tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post2197904915389975634..comments2023-05-10T04:47:11.680-07:00Comments on The Blog at Military Disability Made Easy: Official Changes to the Ratings for the Endocrine SystemMDMEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08807695915566004972noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-996425854350144802020-07-13T08:09:05.873-07:002020-07-13T08:09:05.873-07:00Everything. Since all of your conditions developed...Everything. Since all of your conditions developed on active duty, then they will all qualify for VA Disability as long as they are still present. It is essential to make sure you get full medical records regarding the diagnosis and complete treatment process of each condition over the years and how they have developed. The exact codes are not as important as claiming each of your diagnosed conditions and providing full evidence of all of their symptoms. The VA will then decide which code best covers your condition and symptoms, but making sure they have complete evidence to make the best decision possible is your responsibility.Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-57742753272253139922020-07-08T08:27:07.040-07:002020-07-08T08:27:07.040-07:00long story short, was diagnosed with Hasimoto'...long story short, was diagnosed with Hasimoto's in 1990s while on active duty. Took meds for a couple of years and it leveled out. a few years ago while still on active duty was found to have papillary carcinoma and had to have a complete thyroidectomy and on meds now for the rest of my life. Since then my endocrinologist has noted certain vitamin deficiencies and borderline per diabetic which we are still trying to get under control. I am retiring next June and want to know how my case would be classified and what I need to focus (diagnosis codes) on getting documented for VA Claims. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15718298031141745692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-925395119494532282020-03-16T11:20:21.031-07:002020-03-16T11:20:21.031-07:00The ICD codes requested on the forms are only for ...The ICD codes requested on the forms are only for continuity of care and easier communication with civilian doctors. They have absolutely no impact at all on the VA codes and ratings. The fact that ICD now offers a heat intolerance code is very unlikely to affect the VA at all. They have a completely separate system with no real correlation. <br /><br />We do offer sample NEXUS letters and guidance on how to fill out forms, but it would be difficult to offer examples forms for every condition that could be claimed.<br /><br />http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/nexusletters.html<br /><br />Definitely help your physicians with NEXUS letters by having one ready to go for them. DBQs are fairly straightforward, though, and most doctors would not have a problem figuring out how to fill them out. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-57374120513415773732020-03-11T14:05:23.637-07:002020-03-11T14:05:23.637-07:00I was wondering how the ICD 10 updates that took e...I was wondering how the ICD 10 updates that took effect on 1-Oct-2019 will be implemented in the VA system. On the disability questionnaire they request ICD codes for medical conditions. Until the most recent update to the ICD code manual there was no ICD code for Heat Intolerance. There is now an ICD code for Heat Intolerance= ICD 10 Code T67.6XXS Heat fatigue, transient (sequela). I am not sure if the VA will do anything with this new ICD, but I am having my doctor list it on my VA claim. I have not spent a great deal of time until lately researching disability claims for MS through the VA, but what I did find was a lack of good information for people to navigate the process when dealing with MS. MS is a unique illness that affects each person differently and the lack of good information resources and example documents makes the process of filing for disability even more difficult. I have been gathering as much information as possible and creating example documents of letters, claim applications and information about ICD codes that apply or that may be comorbidities of MS. I am not a doctor and I do not play one on TV, but when I asked my doctor to fill out the forms for my disability they had no idea what it should say. Others I have talked to about the claims process say the same thing. I can find more information for filling out a claim for sinusitis than I can for MS. I appreciate your answers, but example letters and documents would provide a great deal of help.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155188686826849978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-10776630127794059802019-10-22T05:21:37.616-07:002019-10-22T05:21:37.616-07:00Thanks Dr. Johnson. I had a lawyer representing me...Thanks Dr. Johnson. I had a lawyer representing me and we had an abundance of evidence we submitted. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will go my way.No Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02064151617934651885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-20842981419921249812019-10-16T10:18:00.766-07:002019-10-16T10:18:00.766-07:00The key to winning an appeal is to ensure that you...The key to winning an appeal is to ensure that you have every bit of official evidence you need to prove your case. If you do, then the appeal should be a cakewalk. If you do not, then it will be tough, if not impossible to win the case. They legally must see evidence. Your word alone, is most often not enough. Come prepared with the evidence, and you'll be solid. Good luck!Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-45329594321168392152019-10-09T05:40:25.974-07:002019-10-09T05:40:25.974-07:00Hi Dr. Johnson; I finally got a date on my appeal ...Hi Dr. Johnson; I finally got a date on my appeal board hearing in DC and want to know if there is any advice you can offer me in going in front of this appeal board. First time I've been in front of this board. Any advice at all would be appreciated and helpfulNo Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02064151617934651885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-74138261396806823932019-09-16T08:45:28.962-07:002019-09-16T08:45:28.962-07:00Hi Jim -
