Knee osteoarthritis

[ADAMS]

I have a C&P exam coming up for my knees, While I was in service I served aboard 2 different ships, I hear that Ship board ladders are bad on your knees, I didn't start having a problem with my knees until we had our PRT test, during this time I was on recruiting duty, while I was running i slipped into a hole and fell, It was documented and I went to my private physician, he documented that there was swelling and the xray results showed Ostephytes on my left knee, it was sore for weeks, from there I feel like i over compensated for my right knee, I had knee replacement on my right knee last year, 9 years after I retired. I was diagnosed 6 years later after retiring that I had moderate to severe osteoarthritis in both knees. Any one experienced claims for this disease. just wondering and am nervous about my C&P exam that the examiner wont see it my way. Thanks

 

[GBArmy]

Adams You have some evidence. Did you see a VA or other doc for your knee problems, soreness, etc. that you haven't mentioned? On a disability like yours, the VA wants to see a continuity of treatment from your in-service event to surgery and then current. Do you have your str's, medical records? I think it would help a lot if you had a IMO from your surgeon and he stated that he evaluated you, read your medical file, your injury that resulted in surgery was based on an injury that probably occurred x years prior and therefore, "more likely than not" is a result of a s-c injury. Your disability would be based on the symptoms you have now, so you need to understand how they result in specific ratings. But it is important to get a rating, even if it is 0 or 10% because a knee replacement can lead to several potential secondary disabilities, like back problems, ankle or hip issues, etc. IMHO get approved at some rating first before going after any secondaries if they apply to you.

[ADAMS]

Yes I do have treatment after service the only problem is i let it go for a couple of years after i retired until I went to my orthopedic surgeon. I do have medical documentation from my orthopedic surgeon stating I had severe to moderate osteoarthritis in both knees, I do have documentation of my personal doctor when i begin having problems 2 years before I retired and there is x-rays results showing ostephytes/bone spurs.My personal doctor treated me with medication for a while until I couldn't take the pain anymore.

[GBArmy]

Only a few year; that's not bad. Do a little research and see if you can get the proper format/words for an IMO. Again, mention he has reviewed your service records, based on an extensive eval over a period of years treating you, he is confident that it is as likely as not that your service injury is the direct cause of your current diagnosis. Tell him that without specific wording, it is quite possible a VA examiner can over rull, but with it it could result is a comp that financially is important.