with all his other patients) with x-rays and recommended therapy from arch inserts to orthopedic inserts to orthopedic shoes for feet and toes etc... and icing of shins and lower legs that continued to plague me still, 14 years of evidence. 2005 he retired, kept all the records the required 7 yrs, 2013....by this time the mere bringing up of my military service sent me off as I was an alcoholic (another question? Alcoholism?  So after they told me I was getting booted out after what I knew was  sham Medical Board and Process, I started going to the E-club, drinking nightly. Put on NJP for pissing out back hatch of squad bay whilst drunk, and, AND ORDERED to take ALCOHOL classes, establishing start of alcoholism that lasted until 2018. documented 4 DUI's! Can I claim this? 1 Yr in patient treatment, 18 months outpatient...Which I feel can be sourced to when they said I was getting my bogus discharge and classes I was ordered to take?? any thought?? opiate addict, by self confession self medicating the pains of my feet and back at this point (Thank God I am 4 years clean!), so my dad burned all his patients records, as required by law, including mine. My father follows the law, also a proud Veteran (ARMY). So, all those pics I attached to case, including the original x-rays (See previous story how this Vietnam vet thought they were screwing me, went back got my originals, gave them to me and said hold these until your ready to file disability. They are claiming pre existence, these prove otherwise!!) from 1990 showing the state of my feet then, and obviously all I need is a new one now and see how bad they have gotten (My father had them year by year, the decline of my feet x-rays, but alas, gone), the 2017 MRI and I don't have a copy but can get my Aug 7, 2019 Emergency room report with x-rays and ct scan with dye confirming broke scapula which in turn aggravated my back so much I cant work and already filed for SSDI going on 3 wks....Thats is what got me looking into my VA stuff online after putting it in a box in my brain for years and years, finding the presumption of soundness, then some similar cases, then your website...sorry, my answers get longwinded, but I feel I have so much background information that is critical to winning this, but not only that, but going into my 1st C and P exam and knowing every single primary and secondary rating I am going for and that its medically going to hold...Not asking much I know, LOL. Also, Should I be punished bc my Father afforded me FREE health care for life, as such he was my ONLY State licensed Dr. I went to for almost 20 years, unless I broke a bone or stitches etc, so I just want to impress that he was the single most qualified person to answer these questions, BUT ALL MY RECORDS WERE BURNED AS REQ BY LAW!!! How can I prove I had boxes of evidence?

 

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On 4/20/2020 at 1:00 AM, Michvetinfla said:

use the Disabled American Veterans as my VSO

I have used DAV since some time in the early 2000's. They haven't done jack sh*t for me. From what I see so far you are going to be able to take care of this yourself.

 

On 4/20/2020 at 1:00 AM, Michvetinfla said:

should my father the chiropractor be putting in his prognosis

I would say absolutely. He can write up his opinion on this. Looking up how VA rates the conditions you are claiming may help him with what he writes up.

 

On 4/20/2020 at 1:00 AM, Michvetinfla said:

I finally have the facts straight that even if they claim it existed prior to enlistment they have to then prove it wasn't made worse in service

I don't remember the VA Form number but it lists your condition from stem to stern. Hopefully you have that form.

 

On 4/20/2020 at 1:00 AM, Michvetinfla said:

Any info would help should he be putting in a rating for my back there are many codes should he be trying to figure out all these codes and ratings

Your father isn't a medical doctor specializing in the spine is he? I don't think either of you need at the moment to worry about the codes unless it is something your father is familiar with and used to use in his practice. Your statement can just be written up in layman's terms. Your father's statement(IMO) can be written up like any other he would have written up for any other of his patiences. He can certainly write up a statement about you and your life from his perspective as just a father.

 

On 4/20/2020 at 1:00 AM, Michvetinfla said:

When I was discharged I was Furious because I was perfectly healthy

This and addictions may be able to be considered secondary's to your original injury. 

 

On 4/20/2020 at 1:52 PM, Michvetinfla said:

He should be able to report that every year since boot camp my feet have gotten worse and worse affecting my gate thus DDD and herniated disc xcetera all my lower back problems which were present before he retired. I guess will that be considered just a statement from my father or will his statements be considered an independent medical observation but only up until 2005?

I am not sure how his license expiring in 2005 will affect the way the VA looks at his statements. But from what you are saying he certainly seems qualified to speak on your behalf about the issues.

 

On 4/20/2020 at 3:10 PM, Michvetinfla said:

For years my father kept x-rays and records for me bc I insisted he document the decline of my feet after service and effects on the rest of my body, i.e. back, and after 14 years of it when he retired, he had boxes of my medical evidence (along with all his other patients) with x-rays and recommended therapy from arch inserts to orthopedic inserts to orthopedic shoes for feet and toes etc... and icing of shins and lower legs that continued to plague me still, 14 years of evidence.

It's too bad he didn't give those to you. But the both of you can certainly write all of this up to the best of your memories. 

 

On 4/20/2020 at 3:10 PM, Michvetinfla said:

documented 4 DUI's

Perhaps some sort of mental issue secondary to your original issue.

 

On 4/20/2020 at 3:10 PM, Michvetinfla said:

How can I prove I had boxes of evidence?

I don't think you will have too. Just document as best you can and get your father to do the same. I have boxes of bills but the VA doesn't care about that. They only want written opinions from doctors. 

I would be reapplying/appealing the VA insurance ruling. I would send them a copy of the form showing you entered with no conditions. I haven't dealt with them before but from my experience with VBA they overlook an awful lot of evidence. Anyway to write it up and be very anal about it like you are explaining it to a two year old may be helpful. Then maybe they won't skip over anything. 

Are you familiar with 38 CFR and M21-1? It looks like you are already searching the BVA cases. Keep good notes about all of these in case you need to refer back to them.

Remember to cover up any personal information when you post any documents.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

 

You have got some good advice from kanewnut

Please Remember there is no time limit on these claims  we can file, but  you will need 3 Elements  & they call the calzua triangle elements!

They are per claim/per condition In service Injury or disease. 

*NOTE* Calzua Elements  by member and Hadit Moderator broncovet

1.  Current diagnosis.  Your doctor must have diagnosed you.  No diagnosis, no benefits. 

2.  In service event or aggravation.  You could have had a broken leg, been exposed to excessive noise, or a bomb could have blown up and you lost your legs.   Or, you may have had something before service that got worse (aggravation).  

3.  Nexus.  This is the famous statement, by your doctor, that your (current diagnosis #1 is at least as likely as not related to your in service event, number 2).  

The only exception on certain diagnosis is PTSD, A  Dx must come from a M.H. VA Dr

But the 3 elements listed above are what veterans need when they first file a claim  if you have 3 claims with different conditions these elements will apply.  even if it has be years and years since you ETS. (End Of Time Served)

Of Course an Honorable Discharge helps but not necessary, you can have other than Honorable  as long as its not Dishonorable. 

 

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