Proudvet

Jesusplay, I filed a claim during my discharge medical examination back in 2010 for headaches, (which was documented a few time in my SMR). All the shipboard corpsman did was give me motrin and documented I came in for a headache, motrin provided. Well I told this to the outbreifing physical doc, and she said theirs probably not enough evidence to file a claim. So a cou[le months after I retired, I made an appointment with the local VA medical center near where I live and they initially sent me totalk to a psychologist, speech therapist. This went on for about 6 months, then finally after six months seeing these folks, my VA primary doctor ordered to have an MRI done. Wow, what a surprise when the VA doc called me while I was at work and said I have "Normal Pressure Hydeocephalus. I had surgery 4 months late to have a shunt put in to relive the excess fluid built-up in my skull. I have scense submitted another claim for this condition, had a C & P exam done and am waiting for a decision. I am currently (according to E-benefits) in the PREPARATION FOR DECISION phase. As Tiredcoastie mentioned you need to have some documentation in your medcial record for them to tie it to service connection. It's a battle I know. If you made copies of your medical records before yor were discharged take a look back through them all and see if you can find anything documented for headaches. I wish you all the luck!!!

mseitz, Congratulation's on your BIG WIN!!!

navy04, Appreciate the reply & info.. Will keep watching for the mail man. In the mean time, I think I will go fishing.

Thank-you navy04, I appreciate the nice comment. How long do you think it will take to get a final decision?

Congratulations Harley. So happy for you. Now treat yourself to something special.

Finally, after41 months, e-benefits is showing "preparation for decision". Keeping my fingers crossed it won't be long for a final decision.

We are unable to locate a letter dated in June 2013 awarding you benefits for temporary 100%. A review of your on-line record indicates you have an open claim and the temporary 100% is on the open claim. Your claim is currently in the development phase of processing. This phase is where we gather all the evidence we need in order to make a decision on your claim. If we determine that we need additional information, we will contact you. Currently claims at the Salt Lake City Regional Office (RO) are taking about 8 months (239 days) to complete. Please understand that these timeframes are only averages, and that your claim may take longer based on the specifics of your claim and VA's pending workload.

Has any doctor indiocated that the headaches are in fact migraines? No. Just in my medical Service records many comments when I went to sick call. Gave me motrin and said "get back to work". Has any doctor stated in your med recs the migraines are directly due to your Communicating Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.? yes, the VA docs after I retired. That's when they did an MRI which showed I had Communicating Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. And that was some shocking news.

navyo4, Thank you for your reply. I am learning so much from this sight and everyone who has responded to all my questions. I would like to personally say thank-you to all. When I was active duty I was electricuted in 1988 absorbing 440 volts of electricity which caused severe 2nd and 3rd degree burns to my hand, wrist, arm and face. Then the electricity exited my body through my neck. I believe this is where the hydrocephalus was caused. I have memory problems. (which effects my employment performance) usually most current events I have problems remembering, but can remember years ago events that happened during childhood. I have bouts with extreme headaches especially where the shunt was placed. My feet feel like their glued to the ground most the time. They said before my shunt implant (February 2013) I would see immediate results (and I did for about 6 months) now the same symptons have appeared just like before the shunt implant. Now I have another medical appinment scheduled with the same doctor who performed my original surgery next month to see what's going on. I hope they can fix tjis as I am tired of having all these headaches.

Greeting's Berta, Thanks for the information I will check on this and keep you informed. I appreciate all your assistance.

I was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in May 2012, and had a shunt installed in February 2013. Now it's October 2013 and I am experiencing the same symptons I did before the surgery. Gait (heaviness in my feet, headaches, memory loss, etc.) I filed a claim for disability increase as I have Acid Reflux (Barrets disease) and having this surgery aggravated the Barrets disease as the tube running from my right venticule to my abodomin has irritated the barrets disease. I am scheduled to go back to the doctor who performed my shunt surgery next month. What do you think they'll do? Thank-you for your advice and assistance. Respectfully, Proudvet

Greeting's Berta, This is what the V A Doc's put for the diagnostic code for the Communicating hydrocephalus (ICD-9-CM 331.3) They say I have. I am still have headaches and gait in my feet. Have another V A appointment to see the neurosurgeon next week. Not sure whats going on. Either the shunt stop working or something else going on. I am still working, but in takes every bit of energy to keep going. When I had my shunt put in January 2013 thet put a tube from my right venticule draining to my stomach which affrcts my reflux. Thank-you for your assistance. Best regards, Proudvet

My apologies for chiming in on your thread. I have a question hopefully someone can answer. I retired from the U S Navy in June 2010. I went through the BDD program to start my V A Disability claim process. One of my complaints was headaches that was recorded through out my SMR for 20 of the 23 year years I was in. I was electrocuted in 1988 on a living barge while my ship was in overhaul. I obsorbed 440 volts of electricity and was seriously burned with second and third degree burns on my arms, chest and face. The V A Doc who examined on my Benefits Disability at Discharge told me, the VA doesn't award for headaches. Well, I went and settled down to my home of records and went and seen the docs at my local VA Medical Center and they conducted tests and reveiled I had Communicating Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. I had surgery February 2013 to have a shunt inserted to relieve the fluid build-up in my skull. I explained the above at my C & P exam in September 2013 and was awarded 100% Temporary disability but haven't received any payment yet. Can anyone tell me how long it takes to receive temporary 100% diability award payment from the VA? normal pressure hydrocephalus (New), Temporary 100 percent (New), multiple digestive disorders to include gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus (Increase), post traumatic stress disorder (New), depression caused by PTSD (New) Thank-you. U S Navy Chief (Ret)

I just had a C & P exam and 1 week later it showed up on https://www.myhealth.va.gov

I Had a C & P exam one month ago and on e-benefits this is what's currently showing,