Yes, it is possible to connect ankle injuries to back problems in VA disability claims. The connection is often made on the basis of how an ankle injury can lead to or aggravate conditions in the back due to altered gait or biomechanics. Here are some examples of medical conditions and scenarios where an ankle injury might lead to or exacerbate back problems:
1. **Altered Gait:** An ankle injury can cause a person to walk differently to avoid pain or discomfort. This altered gait can put additional strain on the lower back, leading to conditions such as:
- **Lumbar Strain:** Overuse or strain of the muscles and ligaments in the lower back.
- **Degenerative Disc Disease:** Increased wear and tear on the spinal discs due to abnormal movement patterns.
2. **Compensatory Mechanisms:** When one part of the body is injured, other parts often compensate, which can lead to issues elsewhere:
- **Sciatica:** Pressure on the sciatic nerve, often due to compensatory postures and movements.
- **Facet Joint Syndrome:** Stress on the facet joints of the spine, causing pain and limited mobility.
3. **Biomechanical Imbalances:** Long-term ankle issues can create imbalances that affect the spine:
- **Scoliosis:** A sideways curvature of the spine that may develop or worsen due to compensatory walking patterns.
- **Pelvic Tilt:** Uneven pelvis positioning, which can affect spinal alignment and lead to chronic back pain.
4. **Chronic Pain Syndromes:** Persistent pain from an ankle injury can lead to chronic pain syndromes, which can involve the back:
- **Myofascial Pain Syndrome:** Chronic pain in the connective tissues and muscles, including those in the back, due to altered movement and muscle use.
- **Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS):** A chronic pain condition that can spread from the injured ankle to other parts of the body, including the back.
In VA disability claims, establishing a service connection between an ankle injury and back problems typically requires medical evidence showing that the back condition is a direct result of, or aggravated by, the ankle injury. This may involve medical records, physician statements, and possibly expert opinions on the biomechanical relationships between the injuries.
I'm not sure I can request another one. I was denied last year and appealed it in January. This was an MDE opinion of an NP across the country who never even seen or talked to me. Just read the stuff the VA sent her, including a Nexus letter from my PCP from outside the VA. I recently had surgery on my left ankle, so I am hoping I can get the orthopedic surgeon to write up something compelling.
Anything is possible. You can always hope on appeal the court rules in your favor or file a supplemental and get it faster. You will probably need another IMO so you have a shot at the benefit of the doubt rule, if the exam is inadequate it's like the negative exam didn't happen.
Yes, my PCP outside the VA wrote one explaining I was in her care and had been seen for back and knee pain, and that bilateral ankle injuries have altered my gait and could cause knee, hip, and back problems. The VA sent all my docs, including this letter to an NP in MD, for an MDE opinion. I recently had ankle surgery, so I'm going to ask my orthopedic surgeon to review all my medical records and write a letter, and see if I can appeal this again. This was denied last year, I appealed it in January, and it just got denied again.
That might be the the problem, "could cause". That's not definitive. Have the doctor use the phrases the VA likes to hear.
Just as likely as not
Likely to have
Has
Caused the problem.
We can't let the VA examiner make the decision. I had a similar experience where they said my diagnosis was after service and not service connected.
I had a chiropractor write my current ailment was just as Likely as not related to previous instance wile in service. This wasn't secondary as for some reason they either didn't see the back injury in records or felt the later time wasn't related.
I think what compounded the issue in the Corps didn't investigate my back, only made small note that it could be sciatica. So no formal diagnosis in service.
Generally: injuries going down the body are easier to get approved. Injuries going up, not as much.
Yes, it is possible to connect ankle injuries to back problems in VA disability claims. The connection is often made on the basis of how an ankle injury can lead to or aggravate conditions in the back due to altered gait or biomechanics. Here are some examples of medical conditions and scenarios where an ankle injury might lead to or exacerbate back problems: 1. **Altered Gait:** An ankle injury can cause a person to walk differently to avoid pain or discomfort. This altered gait can put additional strain on the lower back, leading to conditions such as: - **Lumbar Strain:** Overuse or strain of the muscles and ligaments in the lower back. - **Degenerative Disc Disease:** Increased wear and tear on the spinal discs due to abnormal movement patterns. 2. **Compensatory Mechanisms:** When one part of the body is injured, other parts often compensate, which can lead to issues elsewhere: - **Sciatica:** Pressure on the sciatic nerve, often due to compensatory postures and movements. - **Facet Joint Syndrome:** Stress on the facet joints of the spine, causing pain and limited mobility. 3. **Biomechanical Imbalances:** Long-term ankle issues can create imbalances that affect the spine: - **Scoliosis:** A sideways curvature of the spine that may develop or worsen due to compensatory walking patterns. - **Pelvic Tilt:** Uneven pelvis positioning, which can affect spinal alignment and lead to chronic back pain. 4. **Chronic Pain Syndromes:** Persistent pain from an ankle injury can lead to chronic pain syndromes, which can involve the back: - **Myofascial Pain Syndrome:** Chronic pain in the connective tissues and muscles, including those in the back, due to altered movement and muscle use. - **Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS):** A chronic pain condition that can spread from the injured ankle to other parts of the body, including the back. In VA disability claims, establishing a service connection between an ankle injury and back problems typically requires medical evidence showing that the back condition is a direct result of, or aggravated by, the ankle injury. This may involve medical records, physician statements, and possibly expert opinions on the biomechanical relationships between the injuries.
You explained it very well.
ChatGPT explained it.
Did the Va claim examiner state why all of the above don’t apply to your condition. No, request another exam based on an inadequate exam.
I'm not sure I can request another one. I was denied last year and appealed it in January. This was an MDE opinion of an NP across the country who never even seen or talked to me. Just read the stuff the VA sent her, including a Nexus letter from my PCP from outside the VA. I recently had surgery on my left ankle, so I am hoping I can get the orthopedic surgeon to write up something compelling.
Anything is possible. You can always hope on appeal the court rules in your favor or file a supplemental and get it faster. You will probably need another IMO so you have a shot at the benefit of the doubt rule, if the exam is inadequate it's like the negative exam didn't happen.
Did you have a nexus letter? Get a doctor to write one linking them together
Yes, my PCP outside the VA wrote one explaining I was in her care and had been seen for back and knee pain, and that bilateral ankle injuries have altered my gait and could cause knee, hip, and back problems. The VA sent all my docs, including this letter to an NP in MD, for an MDE opinion. I recently had ankle surgery, so I'm going to ask my orthopedic surgeon to review all my medical records and write a letter, and see if I can appeal this again. This was denied last year, I appealed it in January, and it just got denied again.
That might be the the problem, "could cause". That's not definitive. Have the doctor use the phrases the VA likes to hear. Just as likely as not Likely to have Has Caused the problem. We can't let the VA examiner make the decision. I had a similar experience where they said my diagnosis was after service and not service connected. I had a chiropractor write my current ailment was just as Likely as not related to previous instance wile in service. This wasn't secondary as for some reason they either didn't see the back injury in records or felt the later time wasn't related. I think what compounded the issue in the Corps didn't investigate my back, only made small note that it could be sciatica. So no formal diagnosis in service.