C&P for Evaluation of Hip and Foot as Secondary to Service Connected Knee

[tk123456789]

Hello,

I have an upcoming C&P exam with VES orthopedic doctor to look at my left hip and left foot. I have a 10% service connected rating for my left knee from over 20 years ago. 

Recently I applied for chronic pain and received 30% rating because the left knee pain has really impacted my way of life and family issues. 

I have several years of documented issues with my left hip and left foot, and I have a nexus letter from a chiropractor stating that it is more likely than not that the left knee injury over the last 20 years has caused a change in gait that has impacted my left hip and left foot. I also submitted the foot orthopedic doctor statement that says the same thing for my left foot. The hip orthopedic doctor said something similar, but said "the patient believes that the knee injury impacted his gait over 20 years and caused the left hip and left foot to have issues", later he clarifies that he thinks the left knee injury could have certainly impacted the left hip.

 

I also submitted to the VA a medical study and article from five doctors that link and show that a knee injury can impact and cause hip issues on the same side. 

 

I have MRIs and X-rays showing the left hip issue is severe and I cannot even tie my shoes anymore. My left foot has issues that cause severe pain when walking on hard surfaces. 

 

Do I need to bring the MRIs and Xrays and nexus letters or anything else like the article from the five doctors to the appointment with the VES doctor?

At this stage, I don't even care about a percentage I just want the VA to acknowledge and link my left hip and left foot issues to the service connected left knee.

I was told by several doctors I should just get the hip replacement because I have tried for over six years now to use other methods like physical therapy, massage, etc., but noting can make the arthritis go away. I am only in my late 40s also. 

Any advice greatly appreciated. 

 

[tk123456789]

Exam went ok. The doctor seemed to care but who knows. He told me he served 20 years in the Navy and was in the same place I was in when he was getting evaluated for his disabilities. 

 

 

[john999]

You really never know what these guys will say on your report.  Some will be hostile and some favorable.  It is a crap shoot.  I have had these C&P docs say some outrageous things to me about other vets.

[namvet6567]

I think, along with the chiro's and foot ortho's statements, that the hip ortho doc's opinion "that he thinks the left knee injury "could have certainly" impacted the left hip" may be enough to meet the "as likely as not" criteria, in the long game, however knowing how the raters process stuff it may take some appeals and yrs to get there.  jmo