Dro Decision Reveiw Officer

[les]

I got a letter from appeals board from the DRO. They are having me go to local VA Med center for a examination. Three years ago I did all the C&P's for the items I have on appeal. Is this good or bad news. Thanks alot! Les

[les]

Les-the most important part of a claim is the nexus factor----

what I mean is-you are claiming Red lead paint exposure as your nexus-to your present disabilities.

This will take strong medical associations-

I dont see the connection but perhaps a good environmental specialist would.

The hearing problems- did your MOS put you into a high noise level environement?

The depression-did you tell VA of what inservice event caused the depression?

They need enough information to verify the Nexus or cause of the depression and why it is claimed due to service.

Spinal Bifida -the VA only service connects spinal bifida in children of Vietnam incountry veterans exposed to Agent Orange-

they do NOT service connect spinal bifida occulta.

Children of incountry Vietnam vets can be awarded service connection for spinal bifida but I only know of one case and that took years-

Jones V Principi 16 Vet App 219 (2002)

Other cases have been awarded at the RO level but I have no documentation on them.

If you were exposed to AO and the child does not have occulta SB then you should pursue this claim diligently.

NVLSP has made the point that some Spinal Bifida claims were denied due to occulta yet a strong medical opinion the parents got found that the ovcculta had been misdiagnosed and ruled out.Setting the stage for proper SC of this disability in a child.

Is your depression documented in your SMRs as well as the hearing loss and tinnitus?

That would provide the nexus that VA needs.

Otherwise you will need strong independent medical opinions to generate awards-in my opinion-

because there doesnt seem to be a known nexus in my opinion and brief net search between lead paint and what you are claiming.

If you find medical studies on the internet that DO show these medical associations- I sure would bring them to the next C & P- as this is what the VA will need-

but still this will have to be determined by medical evidence that is specific to you.

(this post should be in claims research but I dont know how to move it)

Hi Berta, Thanks for the reply. I would have got back to you sooner but It is so hard to figure out this how to use this site. Anyway The red lead paint is from chipping and sanding the lead paint from Army tug boat. The dust from this was everywere all over me. I would go home with red dust all over me and in my nose. My wife would have to take clouthing outside and shake them before washing. My wife was pregnant during this period. Lead dust is a very toxic substance and known now to have hazzard to the human body. My ex wife wrote a statment about this. I did this type of work in the Army from 1970 to 1977. Thanks so much for your help. Les

[les]

Les-the most important part of a claim is the nexus factor----

what I mean is-you are claiming Red lead paint exposure as your nexus-to your present disabilities.

This will take strong medical associations-

I dont see the connection but perhaps a good environmental specialist would.

The hearing problems- did your MOS put you into a high noise level environement?

The depression-did you tell VA of what inservice event caused the depression?

They need enough information to verify the Nexus or cause of the depression and why it is claimed due to service.

Spinal Bifida -the VA only service connects spinal bifida in children of Vietnam incountry veterans exposed to Agent Orange-

they do NOT service connect spinal bifida occulta.

Children of incountry Vietnam vets can be awarded service connection for spinal bifida but I only know of one case and that took years-

Jones V Principi 16 Vet App 219 (2002)

Other cases have been awarded at the RO level but I have no documentation on them.

If you were exposed to AO and the child does not have occulta SB then you should pursue this claim diligently.

NVLSP has made the point that some Spinal Bifida claims were denied due to occulta yet a strong medical opinion the parents got found that the ovcculta had been misdiagnosed and ruled out.Setting the stage for proper SC of this disability in a child.

Is your depression documented in your SMRs as well as the hearing loss and tinnitus?

That would provide the nexus that VA needs.

Otherwise you will need strong independent medical opinions to generate awards-in my opinion-

because there doesnt seem to be a known nexus in my opinion and brief net search between lead paint and what you are claiming.

If you find medical studies on the internet that DO show these medical associations- I sure would bring them to the next C & P- as this is what the VA will need-

but still this will have to be determined by medical evidence that is specific to you.

(this post should be in claims research but I dont know how to move it)

Hi again, My hearing is documented by the Va in Lebanon Pa. I was givin hearing aids for both ears They denied it the first goaround because they say my hearing test were within normal range at dicharge from the regular army in 1977. I went into the Pa. national gaurd from 1982 to 1985 at an artillery unit. We fired 105 howitzers reguarly. I did not have a test for hearing at discharge. I was givin a C&P last summer for ptsd for witness to a c 130 crash in the Azores Lajes Field AFB I even took pictures of the crash site and showed them The horror of all the dead bodies. There were 68 college chior students from South America killed. My ptsd opinion cited I didn't qualifie for ptsd but qualifry for major deppresion The med center put me on clexa Deppresion meds 2 years ago. Thanks so much for any help. Les

[les]

DRO having me do new C&P's made my claim go from 60 to 100% PT. My initial C&P's were done incorrectly.

Hi, Thanks for your reply I hope my c&p's go as well! Les

[Berta]

Hi, Thanks for your reply I hope my c&p's go as well! Les

Les- if the VA says you have depression due to those events inservice and not PTSD- the comp $ is the same anyhow for the percent they rate it at.

I sure hope they are considering your two periods of service:

"I went into the Pa. national gaurd from 1982 to 1985 at an artillery unit. We fired 105 howitzers reguarly. I did not have a test for hearing at discharge."

Did the mil provide acoustical trauma stuff like earplugs in the NG ?

whether or not ----this is a very good nexus to your service- but if you were not given acoustical trauma gear make sure they know that.

WE are all up in Claim Research at the top of the forums most of the time-

and Welcome Aboard veteran-

[les]

Les- if the VA says you have depression due to those events inservice and not PTSD- the comp $ is the same anyhow for the percent they rate it at.

I sure hope they are considering your two periods of service:

"I went into the Pa. national gaurd from 1982 to 1985 at an artillery unit. We fired 105 howitzers reguarly. I did not have a test for hearing at discharge."

Did the mil provide acoustical trauma stuff like earplugs in the NG ?

whether or not ----this is a very good nexus to your service- but if you were not given acoustical trauma gear make sure they know that.

WE are all up in Claim Research at the top of the forums most of the time-

and Welcome Aboard veteran-

We had the standard issue ear plugs the three prong rubber plugs. I have been advised that those plugs are obsolete. Anyway I thank you so much for your input! Les

[Josephine]

les,

I sure hope the group has been helpful to you.

I knew that they would all come in to answer your questions.

Josephine