I will try to keep this quick and not too drawn out. I have been off active duty for 14-15 months after deploying to Iraq. I Have submitted a claim and was denied for PTSD a few months after coming off active duty. Submitted a NOD and still waiting for that to go forward (less than a year after receiving the denial for service connection). About a year ago I was doing my final dental exam with the VA (the last one they give your for free within 180 days of being on active duty). They observed that my teeth were extremely worn down and recommended and paid for a mouth guard. I did not claim anything regarding that or the fact that I have a popping/grinding sound when I open and close my mouth. I was doing a little looking around and saw that these symptoms were consistent with TMJ...I have not had the VA or a private doctor tell me that I have the condition. I then found the following article http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20010308_ptsd.html. titled: PTSD Patients Damage Teeth Through Involuntary Grinding, Clenching, UB Study Finds. I also found a VA article that talks about the same information.
My question. Is it too late for me to claim this as either its own issue or as a secondary to PTSD? Also, would I have to wait until I am actually given a PTSD diagnosis? Like I said I just came across this information and think I may be SOL and I should have filed something before the 1 year was up. Any suggestions?
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Blackhawk12
I will try to keep this quick and not too drawn out. I have been off active duty for 14-15 months after deploying to Iraq. I Have submitted a claim and was denied for PTSD a few months after coming off active duty. Submitted a NOD and still waiting for that to go forward (less than a year after receiving the denial for service connection). About a year ago I was doing my final dental exam with the VA (the last one they give your for free within 180 days of being on active duty). They observed that my teeth were extremely worn down and recommended and paid for a mouth guard. I did not claim anything regarding that or the fact that I have a popping/grinding sound when I open and close my mouth. I was doing a little looking around and saw that these symptoms were consistent with TMJ...I have not had the VA or a private doctor tell me that I have the condition. I then found the following article http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20010308_ptsd.html. titled: PTSD Patients Damage Teeth Through Involuntary Grinding, Clenching, UB Study Finds. I also found a VA article that talks about the same information.
My question. Is it too late for me to claim this as either its own issue or as a secondary to PTSD? Also, would I have to wait until I am actually given a PTSD diagnosis? Like I said I just came across this information and think I may be SOL and I should have filed something before the 1 year was up. Any suggestions?
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