Need help from the experts concerning my recent Musculoskeletal C&P Exam. I'm currently SC for lower back sprain (10%). I'm asking for an increase in my comp due to worsening of condition. I have a copy of the C&P exam but am having a hard time comparing it to the rating criteria. Would appreciate any comments as to how this write up matches the rating criteria or any comments about it at all. Here is the major parts of the exam as written by the examiner:
TYPE OF EXAMINATION: MUSCULOSKELETAL - SPINE PHYSICAL EXAM: Range of motion using goniometer x3 revealed flexion of 0 to 90 degrees. Lateral bending 0 to 20 degrees for right and left. Twisting 45 degrees to the right and left. These maneuvers are associated with muscle spasm. Straight leg raising is positive at 25 degrees on the right and negative on the left. Motor, sensory, deep tendon reflexes are normal bilaterally. Can easily perfor heel to toe walking and is also able to squat and rises from that position with no obvious difficulty (he never had me squat). DIAGNOSIS: 1. Degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine. 2. Back pain. Veteran has limitation in prolonged standing, running, jogging, climbing of stairs due to discomfort in his back. Also has evidence of additional limitation due to pain, fatigue, lack of endurance after repetitive motion. States that he gets flairups of the back pain 2 to 3 times a month. Does not use ambulatory aid. There is no evidence of adverse impact on activities of daily living. Xray obtained and reviewed, results are:
Stable minimal grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 over S1. Vertebral bodies are normal in height. Disk spaces are intact but there are mild diffuse vertebral endplate degenerative changes. Pedicles are intact. Nor erosive or destructive changes. No soft tissue abnormalities.
Sorry it's so long, but wanted to explain in detail to get as much help decifering it as possible. Thanks in advance for any and all inputs.
At this point your best bet to get an honest and accurate opinion, is to take the exam copy and the rating criteria, to your priamry care provider and discuss it. We Miil.com advocates do not have access to your ongoing treatment records; thus cannot evaluate the decision.
Dave, thanks for taking the time to look at my situation. I'm just having a hard time comparing what he wrote to the rating schedule, plus don't understand how pain and spasms fit into the picture. Next visit to my primary care doctor (VA), I will ask them about it.
i had 2 c & ps last week, and now i have a ?. last june i was rated 90% total for stroke and other things secondary to sc hypertension and dm ii. my vso got me to submit for iu.
last tues my dad took me to the vamc in downtown detroit. the first exam was with same dr that did my first exam 4 years ago, with bad english, hair and teeth! it was the basic exam, and it was done.
the 2nd took me by surprise. this doc started to talk to me about depression. it was rated so they were following up on it. after my stroke, there was a time where i did suffer some depression. after we talked that was it. i still take some meds for it, and do things to keep me occupied, and not a danger to myself.
was this just normal? or are they coming to take me away... uh huh?
Originally posted by PoiPup: Need help from the experts concerning my recent Musculoskeletal C&P Exam. I'm currently SC for lower back sprain (10%). I'm asking for an increase in my comp due to worsening of condition. I have a copy of the C&P exam but am having a hard time comparing it to the rating criteria. Would appreciate any comments as to how this write up matches the rating criteria or any comments about it at all. Here is the major parts of the exam as written by the examiner:
TYPE OF EXAMINATION: MUSCULOSKELETAL - SPINE PHYSICAL EXAM: Range of motion using goniometer x3 revealed flexion of 0 to 90 degrees. Lateral bending 0 to 20 degrees for right and left. Twisting 45 degrees to the right and left. These maneuvers are associated with muscle spasm. Straight leg raising is positive at 25 degrees on the right and negative on the left. Motor, sensory, deep tendon reflexes are normal bilaterally. Can easily perfor heel to toe walking and is also able to squat and rises from that position with no obvious difficulty (he never had me squat). DIAGNOSIS: 1. Degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine. 2. Back pain. Veteran has limitation in prolonged standing, running, jogging, climbing of stairs due to discomfort in his back. Also has evidence of additional limitation due to pain, fatigue, lack of endurance after repetitive motion. States that he gets flairups of the back pain 2 to 3 times a month. Does not use ambulatory aid. There is no evidence of adverse impact on activities of daily living. Xray obtained and reviewed, results are:
Stable minimal grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 over S1. Vertebral bodies are normal in height. Disk spaces are intact but there are mild diffuse vertebral endplate degenerative changes. Pedicles are intact. Nor erosive or destructive changes. No soft tissue abnormalities.
Sorry it's so long, but wanted to explain in detail to get as much help decifering it as possible. Thanks in advance for any and all inputs.
Originally posted by PoiPup: Need help from the experts concerning my recent Musculoskeletal C&P Exam. I'm currently SC for lower back sprain (10%). I'm asking for an increase in my comp due to worsening of condition. I have a copy of the C&P exam but am having a hard time comparing it to the rating criteria. Would appreciate any comments as to how this write up matches the rating. criteria or any comments about it at all. Here is the major parts of the exam as written by the examiner:
TYPE OF EXAMINATION: MUSCULOSKELETAL - SPINE PHYSICAL EXAM: Range of motion using goniometer x3 revealed flexion of 0 to 90 degrees. Lateral bending 0 to 20 degrees for right and left. Twisting 45 degrees to the right and left. These maneuvers are associated with muscle spasm. Straight leg raising is positive at 25 degrees on the right and negative on the left. Motor, sensory, deep tendon reflexes are normal bilaterally. Can easily perfor heel to toe walking and is also able to squat and rises from that position with no obvious difficulty (he never had me squat). DIAGNOSIS: 1. Degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine. 2. Back pain. Veteran has limitation in prolonged standing, running, jogging, climbing of stairs due to discomfort in his back. Also has evidence of additional limitation due to pain, fatigue, lack of endurance after repetitive motion. States that he gets flairups of the back pain 2 to 3 times a month. Does not use ambulatory aid. There is no evidence of adverse impact on activities of daily living. Xray obtained and reviewed, results are:
Stable minimal grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 over S1. Vertebral bodies are normal in height. Disk spaces are intact but there are mild diffuse vertebral endplate degenerative changes. Pedicles are intact. Nor erosive or destructive changes. No soft tissue abnormalities.
Sorry it's so long, but wanted to explain in detail to get as much help decifering it as possible. Thanks in advance for any and all inputs.
I think the best information I could give you after all I went thru. with the VA is to get a rep with the DAV anf let them help you they can write to the VA and fill out all the right paperwork you need. If it had not been for them I dont know what I would have done,
Getting an accredited representative from a veterans organization to assist you is an excellent idea. I advise you to speak with those veterans you associate with for a recommendation. Usually those in the VA Medical Center, Vet Center and VA Clinics can guide you.
