Ask Doc Ellis Webinar Live (November, 2023) #AskDocEllis

John W Ellis, MD, the world-renowned physician and a leading authority on the medical and legal aspects of Federal Work Comp and VA Disability - answers your questions.

01:23 First Question
Larry: US Army MOS: 11B Infantry Regular Army 1977-1980 3rd infantry Old Guard / 1980-1983 National Guard Infantry Unit. Awaiting adjudication decision for Tinnitus, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Obstructive Sleep Apnea secondary to tinnitus & Hypertension secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. If rating rules change before adjudication decision will I be subject to new rating rules or grandfathered to rules when I filed claim?

02:08 Second Question
Steven: Had surgery to remove my prostate because of cancer. Nexus letter as well as a DBQ. VA doctor refused to do them. Possible to do a video conference appointment?

04:07 Third Question
Edna: Can claim's examiner hold your submitted upgrades, while you're waiting for a second opinion appointment?

05:42 Fourth Question
Richard: How long does a person have to file an appeal on a denied case? Can you file another claim with updated medicals.

06:58 Fifth Question
Steven: Currently have SC disabilities for tinnitus, Thoracolumbar strain, SSD/ptsd with depression. Seeking a SC of diabetes. My diabetes started after the service.

08:52 Sixth Question
Myles: VA rating for sleep apnea. Sleep study recommended a BIPAP machine with oxygen supplement using an oxygen concentrator. I also have A-Fib. Would the use of the oxygen concentrator impact the rating for sleep apnea between the 100% & 50%. What would be the factors for the 100% rating?

09:50 Seventh Question
Kat: I have had 3 back surgeries, left knee replacement and an incisional hernia repair. I have hypothesis/parenthesis in the inside of my right leg, my hip flexors are damaged and other proven nerve damage. Had to have my right knee replaced. Can't find a doctor in my area that has knowledge of the 6th Edition AMA Guides. I am on OPM disability retirement now from USPS. I am at MMI for everything.

12:16 Eighth Question
Jennifer: My 85 year old Dad's supplemental claim for spilt patella/torn cartilage left knee was denied, his records were destroyed in the fire of 73. The VA could not provide any evidence to assist, but my fathers long-term treating physician provided a letter stating his knee pain was service related. Any thoughts on appealing this unacceptable decision?

14:01 Ninth Question
Julius: How to email or phone your office in reference to a Nexus Letter for my PTSD, Sleep Apnea, and Migraines. I have already been approved of VA Benefits for PTSD at 50 percent, and I was already approved for Sleep Apnea by the VA and Migraines by my VA Doctor. However, when I applied for the Sleep Apnea, Migraines benefits they were denied. I then requested for a Supplemental Claim Secondary to my PTSD, and they wanted me to retake C and P Exams for PTSD, Sleep Apnea, and Migraines.

14:35 Tenth Question
Jayme: Please provide some insight on my strategy process for filing for (L) shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain, migraines, PTSD, and possibly TBI.
I am currently SC for Tinnitus and sleep apnea. I have the DBQ and nexus for PTSD.
I originally filed for shoulder and back pain in 2013 but was denied.

20:08 Eleventh Question
Jules: What about non combat ptsd. Flight instructor found a air mail stamp in my locker, I was supposed to remove all valuables for inspection. He sent everyone out of barracks and then picked up the stamp with his right hand and smacked me on the head, hoping to stick the stamp on me. I have hearing loss and deviated septum on left side.

22:18 Twelfth Question
Ant: I am hearing Ellis Clinic is on the VA's Unofficial blacklist of nexus options

24:39 Thirteenth Question
KwRaIlSb: Does Doc Ellis do nexus reports? I researched I will prob get denied as I never went to doctor while I was in.

25:51 Fifteenth Question
Myles: Doc Ellis, when I entered the service, my exam noted mild Scoliosis. My back was denied. Sleep Apnea, use supplement Oxygen with BIPAP machine. I also have A-Fib. Oxygen is from OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR. What else would you need to prove 100% rating? I'm SC for Allergic Rhinitis, Partial Turbinectomy.

28:28 Sixteenth Question
Willard: I got a hernia while in the army but nothing is on med file.

Questions answered in this video:
00:00 Intro
01:23 First Question
02:08 Second Question
04:07 Third Question
05:42 Forth Question
06:58 Fifth Question
08:52 Sixth Question
09:50 Eighth Question
12:16 Nineth Question
14:01 Tenth Question
14:35 Eleventh Question
20:08 Twelfth Question
22:18 Thirteenth Question
24:39 Fifteenth Question
25:51 Sixteenth Question
28:28 Seventeenth Question

[LarryOrr-vnth]

Doc Ellis, thank for your passion to help us get what we deserve.I was stationed at Camp Casey in Korea 1975-76. I filed a claim for Parkinson’s disease and was denied. Reason was the area I was stationed in. I signed for the PACT Act, and the Dr accessed my MGus was due to Agent Orange. But I was stilled denied service connected. Why Larry(SC)

[UPandComingNow]

What is the standard of proof on a federal cumulative trauma death claim with widow and minor children? It is a congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy sudden death but accelerated by repetitive work related heavy physical and mental activity.

[nijauhwoodard]

Doc, are we able to file workers comp based off muscle tears? Does schedule awards deal with all injuries, I guess I’m confused by the word “permanent” injuries. Was hurt at work but the injury can always come back after healed.

[johnnynewby]

Do you help with nexus letters for illnesses and injuries for camp Lejeune toxic water and hearing loss from loud noise due to being automatic rifleman fox co. 2/2, 2 years, ? At camp Lejeune, Nato deployment? I have filed claims for injuries and illnesses from toxic water and from being infantry 2 years, i filed a supplemental claim on injuries. I had filed and was denied also. I am afraid they will deny me again. I only have va records and discharge records, i am just learning from your videos, how this all works. I drank the toxic water brushed my teeth, eat food, bathed and used pool. I am very angry.

[charlescovati]

I have had several TIAs and have filed for tinnitus and PTSD. I barely have slept for more than 5 hours in nearly twenty years. How do I relate this to my past trauma in the service.

[MikeFronius]

Can migraines be secondary to vertigo?

[leandersavoie]

Hello I am waiting for a decision for heart valve replacement and by pass and hypertension and anxiety and deibeity since 19 Dec 2022 now I have sleep apnea with CPAP machine and now have neuropathy in both hands and feet waiting for decision before I file for that???? Now I am 40 percent now for loss of use of foot have