It took decades for me to develop Leukemia and Hyperthyroidism - but I did. I also worked two years in an electronics shop, where TCE was always in the air (we had a large degreasing vat of it). Devens, which became an EPA Superfund Cleanup site in '89 for things like drinking water containing Benzene, TCE, PFOS and PFAS. I'm also a Vietnam-era Vet I did Advanced Training for 7 months at Ft. Otherwise talk with an IMO doctor to have your records reviewed by a pro who does this every day. If you think your doctor is going to do a good job, go for it. While your rheumatologist may (or may not) agree that military service caused, aggravated or contributed to your current disabling wrist conditions, how the opinion is phrased can make or break the claim for you. You'll need an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) written by a professional who speaks the language of the VA rater. This is too often a steep uphill climb but with the appropriate evidence and logical presentation, you may have an opportunity to prove service connection. 'Can preexisting conditions like these be service connected?' My disabilities include PTSD , Diabetes II and some others. I am currently seeing a civilian Rheumatologist and am waiting on test results for arthritis. So my question is: Can pre -existing conditions like these be service connected? I was a Navy (CB) Construction Battalion Builder in Vietnam in 1970. I do not have any documented issues in my military medical records. I am now having severe wrist pain and intend to file a disability claim for aggravation. When I joined the Navy at 19 years old I noted the wrist fractures on my entrance physical. When I was a pre-teenager I broke both of my wrist, two years apart. In the end, if you want a great IMO these are the folks who can help Good luck. There's only so much that wordsmithing can do to help and legit IMO doctors won't fudge anything to help you. I'll remind you that sometimes we don't win because we don't have a well grounded claim no matter how much we believe in our cause. If you'll study that guide and tie those principles to your claimed conditions in The Schedule, you should have a winner. The 2002 edition of The Clinicians Guide is the tool I use most often to develop what I think VA must have in the record for you to prevail. Asking your family doctor to provide an IMO is usually a waste of time. The doctor should have a deep understanding of what VA needs to hear and must have to support your claim. Since I don't know where you're getting your support from, the best I can offer is that experience counts. But no, the VA doesn't help you to win your claim by offering personalized advice. I haven't seen any particular shift in what VA accepts as an IMO.Ĭall the VA and ask them for advice? That's a new one on me. For example, a podiatrist shouldn't opine about heart disease for your IMO. The statement would have to be supported by science and made by a qualified individual. Plugging in a phrase like, "More likely than not" isn't nearly enough. I just want to be in a better position to provide the VA with the evidence they require. The VA threw that out in the blink of an eye. Are you in a position to call the VA and actually ask them for guidance on what they will accept now? About 3 years ago I submitted what I thought was a very good Nexus. Do you know what the VA is looking for? Can you provide an example of an accepted Nexus letter that the VA will accept? I'm in the process of obtaining an IMO/Nexus and would like to avoid any pitfall. In the past it use to be, "More Likely than Not" was enough to get an approval of your claim. It appears that the VA is being more critical of IMO/Nexus letters. I don't have any answer for you other than.welcome to your VA. There was no option for travel reimbursement, I was told to go to the Internet and figure it out. I returned to that clinic 2 weeks later and the check in kiosks were back, plugged in and ready to go. I was told to check in the old school way and only when I asked, I was given an old form to complete for travel pay. Not all that long ago I checked in to my small clinic and the kiosks were unplugged and parked in a corner. The check-in kiosks were introduced a few years back and those worked well other than you had to remember to sign out and sign in again to submit the travel voucher. Then we went to a fill-out-the-form system. In my time with VHA I've seen long lines and over an hour wait to receive a few dollars gas money. We're supposed to be reimbursed a per mile amount for certain travel to and from medical care. Have others experienced this problem? Thank you Jim. I checked with my travel clerk and he told me that there is a big back log here in Florida. Since the VA adopted the new mileage application via the internet, I haven't received any travel money.
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