Have 50% disability for a compression fracture while performing airborne operations in the Army. Had surgery 14 years ago and now have severe back pain with Insomnia and developed Urinary frequency, which was diagnosed and it is being treated by the VA. Recently applied for the Urinary frequency and was denied. The VA medical examiner rationale opined that there is lack of medical evidence in medical literature to support urinary frequency related to T12 vertebral fracture and posterior fusion. They agree and have been diagnosed with a disability as the VA exam indicated a diagnosis for overactive bladder. Couldn't believe when I saw this decision letter. I will be have to looK for a serious opinion outside the VA and appeal, any help is appreciated.
Thank you guys so much for the information is being given I am client with CCK. and the lawyer are working on my case for my back issues I have a CT scan of the lumber spine to send them.but the lawyer wants my doctor to also write a nexus letters. Witch should be related to my miltary service. But the Va denied me. This was before I got on board with CCK. But they want to get that done to try to get me the100% TDIU with my other issues thank you guys keep up the great work!
Wow i never thought about it, i am a client of CCK, and they are working my issues with my back, but also my neck hurts a lot and i had surgery in 2015,degenerative disk disease.depression yes, chronic pain drives you crazy, pain all the time drives you crazy,,,all the things youre saying is right on point...
It is amazing just how many things that I plan on doing and never do. I change my mind just as it is time to go. With my hearing loss and Spondylolisthesis and DDD in the L5/S1, I just figure that it is easier to stay home then go to someplace just to have a terrible time. Great conversation guys.
Thank you for the information 🙏🏽 😊. I'm 70% at 40%for my back.I recently filed a claim for radiculopathy and was denied. I don't understand 😕 I have had 3 bladder surgeries as well. I need help 😩
Can you service connect knees because of a back injury? Meaning: You already have a service connected back injury and now you have knee issues. You mentioned the other way around but was curious.
I'm in the middle of finalizing a nexus letter from a PA to connect my knee pain to my lumbar radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease, and the literature cited certainly seems to imply it can go both ways. Good luck.
Thank you, for winning my BVA case 2012 for my back conditions, referred to the Appeals Court. Although the VA granted a 10% service connected rating, the VA included 4 other back diagnosis but did not give separate ratings for each condition and/or a higher rating.
Thanks so much for all of the great info you have provided! I was recently awarded an overall 60% combined for GI issues, tinnitus, neck and back degenerative disk disease. However, at the time I filed that claim I didn't realize that my sleep disorder (PLMD) and depression could be linked and may be secondary to these other issues. Should I wait for my ITF to expire and then start a new claim or is there some sort of supplemental claim I can amend to my recent filing?
Thank you so much for tuning in! For more information on supplemental claims check out our blog here : cck-law.com/blog/veterans-va-appeals-reform-supplemental-claims/
I got a 20% rating for my back. I have numbness in my right leg and rather significant pain in my left hip. A recent MRI showed L3 & 4 Moderate/severe stenosis with impingement of exiting L3 Nerve roots. L4 & 5 are similarly screwed up. I have applied for radiculopathy on both legs. Should I be worried this won’t happen after missing a day of work to go to the exam? Thank you.
Thanks CCK! I have a 10% for lumbar Spondylosis. After 15 years it's got much worse and I have ridiculopathy now. Should I file for increase, or a secondary claim? Or both?
I don't know the team is actually working on my case for spinal stenosis not to optimistic because I don't have a Nexus letters I serve in a combat infantry unit. But keep up the good work I definitely enjoy the video you guys put out .
Very informative. I have a lumbar spine injury herniated disk I have to limit how much water I drink because of my urination frequency is off the charts. Every single time I drink one small bottle of water I have to go urinate soon afterwards
How would you connect cervical strain secondary to low lumbar DDD? My neck now has degenerative changes and osteophyites and I know my neck pain are from my back and posture changes
Would think it would be easy to do so. Lumbar DDD causes body to carry weight different and forces unfused disc's to be stressed more and wear them out quicker. Should be slam dunk id think
How do you know which condition should be listed as primary and which should be secondary thirdary fourthdary ...... I've got a whole list on my back !!!!
So if insomnia is secondary to my back pain, do I still need my DBQ to be filled out by a psychiatrist/psychologist? Should it be acceptable for my insomnia to be diagnosed by (and thus have my DBQ filled out by) my physical therapist?
@@rubenguerrajr5833 my VSO told me to go to a mental health professional for this. In my case, she she told me that we _could_ use a DBQ filled out by my physical therapist but it would only be able to be submitted as like supporting evidence to open a C&P exam instead of a diagnosis that the VA will recognize. I suggest you contact your local county VSO for advice on how to handle your specific case because they cost nothing out of pocket and they don't charge you a percentage of your backpay like a VFW or attorney might. Good luck on your claim 💪
I got service connected for sciatica radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis, so do you think that I will need a nexus letter to go along with my claim for depression and anxiety because of the constant pain that I experience on a daily basis... and yes I see a therapist and have been for over a year.