Sorry to hear about your case. Yes, if ...Hi Jim - <br /><br />Sorry to hear about your case. Yes, if the VA officially considers MS service-connected and is rating other symptoms, then all symptoms of MS should be considered service-connected. An error was made to not consider these symptoms service-connected. That being said, there isn't a rating option for heat intolerance since it can be easily treated. Fatigue could be rated if it reaches the significance of chronic fatigue syndrome. This is more than just getting tired easily. <br /><br />http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/infectiousdiseasesandimmunedisorders.html#immune<br /><br />Otherwise, there is not a way to rate fatigue. If your MS causes mental symptoms, like depression, inability to sleep, etc., then you could potentially qualify for a mental health rating which would take into account things like fatigue. <br /><br />http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/mentaldisorders.html#systemMilitary Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-8280984230287419642019-09-08T17:19:26.737-07:002019-09-08T17:19:26.737-07:00I retired from the Army due to Multiple Sclerosis ...I retired from the Army due to Multiple Sclerosis in 2004. I have gotten progressively worse over the years. Until recently I had no treatment for MS through the VA. I recently forced the issue and got a referral to my current neurologist through the VA. I have always found it odd that I have never seen a neurologist through the VA. I have gone from being able to walk and stand for extended periods to using a cane and a scooter. I suffer from chronic fatigue and a complete intolerance of heat. The VA classified my heat intolerance as a symptom of my MS and not service connected. I am not sure of the VA logic for this determination. Out of all the problems MS causes for me; fatigue and heat intolerance are the greatest problem. Both of these issues resolve themselves if I can move to someplace cool and if I can rest, but both are very serious problems. I recently had to drag myself across my yard to get into my house when I got to hot and could no longer walk or crawl. My question is how does the VA identify and rate symptoms like this and how do they rate it as not service connected if it is a symptom of my service connected MS?Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155188686826849978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-61924988921454311822019-06-27T11:52:59.958-07:002019-06-27T11:52:59.958-07:00Technically, the changes state that they apply to ...Technically, the changes state that they apply to claims received on or after the effective date. A re-examination is not a new claim or an appeal (considered a claim).Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320151544107767655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-4042068308950233092019-06-22T10:57:56.087-07:002019-06-22T10:57:56.087-07:00Dr. Johnson,
I am rated 100% for hypothyroidism si...Dr. Johnson,<br />I am rated 100% for hypothyroidism since August 2017. I was recently brought in for a routine future exam. I still meet all of the criteria for 100% under the older VASRD. Will I be subject to the new criteria or am I protected? Thanks in advance. <br />TDTDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12415858017157849623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-28360126423773046772019-02-19T09:59:44.382-08:002019-02-19T09:59:44.382-08:00In order for the VA to grant your appeal for your ...In order for the VA to grant your appeal for your hearing conditions, you need to present your case in such a way that makes it undeniable that your current conditions are the direct result/development of the ear infection/perforated ear drum that occurred during service. <br /><br />In reality, this will be very difficult. A single ear infection does not immediately and logically translate to developing cholesteatoma. There isn't a direct causative relationship as cholesteatoma usually only develop after years of repeated ear infections. A single ear infection doesn't make a strong enough connection. <br /><br />If you can show proof of additional ear infections and get a letter from your physician stating that the cholesteatoma is the result of repeated ear infections that recurred because of the inhibited state of the ear after the first infection and perforation that occurred in service, then that would strengthen your case. <br /><br />Without this, your appeal is likely to be unsuccessful simply because the medical realities aren't supporting it. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-59817456929413219472019-02-14T06:26:57.822-08:002019-02-14T06:26:57.822-08:00Hi Dr. Johnson, sorry it took so long getting back...Hi Dr. Johnson, sorry it took so long getting back to you on this. Currently there are 3 appeals; 1) for my L hip, L knee, 2) scars all over my left leg because of the compound fractures that were caused during that accident and lastly, hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. Yep, the VA denied my claims for hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo even though my ear problems were documented in my medical records.NoNamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549247990957581979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-53259909637930947592018-06-25T18:14:27.820-07:002018-06-25T18:14:27.820-07:00Partial thyroid removal is rated under code 7903 f...Partial thyroid removal is rated under code 7903 for hypothyroidism. <br /><br />http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/theendocrinesystem.html#dMilitary Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-64866982597907875542018-06-25T18:04:03.402-07:002018-06-25T18:04:03.402-07:00Hi Maria -
