onrope

I honestly don't know how I want to proceed. I am at 80%. 70% is for PTSD which is why they denied me for CFS. 30% IBS and 10% for tinnitus and HL. I am at 0% for Firbro. I could try to file a reconsideration since I have been given medication and it isn't refractory to therapy. But even if I'm given the max of 40% it barely bumps me to 90%. My biggest fear is a re-eval and I get lowered. So I really just feel like I'm stuck.

Congrats on your 30%. As for the migraines, the issue I see is it's denied because migraines are a diagnosed problem and it does not fall under 3.17 as an undiagnosed illness. FWIW I too have horrible migraines and was denied. I normally notice them whenever my Fibro gets worse. I am considering filing migraines secondary to the Fibro.

Well here is where my claim may be slightly different than others. I had the referral to the rheumatologist. Did the appointment and all and received his recommendation. I could not get him to tell me any other cause of the joint and muscle pain other than lack of sleep. So I had no diagnosis of fibro at that point. I have a C&P exam. I'm asked about the muscle and joint pain. That's where I get diagnosed for fibro. During the C&P. Which goes beyond my thinking that you have to have a DX before a claim is filed. The same thing happened for my IBS claim. But all was done by the same examiner.

I quit smoking but then picked up snuff tobacco. After 15 years of that I decided to quit that too. What I found was the withdraws exacerbate the effects of PTSD. It lasts for 3-4 days from what I remember and sleeping was the worst. But it can be done and it's worth doing.

Yep...all the same. I know exactly how your feeling. I had a rheumatology exam. The doctor said I needed to get more sleep. Told me I didn't have rheumatoid arthritis. Stated there was no inflammation in the joints and blood work didnt indicate anything significant to point to inflammation. He just said do stretches and get more sleep. It was pretty discouraging. My PCP prescribed me Meloxicam. It's an anti-inflammatory and does nothing. Hopefully you'll have better luck. I'm confident that discovering the right treatment and therapy will be key.

I have PTSD and am SC'd for it. I was reading another post about scars and PTSD. Rather than hijack that thread, I wanted to start my own. After my trauma I never realized what was going on. I would lose touch with reality briefly. Now I realize it was a flashback. During one of my first episodes I was a 3rd person watching me have a flashback. This is my best explanation. I didn't know what was real or imaginary so I decided to cut myself with my M9. Now I'm left with an 8" reminding scar on my arm. I'm not proud of it. Nor am I ashamed. But nevertheless it's a reminder and imposes fear of what I'm capable of doing to myself. It happened in the service. I never sought aid. I kept it well hidden until I was out. It was documented during a physical when I entered the reserves. But that was it. I would like to try and get rid of it if it is possible.

That's mine to a T. I equate the muscle pain to those times when you used to work out. The couple of days after soreness. Only it's all over. Any weather changes make it worse the the damp cold is brutal. I got a hot tub a few years ago after I discovered its effectiveness. It only helps the pain for a few hours though.

fortitudine...Good luck in your process. I was granted 0% for Fibro. Only because I am not being treated for it. My PCP still denies it's Fibro. My next step will be go to my outside Dr. and try and get treatment. My labs are all normal with the exception my vitamin D is slightly low. So they give me a vitamin D pill, B12 pill and meloxicam for my widespread muscle and joint pain. All of which have done nothing for relief.

That would be great. Good luck to you too.

For what it's worth I was denied headaches due to 3.17. This was based on the fact there were no records in my SMR. When I read my C&P I saw where I indicated that I "thought" it was a migraine. The examiner DX my headaches as migraine. Then the examiner opined it was not likely related to military service and listed a bunch of causes of migraines via a study from the Mayo clinic. The only reason I can think is that they accepted my self diagnosis. It may have been overlooked by the examiner, but I was SC'd for Fibro. I'm going to try to get it rated as secondary to the Fibro.

That's great news flyfisher. I have a Fibro DX @0% which was given in a C&P exam. My next visit to my C&P I'm going to ask for treatment protocols. It's taken 3 years have something other to show him other than I'm just getting older.

Thanks. See this is where I get confused. I thought that headaches / migraines were a presumptive of SW Asia. Like airborne82 mentioned the rater may have saw I said I feels like a migraine. But frankly I don't know what a migraine is supposed to feel like. All I know is my head hurts. So I guess since I said it was I migraine I self diagnosed myself. Therefor it's not considered an undiagnosed illness. ??? I have no idea.

