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Expressed or Inferred Diabetes Claim from AO, Nehmer class

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JJM

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My father in-law first filed a form 21-526 on 8/2/2001 for prostate cancer and heart condition due to AO.  The VA has conceded that this claim remained opened from that date until 3/25/2020.  The VA conceded service connection for CAD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, etc with an effective date of 12/20/2017.  The VA conceded on 3/25/2020 an effective date of 8/2/2001 for the CAD and prostate cancer, but denied an earlier effective date for diabetes and neuropathy.  The VA has conceded a first diagnosis date for diabetes and neuropathy of 10/3/2006.  I would like to appeal the 3/25/2020 rating decision denial of the diabetes and neuropathy to an effective date of 10/3/2006.  I am hoping to use an "expressed or inferred claim" due to the fact that the initial claim remained open continuously from 8/2001 through 3/2020, and that with an open diagnosis of CAD, that a diabetes claim was inferred.  I would appreciate any guidance on language to use, cases to refer to, and which type of appeal format to use.  This was initiated under the old system, and a Nehmer de novo review was done on 4/28/2020.  Thanks for your help!

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Nehmer claims ,for veterans and their survivors, can have a very favorable EED, as an exception to the rule.

I filed my AO IHD death claim in 2010 as soon as the new AO presumptives came out.

For example My husband never claimed IHD or CAD because he didn't even know he had it . I claimed it ,after he died, when I realized the VA had malpracticed on him.

The EED for my AO IHD accrued claim was 1988, and then for the years up to his death.

My EED ( which NVLSP checked) was because that is when the first evidence of IHD appeared in his VA medical records. An ER certificate dated 1988. He had collapsed while working at the local VAMC and they told him it was from a sinus infection.

I found,when I got hi medical records,  an abnomal EKG they did the same day, and a notation to "work up for CAD" but they never mentioned this to the veteran.

I proved that he had no sinus infection ( sinus xrays were clear )and that he in fact had a heart attack while employed at the VA.

All one needs to know about Nehmer is here in our AO forum.

The EEDS for veterans and survivors are different than regular claims because of Footnote One Nehmer, which is the essense of the Nehmer Court Order.It is a class action case.

 

 

 

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

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On 3/11/2021 at 7:05 AM, Berta said:

You said"This was initiated under the old system, and a Nehmer de novo review was done on 4/28/2020.  Thanks for your help!"

I assume you mean NVLSP did a review to make sure the retro was correct for the AO IHD ( CAD) nd the prostate cancer.

  "The VA has conceded a first diagnosis date for diabetes and neuropathy of 10/3/2006.  I would like to appeal the 3/25/2020 rating decision denial of the diabetes and neuropathy to an effective date of 10/3/2006.  I am hoping to use an "expressed or inferred claim" due to the fact that the initial claim remained open continuously from 8/2001 through 3/2020, and that with an open diagnosis of CAD, that a diabetes claim was inferred. "

The VA will not infer a diabetes claim with a CAD diagnosis.

These are two separate issues. The VA raters cannot make a medical inference because they are not doctors.

I am a widow of a AO veteran ( AO IHD, granted  AO DMII granted , and AO HBO claim- i progress 

 
Diabetes Mellitus went onto the AO regulations on May 8 2001:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2001-05-08/pdf/01-11569.pdf

In this BVA case, which is a very good read, the veteran , had excellent medical evidence and succeeded in getting a very favorable EED.

 

"ORDER

An effective date of September 3, 1987, for the award of 
service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus secondary to 
Agent Orange exposure in service is granted.
https://www.va.gov/vetapp05/files1/0503754.txt

 

In my case ( I was the veteran;s surviving spouse) and I succeeded in getting AO DMII awarded posthumously, BUT there was never any diagnosis pr treatment for DMII by the VA in the many years my husband as a VA Patient.

Like the veteran above , I had excellent medical evidence from his VA records and his autopsy and  after I had nade a full lay medical assessment from his medical records ,I also obtained 3 IMOs and the case was awarded by the BVA.

Nothing is impossible.

The advice you got is excellent.

PS: the DMII my husband had was one of 4 major medical malpractice errors they had made,all of which contributed to his death. (FTCA/1151 awards)

In you situation, th veteran's  medical treatment records could reveal a period of undiagnosed and untreated diabetes mellitis , that could warrant a better EED.

But that is just based on my experience with my AO DMII claim.

