Connecting Hip issue service

[USMCVMO]

Hi All -

I have been out since 1995 - I am at 70% due to medical discharge with my back and related issues.  Over the last 8-10 years I have had hip discomfort and has got really bad.  I saw a hip specialist who looked at the MRI.  He said at my age my hip joint has way more wear and tear than it should at my age.  Its bone against bone and I am getting injections to treat.   He said he normally sees this condition in marathon runners.  I am by no means a runner.  I have a desk job.  I did play rugby and soccer in the marines and general PT of course.  I cant explain this wear and tear other than those activities. I have not played any sports after getting out.  Does anyone think this could be connected if I put in a claim?   I have included the MRI notes.

[broncovet]

You need an "in service event" which may or may not include "medical treatment".  Last I checked its not against the law to have an "in service event" and not get treated for it.  Please allow an example:

Paratroopers.  They jump out of an airplane (in service event).  They may or may not go to the doctor, but injuries to the knees or feet are common.  This is especially true if you have multiple jumps.  You can be service connected for knee issues after service, even if you were never treated in service.  Treatment in service is not one of the Caluza elements.  While treatment in servce can document an event in service, its not the only way. 

Another example is PTSD.  Its not unusual for a troop to suffer an "in service PTSD event" and never get treated for it, sometimes, for decades, after service.  This does not mean you can not get sc, it means you need the Caluza elements for SC. 

    "Buddy letters" often work to document an "event in service".  While your "buddy" probably can not document a medical condition, he is competent to describe an in service event, for example, he may have seen you get punched in the face, or he may have been present when a bomb blew up near you, that could have damaged your ears permanently, even tho you may not have realized it at the time.   A doctor or medical professional opinion is required for current diagnosis, and it also required for a nexus.  But, a doctor probably was not there to see whether or not a bomb blew up near you in service, but your buddy was.  Your friend is competent to describe a bomb blowing up, he is not competent to diagnose your PTSD, and he is not compentent to link (provide a nexus) that links your explosion in service, to PTSD.  To reiterate:  Get a doctor to diagnose you.  Your buddy cant.  Get a doctor to provide a nexus.  Your buddy cant.  But your buddy can report that he saw a bomb blow up near you.  That does not require a medical degree to describe a bomb going off. 

    Always, always, always, stick to the Caluza Elements (aka Caluza Triangle) in Caluza vs Brown.  If you appeal it to the board, the board will check to see if your Caluza elements are documented, they award, if they are not documented, they deny.  Its like a DNA test, documentation of Caluza elements should always result in SC, and lack of one or more Caluza elements will usually mean a denial. 

Edited October 25, 2020 by broncovet

[AllTheWay]

I do agree with Bronco vet. You must get all 3 elements for a direct sc( 2 if you are claiming it as secondary). Make the VA raters earn your tax dollars. On all of my claims that I have put in, I claimed it as direct service connected as well as to secondary as to all of my serviced connected disabilities.  VA will try to deny it one way but never considered it the other way.

USMC stated that his ratings were 70%. (20 left sciatic, 20 right sciatic, 20 for spine). With the VA math, something just isn't adding up. Does not equal to 70%.

Yes, claim the hip if you have met all of the elements for Direct SC (2 for secondary). As I recommended earlier, USMC need to go through his medical records, try to find something in his records that will make his claim worthwhile.

Lets just say that USMC just concentrate on just the hip claim. He states that he is at 70% right now. The VA rater grants him bilateral hip at 10% each hip. That will put him to 80%. The needle have moved just a little. If you are going to put in a claim, make it worthwhile. 

Keep reading this site and you will learn lots.

[USMCVMO]

I met with my ortho today.  He is a big supporter of vets and has worked at two VA facilities before starting his private practice. He said connecting the hip to the back is going to be extremely difficult.  I asked about altered gate etc and he said medically he couldn't write even a 50/50 chance.   He did say if the hip was the connected item then its easy to connect back pain to that.  I could tell he was having a hard time saying no to me.   With this said, I have no in service event other than I did play rugby for the Lejeune team and got beat up pretty bad but no specific sick call visits for hip.  Do you guys still think this is worth pursuing?

[USMCVMO]

On 10/25/2020 at 11:39 AM, AllTheWay said:

 

USMC stated that his ratings were 70%. (20 left sciatic, 20 right sciatic, 20 for spine). With the VA math, something just isn't adding up. Does not equal to 70%.

 

You are right - I have a secondary depressive disorder connected to the back.  

[AllTheWay]

USMCVMO you had stated that you were on a rugby team, and I know that Marines work and play hard. Do you remember the guys on your team? Do you have Facebook? I would try to contact the guys on the team and write a buddy statement. As far as an IMO, I would try to get a second opinion even if it cost. You have served in combat right? Find some of your buddies from combat to write a buddy statement. Myself, I would try for direct sc and also I would file for secondary due to my service connect disability.  If you need help on how to write a buddy statement, hadit leaves no one behind.

[USMCVMO]

13 hours ago, AllTheWay said:

USMCVMO you had stated that you were on a rugby team, and I know that Marines work and play hard. Do you remember the guys on your team? Do you have Facebook? I would try to contact the guys on the team and write a buddy statement. As far as an IMO, I would try to get a second opinion even if it cost. You have served in combat right? Find some of your buddies from combat to write a buddy statement. Myself, I would try for direct sc and also I would file for secondary due to my service connect disability.  If you need help on how to write a buddy statement, hadit leaves no one behind.

I do indeed stay in touch with some of the Rugby guys, including the team captain.   I have had buddies write statements before but what am I asking these guys to say? Something like how bad our bodies were abused?   I went through my record.  I found 3 sick call visits due to back pain from rugby.  I also found another one when I went it for trauma to the right leg.. the side where the hip issues are. I wonder if this would help build my case.   .