Claim increase

[Remisdad]

I filed for an increase on my left thumb 20%, left index finger 10%, left middle finger 20%, left ring finger 10%, left little finger 0%, & a new claim for trigger finger of left middle finger.  Everything printed plainly and clearly legible. I checked va.gov to see if it had made it to initial review & this screenshot is what they had down. It doesn't make sense to me. Do they just not know how to type or do they just not give a damn?  I plan on keeping an eye on it for a few days to see if it changes. And if it doesn't I guess I'll figure out who I need to call. 

[Vync]

@RemisdadKeep in mind that just because the Poplar Bluff VARO is where your exam is held, the actual claim may be handled by one or more VARO's. In early 2019 the VA switched to a centralized queue system to help balance the workload across all locations. 

[Lemuel]

In my case the NP did the initial exam but it was not good.  She cited only the negative reports and did not cite the confirmation of seizures which should override everything else.  My new neurologist has again confirmed my seizures but not just for now.  He has stated they are obviously traceable back to my TBI and inpatient nursing notes.

[Lemuel]

17 hours ago, Remisdad said:

Poplar bluff missouri. That's where I had my first c&p exam & it's the same nurse practioner doing it. So I'm hoping for a good exam. All my other c&p exams have been contracted out but i had a good examiner for those too. 

In my case, The NP did the initial exam but it was referred to private practice for medical supervision by MDs.  Possibly because of the examinations being remanded and the remand requirement being that they would be complete.  However, the DRO limited the examinations so I have to wiat until they are remanded again or the BVA accepts my 6 month examination reports.

I understand that the VA now has decentralized the RO adjudications to more evenly distribute the workload.  With the bonus situation, that is probably bad.  It means the short cut for speed is to copy the last report which means a lot of exams are going to be appealed to the BVA for incompleteness not reflecting the vets' current history.

[Vync]

@LemuelThat stinks that the NP didn't make the connection. Your new neurologist sounds like my orthopedic specialist who tied my spine injuries back to several injuries and a motor vehicle accident in service. 

[Lemuel]

31 minutes ago, Vync said:

@LemuelThat stinks that the NP didn't make the connection. Your new neurologist sounds like my orthopedic specialist who tied my spine injuries back to several injuries and a motor vehicle accident in service. 

She and others actually went out of their way to ignore the confirmation of seizures in 1990 in order to continue the VA's, at that time, "cutting edge theory" that the interictal EEG tracings I present are "pseudo seizures" not service connectable from a TBI.  The NIH "BRAIN" published an article overturning that theory in the December 2010 edition.  In 2015 one Neurology textbook still had the 1990's cutting edge theory that had replaced the old statement that was made by older neurologists at the time, "indicative of a lesion with or without seizures" for temporal lobe seizures.  

If anosognosia is demonstrated, it appears in the fronto-temporal lobe.  If anosognosia appears from the right parietal lobe, I am unfamiliar with the EEG presentation if does not involve tonic colonic (grand mall) seizures.  Temporal lobe epilepsy, according to the article, presents altered states of consciousness such as, stuttering, petit mall seizures (repeated interruptions mid-sentence when speaking), partial absence seizures, complex partial seizures including absence staring that last for up to 2 hours.  More often, noticeable complex partial seizure are purposeful unhinged actions in a dreamy state.

My wife and friends describe min as starring and returning to conversation as though it had not moved on 30-45 minutes earlier on a thought I had not finished or sometimes just drooping in an enervation as though suddenly lost all energy.  If any of your friends meet any of the above criteria, put them on to the idea of seeing a neurologist.  There may be an anosognosia (denial) resistance.  Get others to help you get them or help their spouses get them into treatment.  It will dramatically change their lives.  The seizures will be controlled but it takes personal effort to recognize that when you feel frustrated, it is because there is some skill you are attempting that you were much better at before your injury or disease that caused some temporal lobe damage.

You are still left with much of your higher function analytical thinking, which makes it easier once focused.

[Remisdad]

Just got home from my c&p exam. I don't know how it could've went any better. The NP said he was going to write up his report so the VA could understand the severity of my disability instead of them just checking boxes. He was really good!!!