If you need an IMO/IME, it needs to follow the criteria here at hadit iin our IMO forum.

A good IMO/IME endocrinologist would surely pick up from blood chem reports and other entries in the medical records, if, in fact, the VA did not properly diagnose and treat his DMII in a timely manner.

They will give his records the most thorough reading they will ever get,

I had to read my husband;s medical records many many times, but I was convinced the claim woud succeed and I prepared a law medical overview, refering to specifc VA records in the stack I sent to my IMO doctor, because IMOs can be very costly.

My husbands driver's licence , even his VA dental records, a crossed out entry by a doctor that I managed to decifer, and one odd VA prescribed VA med, were all part of my evidence.

contained evidence that supported my claim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 3/11/2021 at 6:26 AM, broncovet said:

You need to look through your file to find a document which could be regarded as a reasonably raised claim for conditions claimed.  This would involve reviewing your documents, efile (formerly called vbms file).  

Did you have other correspondence or decisions from VA between 2001 and 2020?  Do you have an IRIS email, or other written or electronic requests?  

To determine your correct effective date would require a review of your file.  GB Army does have a good idea.  If you consult with an attorney, giving him your files access, he will either offer representation or decline to represent you.  If he offers, you can decide at that time whether or not to actually hire him.  You dont have to commit to marry by going to coffee with the attorney, discussing the particulars.  Only after you have signed a fee agreement, are you locked in.  

Its not unethical to use his advice, but he may not necessariy tell you everything he knows, either!  

I won (my case) with something similar (reasonably raised claim) and incredible persistence with much help from hadit members back to 2002.  

It took a total of 17 years for me to win.  

YOU/YOUR father needs all these things to be successful in your claim:

1.  Skilled with computer searches. 

2.  Time resources to make it happen.  "I dont have time to read my file" will rarely win.  

3.  Some organization skills.  Do you have these back decisions?  Other letters?  Or, are you willing to get them and keep track?

4.  Good enough health to persist until you win, and willingness to keep going "all the way".  

5.  You may need to get an IMO, and those cost money.  Are you willing to commit at least 500 dollars to win?  Money you wont get back if you lose.  

        If you have all of the above resources, you can likely win with persistence.  Lacking one or more of the above skills will likely derail you and jeaporadize the Win. 

      OR, as GB Army says, commit about 20 percent of future retro and hire a lawyer with these skills and more.  

I put my IMO on a credit card, and paid very few attorney fees.  

       "Some" attorneys may "upfront" your IMO fees "provided that, they feel that will be a winner.  Glover Luck (Judy Glover) up fronted an IMO for me.  The reason I paid almost no attorney fees is as follows:

        When you hire an attorney IMMEDIATELY AFTER a BVA decision, the EAJA normally pays the Vets attorney fees but only at the cavc level.  My attorney fees were 6000, and eaja paid 5000 because I had also hired the attorney to represent me before the board of veterans appeals upon remand from cavc.  So I paid 1000.  It was well well worth it. 

       UNLESS you have a recent BVA decision (or special circumstances, some of which are below) you will have to pay your own attorney fees.  

       Wild card:  Are you a Nehmer Vet?  (in country vietnam?) NVLSP won a huge "Nehmer class action" suit and respesent Nehmer Vets at no cost to the Vet.  NVLSP:  

https://www.nvlsp.org/.  They will tell you if they can represent you (no cost) or not.  They have represented hundreds of Vets at no cost to the Vet.  Maybe thousands.  

 

Broncovet,

Below is the Nehmer de novo review my father in-law received.  In the 03/2020 rating decision the following was stated - "Prior to the May 8, 2002 rating decision a reviewer noted that additional development was needed to confirm Vietnam service, particularly development for your entire 201 personnel file.  This action was not completed until January 28, 2018, leaving your claim open."  Also in a 9/2011 Nehmer rating decision it was stated - Although your DD Form 214 suggests you may have served in Vietnam, your military personnel records and service treatment records completely contradict the information as set forth in your discharge document as there is absolutely no evidence you served on land in Vietnam or the conditions of your service in the Philippines or aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard involved duty or visitation on the ground in Vietnam."

