Increase Rating Questions

[Old Man]

First off this is an amazing forum very helpful! Considering filing for increase in service connected hemorrhoids rated at 0%(that should be straight forward) I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis a little over a year ago would I make that secondary to fallen arches? In addition having similar issues with right ankle years of limping starting to jack that up as well. I noticed that they apparently don't use the old Disability Benefits Questionnaires I had my doctors use the first time around. All of this is in my electronic records from each specialist I have seen. Do I need to have my doctors fill any other paperwork out or do i simply submit their electronic notes? Thanks in advance for any help.

• Current 80% (one 50%, one 20%, 7-10's)(Effective Date on all 2014)
• Bilateral Pes planus, claimed as fallen arches 10%  
• left knee arthritis status post tib fib fracture   10%
• left ankle residuals, status post mid shaft tibia fib fracture 10%
• painful scar pst tib fib fracture 10%
• deep non lineal scar 10%
• kidney stones 20%
• Sleep Apnea 50%
• tinitus 10%
• skin condition 10%
• hemorrhoids 0%

hemorrhoids (Service Connected rated at 0 now) Dr. Note states "PT has large permanent prolapse stage 4 causing considerable symptoms and need surgical treatment" (I haven't scheduled surgery yet as need to plan for 6 weeks off work) I know that if approved and I have surgery...this will have to be re-evaluated in the future.

Plantar Fasciitis (Diagnosed in ER 2019....several doctors visits since...Podiatrist is in the process of doing molds on me for inserts to see if they help...but have used similar before with no affect.

 

Any and all advise is appreciated!!

 

 

 

 

 

[brokensoldier244th]

If they are VAMC records we’ll grab them automatically, though if you’ve gone to more than one vamc it helps if you tell us that. If they are private and you don’t tell us about them we don’t know about them. If you do, we’ll request them, but if you have them-vamc or private-it’s faster for you if you just upload that. 
 

c and p still uses dbq they just get updated every so often. 

[broncovet]

As always, you are gonna need 3 things for each SC, 2 for secondaries:

Direct SC:  Current diagnoisis, in service event, nexus.

Secondary SC:  Current diagnois, and nexus connecting your secondary condition to primary.  

Are you working?  If not you could consider filing for tdiu.

Pretty much as Broken soldier said, go through your records and see if all the above is documented.  You can also compare each rating to your current symptoms to see if you qualify for an increase.  If so, ask for it.  

[brokensoldier244th]

Keep in mind, too, that a complaint from a veteran, while not a current diagnosis, is enough to trigger a plausible nexus at least for the purposes of scheduling the exam (my job). Not for rating activity- for that you need an actual DX and opinion.

But for me to schedule a C and P for you I at least need to be able to show that it started in service, is being treated now, and is being complained about now. A veteran, for the purposes of the exam, can opine that he/she thinks something might be connected to something else- they cannot use "the big words" and try to self diagnose, so don't run off to Web MD and try to make it sound all medical. I just need plain language from you as to why you think a contention might be SC, or related to another condition (secondary), or why a non SC condition might be being aggravated by an SC condition. 

For the  scheduling of an exam and an actual rating you need a concrete diagnosis at least for sure. I can't schedule an exam for something you aren't diagnosed for and you can't self diagnose. The only exception to that is hearing loss- the thresholds for applying for that are so low that I can usually schedule an exam with no pushback even if you DON"T have a current audiogram-but I at least need to be able to find the older ones so that when you have the hearing test for your C and P there is something to compare it to. 

 

[Old Man]

BrokenSoldier Thanks! I have not been to the VA Since my C@P Exam in 2014. All of my records are from my Primary Care Doc and a Podiatrist and Neurologist. Ankle Condition DBQ From another podiatrist also noted moderate bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome (Plantar nerve entrapment at the ankle affecting the sensory component of the nerves) I believe I was only rated at 10% at that time as my right foot wasn't experiencing pain at that time. The DBQ For Flatfoot Pes Planus the doc listed in section 3E (Are the veterans symptoms relieved by arch supports or othodotics (Which i was and have used since) The doc Checked Yes and wrote in (Somewhat) I told her it was more comfortable to stand on a cushion than without....and was rated at 10% Since then I have had increasing pain to the point where it simply hurts all of the time...Night time severe cramps at least 4-5 times a month where it takes an hour or two to subside....2 different ER visits where they gave me injections for swelling steroids' etc. and put me on crutches for a week. I started going to a new podiatrist and he is currently doing the molds etc. for new inserts . Before I submit my claim i need to see how that goes so I will be able to answer the question "Do inserts help" My new podiatrist put in the notes that my Plantar Fasciitis is consistent with previous treatment and related to injury's incurred in service (Knee left leg injury limp etc.) Broncovet I have read the criteria and believe I match everything for an increase. It does cause me low back pain, but i haven't yet been to the Doc for that as it is just probably a 3 on a 1-10 pain scale mostly in the morning and later in the day...I  still work 57 years old and thankfully not quite to the TDIU part. I am very fortunate to have an amazing employer that really understands and works with me anytime I have an issue, but I know that day is coming where I cant do my job anymore....hopefully I can make it another 2-3 years and finally retire:)   Thanks again for any and all help

[Old Man]

 

brokensoldier244th I have all of my documentation to file for increase for hemorrhoids. For my planar fasciitis I need to wait until my custom inserts come in to determine if they help or not, anticipate another month before I have everything to submit for that. Should I wait and file both claims at once? or does it make a difference filling each separately in the eyes of the VA? 

[brokensoldier244th]

They'd be combined, or you can wait and do them at once. Your inserts won't change whether or not you have plantar fasciitis. Id go ahead and file.