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68mustang
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Posts posted by 68mustang
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What causes Ménière's disease?
The symptoms of Ménière's disease are associated with a change in
fluid volume within a portion of the inner ear known as the
labyrinth. The labyrinth has two parts: the bony labyrinth and the
membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth, which is encased by
bone, is necessary for hearing and balance and is filled with a fluid
called endolymph. When your head moves, endolymph moves, causing
nerve receptors in the membranous labyrinth to send signals to the
brain about the body's motion. An increase in endolymph, however, can
cause the membranous labyrinth to balloon or dilate, a condition
known as endolymphatic hydrops.
Many experts on Ménière's disease think that a rupture of the
membranous labyrinth allows the endolymph to mix with perilymph,
another inner ear fluid that occupies the space between the
membranous labyrinth and the bony inner ear. This mixing, scientists
believe, can cause the symptoms of Ménière's disease. Scientists are
investigating several possible causes of the disease, including
environmental factors, such as noise pollution and viral infections,
as well as biological factors.
What are the symptoms of Ménière's disease?
The symptoms of Ménière's disease occur suddenly and can arise daily
or as infrequently as once a year. Vertigo, often the most
debilitating symptom of Ménière's disease, typically involves a
whirling dizziness that forces the sufferer to lie down. Vertigo
attacks can lead to severe nausea, vomiting, and sweating and often
come with little or no warning.
Some individuals with Ménière's disease have attacks that start with
tinnitus (ear noises), a loss of hearing, or a full feeling or
pressure in the affected ear. It is important to remember that all of
these symptoms are unpredictable. Typically, the attack is
characterized by a combination of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss
lasting several hours. People experience these discomforts at varying
frequencies, durations, and intensities. Some may feel slight vertigo
a few times a year. Others may be occasionally disturbed by intense,
uncontrollable tinnitus while sleeping. Ménière's disease sufferers
may also notice a hearing lossand feel unsteady all day long
for
prolonged periods. Other occasional symptoms of Ménière's disease
include headaches, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. A person's
hearing tends to recover between attacks but over time becomes worse.
Has your doctor or any doctor performed the necessary test to confirm the Meniere'?
Proper diagnosis of Ménière's disease entails several procedures,
including a medical history interview and a physical examination by a
physician, hearing and balance tests, and medical imaging with
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Accurate measurement and
characterization of hearing loss are of critical importance in the
diagnosis of Ménière's disease.
Through the use of several types of hearing tests, physicians can
characterize hearing loss as being sensory, arising from the inner
ear, or neural, arising from the hearing nerve. Recording the
auditory brain stem response, which measures electrical activity in
the hearing nerve and brain stem, is useful in differentiating
between these two types of hearing loss. Electrocochleography,
recording the electrical activity of the inner ear in response to
sound, helps confirm the diagnosis.
To test the vestibular or balance system, physicians irrigate the
ears with warm and cool water or air. This procedure, known as
caloric testing, results in nystagmus, rapid eye movements that can
help a physician analyze a balance disorder. Since tumor growth can
produce symptoms similar to Ménière's disease, an MRI is a useful
test to determine whether a tumor is causing the patient's vertigo
and hearing loss.
Let me know if this helps?
Betty
Yes. It gives me more info. on what could be causing it and the tests that need to be done to confirm that I might have the disease. I also noticed that your reply states that scientist are investigating whether the disease could be caused by noise pollution. Since I developed tinnitus first I am wondering if the Meniere's Disease could be secondary to the tinnitus? Thanks for your help. 68mustang
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I just found this also form the VA ratings schedule:
6260 Tinnitus, recurrent.......................................................................
.................................... 10
Note (1): A separate evaluation for tinnitus may be combined with an evaluation under diagnostic codes 6100, 6200, 6204, or other diagnostic code, except when tinnitus supports an evaluation under one of those diagnostic codes.
It sounds like to me you could be rated separately or combined depending on the situation.
Thank you for the information. I'll have to talk to the DVA rep. and see what he says I should do.68mustang
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I just may be able to help you. First tell me why you have the 10% service connection for the Tinnitus?
I have no sense of balance and have not had since 1994. I have severe Vestibular Disease.