Although my father in-law did not put in a formal claim for diabetes until 2017, my contention is that part of the reason he did not, is due to twice being told by the VA that there was no service connection for AO.  The VA has conceded that the claim for IHD and prostate cancer was continuously open from 8/2001 through 1/2018, and also that he was diagnosed with diabetes in 10/2006.  I thought I read about a case being won due to an "inferred claim" where it was decided that while there is an open claim, a veteran does not need to continually add new medical conditions on new claims, that it is "inferred" that they should be added to the existing open claim.  I'm not sure I got this right, but would greatly appreciate any suggestion on how to appeal the denial of diabetes effective date to 10/2006.  Thanks!

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEMORANDUM


Date: April 28,2020
Re: Earlier Effective Date for CAD, Prostate Cancer, and Diabetes


A Nehmer de novo review of this Veteran's claim folder was mandated on April 28,2020 and noted the following:


VA Form 21-526,Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension, was received on August 2, 2001. That claim contained an original claim of service connection for prostate cancer due to agent orange and heart condition. On October 18, 2001 the Veteran submitted medical evidence from Keesler Medical Center that reports the Veteran underwent a prostate biopsy on August 28,1996
which diagnosed prostatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, VA Medical Center Biloxi treatment notes first report a diagnosis of CAD on 10/15/2001.


Rating Decision dated May 8,2002 denied service connection for prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides and heart condition. The Veteran was notified of this decision on May 13,2002.


VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits,
was received on December 20,2017. That claim contains reopened claims of service connection for prostate cancer-AO and ischemic heart disease-AO and a new claim of service connection for type 2 diabetes-AO.


Service in the Republic of Vietnam was subsequently confirmed and exposure to herbicides was
conceded. Heart Conditions, Prostate Cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, and Diabetic Sensory-Motor
Peripheral Neuropathy Disability Benefit Questionnaires were conducted by VA Contact examiners
on November 28,2018.


Rating Decision dated December 3, 2018 granted service connection for coronary artery disease,
residuals of prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral
neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation
based on loss of use of a creative organ, and radical prostatectomy scar effective December 20,2017,
the date VA received the claim. The Veteran was notified of this decision on December 7, 20I8.


VA Form 2l-0958, Notice of Disagreement, was received on December 2,2019 . That notice of
disagreement contains effective date appeals for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, radical
prostatectomy scar, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation, diabetes mellitus, and
diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.


Rating Decision dated March 25,2020 granted appeals for earlier effective dates. That decision
granted entitlement to an effective date earlier for the grant of service connection for coronary artery
disease, status post angioplasty effective August 2,2001, the date VA received the original claim of
service connection; and entitlement to an effective date for the grant of service connection for
residuals of prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy, erectile dysfunction, radical
prostatectomy scar, and special monthly compensation effective August 2,2000, one year prior to the
date of the original claim in accordance with 38 CFR 3.114. Statement of the Case dated March 25,
2020 denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 20,2017 of service comection for
diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities because
evidence shows the date VA awarded service connection for diabetes (the reopened claim date) is
appropriate and the earliest effective date afforded under the law. The Veteran was notified of these
decisions on March 25,2020 and March 30,2020.


Rating Decision dated March 25,2020 adjudicated full grants of the appealed issues of coronary
artery disease, status post angioplasty residuals of prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy;
erectile dysfunction; radical prostatectomy scar; and special monthly compensation. The effective
dates used in that decision are the earliest dates in accordance with 38 CFR 3.816 and 38 CFR 3.114.


By definition, if a case falls under Nehmer, it means that the first claim (expressed or inferred by the
evidence) of service connection for the condition at issue was received before the condition was
added to the list of herbicide related disabilities. Diabetes mellitus type II was added as a
presumptive disability under 38 CFR 3.309(e) effective May 8, 2001. The Veteran did not submit
any claims (expressed or inferred by the evidence) between September 25,1985 (initial date of
Nehmer stipulation) to May 8, 2001 (date diabetes mellitus type II became subjective to presumptive
service connection). VA Medical Center Biloxi treatment notes first report a diagnosis of diabetes
mellitus tvpe II on October 3,2006; however, the Veteran first claimed service connection for type 2
diabetes - AO on VA Form 2l-526EZ,Application for Disability Compensation and Related
Compensation Benefits, received on December 20,2}fi . Therefore, in accordance with VA
regulations, VA does not have a claim for diabates mellitus type II meeting the eligibility
requirements of Nehmer and cannot grant an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II under
the Nehmer stipulation. (38 CFR 3.816, TL 10-04, M21-1 IV.ii.2.C.4.d,e,l)


Nehmer SME:
Coach Concur:

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On 3/12/2021 at 8:55 AM, Berta said:

Nehmer claims ,for veterans and their survivors, can have a very favorable EED, as an exception to the rule.

