This KB might be what you read or referenced regarding Kernel 2.6.22.

This post explains a bit of what the problem may be in your case.

I resolved this at a client well over a year ago. I checked some notes and I just have that kernels >= 2.6.9.55.EL should work, previous kernels required a patched MPT driver. The second link I posted talks about patching the mptscsi.h driver header to address this. Of course, just from browsing a bugzilla or two with a google search on the driver name and vmware, I saw a few reopened bugs marked regression, meaning the change was reverted at least once. You may want to get a copy of your current kernel branch source, check the mptscsi.h file and compare it to what the suggested patch fix would be.

If you can't find an appropriate kernel you can quick update, you can patch the mptscsi.h file, rebuild your modules, and installed the patched mptscsi driver.

This of course assumes it is the same issue, but sounds like it.