I have lived and experienced everything that you are speaking of.
What I am going to try to do is find the link to your present service connection.
I am pretty good at it, but you have to live this illness to know it.
Always,
Betty
Thank you all for the info. I was exposed to hazardous noise levels while working in a Navy destroyer's boileroom and engineroom. I filed a VA claim in 1989 and it was denied. I filed again in 2007 and my claim was approved.68mustang
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I was rated at 10% for tinnitus last year by the VA. I went to my private doctor yesterday and I described to him the problems that I have been having with my sense of balance. Any sudden movement of my head or movement while sitting in my desk chair causes me to lose my balance and become nauseous. Also when seeing TV if there are certain scenes,such as movement across or up and down the screen my balance is affected. The doctor said that what is causing the problem is Meniere's Disease. Does any know if this could be secondary to tinnitus and if it would be rated separately from the tinnitus? If I am already rated at 10% for tinnitus and I could filed for Meniere's does any one know what it might be rated at? Thanks for your help. 68mustang
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I contacted a local university, which has a law program, to see if they could provide help to veterans. I asked them to please help veterans on interpreting legal terms. I knew that they could not provide representation on VA claims. They told me that they could not provide the help. I was disappointed because the university has a program that provides free help on immigration issues for undocumented immigrants. 68mustang
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Admiral Zumwalt -who wrote this report-and his family suffered from the effects of Agent Orange and he was very instrumental in getting the many cancers put onto the AO list-
Project 112 (SHAD) and numerous other issues today are just like what AO used to be-
it took a lot of scientific work and pressure to get the many STS cancers on the AO list-
The VBM (NVLSP) always suggests that there is good chance many more AO diseases will get on the presumptive list in the future.
I wish the Admiral could be apart of the Blue Water Navy situation today- but he is deceased-
NVLSP is still accessing info for the Haas case-
I posted what they want but will re-post it today.
Admiral Zumwalt's son died from cancer, which is believed to have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. Admiral Zumwalt died from mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos probably due to serving on old WW II ships. Admiral Zumwalt would have been a great advocate for veterans. 68mustang
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Gary Sinise (actor in Forrest Gump movie) has been named the national spokeperson for "The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial". I wish that he could also be the spokeperson for veterans and what they go through in the VA claim process. Hope you can open the following link.
http://www.avdlm.com/press.php?page=releas...ews&relid=5
68mustang
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Allan
Thanks for the info. Do you know which cardiac diseases are associated with Vanadium? I also served on a Tin Can (USS Keppler DD765) during 1967-1969. Thanks again.
68mustang
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Allan
Have you seen any reports that US Navy Boilerman's exposure to certain chemicals could lead to cardiac problems? If there are some, have you seen a list of which cardiac problems?
Thanks
68mustang
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Spent the day at mt Dad and we found his Workman's Comp disapproval letter stating that his asbestos came from being below deck on Navy Vessels for 10 years. We have a buddy that is willing to write a statement as to where my Dad spent most of his time below deck in the boiler rooms. He is feeling better today and ready to fight, fight, fight. I will post what they wrote about his asbestos tomorrow a little tired from such a hard day.
wjack12412
I have been keeping up with your posts, because I too was exposed to asbetsos while serving on an old Tin Can. I worked in the boileroom while underway and at port. Also worked there when the ship went to drydock at Charlestown, Mass. We worked alongside the drydock workers when removing and installing asbestos from the boilers.
I have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, but it has not turned to asbestosis. So far I have been lucky.
Please keep us posted on what you come up against while you pursue your Dad's claim.
68mustang
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My Dad just received his Brown Envelope and he was DENIED FOR EVERYTHING. He has Asbestiosis, Sleep Apnea, Pulmonary Hypertension and Cluster Headaches. He was told that the Asbestos was caused by his job that he did when after he got out the Navy. He was told by his job when he filed a Worksmans Comp claim that his Asbestos was caused by the Navy. Tomorrow I will be going to his house to see the letter to begin doing an immediate Notice of Disagreement. We will be sending in the letter from the previous doctor's saying he got it from the Navy. The pulmonary hypertension and sleep apnea is secondary to his asbestos so I think. He said he began getting cluster headaches when he was in Vietnam on the ships and them shooting the guns causing him sever headaches. I will be getting a buddy statement to tell about how they would shoot the guns and it would cause hiim great distress. Any other assistance to help my Dad will be anticipated, because as some of you Vietnam Vets know they find ways to screw you. Here I am 100% and he damn near can't breath and they tell him NO. I WILL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.
