Attorney Wants Diagnosis for Secondary Complication to Rated Condition; Must it be through VA?

[Cat4Christ777]

Originally, this secondary condition was claimed as 'migraines,' but while it may begin as a migraine with a complication, the VA can--and has, more than once--made it so much worse (pain-wise). If it does not qualify as a migraine, then my attorney and I need to come up with a different diagnosis. It's definitely a neurological issue, possibly 'occipital neuralgia,' as the condition meets the criteria of its definition, here: https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/occipital+neuralgia.

Yes, VHA has been my provider, but they have also been the ones triggering my secondary condition; and once they bring on the extra pain, they IGNORE the cause and focus solely on finding a drug to stop it. I am afraid to ask them to diagnose a condition they cause; and they won't volunteer to bring it up, themselves. They prefer not to deal with issues they cause. The VA Northern California Health Care System (at Mather) has even destroyed medical records associated with one of these episodes they caused.

And, if I ask them to diagnose the secondary condition, they may cause the pain just to 'study it,' and that is UNACCEPTABLE, as that pain is a death sentence for me (as, in my first experience, mentioned above, I was in that severe pain for at least 12 hours, and if VA had not eventually found a drug to treat it, I would definitely have ended my life that night). In fact, after that first episode, I never called, nor went back to, that VA hospital for over 14 years. When I finally called, I discovered that they actually thought I had killed myself. They were surprised I was still alive.

So, I am wondering if I can go to a civilian Neurologist to have them diagnose this condition, instead of letting the VA 'try' knowing they could fail, and that would end my life.

The original, rated condition is 'Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy Associated with Cervical Spine Degenerative Arthritis Status Post Discectomy and Fusion, C6-7, with Inter-vertebral Disc Syndrome,' rated 30%.

So, what do you guys think: Should I get a private Neurologist to diagnose my secondary condition? I found some local, quality doctors in town (Clarksville, TN).

[Cat4Christ777]

Whodat, I looked up the EMG exam, and it sounds like I might have received such a test if I could have gotten a private Neurologist to take me on as a patient. Sounds like something I could probably use, diagnostically.

I hope you received an accurate diagnosis from that test, and are receiving the appropriate treatment, to minimize pain.

Again, I will update here, as I find out more information.

[Lemuel]

6 hours ago, Whodat said:

I also am experiencing all of the pain that all of you are discussing. Both cervical and lumbar. I see that most of you had mri's x rays etc. That does identify some of the smyptoms. Have any of you had an emg test proving that your symptoms are also affecting the nerves? The emg will show that you either have nerve damage. Nerve damage may be the reason for migraines. 

I did not have an EMG to my memory.  I have had abnormal EEGs.  Both are very difficult to come by these days.  Shortage of qualified readers.

[Whodat]

I had to pay money to use an outside source. VA will not do it. Same with all of my MRI'S. 

[Whodat]

2 hours ago, Lemuel said:

I did not have an EMG to my memory.  I have had abnormal EEGs.  Both are very difficult to come by these days.  Shortage of qualified readers.

See if you can message your VA primary care doc and explain your pain and would it be possible to outsource you to get an EEG done. 

If that don't work, I would hate for you to spend money but I did it. Try to get health market pay the 150 a month and see if you could get one that way. Just a thought. 

[Boats 1]

Cat let me explain something to you, don’t listen to anyone else, not attorneys not service providers, listen to your own body and share with Vets like us. I am 100% T&P and I did it myself after all help told me to just stop at 60% got to anyone you need to get a diagnosis, have the VA scan your outside docs or use VA.gov self reporting. This is very important for you to do and it’s this, write detailed letters of what the conditions cause you and how. Understand and document how it effects you at work and doing day to day things. Don’t hold back. Discuss your letters and concerns with your primary. Ask your primary to discuss and make not for your visit of what you say in your letters. 

[Whodat]

Cat, Boat is right. Don't listen to anyone, but him. 

He is at 100 with P&T. He can tell you how to do it.