Emmafrost1111

Sorry Berta, it does. So, I think the PTSD has my brain in overdrive. Thanks for bringing me back down to planet earth with your kind reply. I mean you basically wrote out exactly what I need to do/state more or less and I’m still looking at 1990 decision instead of just moving forward and starting it. Thanks again for your help!

THANK-YOU Berta and everyone here for taking the time to assist me. I noticed something in my C&P Examiners notes. On DECEMBER 11 1990 the C&P examiner makes what comes off to me as condescending comments in my C&P Rating Report using underlined words (already uploaded C-File here)..: Excerpt: “Patient also claims that she now has an open anterior bite and an “overbite” on left side that were not there before. She states that the military treated her w/ “grinding teeth on lower R” and fabricating her a “soft” night guard, furthermore she complains of still using a night guard made in 1988..” etc My military Dental SEPS exam was done NOVEMBER 13 1989 where it notes A: or ANALYSIS: Standing ? HX of bruxism, clenching, TMJ pain then P: or Plan for Treatment: NTI So yes, on Dec 11 1990 (about 1 yr later) I was still using the NTI night guard fabricated and issued by the Military in 1988, but I also continued going to the same military dental every 6 months or more as required where it was checked, my bruxism TMJ issues were reviewed and I was prescribed Motrin for Pain each time all the way up to my NOV 1989 SEPS DENTAL EXAM where the PLAN to treat is noted as NTI. In the Rating Decision it states in 1988 SMRs I was referred to dental clinic for repeat evaluation for possible mouth gaurd where the word ‘guard’ is handwritten in an empty underlined space on a fully typed decision for some reason. The use of the word ‘possible’ almost infers I pulled a custom fabricated dental MILITARY ISSUED mouth gaurd from my A$$ while I was AD in the Marine Corps! I attached a NCBI article which states the NTI Clenching Support System wasn’t approved for use in the US by the FDA until 1998. Guess I was an unwitting guinea pig in the Marine Corps from 1988 to 1990. The bite guard did actually result in a misalignment in my jaw or bite that I did not have prior to it’s use. I had no kind of malocclusion before entering active service nor is it noted in my records on entry in March or Nov 1985. Thoughts on NTI night guard the VA seems to be attempting to cover up or something that military/DoD used us a test subjects for FDA Research? ——————————————————————————————————————————————— I had a few more questions about my 1990 C-File IF YOU HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. I would like to learn how everything works eventually so someday I can assist other Vets as well. 1. PG 7-9 of my 1990 C-FILE has some notes I want to decipher if possible: a. Bottom right corner handwritten: 1070 MMRB-15 b. Bottom left handwritten: Separation document not on file c. Bottom middle (Guess VA isn’t required to include referenced medical records correspondence?): REPLY CONCERNING MEDICAL RECORDS WILL BE A MATTER OF SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE. d. Bottom Right (what was not verified correct since VA checked this box which appears to account for EXCEPTions?): [ X ] Item 1 and 2 or 10 whichever was the identifier, and 7-9 verified correct, EXCEPT e. In Item 16 of this form VA appears to be requesting SMRs for CLAIM of left pinky finger only. Nothing noting my CLAIM for bruxism, clenching, TMJ Pain (LOL that’s how I worded my claim as layman since I’m not a Dr. and can’t diagnose, but did apparently use same verbiage used by Military Dentist in my SEP Dental Exam. f. Lastly, bottom left has boxes to check off for what looks like types of service medical and dental records, but it appears nothing is checked? THANKS!!!

