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!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Old Man]

Update: Received decision February 26th  on my pes planus which was previously 10 percent, filled for increase along with secondary claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis. Increased to 50 percent effective May last year....Also received increase from 0 to 20 percent for hemorrhoids (I submitted for an increase along with secondary claim for incontinence.) While these increases took me from 80-90 percent.....The rater missed the documentation/medical records for the incontinence issue so I requested a higher level review for that as all of the records were submitted. Three days prior to me requesting a higher level review... I received a call from LHI saying that the exam I had in February, 2021 had to be "Re-Done" because the codes under the VSARD changed effective 7 February and they would solely be looking at my Flat Feet/Plantar fasciitis issue to correct the coding issue.. (the exam will be taking place at a "LHI Mobile Clinic in the parking lot of a American Legion office? (no problem I will be there:)  A re-exam after one month sounds pretty strange to me, and in my reading of the new VASRDs for foot conditions on the VA site comparing them to the description in my award letter I still would be rated at 50 percent. I found another article that said they would be rating under both the old and the new criteria and awarding the veteran the higher of the two. (If this is the case why are they doing re-exams?) Even if for some strange reason they decide to take it down to 10 percent from my original claim years ago this wont change my overall rating....

1. Evaluation of pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, (previously claimed as fallen arches) Currently evaluated at 10 percent

We have assigned a 50% evaluation for your bilateral pes planus, claimed as fallen arches based on

• (Left & Right on all below)
• Extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet
• Marked Pronation 
• Symptoms not improved by orthopedic shoe or appliances 
• Characteristic Callosities 
• Indication of swelling on use 
• inward bowing of the tendo Achilles 
• Objective evidence of marked deformity
• Pain on Manipulation
• Pain on use of the feet
• Painful motion
• This is the highest scheduler evaluation allowed under the law for flatfoot, acquired. (38 CFR 4.57, 38 CFR 4.71a)

 

Has this happened to anyone else?

[brokensoldier244th]

Yes, years ago they re-rated my back around the same time I had a claim in and the diagnostic code had changes also, so they rated me under both and took the one that was better suited. There was no change in my rating but it reflected the new current diagnostic code, so that was good. If they rated you under the old codes after the new ones dropped they have to update it. We had a whole bunch in Feb and March due to that, and the DBQ changes. The vendors had still been using the older DBQs up to the day the new ones dropped, and then after for a few days, so all those exams had to go back to them to reflect the current and proper language on the DBQs. 

 

[Old Man]

I take that as I should have zero issues for concern. Thanks!! Appreciate it!

[Buck52]

On 10/6/2020 at 9:13 AM, Old Man said:

 

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? 

I am not s.c. for  planar fasciitis, but was diagnose for it  and got  the custom inserts they (VA ) MADE FOR ME DO HELP   ICOULD BARLEY WALK THE PAIN WAS SO BAD but with these Inserts  they made a big differance.

IF YOU HAVE A CLAIM OR CLAIMS TO FILE DEFNATLY FILE FOR THEM ASAP. tHE SOONER THE BETTER THE SOONER OR BETTER EED YOU WILL RECIVE.  CLOCK STARTS TICKING AS SOON AS THEY RECIVE THE CLAIM APPLICATIONS.