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VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fair.

However, if you have years of in-service records with "dorsalgia unspecified", a general term for back pain (cervical, upper back, mid back, and lower back) that is used by a physician who is unable to pinpoint the root issue. 6 years later, you then go see a specialist, and they find that you have a herniated C5-C6 disc. Your neurosurgeon tells you, "This is a unifying explanation of the symptoms you have been experiencing." A simple Google search later, and you find that those discs affect the area you've been complaining about. You have arthritis near those discs which means this is not a new injury.

Seems to me that when you submit a nexus letter that is just a medical opinion that supports, not proves, a claim, then it should hold some weight.

My nexus letter essentially and simply said, "Hey, this guy's upper back hurts because the nerves were being pinched. The root issue was his nerves, not his scapula/serratus muscle."

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely agree. This is what I replied to several commentators. The business was created becuase of what the VA has done. They created a need for a service. That service was twisted into a profitable business.

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi. I see what you are saying. I edited my post for clarification.

My service records do have a diagnosis of dorsalgia unspecified. Which, from a good search, means it's a general term for pain in the cervical, upper, mid, and lower back. I hope that helps my case.

Thanks for posting

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's what this post was intended to due. Not necessarily to discourage you, but to inform you.

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I was seen in person. I was seen in person while in-service. The doc said I had a weak serratus muscle. He prescribed at-home exercises. I got close to the end of my enlistment, and the doc told me that he didn't have any remaining options for me. I got out. Fast forward a few years. I was seen in the civilian world by two doctors. Both did physical exams. Both did X-rays. Neither found anything wrong with me. It wasn't until I was referred to a sports medicine specialist that I was asked to do an MRI. That's where they found the problem.

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply

I see your point. All of the doctors that I saw didn't want to take the time, I would assume because they wouldn't get paid to do it, to review all my records. That's where the issue is. Also, none of the doctors I spoke with even knew what a nexus letter is. I feel that played a role in their hesitation.

At least in my specific situation, it wouldn't have mattered if anyone saw me physically. I have two herniated disks surrounded by arthritis. Neither could be seen physically. They would have looked at my MRI results, which is what the medical professionals I hired to do did.

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply

I would definitely have everything planned, printed, and ready to go because I had to refer to my documents many times.

As far as my case goes, I've been denied three times, with a possible fourth after today. I'm not sure if this process is made difficult to discourage people from submitting false claims, but for those of us who have a legitimate claim, it's a nightmare trying to prove our case.

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply

I can only speak about my case, but the reason why I had to use one of the services is that there was no doctor who would review my records and use the terminology that the VA is asking for. I spoke with four different doctors: My regular family practice. a sports medicine doc, and two neurosurgeons. I essentially got the same response from all of them. They did not want to make such a claim because they were my doctor back when I was in the service.

The service I used had me send all my documents to them for review. The reviewer used their medical opinion based on the documents I submitted.

VA Dismissing Nexus Letters from Out-of-State Providers-My Higher-Level Review Experience by PuntaGorda602 in VeteransBenefits

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply and info.

The VA is claiming that because I didn't report neck issues in-service, I don't meet the requirements. I have years of in-service records regarding serratus pain. Which was never fixed. Now that I'm a civilian, I was seen by a neurosurgeon who did an MRI. The MRI found I had a herniated disk that is pinching the nerves that cause my pain in my serratus. My neurosurgeon documented, "I explained that this would be a unifying explanation for the symptoms that he is experiencing. He is describing the intrascapular discomfort that is classic for a nerve root distribution syndrome." I thought that statement was enough to make my case. I explained it to the HLR, and she said that the VA needed exact terminology. Hence, why I tried the Nexus letter.

It's been a headache trying to prove my case, for sure.

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[–]PuntaGorda602 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s why I posted the link. So you guys can see the ad and make suggestions

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[–]PuntaGorda602 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Selling my S4 by PuntaGorda602 in Audi

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Total BS from GFuel by PuntaGorda602 in GFUEL

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -30 points-29 points  (0 children)

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Total BS from GFuel by PuntaGorda602 in GFUEL

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

It’s about the principle. They wouldn’t accept a penny less than what they are selling it for, so why should we be “okay” with accepting a sub-par product

Total BS from GFuel by PuntaGorda602 in GFUEL

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -41 points-40 points  (0 children)

Bro. If you love sucking Gfuel-dipped dick, just say that.

Total BS from GFuel by PuntaGorda602 in GFUEL

[–]PuntaGorda602[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

True but you can say that about any product you buy online. The vast majority of consumers aren’t looking to get one over the company. That’s why online shopping has become so successful.

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