I was denied in 2017 on back pain one of the reason was that my symptoms were due to age. I also did not have a MRI at the time, we didn't realize that I could have one due to hernia staples. But once I had an MRI it revealed that one of the many issues of my back was Dural Ectasia which can be caused by five different things four of which are diseases that I don't have and the fifth is trauma! This will be used in my fourth coming appeal to lock the VA into their obligation of disability, as long as this DAV lawyer who's acting as a gate keeper for the VA doesn't fck things up ! The point of this comment is that Dural Ectasia can be used to prove a nexus to trauma as long as it's documented
in reference to Radiculopathy, do i go ahead and file a claim or do I need to get outside medical records showing I have that condition? I looked on my award letter from the VA on my 10% lower back claim and I don't see that it is notated that i have that condition.
I fell and hit my lower back on a bottom steel door frame on a ship in service. Recently I was diagnosed with Bilateral Foraminal Stenosis at L4 - L5, L5 - S1 and DDD at the same. Could there may be a possible connection? Being 100% P&T with SMC(L) Aid & Attendance I am Permanently Bedridden and it's making this said condition worse. ???
Same exact injury to me. I have 2 bulging disc in my l4-l5 and in l5and s1 disc and ddd and bilateral pinched nerves I was wondering what happened with your claim if you don't mind
How do I get my hips, knees, ankles, and feet service-connected, as my back affects both of my legs? I have been diagnosed with bilateral radiculopathy, which I believe is a result of my back condition. I was diagnosed with back overuse syndrome and trapezius muscle strain and applied for service connection previously, but they were denied as service connections. Can you advise as to what action I need to take at this point?
Went to VA to get a MRI and the radiologist stated I had mild stenosis. I took the x ray to a civilian orthopedic surgeon and he stated I had radiculopathy and sciatica. My VA primary doctor disagreed with that diagnosis. I wonder why? I had 10% for lumbar back spasms, raised to 40%, applied for TDIU, C&P examiner stated I healed (I had it for 20 years and he stated i healed in 2 months?). They decrease back to 10%, I submitted evidence for my limits of bending, the raised me to 20%. The VA seems to play games. Just been diagnosed for depression by the VA due to my digestive disability and back.
Hello, thank you for the info. I have a question. I wanted to know if i file a secondary claim of depression to tinnitus, can i file anxiety as a secondary claim to my back, already serviced connected at 10%? I can only file depression as a secondary claim once to any service connected claim, right?
I would like to ask.. I have a firm out of California that is supposedly fighting for me to get disability for my cervical and lumbar issues. I wanted to ask if I should also get the firm to file for all my secondary conditions which I have also found out that I have PTSD that also be part of my issues going on. I need to get that on file but it's been about 22 years after my discharge. Should I file it now since I have one claim under appeal of my issues that I have written on.
I have had a back condition since 2007 & another finally another back condition granted in 2016 along with Tinnitus and some other conditions, total overall 60% rating. I have chronic insomnia diagnosed, should I pursue insomnia as a secondary to my back pain or Tinnitus? Does one have a better chance than the other of getting approved/granted?
I have been diaignosed with spinial stenosios, and i have rupsured L2L3 And L4 in my lower back.. I cannot get any one to hear my claim. What should I do?
When it comes to medical evidence, If you receive all of your care from the VA and have been treated for everything your claiming then the rater will be able to see this right?
I have a service connected back condition and I also have Myelopathy in my neck and have had surgery to my C3 & C4 areas can I claim Myelopathy in my neck to my service connected back condition?
I was chapter from the Army as a overweight failure, and it was after I was involved in a Vehicle accident while deployed in Bosnia. Can my obesity be linked as a Secondary to my back as well?
Definitely. If your back injury prevented you from being able to do PT exercises then just about every health issue that's related to being overweight is secondary service connected to your back.
Information is helpful I do appreciate that, that's what I do have service connected is back issues. But the army and VA never really gave me opiates but one time Vicodin very briefly, and after that it was more ibuprofen, used to have pain management where was having some type of injections in the spine but they were not a steroid type injection all it was all non-steroidal, all since about 2008 since coming back from tour from Iraq. Then up in one day out of the blue May of 2020 was attacked by my first Grand-mal seizure ever in my life. My back is still an issue especially after I have the seizures, but now the muscle soreness is all over. I am now two years in with these seizures I am getting treatment the VA and I just haven't found out what the cause is, I am not aware of any head trauma or any severe concussions or mild concussions or any TBI incidences that would warrant any hospitalization. There was no prior history of seizure ever not even in my family. And this is now what I'm working on thanks for the information
Mine is connected as secondary to lumbar strain. Lumbar strain caused me depression along with other MH diagnosis. Depression caused me to overeat and become obese. While obese, I was diagnosed with SA.
