The Veterans Disability Nexus - Leah Bucholz

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Fibromyalgia Secondary to PTSD in Veterans Disability | All You Need To Know May 14, 2024

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Leah from Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting, a U.S. Army veteran and physician assistant, focuses on the relationship between fibromyalgia and mental health conditions like PTSD in the context of VA disability. Leah, addressing requests from veterans, explains that fibromyalgia, characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and emotional distress, affects about 2% of U.S. adults and is more prevalent in women and those with traumatic or stressful experiences.

What to Expect in a Hypertension C&P Exam | VA Disability May 08, 2024

Show notes

Leah a former US Army physician assistant and compensation and pension (C&P) examiner, provides insights into the C&P exam for hypertension, often known as high blood pressure. She clarifies that hypertension is defined as having a sustained systolic pressure of 140 or above, or a diastolic pressure over 90, and discusses prehypertension levels. Leah explains that veterans may seek service connection for hypertension if diagnosed during service if it's aggravated by another service-connected disability, or due to specific exposures like Agent Orange for Vietnam veterans.

Hearing Loss and Veterans Disability | All you Need to Know May 07, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Hearing Loss and Veterans' Disability.
Leah discusses the relationship between military service and hearing loss as it pertains to VA disability claims. She explains her expertise as a certified occupational hearing conservationist, which involves interpreting hearing loss data and operating audio booths. Leah highlights the VA's duty noise exposure level chart, which categorizes various military occupations (MOS) by their probable noise exposure levels (high, moderate, low), aiding veterans in assessing their risk for hearing loss. She emphasizes that even MOS with lower noise exposure can still experience significant hearing loss, drawing on her own experience as a paratrooper. The video also covers research articles on noise-induced hearing loss in the military, noting that both temporary and permanent threshold shifts can cause long-term hearing damage.

What is the AVET Project ? (American Veterans Empowerment Team) May 01, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz interviewing Kim and Garren Cone from the AVET Project What is the AVET Project? (American Veterans Empowerment Team).
Leah is interviewing Kim and Garren Cone from the AVET Project. This non-profit organization assists veterans, particularly in understanding VA benefits and providing emotional and psychological support. Garen is an accredited claims agent, and Kim is an aspiring one. They discuss the impact of their work, such as helping veterans receive significant monthly benefits, which can be life-changing. The AVET Project also organizes PR&R (Project Recuperation Reintegration) Retreats for combat veterans and their families, offering a safe space to share experiences and receive professional support for issues like PTSD. The video highlights the importance of community and shared experiences in aiding veterans and their families. Leah shares her positive experiences with the AVET Project, including participating in a Veterans Day cruise.

What to Expect in a PTSD C&P Exam | VA Disability Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a PTSD C&P Exam.
Leah provides insight into what veterans can expect during a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for PTSD. Leah emphasizes the importance of being honest and prepared for the exam, which includes filling out a Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ). She explains that the exam, typically conducted by psychologists or psychiatrists, may involve an emotional recounting of experiences related to PTSD. The DBQ covers various aspects, including diagnostic criteria for PTSD, symptoms, and the impact on social and occupational functioning. Leah advises veterans to be forthcoming about their mental health history, substance abuse, and legal issues, as these factors play a crucial role in the evaluation. Additionally, she touches on the possibility of telehealth exams and the significance of distinguishing symptoms attributable to PTSD from other conditions like TBI.

Paratroopers and Veterans Disability | All you Need to Know Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Paratroopers and Veteran's Disability.
Leah is discussing the intersection of paratrooper activities and VA (Veterans Affairs) disability. She focuses on the specific injury patterns associated with paratrooper duties and the impact these have on VA disability claims. Leah shares her experience as a former paratrooper and medic, referencing her time at the Airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia, and serving in the 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division. She emphasizes the various forces acting on the body during static line jumps, such as quick, intense landings, and the resulting risk of injuries to joints and bones. The video delves into literature reviews and articles that highlight the mechanical forces involved in military parachute operations and the common injuries resulting from them, particularly to the lower back, knees, hips, and in some cases, the head.

The Benefits of Psychedelics on PTSD | Ben "Doc" Askins Interview Apr 23, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about The Benefits of Psychedelics on PTSD | Ben "Doc" Askins Interview.
Leah and former PA Ben "Doc" Askins discuss the integration of psychedelic medicine within veteran healthcare. Ben shares his journey from being a combat medic and National Guard member to pursuing a career in medicine, leading to his involvement in psychedelic science, particularly regarding mental health. He details his experiences with ketamine and MDMA, discussing their therapeutic potential in treating conditions like chronic depression, PTSD, and pain. Despite the challenges of navigating medical regulations and ensuring patient access, there's optimism for the rescheduling of these substances to allow for broader therapeutic use. Ben also touches on his work outside the clinic, including his podcast "The Anti-Heroes Journey" and his book "The Zero with a Thousand Faces," which plays on Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey" to advocate for self-compassion and understanding in human behaviour.

Atrial Fibrillation and PTSD in Veterans Disability | All you Need to Know Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam.
Leah discusses how veterans can be service-connected for AFib, emphasizing the necessity of a current diagnosis and a nexus linking the condition to an in-service event or another disability. She highlights that AFib can be directly service-connected or related to other issues like cardiac disorders or sleep apnea. Particularly, she focuses on the relationship between AFib and PTSD, referencing studies that show psychological stress contributes to arrhythmias. Leah encourages viewers to empower themselves with this knowledge and consult with professionals for potential service connections.

What to Expect in a Low Back Pain C&P Exam | VA Disability Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Low Back Pain C&P Exam.
Leah discusses what to expect during a lumbar spine or low back pain C&P (Compensation and Pension) exam for VA disability. After filing a claim for a low back condition, veterans receive a packet detailing their examination details. At the exam, physicians use a Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ) to document medical history, current condition, and the results of various tests like range of motion, goniometry, reflex tests, and more. The DBQ also inquires about related conditions like radiculopathy and any other neurological abnormalities. Leah emphasizes the importance of understanding and verbalizing pain points during the exam and recommends viewing her other related videos for a deeper understanding.

Can you get VA Disability for Jet Fuel Exposure? | VA Disability Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses to Obtaining VA Disability for Jet Fuel Exposure is possible.
Leah, explains the connection between jet fuel exposure and potential VA disability claims for veterans. She clarifies that while jet fuel exposure is not a disability, the medical conditions resulting from it can be. Various military roles, including those in the Air Force and others working on flight lines, might face exposure to different types of jet fuels like JP5, JP8, and Jet A. This exposure isn't limited to direct contact; it can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, sometimes due to environmental contamination like at Camp Lejeune. Health issues from this exposure can range from neurological conditions, including a potential link to Parkinson’s disease, to respiratory, liver, gastrointestinal issues, and possibly renal cancers. To file a VA disability claim, a veteran needs to establish a connection (Nexus) between their current medical condition and their service-related jet fuel exposure.

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