The Veterans Disability Nexus - Leah Bucholz

Latest Episodes:

Radiculopathy in Veterans Disability | All You Need To Know Jan 30, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Radiculopathy in Veterans' Disability.
Leah explains radiculopathy and its relevance to VA disability. She describes radiculopathy as a condition characterized by numbness, pain, and tingling in extremities, which can arise from various levels of the spine, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Leah B clarifies the difference between radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy, emphasizing that radiculopathy originates from the spine, whereas peripheral neuropathy arises from peripheral nerve damage. She discusses how veterans can be service-connected for radiculopathy either as a primary condition if diagnosed during active duty, or secondarily related to spinal degeneration. Treatment options like traction, steroid injections, and surgery are mentioned.

Gout and Hypertension in Veterans Disability | All You Need To Know Jan 24, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Gout and Hypertension in Veterans' Disability.
Leah discusses the connection between gout and hypertension, particularly in the context of veterans' disability claims. Gout, an inflammatory arthritis caused by hyperuricemia (excess uric acid in the body), often presents as painful flare-ups, commonly in the big toe. Leah highlights risk factors like being male, obesity, certain health conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes), and lifestyle choices (e.g., alcohol consumption, diet high in purines). She explains how hypertension and the use of diuretics for its treatment can be significant risk factors for developing gout. Leah then guides veterans on how gout can be service-connected, either directly or secondarily, due to other conditions or risk factors like obesity or mental health issues with alcohol use. She references several research articles that support the relationship between hypertension and gout, emphasizing the importance of discussing these findings with healthcare providers to explore potential service-related connections.

Hip Pain Secondary to Knee Injuries in Veterans Disability | All You Need To Know Jan 23, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Hip Pain Secondary to Knee Injuries in Veterans Disability.
Leah discusses the connection between hip pain and knee injuries in the context of VA disability. She emphasizes that hip pain can be service-connected either directly (due to an injury sustained while on active duty) or secondarily, where an existing service-connected condition, like a knee injury, leads to hip problems. Using her own experience with a foot injury leading to hip pain, she illustrates how impairments in one area can impact others. Leah highlights research on how knee osteoarthritis affects hip and ankle mechanics and the significance of the kinetic chain theory, indicating that issues in one joint can influence adjacent joints.

Gout and VA Disability | All You Need To Know Jan 17, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Gout and VA Disability.
Leah discusses gout and its relevance to VA disability. She explains that many veterans suffer from gout, which is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that often affects the big toe joint. Leah highlights that gout is primarily caused by high levels of uric acid in the body due to factors such as diet, alcohol consumption, and kidney dysfunction. She also mentions that gout can be connected to VA disability on either a primary or secondary basis, with common secondary connections including mental health conditions with alcohol use disorder, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and obesity. Leah emphasizes the importance of establishing a medical diagnosis, a link to service, and a connection between the condition and service for VA disability claims related to gout.

How to Overcome Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome | VA Disability Jan 16, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses How to Overcome Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
Leah explains Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) in her video "How to Overcome Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome | VA Disability". PFPS is a common anterior knee pain condition among U.S. Army veterans and active service members. Leah uses a knee model to describe the anatomy involved in PFPS, including the patellar tendon, patella, femur, tibia, fibula, and various ligaments. She mentions that PFPS is generally an overuse injury potentially linked to kneecap alignment issues, leading to conditions like chondromalacia and arthritis. The video also covers how veterans can get service connected for PFPS or related anterior knee pain through direct service connection (if injury or PFPS started during service) or secondary service connection (if PFPS is caused or worsened by another service-connected condition).

What to Expect in a Neck Pain & Cervical Spine Conditions C&P Exam | VA Disability Jan 10, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Neck Pain & Cervical Spine Conditions C&P Exam.
Leah is explaining the process of a C&P exam for veterans with neck pain or cervical spine conditions. She emphasizes that the process should not be a surprise as it is straightforward, though it can be confusing. Leah mentions that veterans will receive a packet with details about the exam, including the appointment time, location, and examiner information. The key component of the exam is the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), which she displays and explains in detail. This questionnaire covers various aspects such as diagnosis, symptoms, range of motion, and impact on daily functions. She also touches on other topics like flare-ups, functional loss, radiculopathy, and assistive devices. Additionally, Leah discusses the possibility of a medical opinion being requested to determine if the condition is service-related.

What to Expect in a Hip Pain C&P Exam | VA Disability Jan 09, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Hip Pain C&P Exam.
Leah explains the process of a compensation and pension (C&P) exam for hip pain. She highlights how hip pain can be service-connected either as a primary condition (like an injury during active duty) or secondarily (due to other service-related conditions). When filing a claim for VA disability, veterans can do it alone or with legal assistance and will receive a packet detailing the exam specifics. The key component of the exam is the Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ), which assesses the veteran’s hip condition, including diagnosis, onset, flare-ups, functional loss, and range of motion. Leah emphasizes the importance of understanding the DBQ and range of motion measurements, suggesting veterans view it before the exam to reduce anxiety and better prepare.

What to Expect in a Shoulder Pain Exam | VA Disability Jan 03, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Plantar Fasciitis and VA disability compensation.
Leah explains the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam process for veterans with shoulder conditions. She outlines that the exam focuses on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), which the examiner uses to assess the condition with VA regulations and other evidence to determine service connection and disability rating. Leah emphasizes the possibility of primary service connection (injury during duty) and secondary service connection (shoulder pain caused by another service-connected disability). She also discusses what happens during the exam, including the examiner's credentials (which may vary but must be a medically trained professional), the importance of accurately describing symptoms and history, and the thorough physical examination of the shoulder.

What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam Jan 02, 2024

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Shoulder Pain Exam.
Leah explains the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam process for veterans with shoulder conditions. She outlines that the exam focuses on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), which the examiner uses to assess the condition with VA regulations and other evidence to determine service connection and disability rating. Leah emphasizes the possibility of primary service connection (injury during duty) and secondary service connection (shoulder pain caused by another service-connected disability). She also discusses what happens during the exam, including the examiner's credentials (which may vary but must be a medically trained professional), the importance of accurately describing symptoms and history, and the thorough physical examination of the shoulder.

What to Expect in an Ankle Pain C&P Exam | VA Disability Dec 27, 2023

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Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in an Ankle Pain C&P Exam.
Leah provides an in-depth guide for veterans undergoing an ankle pain Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for VA disability. Leah discusses how ankle injuries can be service-connected, either through direct injuries during active duty or secondarily due to other service-connected disabilities. She explains the process of scheduling and preparing for the C&P exam, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reviewing the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) sent by the VA. Leah provides a detailed walkthrough of the ankle condition DBQ, highlighting key sections such as medical history, symptoms, functional impairment, range of motion assessments, joint stability, surgeries, and the impact of the condition on the veteran’s life and work.