Problem List

Question 1

Stress and adjustment disorder

Answer 1

Seen NOV23, doesn’t visually effect me but due to changes in mood, chronic sleep impairments, memory loss (name, directions, recent events) it effects work performance and social interactions. It also effects my ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships

Question 2

TBI

Answer 2

Noticed in July2008 and has continued to get worse since.
Light and sound sensitivity, brain fog, headaches 3-5 times a week (all are worse when tired)

Question 3

Headaches/Migraines

Answer 3

Started FEB2017 while in Qcourse, first seen for it on June2019 because I was seeing a doc for other issues already. Happens 3-5 times a week, and I’m taking amitriptyline HCL(20MG) for it

Question 4

Dry eyes

Answer 4

Started while in Iraq 2007, eye balls feel cold and/or gritty. Was purchasing eye drops out of pocket until I was prescribed Carboxymethylcellulose(0.5%) this year

Question 5

Obstructive sleep apnea(Somnolence)

Answer 5

Seen for on May2020, I sleep alone so I didn’t know I had until sleep study. Symptoms are daytime sleepiness, morning dry mouth/light headedness, headaches, trouble focusing during the day, higher blood pressure, decreased sex interest/ED, snoring (also the last test said I stop breathing during the night)

Question 6

Insomnia

Answer 6

Diagnosed on FEB2024, doesn’t visually effect me but changes in mode, sleep impairment, and short term memory loss it effects work and social interactions and relationships

Question 7

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Answer 7

Seen for on OCT2023, symptoms are numbness, tingling, and pain down both arms (MRI with diagnosis was done on 04JAN2024)

Question 8

Partial fraying of the Supraspinatus tendon (rotator cuff)

Answer 8

Seen for symptoms in May2015, diagnosed with imagery in OCT2023.
Symptoms are pain when lifting arm over shoulder with a popping sensation, when sleeping on left side (the pain can build until it wakes me up, weakness, limited ROM with other muscles trying to take over and compensate. (20%- limitations of lifting things or reaching overhead; 30%-arm not able to go over shoulder level)

Question 9

Bicep labra’s complex tear

Answer 9

Seen for symptoms in May2015, diagnosed with imagery in OCT2023.
Symptoms are pain when lifting arm over shoulder with a popping sensation, when sleeping on left side (the pain can build until it wakes me up, weakness, limited ROM with other muscles trying to take over and compensate. (20% for either arm motion limited to 90 degrees or level with shoulder)

Question 10

Biceps Labral Complex Tear

Answer 10

First seen for it in MAY2015, was diagnosed on OCT2023. Pain when lifting arm over shoulder with a load, when sleeping on side the pain builds until it wakes me up/arm goes numb, popping sensation when arm goes over head. Weakness, ROM, other muscles take over to try and compensate. VA: 20% for ROM limited to 90 degrees or level with shoulder

Question 11

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Arthrosis of shoulder

Answer 11

First seen for May2015, Diagnosed with Imaging on OCT2023. Symptoms are Aching pain that builds over time and limited ROM.

20% if there is x-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints, or minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. 10% if above without any incapacitating exacerbations.

Major=Shoulder, wrist,elbow,hip,knee, ankle
Minor=toes,fingers,spine,and sacroiliac.

Question 12

Cervical disc displacement/spinal stenosis

Answer 12

First seen for FEB2021, Diagnosed on APR2021. Discs effected C3-C7, C6&C7 are now fussed (ACDF on 15JAN 2023)

10%:Incapacitating episodes that lasted more than one week but less than two weeks in the past year; 20%:Episodes that lasted at least two weeks but less than four weeks in the past year; 40%:Episodes that lasted four weeks but less than six weeks in the past year; 60%:Incapacitating episodes that lasted six weeks or more in the past year; OR Cervical spinal stenosis- Flexion between 30 and 45 degrees, OR combined ROM between 175 and 340 degrees- 10%; Flexion between 15 and 35 degrees, OR combined ROM ≤ 170% - 20%; Flexion measures 15 degrees or less, OR entire cervical spine is frozen in a favorable position.-30%

Question 13

Cervical Radiculopathy (pinched nerve in cervical region)

Answer 13

First seen for FEB2021, Diagnosed on APR2021. Discs effected C3-C7, C6&C7 are now fussed (ACDF on 15JAN 2023)

Minor radiculopathy:10% Incomplete paralysis of the major extremity:20% for mild, 40% for moderate, and 50% for severe

Question 14

Cervicalgia (neck pain)

Answer 14

First seen for FEB2021, Diagnosed on APR2021.

