Secondary Condition Bladder Dysfunction

[scooter318]

Hi Everyone

About 6 months  ago my IVDS started effecting by bladder and now at least 3 times a day I have incontinence issues. So what I've done is I've  purchase liners and I use those, so would I just tell my doctor and she would refer me to a urologist. And the reason I ask is because if I file a claim for this how do you show documentation that you have this issue?

[GBArmy]

scooter318 Yes, that is a start. Call or request an appointment or ask for a referral for a specialist. With this coronavirus thing, it is going to be pushed out, but maybe you can see an outside med specialist. You need to get a diagnosis for your current condition. If you go outside, ask before you commit for the appointment if the new doc will give you a medical opinion on your condition to support your claim; it may cost but you will need a nexus connecting your current conditions and what was in your service records (str's.) You have to also have to have an event or evidence of your problem while in service that will be in your medical records. There are resources here on Hadit to talk to the elements you need for a successful claim. Do research and come back and ask questions. See if your conditions are defined and what symptoms match compensation by starting here http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/vadisabilityrating.html

[scooter318]

Thanks for the quick reply

I  actually spoke to an outside Dr. a few months ago and they told me that bladder dysfunction is common with IVDS. They did tell me to speak to my primary care Dr. at the VA to get a referral for the condition since the VA is already giving me SMC K for ED related to my IVDS.

[GBArmy]

If you use military disability mad easy, you will see a general explanation of incontinence see http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/thegenitourinarysystem.html#urinary

For example, if you have to urinate 2 times during the night or, every 2 or 3  hours during the daytime those symptoms would result possibly in a 10% rating. So, you want to be sure your conditions are bad enough currently to equal a compensation. If not, you could get rated service-connected, but it would be at a 0% rating. That in itself isn't terrible as they would pay for your pads and other supplies since it is s-c.

If you already collect SMC (k), that is a separat disability and not related to this condition. Get you referral and get your medical records and/or c-file. We have info here on doing that as well

[scooter318]

Thanks GBArmy

I'll make sure I speak to my Dr. on the 30th of this month when my next visit is.

[seminoles]

I am rated as a primary condition and it is rated by how many pads/liners you use daily.  Definitely have your primary refer you to the urologist and have it documented how frequently you need/use the absorbent materials and have the VA supply them as they can get costly over time and make sure that you ask your urologist to note in your record the cause.  Then  I would file a claim secondary to your sc condition.  It was pretty simple for me really, I have in service notes and even though I waited over 2 decades I am rated the maximum you can be rated. 

[scooter318]

Thanks Seminoles

That would definitely save me some money on the pad because I'm using 3 a day and those things are $25.00 a box.