Thank-you Vync and vetquest, I checked MARCH 1985 MEPS Exam, NOV 1985 Parris Island Exam as well as questionnaires and they are moot or normal. Even the abnormalities and occlusion section are normal. The earliest condition presents in service for treatment is July 1988. NOV 1989 SEPS AD Dental examination notes HX of bruxism and TMJ Pain. 1990 VA Claim states they relied on my records for decision. I will have to determine how to word this if I proceed using your references. The only evidence VA actually included in 1990 claim from my SMR is from 1988 and notes increased situational/environmental stress as the aggravator or cause and notes referral for night guard etc. The 1990 VA decision states in absence of trauma etc. DENIED. I mean I was treated at base medical for headaches and nausea after being thrown into a cement wall March 1989 (blunt force head trauma left occipital skull) if VA needs or is looking for some kind of obvious well documented trauma or incident in my SMR that would further aggravate condition due to stress and increase bruxism/TMJ. Treatment was ice, bedrest and more Motrin. While MST incident for 2012 PTSD claim is very well grounded and documented in my SMR and SC me in 2012 as well, I did NOT tell 1990 male C&P examiners about any trauma in service and neither examiner ever asked me. That shit is soo humiliating as it were to talk about, and I was still in USMC IRR at time of 1990 C&P. The base male medical Dr. that saw me after MST in service examined me invasively in every way medically imaginable for a female with the exam room door wide open to hallway filled with waiting chairs and troops walking by entire time. Total annihilating humiliation to add insult to injury. Probably why then and to this day I will never ever verbally discuss any kind of details of MST in service with a male Dr. Not that they are all bad, I just can not bring myself to do it. The TMJ is bad still, but not sure why I’m so obsessed with this 1990 claim because I don’t even think it will be much retro if I succeeded. I do need dental treatment directly related to accumulated damage it’s done and ‘I believe’ is direct to my service. Just because I believe that it doesn’t mean others or VA have to agree. I think I just get upset reading decision, and my husband told me I can be like a pit bull sometimes. Attached a few of the aforementioned records I located.

Hi Berta, Sorry for delay in answering your questions. 1. “When the VA gave you 70%, were you working then? Or if not, and they knew that, did they send you a TDIU form?” Yes, I was employed. Prior to 2012 Claim I worked from home for many years, shift work, almost entirely night shifts, weekends, outside 9-5 schedule. If I had to go into work it was mostly off hours. I had trouble focusing in a normal office environment, the social aspects, conf room meetings... I could not overcome those issues and found my way into positions that required shift work that can be done off hours/remotely (from home/away) that a majority of people did not want, by volunteering when I saw an opening. I was laid off in 2013 due to what my former employer’s paperwork said was a RIF. I found out I was the only person on my team let go at that time. Even though I had assistance with the PTSD MST Claim, the process and what I went through to document my claim per VA standards was a harrowing ordeal. The process is retraumatizing. At the same time I was attempting to go back to VA with an open mind and try to address some of the self-destructive habits and unhealthy coping skills I had developed over many years and relied on, but ran into issues obtaining the supportive VA Mental Health care I needed. Without going into details, at the rate I was going, I was sure to maybe die a slow death, in addition to unintentionally hurting those closest to me like my son who was only 5 in 2012. I had confided in my boss at my former employers a few times about what I was struggling with (he happened to be a retired former Marine). I talked to him after the call in which I was laid off and he said I really think you need to take a break from work, take time for yourself, maybe spend time with your son. Nice, but doesn’t pay bills but sure he meant well. 2. “I assume you have PTSD that warrants the 70%?” Yes. Thanks again!

Berta, this is my 1990 Claim. 1990ClaimCF.pdf

How do I upload a scanned pdf file on this forum? Or is it upload on a free site somewhere and then link here? Thanks for your help.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and for your replies. I really appreciate it. Apologies for jumping around in my post. To clarify, my goal (which may be in vain) is to be direct SC’d for TMJ via my 1990 VA Disability Claim. I got off active duty 012090 and the 1990 Claim date is 100990. The claim I submitted in 1990 was for the following: nocturnal bruxism, clenching, TMJ pain AND a broken pinky finger. The C-File currently in my possession contains only files associated with my 1990 Claim as I got a copy of my C-File prior to filing and succeeding on the 2012 Claim for PTSD and Depression due to MST. Not sure why I claimed a broken finger as it was healed by then, except I probably didn’t entirely understand the VA Disability system. I had broken my finger during service, my finger above first joint was bent 90 degrees backwards and the next joint side ways. Two people I was with at the time looked at my finger, took my arm, told me to look away, then yanked it straight. The finger, side of hand and an area half way up my forearm turned black and blue, and a year later it healed with minor bone calcifications. Wasn't a big deal. Nevertheless, it appears in my 1990 Disability Claim the VA SC a finger at 0% probably because you don't require a pinky finger to function. At the very least, the before, the manual correction, and the after, would have made a nice gnarly photo op for the teeny boppers social media circles in the current climate. i will cover all PII and scan in the files and upload. I’m going to include VA C&P exam notes as well because apparently during my dental exam the Dr. noted I complained of an open bite and told him I didn’t use to have the open bite and believed it was caused or related to the type of mouth guard I was issued on active duty by base dental for my bruxism/clenching/TMJ Pain/headaches. The C&P dentist on the other hand concluded the open bite was a congenital developmental abnormality and not incidental to military service. The only problem is my entry exams are moot for an open bite as well as my Paris Island, A School and C School Dental and Medical Records and beyond as far as I can tell. I know I did not have an open bite because I had no previous issues biting through a piece of celery with my front teeth while in service. I was also the only recruit in my Platoon in boot camp that wasn’t required by the Marine Corps and Base Dental to have my wisdom teeth pulled because they were fully grown in, well established and straight. So for VA to allege it was developmental in nature like I was still a growing child is absurd when I had a full set of well established adult working teeth even in boot camp. I’m 52 and just had my wisdom teeth yanked last year outside VA. Even if I were to just concede on VA’s assertion that I was essentially destined congenitally to develop an open bite, bruxism, TMJ (I will NOT), VA could have SC via aggravation of my alleged congenital developmental defect. Bottom line, whether I succeed in my stated goal or not, I’ve literally HADIT with VA in general over other issues related to providing timely and appropriate healthcare for mental health issues. That said, there are also many great and caring individuals I’ve encountered that work at the VA Hospitals and my CBOC.

