{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901-0","petitioner_identifier":"Richard Schussler","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":70.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2013-10-09","condition_raw":"polyneuropathy or small fiber neuropathy (SFN)","condition_category":"small_fiber_neuropathy","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2023-08-01","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T04:54:41.171789+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":5,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Richard Schussler, born in 1943, received an influenza vaccine on October 9, 2013, and alleged it caused him to develop polyneuropathy, later specified as small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Petitioner's expert, Nizar Souayah, M.D., opined that the flu vaccine was the proximate cause of Petitioner's post-vaccination neuropathy, suggesting a molecular mimicry mechanism and an atypical form of sensory Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) predominant on small fibers, or SFN. Respondent's expert, Vinay Chaudhry, M.D., denied that Petitioner had SFN, stating Petitioner had long-standing peripheral neuropathy, likely inherited, and that his symptoms were not vaccine-related. Dr. Chaudhry opined that Petitioner's symptoms could be explained by the progression of his preexisting neuropathy and potentially anxiety or other conditions. The Special Master found that Petitioner had a symptomatic, preexisting polyneuropathy that predated the vaccination, with symptoms worsening approximately three months prior to the October 2013 vaccination. The Special Master also found that Petitioner failed to meet the diagnostic criteria for SFN, noting the absence of key symptoms like burning pain, the presence of large fiber impairment, and abnormal nerve conduction studies, which are inconsistent with SFN. The Special Master found Petitioner's expert's reliance on Petitioner's post-vaccination symptoms, a normal neurological exam, and a 2018 skin biopsy unpersuasive, particularly given the expert's misrepresentation of symptom progression and acknowledgment of the biopsy's indeterminate timing. The Special Master concluded that Petitioner failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the flu vaccine caused his alleged SFN, denying the petition. Petitioner was represented by Maximillian J. Muller, and Respondent by Naseem Kourosh. Special Master Herbrina Sanders issued the decision on August 1, 2023.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2016-07-28","case_summary":"On July 28, 2016, Richard Schussler filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 9, 2013, caused him to develop polyneuropathy, later specified as small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Mr. Schussler was born in 1943. Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, argued that Petitioner failed to establish a causal connection between the vaccination and his alleged injury. Following extensive medical record review and expert testimony, Special Master Herbrina Sanders issued a decision on August 1, 2023, finding that Petitioner failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the flu vaccine caused his alleged SFN. The Special Master denied Petitioner's claim and dismissed the petition. Petitioner was represented by Maximillian J. Muller of Muller Brazil, LLP, and Respondent was represented by Naseem Kourosh of the United States Department of Justice. The public decision does not detail any award amount as the petition was denied.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Herbrina Sanders Young","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Maximillian J. Muller","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil, LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|maximillian-muller|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"SCHUSSLER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901-0","title":"SCHUSSLER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/30/2023) regarding 67 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (rig) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-08-01","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":585913,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00901-1","title":"SCHUSSLER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/04/2024) regarding 73 DECISION of Special Master - Fees, Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (kp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-11-21","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}