{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754-0","petitioner_identifier":"L.A.R.","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"meningococcal","vaccination_date":"2010-07-30","condition_raw":"postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome","condition_category":"dysautonomia","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"dismissed","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2019-05-28","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:11:00.156632+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner L.A.R. alleged that he developed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) as a result of a meningococcal vaccine (Menactra) received on July 30, 2010. The petition was filed on November 13, 2018. Medical records indicated symptoms began between 2009 and 2011, approximately four to five years prior to 2014. The Special Master found the claim barred by the three-year statute of limitations under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-16(a)(2), as the petition was filed approximately seven to nine years after the alleged onset of symptoms. No extraordinary circumstances, such as fraud or duress, were presented to justify equitable tolling. The case was dismissed as untimely. Petitioner was represented pro se, and the respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Special Master Katherine E. Oler issued the dismissal decision on May 28, 2019.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2018-11-13","case_summary":"L.A.R. filed a petition for compensation on November 13, 2018, alleging that he developed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) as a result of a meningococcal vaccine (Menactra) received on July 30, 2010. The petitioner was represented pro se, and the respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services, represented by Heather L. Pearlmaro of the U.S. Department of Justice. Special Master Katherine E. Oler issued the decision. Medical records submitted by the petitioner documented symptoms beginning approximately four to five years prior to 2014, including cold feet, discoloration of hands, fatigue, dizziness, weakness, and an elevated heart rate upon standing, consistent with POTS. Specifically, records from Dr. A at Pediatric Neurology in November and December 2013 noted positional acrocyanosis of one year's duration, with an increase in heart rate from 50-60 beats per minute to around 720 when standing. Dr. A referred the petitioner to the dysautonomia clinic at UCLA Medical Center. A January 2014 visit with Dr. Y-G at UCLA noted a positive orthostatic change of only 20 beats and suggested mild dysautonomia with orthostatic intolerance. Records from a March 2014 visit with Dr. M in the Pediatric Electrophysiology Clinic indicated that the petitioner's mother reported symptoms starting about four to five years prior to 2014, including fatigue, dizziness, weakness, elevated pulse into the 120's-130's from 50's and 60's after standing, blood pooling, near syncope, and heat intolerance. A June 3, 2014 visit for a second opinion on POTS noted that while orthostatic vitals in the office did not indicate orthostasis, the heart rate significantly increased with positional changes, which may suggest POTS. The petitioner acknowledged that his symptoms began \"shortly after the vaccin[ation]\" and that the delay in filing was because \"it took us many years to be diagnosed and then we were hopping [sic] the things will get better.\" The court found that the first symptom or manifestation of onset occurred between 2009 and 2011, meaning the petitioner had been symptomatic for approximately four to five years as of 2014. Under the Vaccine Act, the petition should have been filed between 2012 and 2014. The petition was filed on November 13, 2018, approximately seven to nine years after the alleged onset. Special Master Oler found no basis to toll the statute of limitations, as the petitioner did not claim fraud or duress, nor did any other extraordinary circumstance appear to exist that would permit an extension of the three-year limit. The case was therefore dismissed as untimely. The decision was designated \"not to be published\" but was posted on the Court of Federal Claims' website.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Katherine E. Oler","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_firm":null,"petitioner_attorney_location":null,"adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":null,"firm_canonical_key":null,"package_title":"L. A.-R. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754-0","title":"L. A.-R. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION regarding 15 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (aa) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-05-28","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":15750408,"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_18-vv-01754/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01754-0"}]}