Thank-you in advanced for reading and if anyone can provide opinion. I filed a VA Claim in 1990 less then year post leaving Active Duty service w/honorable discharge. I vaguely recall filing it because I was in a bad place. I remember walking into the the DC VA Hospital in 1990 to seek medical care and asked for an appointment to see a VA Dr. for a continuity of symptoms/medical issues that began and worsened in service and continued. I had no idea that I had to be SC to receive VA care in 1990 less then year off active duty. So that went down well as you can imagine especially since I was there to seek help for what I called unresolvable stress, TMJ pain/headaches and I was not sleeping. In any event, I was handed stack of forms and told to fill them out and mail them in if I wanted to see a VA Dr. It appears I filled out my 1st VA Disability Claim forms in 1990 by hand, listed my problems in layman’s terms since I hadn’t seen any Dr’s since my AD SEPS physical, and I mailed it in. Apparently, I also had a C&P because I got a copy of my C-File and it’s in my file along with the denial I received and more then likely tossed because I was barely sleeping and in a constant state of anxiety & stress. A female Veteran talked me into to going to the VA in 2010 for MH Counseling. She also ended up encouraging me and ultimately assisted me with filing a VA Disability Claim later in 2012 that service connected me at 70% for PTSD & Depression due to MST. The claim was processed pretty quick. Now I’m looking at the details of this 1990 Claim in my C-File. It’s strange because it states in handwritten notes that my Discharge Documents ? are missing, maybe nothing. My USMC SEPS physical/dental clearly notes I have TMJ. It’s documented thoroughly in my STR both medical & dental as severe TMJ and bruxism due to stress. I had zero issues regarding TMJ in my entrance physical or dental exams until about 2 yrs in. I had 0 issues of any kind on both dental/medical entrance exams. I was given Motrin to take everyday on AD and they even made me a dental mouth guard. I was sent for psych evaluation as well and sent to specialist for heart tests and EKGs because I was passing out (Military dx’d as Vasovagal syncope) so I guess it was considered stress/anxiety related (EKG in service: normal sinus rhythm with sinus arrhythmia). Less then a year prior to discharge I was also seen in base medical after I was thrown head first into a cement wall and dx’d with blunt force head trauma to left occipital skull/head. Dr. gave me more Motrin, bed rest and sent me home. This was not the sexual assault incident in service, this was another incident after sexual assault. It was a straight up violent physical assault where my STR notes I was attacked by multiple combatants, picked up and thrown into a wall head first. The base Dr. actually drew a stick figure type picture in my STR showing angle of head impact to wall. I only mention it because 1990 decision states in absence of trauma in service..I was basically born defective with TMJ which is a lie. My records are rife (IMO). I will post 1990 claim+denial decision because I want to know if it was an error or CUE. The VA can only go by what I wrote in layman’s terms on claim and then C&P, so it’s likely not, but not sure. I still have TMJ, it’s worsened of course as has dental issues.