The 6-month rating periods are for th...Hi Maria - <br /><br />The 6-month rating periods are for the periods immediately after diagnosis. Since you didn't apply until after that period, you will not get that compensation. They will only rate it on the symptoms at the time of your application. <br /><br />However, since this wasn't diagnosed until 7 years after service, the VA won't consider it service-connected unless you can prove without a doubt that it was caused by your service. Hypothyroidism isn't on the VA Presumptive List, and conditions that are not on that list must be diagnosed within 1 year of separation to have a shot at being considered service-connected unless it is secondary to another service-connected condition. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-90932780327156663342018-06-25T10:01:39.335-07:002018-06-25T10:01:39.335-07:00What happens if half the thyroid is removed and pu...What happens if half the thyroid is removed and put on the pill to regulate the levels of the thyroid?<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290150487346671777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-28894125565770842202018-06-21T18:54:27.287-07:002018-06-21T18:54:27.287-07:00Hello Dr. Johnson,
If I was diagnosed with hypothy...Hello Dr. Johnson,<br />If I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in April 2016 (7 years after leaving the service), but I didn't make my claim until Jan 2018 - what date does the VA use to go off of for the "6 months after diagnosis" for compensation? April 2016, when I was officially diagnosed or Jan 2018, the day I made my claim? Maria Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787048824945478186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-48446656185511725472018-06-12T08:31:15.574-07:002018-06-12T08:31:15.574-07:00Hi Mark -
What are your current ratings (the con...Hi Mark - <br /><br />What are your current ratings (the conditions and individual ratings that make up your 50%)? And what are the appeals for exactly? What is new that wasn't included in the claims/appeals? <br /><br />I need this information in order to know how best to guide you as I need to understand what the VA already considers service-connected and what they've denied and why. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-58619316958981928842018-06-01T06:34:03.185-07:002018-06-01T06:34:03.185-07:00Hello Dr. Johnson; I'm currently rated at 50% ...Hello Dr. Johnson; I'm currently rated at 50% and I have two ongoing appeals in the VA. When I was on active duty in the 80's, I came down with a severe ear infection in my right ear which caused a perforated ear drum. It was of course all documented in my medial records jacket. However, over the years I continued to lose hearing in that ear and then in 2006, I developed a cholesteatoma in that same ear that had to be surgically removed. The tumor ate away at the 3 bones behind the ear drum and at that point, I lost over 90% of my hearing in that ear. I've been wearing a hearing aid ever since. My question is this. Since the VA fights against us all not to give us the ratings we deserve, what do you think are the chances of getting a rating from the VA because of hearing loss and also the tinnitus I have in that ear because of all the problems I've had? Lastly, as I mentioned earlier, I have two ongoing appeals with the VA., so should I wait for those appeals to get decided or should I just put in my claim for this condition?NoNamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549247990957581979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-76572511139887558162018-05-14T09:00:01.769-07:002018-05-14T09:00:01.769-07:00You can appeal again, but you'd have to go dir...You can appeal again, but you'd have to go directly to the BVA, not appeal through RAMP. You can technically always appeal to the higher authorities if the lower authorities deny your appeal. As long as you don't have any new evidence to submit, you can apply to the US Court of Appeals if the BVA denies you. The US Court of Appeals' decision is final.Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-79774488055364223782018-05-10T06:01:47.268-07:002018-05-10T06:01:47.268-07:00Hello Dr. Johnson; I've had a claim in since M...Hello Dr. Johnson; I've had a claim in since May of 2013 and now I'm on my 2nd appeal of that claim. Yesterday, 5/09/2018, I received a RAMP invitation from the VA. I'm currently rated at 50% for hip,knee and ankle related disabilities. If I choose to take the VA up on their RAMP offer and I get turned down again, does the 3 strikes you're out rule apply here or does RAMP allow you to appeal again?NoNamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549247990957581979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-91315967922823967332018-04-13T09:37:36.985-07:002018-04-13T09:37:36.985-07:00Do you mean that you were found Unfit for Duty and...Do you mean that you were found Unfit for Duty and you are trying to appeal that decision? You want to be found fit and remain on duty? Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-24500985275144759012018-04-12T18:23:30.727-07:002018-04-12T18:23:30.727-07:00Does this site have any knowledge of the appeals t...Does this site have any knowledge of the appeals to be found fit process?SGT RAOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00212659921753077981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-23309995837159025332018-03-08T09:05:50.369-08:002018-03-08T09:05:50.369-08:00You can always submit a claim for any conditions t...You can always submit a claim for any conditions that you can show proof are service-connected. <br /><br />http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/service-connected.html<br /><br />Neurological symptoms are included under symptoms covered by Gulf War Syndrome, however, if your condition is officially diagnosed, it may not be covered. <br /><br />http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/vapresumptivelist.html#gulf<br /><br />It is definitely worth applying, though. Just submit as much evidence as possible to prove service-connection. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-23930088211540230072018-01-30T10:38:20.154-08:002018-01-30T10:38:20.154-08:00That's a good question. When properly treated,...That's a good question. When properly treated, a patient can fully recover from heat stroke. Thus, the VA will only rate any complications that happen because of the heat stroke. The most common complications are things like seizures, kidney failure, rhabdomyloysis, etc, none of which are endocrine issues. <br /><br />What are your main chronic symptoms? If they are endocrine-based, then that is why the endocrine DBQ was used. If they aren't, then I'm not quite sure why they used that DBQ. Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.com