tinnitus Just Received Rating?

[parkee99]

Just received my rating after a 20 year career in the USAF. I used the pre-separation program and started the process back in Aug 2006. I officially retired 1 Mar 07. I was told I would here something sometime in May 07. To my surprise the big yellow envelope came this weekend and I was awarded a combined rating of 80%. It was more than expected but I still have questions about the outcome.

I was awarded the following:

degenerative joint diseas, degenerative dics disease c-spine 20%

degenerative dics disease l-spine 20%

osteoarthritis bilat feet 10%

left knee djd 10%

rt knee 10%

left shoudler strain (minor) 10%

right shoulder strain(major) 10%

tinnitus 10%

sinusitis surgery x3 with skin graft 10%

allergic rhinitis 10%

gastrointestinal reflux disease 10%

I received a a 0% rating on 11 other items. I did not realize there were that many items up for a claim. My C&P exam took 3 1/2-4 hours and the nurse practitioner was very thorough.

My question is should I appeal anything or just leave it alone? I feel fortunate to receive such a high rating, especially after reading this forum for the past 2 months. I received a 0% rating for high blood pressure. My bp is usually in the 150's over 90's on meds. We have tried 3 different meds and nothing has worked. On my last eye exam the optometrist told me he could see changes in the arteries in my eyes due to elevated bp.

The other question is my back, I have to take pain meds daily and I know it will only get worse. I have several herniated discs in my L-spine and T-spine. Even if I get a higher rating of 40% I would still only be at 40% by VA math.

My GERD is bad(even n meds twice a day) and I have sub-sternal chest pain regularly and was noted on my exam and records. In my entitlement letter, it stated I would not receive the next highest rating 30% unless I was having substernal chest pressure or left arm pain.

My VARO is Oakland but my file was sent to Salt Lake due to back up. I have since moved to Arizona. Should I now transfer my file here? I assume if I appeal anything, they will schedule me for another C&P exam and I would have to be local.

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks to all for all of the great information on this site!

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit. My question is can you work? If you are not working you should ask for TDIU. There is a form to fill out for it. Also should look at Social Security. You did not mention age either. Social Security Disability is also something to be considered.

Most people I see with an 80% rating are not able to work.

Good Luck

PS If you can work you are in a good position if something happens. Also with so many ratings even if something gets bumped up its unlikely you overall VA rating will increase.

[jbasser]

Welcome to Hadit. I agree with Berta and Pete. I am also SC for Hypertension. If you are taking 3 diffrent meds to control then you should be compensable for Htn. 150s over 90s is close. The rating criteria is 160 or 100 for 10 percent. It also states with continuos medication to control.

Please keep in mind that other diseaes are secondary to HTN like CAD.

John

[parkee99]

Thanks for the advice again! I have a large family (6 children and a wife) ranging in ages from 2-20. Fortunately I can still work. I really do need the additional income from work to support my family. I don't have a physically demanding job as I am in the medical field. I do have to assist with patient care(moving/lifting) and at times this is a problem with my back/shoulders/knees. That is how I originally injured my back.

In time, I know my back will get worse. I am not sure if they will up my claim because in the reasoning they stated I needed a higher degree of ankylosis. I am not sure if this means anything or not but I can't stay in bed for more than 7-8 hours at a time due to lower back pain. I also have difficulty sitting for periods. I have read where the T-spine and L-spine are considered one area. I have some shmorl's nodes in my T-spine that showed up on my MRI. They never mentioned this on my rating. Any suggestions in this area?

Should I get a VSO to get involved in moving my records or use the 800 number as mentioned? I am pretty sure we are staying in Arizona now. Am I correct that I can't appeal to California as I would probably have to go back there for exams?

[huskerfanfl]

parkee99,

Everyone here is giving you real good advice. Read the regulations and see if they lowballed you. If, in your opinion they did, then by all means file a NOD.

It is interesting that you received 10% for alergic rhinitis, they declined mine in 2004.

[parkee99]

Huskerfan,

I have a long 20 year history of allergy and sinus infections. In all honesty I probably should have had a higher sinus rating. (Three surgeries and usually 4 sinus infections/year.) I have had to take meds for 20 years for these conditions. When they did my C&P, she noted I had 90% closed air passages and they were red and swollen. That probably played a large role the rating.

[huskerfanfl]

Here is criteria to get a higher rating for allergic rhinitis

6522 Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis:

With polyps 30

Without polyps, but with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal

passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side 10

It can be found here

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_97.DOC