@@playboiquez I filed for SA for the first time and got my decision letter today - denied. I tried to claim SA secondary to somatic symptom disorder. I tried to explain to my doctor that because of my lower back pain and knee pain, my movement was limited and resulted in weight gain, which resulted in SA. He wrote the nexus letter claiming SA as secondary to Somatic Symptom Disorder. He did include weight gain but the VA denied my claim. I should have gone secondary to back pain instead. Good to know!
I have two bad hips the VA replaced the right side. Their diagnosis was AVN but I have a service connected back injury. Will I be able to claim secondary condition to back injury
I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1991 for medical reason for repeated hernias at a 10% rating. Now I have arthritis in the lumbar of the spine,Ll5 - L3 vertebra bones grinding against each other . I believe it is due to lifting all the heavy equipment & artillery shells. I was enlisted in the Marine Corps from 1988 - 1991. Would I have a possibility for filling a new claim? I also have major depression for several decades.
I would definitely file. All they can say is no, it’s better to put your claim in and get covered then try to wait later when you start feeling the pain
I am rated 30% for Cervical spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, strain, and degenerative arthritis with radiculophy in both arms (20% each) I have had sleep apnea for as long as my neck has bothered me but only recently formally diagnosed with it. Is it possible to link my sleep apnea to my neck issues for a secondary service connection ?
Short answer, yes! Put the claim in, remember anything you feeling you didn’t have before joining the service is a “claim”. Now even if you had it before service, if you say the military “aggravated “ the problem i had, boom you good.
Was on USCG USCG Duane from 75 till 77 ,, we hit a garbage barge off new York in the middle of the night, i was slammed up against the bulkhead , i have had headaches and back problems since. I did ok had a small home in the woods , 2 great kids finally retired , decided to tke the easy way out, spent a week in. A mental ward. Now I'm being treated for anxiety depression and sleep, would I be eligible
Omg.. you should of file years ago. Get back in the game and file for ( TBI since you hit your head, neck, back, shoulders, adjustment disorder, anxiety, depression, tinnitus) … if you can’t go to the nearest VA hospital and get a VSO to put your claim in for you, it’s free. Also,type : combat craig on the search bar, he has some great tips.
I already have a service connected lower back injury. It has worsened. I also have some secondaries now that I would like to pursue. Are you saying I need a doc to issue a nexus letter to tie those to the original claim or does that happen at the c and p exam and that serves as the nexus?…
Mr. Crider, This blog post from our website may be able to answer your question: cck-law.com/blog/what-is-a-secondary-service-connected-disability/#:~:text=Below%20are%20some%20of%20the,to%20Parkinson's%20Disease%20or%20Cancer
I got to 90% and never used nexus letter. Don't know why these lawyer RU-vid pages always mention nexus letter. 99% of doctors won't sign it due to liability. In you case just file fir all the secondary conditions. Of its in your VA medical records they should be valid claims
Additional disabilities are significant for DIC payments to designated family members if you were to die from a rated disability. For example, if you were later diagnosed with sleep apnea secondary to a service connected disability, the designated family member could file for DIC. Also remember, although rare, your rating can be reduced for a number of reasons, so the more rated disabilities you have the better.
@@OU_Grad good point, also remember you can still get back pay if a claim get approved that you been waiting months for. But it’s a tough call cause the VA can open up all your claims if you file new ones so you have to decide if you want to poke the bear. 🤣
I'm 100% prostate cancer stage 4 and now have bone cancer they told me to file for secondary connection can I get additional compensation for that and if I can what would that possibly be?
Usually to get more than 100% requires you having a traumatic brain injury so you could get SMC ( special monthly compensation) there’s different levels of smc too. There’s several videos on Smc see if you fit but just Prostate cancer i don’t think is enough, i could be wrong.
I'm at 40% for lower back. If I have arthritis in both hips, knees, and neck, and entrapped ulnar nerve, and have diagnosis for these, along with insomnia and sleep apnea will these secondary conditions get me to 100%
Hi guys, I have 40% for degenerative disc disease 20% for right leg radiculopathy 20% like ridiculous and a 70% depressive disorder right leg instability 20% and 10% for right leg arthritis of course more so about the back in my MRIs it says I have formal stenosis. Can I put that in as a separate claimand for the radiculopathy I’m getting a nerve test done. My doctor believes I have severe radiculopathy so I put a secondary claim in for that trying to get those to 40 that way I could be 100%.
F*** F*** F***, youre telling me that all this time my left leg neuropathy should have been rated separately along with my back condition (Lumbosacral strain with left L5 ridiculopathy)?
Hello Jordan I am on va age pension age 69 Vietnam era veteran.,I get the basic single pension 133 can I claim for something else and get my age pension based on my limited income upgrade .,thank you
