✔️Join VA Claims Insider Elite, get instant access to the ELITE Experience Portal (EEP) and $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources TODAY, and obtain a VA DBQ and Medical Nexus Letters: In this Video, Tara will explain IN-DEPTH everything you need to know about Hypogonadism and Low Testosterone and how to WIN your Compensation Claims.
Hypogonadism Topic & Timestamp
01:29 Symptoms of Hypogonadism and low testosterone.
02:52 Secondary causes of hypogonadism and low testosterone.
04:40 A small correlation between narcotics, opiates, and hypogonadism.
08:35 Obesity and hypogonadism.
12:50 Reducing obesity by 10% can reduce hypogonadism.
14:20 What we need to connect the diagnosis to military service.
SYMPTOMS OR HYPOGONADISM AND LOW TESTOSTERONE
Low Testosterone is under Code 7523 in the 38 CFR Schedule of Rating Disabilities under Hypogonadism/Atrophy of the Testicles.
Symptoms Include:
-Low Sex Drive
-Decreased Energy
-Depression
-Erectile Dysfunction
-Loss of Muscle Mass
-Decreased Breast Tissue
-Loss of Bone Mass
-Osteoporosis
-Decreased Hair Growth
-Loss of Concentration
-Hot Flashes
EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CAUSES
These types of Claims can be filed as Primary or Secondary Disabilities depending on your specific situation.
Primary Service-Connected - You may have suffered an injury to the testicles.
Keep in mind that if only one of the testicles was injured, that does not always mean you will have a decreased level of testosterone or symptoms because of it.
Treatments for Cancer treatments are also potential Primary Service Connections
Secondary Service Connected - Your Testicles are normal, but they do not function properly. This is usually related to the Pituitary or Hypothalamus in the brain where hormones are actually secreted and the hormone-producing areas of the brain can affect this.
Examples of this could be caused by one of the following:
-Pituitary Tumor
-Brain Tumor
-Treatment of a Brain Tumor
-Inflammatory Disorders such as Sarcoidosis, Tuberculosis, HIV.
The problem with these types of claims is that as we age, we naturally begin to have decreased levels of Testosterone. With that being said, if you are young and just out of service and are suffering from these types of symptoms your chances of success are greater.
CORRELATIONS BETWEEN OPIATE NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATIONS
Filing a claim for Low Testosterone due to Medication can be done, but these are tricky because making a connection is difficult.
Opiate Narcotic Pain Medication does have some research out there that it has side effects which can cause Low Testosterone Hypogonadism, however, it is not the strongest literature.
OBESITY
Male Obesity Secondary Hypogonadism (MOSH)
This is something that is known to cause Low Testosterone.
Obesity causes low grade inflammation.
This Chronic Inflammation causes high levels of Leptin that is produced by high fat cells which affects appetite and fat storage which can ultimately affect hormone levels resulting in Low Testosterone.
REDUCING OBESITY BY 10% CAN REDUCE HYPOGONADISM
This can be done by a combination of diet and exercise.
If you are over weight due to your injuries that are service connected and you try to file a claim for Low Testosterone due to the weight gain from being unable to workout, the VA will most likely deny you because they will argue that while, yes, you may not be able to workout, but you can still alter your diet.
It is not impossible to win these types of claims, but you must have sound medical evidence showing the severity of your injuries.
WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE SERVICE CONNECTIONS?
Evidence of an injury, illness or event in Military Service.
Current Diagnosis (Must be recent with regular treatment)
Cause and Effect Relationship
-Direct cause would be Injury, Illness or event that happened in service.
-Secondary cause would be from a Service Connected Condition or worsened by your service in some way.
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, or believe you may have Low Testosterone due to something already Service Connected, we encourage you to reach out to the Medical Team with VA Claims Insider. If there is a case or a possible connection, they will find it!
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