RSD/CRPS Rating

VAJumper

VAJumper

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Has anyone else been diagnosed with this progressive disease? RSD is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and CRPS is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Both terms are used synonymously. I have CRPS type II. I'm trying to find out how the VA would rate it. Presumably it would fall under Neurological Conditions, but I have already been rated for deep peroneal palsies (30%) and saphenous palsies (10%) by the military. I'm appealing the IPEB primarily because RSD was not rated and is more serious than the palsies. RSD affects the same area in my leg, but is known for affecting the entire nervous system and spread to other parts of the body. I understand there is an older DOD rating for it which could be used by the military, but haven't found a reference/source for how the VA rates this severe impaiment. I'm wondering if there is a precedent or legal ruling on this. I could live arather normally with the palsies--it's the RSD that keeps me in pain require several meds to control, forces me to keep my leg elevated to prevent swelling, and prevents me from walking. It seems to meet most of the definition of neuralgia (8723), yet goes wellbeyond that because of the effects on the lymphatic system and nervous system.
 
I am in the same boat if you find anything out please let me know. I was rated as idiopathic bi-lateral foot pain but since have been re-diagnosed with RSD/CRPS.
 
I was advised that the doctor should discuss which nerves were affected by the CRPS/RSD because this is how the VA will determine what diagnostic codes will apply to my condition. I have a meeting with my pain management doc and am going to ask him to determine which VA disability codes fall within my condition.
 
I found this in my notes from last year. The atrophy in my leg was measured and noted as severe. If you have atrophy, make sure it's highlighted in your doctors notes!



The code for RSD is an analogous code, which means you discard the first four digits (they only indicate that it is analogous). That leaves the code for 8720 (the 8520 is preceding 8720 and is the code used for RSD affecting the lower extremities):

[FONT=&quot]8520[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Paralysis of:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible [/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] rarely) lost........................................................................................................... 80[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Incomplete:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Severe, with marked muscular atrophy................................................................ 60[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Moderately severe .............................................................................................. 40[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Moderate............................................................................................................. 20[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Mild ................................................................................................................ 10[/FONT]
 
I just received my letter the other day. I am interested in this as well. I have severe muscle atrophy and my left calf is smaller as well. The left foot is size 8 last time measured and right foot is size 11. It would be nice, if it would change VA. They gave me combined 40% (30% foot + 10% scar tissue damage+ 10% other condition= 50%, it is that fuzzy VA math crap!)because that would be the max for a BK amputation. Do they change codes after giving me a rating? I am hoping to get to at least 50% to collect my retirement pay plus VA comp. They just take the money out of my retirement and give it back tax free.
 
You just need another 10%. When I got my physical (knowing the atrophy was key) I insisted he measure my leg and document it. My left calf was about 3 CM smaller than my right (I'm left dominant too). He documented the atrophy as severe. Had I not done that, it would never have been documented. Persistant edema and swelling is also documented. I also now have claw foot as a result of the paralysis in my foot and insisted on Xrays, which showed the severed bone loss. Since there is no rating for RSD, you have to get all the symptoms and measurable features documented. You find out what is important to get documented by reviewing the rating tables. I'm still waiting on the VA, but was told by the examiner I would be 100% (mainly due to my lungs which now require supplemental 02). This came from the RSD swelling which caused blood clots. The blood clots traveled to my lungs causing pulmonary embolisms and some lung tissue died as a result. If you get the swelling, beware of blood clots and get checked for DVTs at your next exam.

Is the 10% other condition you mentioned Tinnitus by any chance? That is 10% all by itself. I got it really bad when I got the RSD/CRPS and it is quite common among RSD sufferers. I've been prescribed a hearing aid that puts out white noise to offset it. Sounds like a thousand dog whistles blowing in my ear.
 
Dang, it sound like I got a photo copy of your foot. I don't have DVT that I know of but will have Doc take a look at next visit. It is weird thing happen to me the other day. I had some sharp pain in the upper left chest. The other 10% was hypertension. I do have tinnitus and was listed on my letter. I guess they haven't made a decision on it yet. They just didn't want to back pay me that much money. I went to my local VA office with questions and started the appeal. I mentioned the code listed below and RSD thing. They lady handle my case never heard of it the condition and didn't know if could be. I have a pretty good chance of getting a temporary 100% due to total ankle replacement. I am still recovering from surgery in Feb and dealing with the RSD crap as well.

I just remembered now, military doc took all those measurements for PEB. I need to find the paperwork.

Thanks for the help. Keep info coming. I got my fingers crossed to get that 10%.
 
Bumped for a new member who was told he had a chronic pain syndrome.
 
A problem with rating CRPS under the nerves, is that the nerves are just a pathway--not the disease. If you can get it rated under the muscle grouping, you'd probably get a higher rating if muscle atrophy is present. Also, the CRPS malfunction is in the brain--it can effect every part of your body and jump from onebody part to another. Why they've latched onto an analgous nerve code is beyond me. Until the VA codes can be updated to give CRPS its own rating category, the code you get will be a WAG at best. If fibro can be rated at 40% and migraines rated at 50%, CRPS should have a rating all its own. That's why I'm testifying before the disability committee next month. They exist to update the VASRD. Anyone can write this committee at the address or email address shown in this link:

Federal Register | Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation; Notice of Meeting
 
Like all the newbies on here, I am lost. I hit 20 yrs as an active duty infantryman (E8) next May. I've spent two years at Walter Reed, Lost a rib, had 12 thoracic surgeries a few back surgeries in Baltimore, MD and Houston, TX. I have a Dorsal Column Stimulator implanted peripherally (just under my skin) with the leads going to my upper back and right chest. I was also diagnosed and treated for TBI and PTSD while at WR. I struggled to get out of Walter Reed in Jan of this year, an email from my wife to Gen Chiarelli and a few congressionals helped that move along and I was assigned to a desk job at Fort Benning, GA.

Since at Fort Benning, I've had 4 more surgeries and a few hospitalizations. The Benning area cannot service my stimulator for pain control either by the way. Additionally, my TBI and PTSD treatment all but stopped.

Fort Benning is initiating a MEB and my unit is trying to get me back up to the new Walter Reed's WTB where I can get the treatment I need. Last week, although I'm an E8 my 1SG went with me to visit the lead PEBLO who is demanding to initiate this MEB despite lack of treatment in the area and refuses to wait for my assignment orders to Walter Reed's WTB. We have talked it through the chain and its going to happen. Packet was just dropped last Friday.

I'm just stumped. I'm sure an MEB rep is going to call me to come in tomorrow or Monday 24 OCT. So far, no MEB has been initiated. Can I stall them? Can I just refuse to show up? Any suggestions?

Thanks for your Service folks

Todd
 
You can stall by taking the maxium amount of time for paperwork. Make sure they list all your issues and request an independent review. You should be able to make it to 20 yrs. by not rushing the system and appeals.
 
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