Tbi C&p

[DEWY]

I filed a claim over a year ago which the VA is still adjudicating for Menier's disease, although they all tell me they think it's Menier's disease they keep testing for other causes of my reported sympmtoms (i.e., migraines, etc). I received a call from the people handling my case stating that, after review, they feel my symptoms are indicative of a TBI and asked to file a claim for TBI on my behalf. I agreed. The problem is this; I'm a Viet Nam Viet and my head wound occured in 1968. I now have an upcoming C&P appointment for TBI and upcoming appointments with ENT for my pending Menier's claim (i.e., they have already awarded me 30% for labyrithisis but have agreed to revaluate after ENT gives a Dx for my condition).

My questions are: What should I expect at the TBI C&P, will it cause confusion with my current ongoing claim, and was it prudent at all to file a claim for TBI (...I was told at the time that my head injuries were temporary and was sent back to field duty after a couple months of hospital/bed rest).

[carlie]

I was given a diagnosis of Meinere's Disease (i.e., the previous dx was labrynthsis (sp)) recently. I have a pending claim for TBI since it was thought that my symptoms mimic a TBI . They said it was still possible I have a TBI and the first physician I saw was sure of it but before he made a diagnosis I was diagnosed as having Meiner's Disease.

I called the VBA and was told that my current claim is with the decision board. I don't know if being with the decision board means a decision is days away or months. I-m afraid that if I intervene at this point it may just cause confusion and delays leading to an inaccurate decision or even being throw back to the "zero day" desk.

Is it too late to bring new information forth pertaining to my recent diagnosis? If so, do I open a new claim or is there a process where I can request to have my current claim re-opened. also, is there anyway to expedite a claim such as mine where the symptoms are all the same but the diagnosis was changed (i.e., the symptoms have al ready been deemed service connected).

Dewey,

Who diagnosed the Meinere's - what pedigree of a doc - did they do any specific testing

and what exactly did they write ?

[john999]

I can tell you the havoc untreated or undiagnosed TBI can cause of vets and their families. My father-in-law had it. He had seizures and bizzare behavior at times. He appeared as normal as heck one moment and was doing crazy stuff the next. He was wounded in the Pacific in WWII by an explosion. The Marines said he "recovered" and then he got in trouble and got kicked out which is why he did not get benefits. I found this out 30 years after the facts when I married his daughter. A buddy from Nam got blown off an APC when it hit a mine. He complained of headaches, but they took him out of the field so it must have been worse. I don't think he got a dime then.

[DEWY]

Dewey,

Who diagnosed the Meinere's - what pedigree of a doc - did they do any specific testing

and what exactly did they write ?

[DEWY]

Carlie, ....I had been seeing interns who were reluctant to make a diagnosis, when I went to a different VA I saw first a physician (i.e., physician, not an intern) who thought I was suffering from a TBI and possibly Meiner's Disease but wanted to review all of my records but didn't have them available.He had me make another appointment.. He said it didn't make any difference that my head wound happened a long time ago...I probably was suffering from a TBI. The second physician (i.e., ENT physician , not an intern) reviewed my history (e.g., all the audiology tests, etc). He told me that he had extensive experience with Meiner's and felt confident that I was at least suffering from Meiner's Disease. He gave me a yellow sheet of paper which he had marked Meiner's Disease and Tinnitus. He also had me make another appointment. That's all I know, I have never seen my records. It is considered service connected and my head wound (...and other wounds) are well documented in my medical history.