10%:forward flexion of the spine greater than 30 degrees, but not greater than 40 degrees; 20%:forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but less than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion for the entire cervical spine is 170 degrees or less; 30%:forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; 40%:unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; 50%:unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. This rating is the maximum you can receive for a migraine headache condition

Question 15

Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervical region

Answer 15

First seen for FEB2021, Diagnosed on APR2021. Discs effected C3-C7, C6&C7 are now fussed (ACDF on 15JAN 2023)

Forward flection = about 2 steps in front, back= tightness, left right = look in that direction and go until looking in line with shoulder

Question 16

Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)

Answer 16

First seen for FEB2021.

Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness in arms and hands; lose of some bowel/bladder control

60% With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months; 40% With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months; 20% With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months

Question 17

Degenerative disc disease (C2-C3; C5-C6)

Answer 17

First seen for FEB2021. Diagnosed on APR2021

Question 18

Carpal tunnel surgery (no change post surgery)

Answer 18

First seen for FEB2021, Got surgery on 20MAR2024. Symptoms of Numbness, tingling and pain in both hands only got worse since surgery, Nerve test after surgery shows conductivity is still about the same as before surgery.

The hand inclined to the ulnar side, the index and middle fingers more extended than normally, considerable atrophy of the muscles of the thenar eminence, the thumb in the plane of the hand (ape hand); pronation incomplete and defective, absence of flexion of index finger and feeble flexion of middle finger, cannot make a fist, index and middle fingers remain extended; cannot flex distal phalanx of thumb, defective opposition and abduction of the thumb, at right angles to palm; flexion of wrist weakened; pain with trophic disturbances

Question 19

Cubical tunnel surgery (sympoms worsened post surgery)

Answer 19

First seen for FEB2021, Got surgery on 20MAR2024. Symptoms of Numbness, tingling and pain from left elbow and down the left arm only got worse since surgery, Nerve test after surgery shows conductivity is still about the same as before surgery.

Complete; the “griffin claw” deformity, due to flexor contraction of ring and little fingers, atrophy very marked in dorsal interspace and thenar and hypothenar eminences; loss of extension of ring and little fingers cannot spread the fingers (or reverse), cannot adduct the thumb; flexion of wrist weakened

Question 20

Spinal surgery (Symptoms got better until normal activities started up again)

Answer 20

Surgery was on MAY2023, symptoms got better when I was not allowed to workout and on muscle relaxers. However, came back once I started normal activities.

Question 21

Coccydynia (tailbone)

Answer 21

Started on MAR2014. This happened during PT, Tailbone area is still overly sensitive when in contact with harder surfaces.

Question 22

Lumbar back pain

Answer 22

Has progressively worsened over the years, have not gotten imaging done.

100 percent: Complete ankylosis of the spine.
50 percent: Complete ankylosis of the lower spine.
40 percent: Favorable ankylosis of the entire lower spine or the ability to flex the lower spine forward 30 degrees or less.
20 percent: Ability to flex the lower spine forward 30 to 60 degrees, a range of motion of no more than 120 degrees, or abnormal gait or spinal shape.
10 percent: Ability to flex the lower spine forward 60 to 85 degrees, range of motion between 120 and 235 degrees, localized tenderness, or fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of height.

Question 23

Nerve damage in feet(Chilblains/Effect of reduced temperature, unspecified, initial encounter/Raynaud’s Syndrome)

Answer 23

Was first seen for on 03JAN2017, CW injury during SERE (numbness, tingling/ increased sensitivity to cold with possible reduced blood flow.

20 – Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity plus tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis)
10 – Arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity

Question 24

High Blood Pressure

Answer 24

First seen for in OCT2021

Question 25

ED

Answer 25

First seen for in JAN 2024, am receiving medication for it.