That would make sense that the self dispagnosis was used. Since I said it was like a migraine. I could possibly file migraine as a secondary to the Fibro I am aware for or the PTSD maybe. I think the main goal now is to ask my PCP to begin treating me for the headaches an see where this goes.

Anyone have a suggestion?

I saw that. But under the CFR it states headaches. I'm not certain my headaches are migraines or some other type of headache. I am unsure how I should proceed. Looking for some additional ROE.

I was recently denied for headaches, migraines as I filed for undiagnosed symptoms. The explanation in my denial letter states as follows: I claimed it was a migraine. But I am not a medically trained person. It is a sever headache though. Isn't headache a presumptive noted in 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(b)(3)? Or did I shaft my self in stating it is a migraine in the DBQ? I am not being treated for migraines. I am unsure why as I have been mentioning them for 3 years now since going to the VA. I have attached the DBQ from my recent C&P. Headache_DBQ.txt

I thought the same. But I also realize I have just been DX'd with the issue and need to participate in therapy in order to determine the full gravity of this disability. It's been very debilitating but was attributed by my PCP to age. It'll be good to move forward with treatment. As you stated about the other ratings. I was denied for contentions of headaches. I will post the DBQ when I get to a computer. But the reason was because there was no history in my SMR and no presumptive condition was mentioned. My fear is that a 20% rating from a monetary standpoint does nothing for me. My other fear is what if a mistake was made for my other positive ratings and I get reduced. So I am real worried as what I should do anything or just be satisfied with my outcome.

I just posted my success story in that forum. To recap, I have been awarded 80% total. I was granted 0% for Fibro. Reason is this as stated on my award letter. I have complained of all the problems to my PCP and the C&P doctor (who was actually a PA not a doctor.) My DBQ for the fibro has been attached to make the reading of this post easier. The only issue I can se is that the reason I was only granted 0% was because I wasn't receiving treatment or therapy for it. Reason I have not received therapy is that no one would diagnose me with anything. I am pasting this portion. b. Is continuous medication required for control of fibromyalgia symptoms? [ ] Yes [X] No c. Is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for this condition? [ ] Yes [X] No d. Are the Veteran's fibromyalgia symptoms refractory to therapy? [ ] Yes [X] No 3. Findings, signs and symptoms ------------------------------- Does the Veteran currently have any findings, signs or symptoms attributable to fibromyalgia? [X] Yes [ ] No a. Findings, signs and symptoms (check all that apply): [X] Widespread musculoskeletal pain b. Frequency of fibromyalgia symptoms (check all that apply): [X] Present more than one-third of the time c. Does the Veteran have tender points (trigger points) for pain present? [X] Yes [ ] No [X] All bilaterally Thoughts?...suggestions? fibro DBQ.txt

Thanks. I suspect in a couple of years to be downgraded some on my PTSD. I am undergoing treatment finally but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I do have a question regarding the presumptives. Since I was denied, if I decide to not file a NOD then the presumptive end in 2016 will I no longer be able to re-file? Also, my 0% fibro was due to not receiving any treatment or meds. The only DX I have received was my C&P exam. So my next appointment with my PCP will be to get on a treatment regimen for it. Should I then just file a NOD? I have posted some additional info here...

My success and thank you for the help. 3 years ago when I first began going to the VA with complaints similar to what I had read from a Gulf War pamphlet. I had no idea where I would be today. The problems had plagued me for years. But I had no idea what they were or that they were related to my service in the Gulf. I had thought that I wasn't that sick. Additionally I felt that there wasn't any thing that could be done anyhow. When I inquired at the VA about Gulf War Illness treatment the desk clerk said I needed to file a claim and handed me the address of the nearest VSO. After speaking with the County VSO she basically told me that I didn't have a claim since I never mentioned it in the service. Too me, this didn't seem right. My frustration mounted. I just wanted to feel better. It was all over my head and too much to digest. Later that year I heard a radio ad for an attorney that specialized in VA claims. I decided to pay a visit to the office and learn more. The attorney explained what I needed to do. And what I would be financially responsible for. It seemed a no lose situation. We filed the necessary paperwork along with my contentions which were primarily fatigue, muscle and joint pain, IBS and headaches. I had also found my way into the Gulf War registry. We covered all the bases there. The doctor also said he felt I was suffering from PTSD. This was due to having a panic attack in front of him. So I also added that contention to my claim the very next day. This all took place in June of this year. From that point forward I spent a lot of time at appointments and travel time going to the hospital for tests, x-rays, evaluations and C&P exams. This all totaled to $650 in travel reimbursement just recently. Additionally I wrote several statements of claim and collected 2 buddy statements. 4 months and 13 days I received a call regarding my claim. The call was to verify dependents. I was also told I had been rated at 80%. Several days later I received the envelope covering my contentions and ratings. I have been rated at 70% PTSD, 30% IBS, 10% tinnitus. 0% hearing loss, 0% fibromyalgia. I was denied for sleep disturbances as it was connected to PTSD and denied for the headaches stating it has not been claimed in my SMR. I am content with my decision. I felt the headaches should have been covered under a presumptive as that they really affect my quality of life. I understand the sleep disturbances being covered under PTSD. I have considered filing a NOD. I feel the Fibro needs to be higher and the headaches need acknowledged as both of these issues affect my life today. But I am also afraid I could jeopardize my other fresh ratings. Thanks everyone who has helped me along the way.