I filed my AO IHD death claim in 2010 as soon as the new AO presumptives came out.

For example My husband never claimed IHD or CAD because he didn't even know he had it . I claimed it ,after he died, when I realized the VA had malpracticed on him.

The EED for my AO IHD accrued claim was 1988, and then for the years up to his death.

My EED ( which NVLSP checked) was because that is when the first evidence of IHD appeared in his VA medical records. An ER certificate dated 1988. He had collapsed while working at the local VAMC and they told him it was from a sinus infection.

I found,when I got hi medical records,  an abnomal EKG they did the same day, and a notation to "work up for CAD" but they never mentioned this to the veteran.

I proved that he had no sinus infection ( sinus xrays were clear )and that he in fact had a heart attack while employed at the VA.

All one needs to know about Nehmer is here in our AO forum.

The EEDS for veterans and survivors are different than regular claims because of Footnote One Nehmer, which is the essense of the Nehmer Court Order.It is a class action case.

 

 

 

Berta,

Below is the Nehmer de novo review my father in-law received.  In the 03/2020 rating decision the following was stated - "Prior to the May 8, 2002 rating decision a reviewer noted that additional development was needed to confirm Vietnam service, particularly development for your entire 201 personnel file.  This action was not completed until January 28, 2018, leaving your claim open."  Also in a 9/2011 Nehmer rating decision it was stated - Although your DD Form 214 suggests you may have served in Vietnam, your military personnel records and service treatment records completely contradict the information as set forth in your discharge document as there is absolutely no evidence you served on land in Vietnam or the conditions of your service in the Philippines or aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard involved duty or visitation on the ground in Vietnam."

Although my father in-law did not put in a formal claim for diabetes until 2017, my contention is that part of the reason he did not, is due to twice being told by the VA that there was no service connection for AO.  The VA has conceded that the claim for IHD and prostate cancer was continuously open from 8/2001 through 1/2018, and also that he was diagnosed with diabetes in 10/2006.  I thought I read about a case being won due to an "inferred claim" where it was decided that while there is an open claim, a veteran does not need to continually add new medical conditions on new claims, that it is "inferred" that they should be added to the existing open claim.  I'm not sure I got this right, but would greatly appreciate any suggestion on how to appeal the denial of diabetes effective date to 10/2006.  Thanks!

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEMORANDUM


Date: April 28,2020
Re: Earlier Effective Date for CAD, Prostate Cancer, and Diabetes


A Nehmer de novo review of this Veteran's claim folder was mandated on April 28,2020 and noted the following:


VA Form 21-526,Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension, was received on August 2, 2001. That claim contained an original claim of service connection for prostate cancer due to agent orange and heart condition. On October 18, 2001 the Veteran submitted medical evidence from Keesler Medical Center that reports the Veteran underwent a prostate biopsy on August 28,1996
which diagnosed prostatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, VA Medical Center Biloxi treatment notes first report a diagnosis of CAD on 10/15/2001.


Rating Decision dated May 8,2002 denied service connection for prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides and heart condition. The Veteran was notified of this decision on May 13,2002.


VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits,
was received on December 20,2017. That claim contains reopened claims of service connection for prostate cancer-AO and ischemic heart disease-AO and a new claim of service connection for type 2 diabetes-AO.


Service in the Republic of Vietnam was subsequently confirmed and exposure to herbicides was
conceded. Heart Conditions, Prostate Cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, and Diabetic Sensory-Motor
Peripheral Neuropathy Disability Benefit Questionnaires were conducted by VA Contact examiners
on November 28,2018.


Rating Decision dated December 3, 2018 granted service connection for coronary artery disease,
residuals of prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral
neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation
based on loss of use of a creative organ, and radical prostatectomy scar effective December 20,2017,
the date VA received the claim. The Veteran was notified of this decision on December 7, 20I8.


VA Form 2l-0958, Notice of Disagreement, was received on December 2,2019 . That notice of
disagreement contains effective date appeals for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, radical
prostatectomy scar, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation, diabetes mellitus, and
diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.


