tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post6022854058845108777..comments2023-05-10T04:47:11.680-07:00Comments on The Blog at Military Disability Made Easy: You Spoke, We Listened—The Comments Submitted on Your Behalf Regarding the Female Reproductive System ChangesMDMEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08807695915566004972noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-51513993043794440492015-10-06T12:13:24.527-07:002015-10-06T12:13:24.527-07:00Hi Latasha -
You are hitting on a very interesti...Hi Latasha - <br /><br />You are hitting on a very interesting point, and unfortunately, there is no set guidance on exactly how the VA should deal with breast reductions. <br /><br />Generally, breast reductions are thought to be cosmetic, but you are correct in that the majority are done to relieve back pain and other medical problems. As such, it should be treated as a medical procedure, not a cosmetic procedure. I personally agree that if the breast reduction is performed in order to relieve pain and other medical conditions that they cause, it should be considered a medical, not cosmetic procedure. Now, that does not mean that I personally feel that they should qualify for disability compensation as I will address below. <br /><br />Again, the VA has no strict rules or regulations pertaining to this topic. Because of this, the final decision on whether or not a breast reduction is ratable is left up to each individual rating authority who is reviewing each case. <br /><br />Now some arguments against rating a breast reduction:<br /><br />First, it IS a preexisting condition. The size of the breasts has nothing to do with a military career. It is a genetic predisposition. It did exist prior to service and is not exacerbated by a military career. Just because you decide to address the condition while you are in the military does not mean that it is a condition caused by your military service. <br /><br />Similarly, disability compensation is NOT given for a condition that is successfully treated. Ever. You mentioned laser eye surgery. Laser eye surgery is not ratable since the disability is fixed. After the surgery, there is no lose of vision, so there is no disability. No compensation is given if there is no disability. This is the case with every condition. If a procedure is performed and the condition is successfully resolved with no complications or leftover symptoms, then there is no disability and no compensation is given. In the majority of breast reduction cases, the original problems are satisfactorily resolved. There is no more back pain, etc. Thus, there is no longer a disability. No disability = no compensation. <br /><br />When you compare a breast reduction to a mastectomy, the huge difference is that a mastectomy usually causes disfigurement of some kind, especially if implants are not able to be used, while a breast reduction will normally leave the patient with no physical impairment. <br /><br />So, in most cases, a breast reduction cannot and should not be rated when compared to standard, fair practice. <br /><br />Now, are there some instances where a breast reduction should be rated? Possibly. And that is again left up to the judgement of the rating authority reviewing that particular case. <br /><br />One particular example would be if there are complications following the surgery. If any procedure authorized and performed by military or VA personnel causes any complications or other conditions, then those are automatically eligible for disability compensation, for in these cases, the military DID cause them. The procedure went wrong. The military personnel made a mistake, thus the military is responsible. <br /><br />Ultimately, the majority of breast reductions, in my opinion, should not be ratable based on EPTS and the lack of a remaining disability post-treatment. There are, however, some circumstances where a rating is necessary and fair. Again, though, since there isn't any firm regulation beyond the ones I've noted above, each case is up to the judgement of the individual rating authorities. <br />Military Disability Made Easyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246704641900456151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162041641030931379.post-12628767889389092992015-10-01T16:30:02.035-07:002015-10-01T16:30:02.035-07:00Clarity on code 7626, specifically as it relates t...Clarity on code 7626, specifically as it relates to 'wide local excision with significant alteration of size or form' and reduction mammaplasty. The language in the CFR does not omit reduction mammaplasty commonly referred to as a breast reduction. However, after reading appeals on this common condition, it seems as if personal opinion influences the rater's decision. I've seen comments that note it as an elective surgery and the condition of the large breast exited upon entry into the military. Back and shoulder pain are the most common reason service members select to have this surgery performed. And if a competent military doctor makes a medical recommendation and performs the procedure (military covered procedures) why wouldn't it be rated? I see this being similar to those who come in wearing glasses, elect to have eye correction surgery and have residual affects from it. Please let me know your thoughts.<br /><br /><br />7626 Breast, surgery of:<br /><br /> Following radical mastectomy: <br /><br /> Both 801 <br /> One 501 <br /><br /> Following modified radical mastectomy: <br /><br /> Both 601 <br /> One 401 <br /><br /> Following simple mastectomy or wide local excision <br /> with significant alteration of size or form: <br /><br /> Both 501 <br /> One 301 <br /><br /> Following wide local excision without significant <br /> alteration of size or form: <br /><br /> Both or one 0<br /><br /> Note: For VA purposes: <br /><br />(1) Radical mastectomy means removal of the entire breast, underlying pectoral muscles, and regional lymph nodes up to the coracoclavicular ligament.<br /><br />(2) Modified radical mastectomy means removal of the entire breast and axillary lymph nodes (in continuity with the breast). Pectoral muscles are left intact.<br /><br />(3) Simple (or total) mastectomy means removal of all of the breast tissue, nipple, and a small portion of the overlying skin, but lymph nodes and muscles are left intact.<br />(4) Wide local excision (including partial mastectomy, lumpectomy, tylectomy, segmentectomy, and quadrantectomy) means removal of a portion of the breast tissue. <br />Gonegirl2015https://www.blogger.com/profile/06652214999985683587noreply@blogger.com