Question 26

Tinnitus/Hearing

Answer 26

Has been progressively getting worse, have ringing in left ear. Have been seen for but my last few hearing tests the person giving them has spoken with me afterwards saying there is an issue

Question 27

hematochezia (Hemorrhoids)

Answer 27

First seen for in FEB 2008

0% rating for mild or moderate hemorrhoids that do not inhibit movement or physical activities.
10% rating for large or thrombotic hemorrhoids that are irreducible with excessive redundant tissue or if they reoccur frequently.

Question 28

PTSD

Answer 28

Easily irritated, Bad Dreams that wake me or make me restless, road rage, difficulty maintaining relationships (due to lack of emotions, feelings, understanding), extreme difficulty remembering (names of friends and coworkers, times and dates), Short term and long-term memory has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY and is noticeable daily, lack motivation to get things done throughout the day, and insomnia.

10%- Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication.
30%- Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events).
50%- Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

Question 29

Compressed nerve in left leg

Answer 29

Electric feeling pop every time I left leg under light load (could this be tendonitis?)

Question 30

GERD

Answer 30

Heartburn/chest pain after eating or drinking something making it hard to eat and swallow. Chicken, beer, poppi drink.

Question 31

IBS

Answer 31

Constant bloating, am always gassy (take gas X ALL the time and doesn’t work great), feeling of still having to go after shitting, pain from holding in even on drive home, squirts (even during activity and sex) these are all several times a week.

30% VA Rating for IBS:Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months; and two or more of the following: (1) change in stool frequency, (2) change in stool form, (3) altered stool passage (straining and/or urgency), (4) mucorrhea, (5) abdominal bloating, or (6) subjective distension

Question 32

Leaking

Answer 32

Has progressively gotten worse over the years but it is noticeable through underwear sometimes if wearing lighter colored clothing

Question 33

Random nausea(first thing in the mornings, during periods of brain fog, after eating, in conjunction with headaches) weekly

Answer 33

Has progressively worsened over the years

Question 34

Heartburn

Answer 34

Has progressively worsened over the years

Question 35

Urinary Incontinence (overactive bladder)

Answer 35

Am taking Flo Max for it and there is very little change, have to pee almost every 30-90 minutes everyday all day and night even if I don’t drink anything 2 hours before bed.

Depending on how many times you have to use the restroom and how often you experience urine loss, you could be eligible for a VA rating of 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60%.

Question 36

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Answer 36

Have had issues with randomly falling asleep during times of slow stimulation (sitting to tie shoes, driving, seated computer work, watching TV/movies)

A40% CFS VA Ratingis warranted when a veteran has debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, or confusion), or a combination of other signs and symptoms that are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities from 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level; or which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least four but less than six weeks total duration per year.

Question 37

Burn Pit(trash/human waste/coal&oil powerplant)

Answer 37

First seen for on 27FEB2009, Bronchitis APR2008/ Respiratory infection FEB 2009.

Question 38

Achilles tendonitis

Answer 38

First seen for on Aug2012, have shooting pain in Achilles.

Under DC 5270, the VA disability for ankle tendonitis is rated according to ankylosis of the ankle (e.g., abnormal stiffening and immobility), as seen below:

40% – Plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees, or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees, or with abduction, adduction, inversion, or eversion deformity
30% – Plantar flexion, between 30 and 40 degrees, or in dorsiflexion, between 0 and 10 degrees
20% – Plantar flexion, less than 30 degrees
However, if you are rated under DC 5271 for the limited range of motion, the rating criteria are:

20% – Marked limitation of motion of the ankle (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion)
10% – Moderate limitation of motion of the ankle (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion)

Question 39

Hair loss

Question 40

Deviated septum

Answer 40

Was recommended for something to open my nose airway to increase airflow

Question 41

calcium metabolism/fibrosis of skin

Answer 41

First seen for on MAR2020, was told by dermatologist that I will continue to get deposits all over my body for the rest of my life

0%:No active disease, but with some residual effects like scarring; 10%:Mild flare-ups a few times a year that respond to treatment, or one or two painful or unstable scars; 20%:Three or four unstable or painful scars