Thanks for the replies. I have a copy of my DBQ from the C&P. The section which states "occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity" is checked. I know this puts me in a specifc zone, actually in the 50% area but the rater will look at all areas and make a determination. But I also worry the rater will look at the family trauma and consider that as a factor as well. @Mikemmli This was not a bad trauma after military service. It occurred while I was in service. And I had sought help at my TMC on base for issues then and from deployment some 20 years ago. I was given a self help tape and they sent me on my way. Told me to talk to my chaplain.

I have recently been diagnosed with severe chronic PTSD by my civilian therapist, a VA therapist and by the Psyc Dr. In a C&P exam. My PTSD was from events of combat. I have no idea if I will be awarded anything. My question is this. While I was sill enlisted, one of my parents was a victim of a violent crime. This made national news including a couple documentaries. Shortly thereafter I requested a voluntary discharged. This family incident has been included in my original mental health notes. It does not have any bearing IMO to my combat PTSD. Do you think this would have any bearing on the raters decision for my claim?

I just got my final medical release and DX for tinnitus and hearing loss. However, I explained to the Dr. my MOS as well as being an armorer and range officer during deployment. I also explained that I do not have an occupation or lifestyle where I am exposed to noisy environments. I went onto explain that I can remember during qualifications my hearing would be dull for the next 3 or 4 days and that this went on for weeks. What I had difficulty was trying to convince here to indicate that this was more than likely a result of my service. The diagnoses wasn't available immediately for me. But is guess I will know in a few days when it's mailed to me.

Thanks. I just had the audiogram at the VA. That's where they determined my hearing loss. I haven't been medically released yet as I have to see an ENT in sept. I never did have an exit audiogram. I felt my hearing was fine, it is the ringing that I can't stand. The audiologist said I have suffered a lot of hearing loss for my age. Tinnitus is what I filed for. Not hearing loss. Nice info to know. I just found the MOS noise exposure list. My listed primary MOS is in the moderate category. But armorer is not. This is where I feel I suffered the greatest damage.

I was discharged in 92. I was an armorer practically my entire time in the service. I spent many days of support on the rifle, pistol and M203 and MG ranges especially prior to deployment to Desert Storm. Then I logged over 10000 miles in a 2 1/2 ton truck. All of this often without hearing protection. When I discharged I already had ringing in the ears. I sought assistance in 1994. Was turned away because I needed an appointment. VA was 70 miles one way and I was unemployed. Same happened in 1997 happened while I was seeking help for Gulf War issues. I filed again in 2003. Paperwork was lost. Unfortunately I didn't know about VSO or anything like that. Today I'm a little more educated. I have been set up in the VA system and have been regularly visiting the CBOC as my primary medical care. I had my GW Registry and complained of tinnitus. My tinnitus is so bad that is keeps me awake at night. The doc at the registry exam set me up for an audiology test. I found I have 80% loss in one ear and 40% in the other. I have never worked in a noisy environment and am only 43. Prior to entry I had perfect hearing. I have filed a claim for tinnitus. I'm certain due to remembering being nearly deaf on those days after the ranges that it's service connected. But I am wondering if I'm wasting my time in a claim. How to prove its S/C? I have a driver badge, and an accommodation medal that proves I was an armorer. I should be able to get a buddy letter. Any other tips?