Gynecomastia?

jkwalker86

jkwalker86

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First, here is a little background - 29 y/o male - Currently in the MEB process - unfit conditions are lumbar DDD, nerve damage right leg, nerve damage left leg (sorry I forget the correct terminology) - preliminary ratings are 30% DOD 90% VA.

More background ...
I have Pectus Excavatum (sunken chest), along with that I have a rather larger than normal chest. It has been that way my entire life. Over the past couple years, my chest has grown a little in size, and not in a good way. Other symtoms would be pain, discomfort, and itchiness. None of this was claimed before because I just thought it was caused by my pectus excavatum. I had a mammogram done today which revealed I have mild gynemocastia. Tomorrow I go in to have some blood work done to try and identify the cause. The doctor that went over the mammogram results said he thought I would be able to have surgery to remove it.

Does anybody have experience or knowledge on VA ratings for mild gynecomastia with surgery to remove it? My case has been rated, I am just waiting to get my 199 back... so I know if I were to claim it I would wait and do it after I am out. Just wanted to learn some knowledge.

Thanks,

Josh
 
My understanding is that breast problems are only ratable for females under gynecological problems, so the codes for breast removal is female specific. The rating should be based on the residuals for surgery, which are standard, muscle problems, nerve problems, scars, whatever ends up as a residual. If all goes well, no rating.

As a note, the VA proposed a VASRD change to make breast cancer gender neutral, currently male breast cancer is unratable. They also want to include a code for damage to the breast area to be gender neutral, but that wouldn't really reflect a real change, just a code to include all the muscle, nerve, etc., problems together. It would allow a female who received a mastectomy from an IED to get a real rating though. Its currently in the gathering comments stage.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/02/27/2015-03851/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-gynecological-conditions-and-disorders-of-the-breast

http://blog.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/2015/03/proposed-changes-to-ratings-for-female.html
 
scoutCC said:
My understanding is that breast problems are only ratable for females under gynecological problems, so the codes for breast removal is female specific. The rating should be based on the residuals for surgery, which are standard, muscle problems, nerve problems, scars, whatever ends up as a residual. If all goes well, no rating.

As a note, the VA proposed a VASRD change to make breast cancer gender neutral, currently male breast cancer is unratable. They also want to include a code for damage to the breast area to be gender neutral, but that wouldn't really reflect a real change, just a code to include all the muscle, nerve, etc., problems together. It would allow a female who received a mastectomy from an IED to get a real rating though. Its currently in the gathering comments stage.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/02/27/2015-03851/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-gynecological-conditions-and-disorders-of-the-breast

[URL='http://blog.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/2015/03/proposed-changes-to-ratings-for-female.html[/QUOTE']http://blog.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/2015/03/proposed-changes-to-ratings-for-female.html[/URL]
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maybe I'm obtuse or old fashioned - but -

Both males and females have breast tissue, so why not have this gender neutral?

now I understand that a female breast can create milk to feed an infant - a male breast cannot usually do this.

So there is a potential additional loss to females when they have a breast loss or significant tissue removed that eliminates this use of the breast.

But still, male breasts can lose nerves, the area can become numb and all sorts of other things - just like a female.

I mean, it is a human body part - right? And it can get cancerous in both males and females - the
Camp Lejeune problems with bad water (chemical contamination) and breast cancer in men (and other issues) is a known problem - and getting worse.

I guess I wonder why some of these issues are taking so long to get understood and categorized as gender neutral.

Parts is parts - at least on the basic levels.

nwlivewire
 
Gynecomastia is most often something that develops during puberty, as such it is a preexisting condition. There are other things that can cause gynecomastia, but they are not as common as temporary hormonal imbalances during puberty.
 
Has anybody heard of the Army paying for this surgery? When I research the topic online there are a lot of people saying no, the Army will not pay for it. But everyone here at the TMC and when I had my mammogram said the Army would. And when I was referred to gen surg for it initially, they didnt say no, they just said to have a mammogram done first. So it sounds to me like they would pay for it.

Thanks.

Josh
 
jwalker86....I know that Tricare WILL pay for it. I had it done in 2011 at Walter Reed. Mine never really grew, just the tenderness, and some mild swelling. I was referred to Breast Care Center up there, after I said symptoms, and had a blood draw which revealed Low Testosterone. Needless to say, IED blast overpressure caused my pituitary glad to get messed up, causing the hormonal imbalance, causing the vicious circle of gynecomastia. I felt weird going to a Breast Care Center as I thought that was only for women. I was wrong. The doctor said roughly 25% of their patients are male. Additionally, Tricare even paid for liposuction in my chest due to the gynecomastia and what's called aromatase.
 
Jarhead0724 said:
jwalker86....I know that Tricare WILL pay for it. I had it done in 2011 at Walter Reed. Mine never really grew, just the tenderness, and some mild swelling. I was referred to Breast Care Center up there, after I said symptoms, and had a blood draw which revealed Low Testosterone. Needless to say, IED blast overpressure caused my pituitary glad to get messed up, causing the hormonal imbalance, causing the vicious circle of gynecomastia. I felt weird going to a Breast Care Center as I thought that was only for women. I was wrong. The doctor said roughly 25% of their patients are male. Additionally, Tricare even paid for liposuction in my chest due to the gynecomastia and what's called aromatase.
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Most "man boobs" are not, which is, by definition, an increase in the size of breast tissue. and yes I think surgery is the safest way to treat gynecomastia.
 
Jarhead0724 said:
jwalker86....I know that Tricare WILL pay for it. I had it done in 2011 at Walter Reed. Mine never really grew, just the tenderness, and some mild swelling. I was referred to Breast Care Center up there, after I said symptoms, and had a blood draw which revealed Low Testosterone. Needless to say, IED blast overpressure caused my pituitary glad to get messed up, causing the hormonal imbalance, causing the vicious circle of gynecomastia. I felt weird going to a Breast Care Center as I thought that was only for women. I was wrong. The doctor said roughly 25% of their patients are male. Additionally, Tricare even paid for liposuction in my chest due to the gynecomastia and what's called aromatase.
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If the VA would do surgery or something, it would be great. It is a mental condition once it becomes a body image problem. It's a lot more serious then what some take it.
 
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