Rating Decision dated March 25,2020 granted appeals for earlier effective dates. That decision
granted entitlement to an effective date earlier for the grant of service connection for coronary artery
disease, status post angioplasty effective August 2,2001, the date VA received the original claim of
service connection; and entitlement to an effective date for the grant of service connection for
residuals of prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy, erectile dysfunction, radical
prostatectomy scar, and special monthly compensation effective August 2,2000, one year prior to the
date of the original claim in accordance with 38 CFR 3.114. Statement of the Case dated March 25,
2020 denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 20,2017 of service comection for
diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities because
evidence shows the date VA awarded service connection for diabetes (the reopened claim date) is
appropriate and the earliest effective date afforded under the law. The Veteran was notified of these
decisions on March 25,2020 and March 30,2020.


Rating Decision dated March 25,2020 adjudicated full grants of the appealed issues of coronary
artery disease, status post angioplasty residuals of prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy;
erectile dysfunction; radical prostatectomy scar; and special monthly compensation. The effective
dates used in that decision are the earliest dates in accordance with 38 CFR 3.816 and 38 CFR 3.114.


By definition, if a case falls under Nehmer, it means that the first claim (expressed or inferred by the
evidence) of service connection for the condition at issue was received before the condition was
added to the list of herbicide related disabilities. Diabetes mellitus type II was added as a
presumptive disability under 38 CFR 3.309(e) effective May 8, 2001. The Veteran did not submit
any claims (expressed or inferred by the evidence) between September 25,1985 (initial date of
Nehmer stipulation) to May 8, 2001 (date diabetes mellitus type II became subjective to presumptive
service connection). VA Medical Center Biloxi treatment notes first report a diagnosis of diabetes
mellitus tvpe II on October 3,2006; however, the Veteran first claimed service connection for type 2
diabetes - AO on VA Form 2l-526EZ,Application for Disability Compensation and Related
Compensation Benefits, received on December 20,2}fi . Therefore, in accordance with VA
regulations, VA does not have a claim for diabates mellitus type II meeting the eligibility
requirements of Nehmer and cannot grant an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II under
the Nehmer stipulation. (38 CFR 3.816, TL 10-04, M21-1 IV.ii.2.C.4.d,e,l)


Nehmer SME:
Coach Concur:

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My advice is for you to contact NVLSP.  They do a review for Nehmer Vets, and I am almost certain they do it at no cost to you.  You can/should ask them that, tho.  

   Their phone and a more detailed explanation is here:

https://www.nvlsp.org/what-we-do/class-actions/nehmer-agent-orange-lawsuit

 

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I understand this claim was already reviewed by NVLSP:

Date: April 28,2020
Re: Earlier Effective Date for CAD, Prostate Cancer, and Diabetes


"A Nehmer de novo review of this Veteran's claim folder was mandated on April 28,2020 and noted the following:"

in Part:

By definition, if a case falls under Nehmer, it means that the first claim (expressed or inferred by the
evidence) of service connection for the condition at issue was received before the condition was
added to the list of herbicide related disabilities. Diabetes mellitus type II was added as a
presumptive disability under 38 CFR 3.309(e) effective May 8, 2001. The Veteran did not submit
any claims (expressed or inferred by the evidence) between September 25,1985 (initial date of
Nehmer stipulation) to May 8, 2001 (date diabetes mellitus type II became subjective to presumptive
service connection). VA Medical Center Biloxi treatment notes first report a diagnosis of diabetes
mellitus tvpe II on October 3,2006; however, the Veteran first claimed service connection for type 2
diabetes - AO on VA Form 2l-526EZ,Application for Disability Compensation and Related
Compensation Benefits, received on December 20,2}fi . Therefore, in accordance with VA
regulations, VA does not have a claim for diabates mellitus type II meeting the eligibility
requirements of Nehmer and cannot grant an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II under
the Nehmer stipulation. (38 CFR 3.816, TL 10-04, M21-1 IV.ii.2.C.4.d,e,l):"

My AO DMII case was different-it was a malpracticed condition, but I filed for direct SC death.

The VA could not grant a rating or an EED. I accepted that because it involved many additional monetary awards to me. and VA also switched my DIC from 1151 to direct SC death DIC.

 

I suggest also that you call them to find out who SLE is, and get their email addy to ask them about the review as to the AO DMII EED.


"Nehmer SME:
Coach Concur:"

 

 

Edited by Berta

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

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