Try to get a few buddy statements. It might take some time, but if your dad remembers his fellow shipmates' names and where they were from try to located them. It took me many phone calls and I finally located 2 fellow shipmates who provided buddy statements. Their statements were part of what helped me win my VA claim for hearing loss and tinnitus. They stated the working conditions we worked in and that we were not issue any protection against the enviornmental hazards we were exposed to. If your Dad's ship was an old WWII type there was probably dust from the pipe insulation every time the guns were fired. His service record should have copies of his Navy job performance reviews and copies of his Navy work history, which specify what Navy jobs he did. You might make a list of the jobs your Dad did before and after enlistment.
68mustang
I agree with Berta
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For what it is worth I am going to find out from my local City Government if I need a permit to personally picket the Veterans Administration Regional Office at Louisville Kentucky. I cannot think of any more direct action that I could take than to bring the publics attention to the plight of the Agent Orange Thailand Veteran.
Maybe groups of veterans in different cities could pool their money together and lease billboards. Or ask if it can be done as a public service for veterans. The billboards could be put in areas of high traffic volumes and where there are military bases. Just a thought.
68mustang
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SHIPYARDS
Alabama Alaska California Connecticut District of Columbia Florida Hawaii Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Texas Virginia Washington
The following are some of the naval shipyards at which our clients were exposed to asbestos dust. Some clients were exposed to asbestos while aboard ship and others during overhauls in various shipyards. During the initial construction and maintenance of these vessels, military and civilian personnel were exposed to numerous asbestos-containing insulation products. Even a brief exposure to asbestos in these settings can cause mesothelioma.
The Department of Defense and Navy Deparment have not made any efforts to let veterans know of possible asbestos exposure, while serving onboard old World War II
era ships. Those old ships were still being used into the 1970's. Asbestos insulation was prevalent throughout the ships. It may take a few years or decades before an asbestos related illness shows up. Veterans who file VA claims for asbestos related illnesses have a hard time proving the diseases are from military jobs that exposed them to asbestos.
68mustang
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This may be of interest to military retirees and federal retirees. H.R. 1110 is pending in Congress and this piece of legislation would allow both groups of retirees to have the same benefit as active federal employees. Active federal employees do not have their insurance costs count as income when income tax time comes around. This will give retirees the same benefit and they will also save money at income tax time. Hope you can open the website.
68mustang
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Veterans can also fight the VA system from another front, the internet. A video of some veterans presenting problems and issues with the VA could be placed on You Tube and send 5 links to friends and ask them to pass it on. This would be almost as valuable as a professional ad.
Maybe do one once a week, this would help keep Veterans fighting the VA system in the public eye.
Otherwise as others have said, the American public forgets about it very quickly.
Paul
Great idea!
68mustang
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Well, I've done some thinking and read some comments from non-veterans on some blogs. Across the board there was shock and horror about how these veterans were treated.
My first reaction to the show is that even though it was very good at getting these stories out, american nature is to be "shocked", say what a shame it is, then go about their lives untill something comes around to "shock" them again. Unless VA issues stay at the forefront of the media, americans will soon forget what they have seen.
There are those that say "Why march on Washington?". They are correct that one march will do little. They are dead wrong that it will do nothing. Our issues are now being recognized by major media. If we allow this one program (CNN) to run it's course, this issue will die in the media and the public eye as it has over and over again. To win a War it is neccissary to overwhelm the enemy completely. Hit and run tactics don't work. They will not produce change.
Veterans contacting Congressmen/Senators is helpfull but will not produce change. We have been doing this for years while fighting for bennifits and they know full well what we go through. We must get the public, non-veterans beside us to fight.
This program is an open door. If we don't go through it we are not helping ourselves, our veteran brothers, or those that come behind us. And if we don't do something to help ourselves the media won't either.
I believe the time is right for veterans issues to come to forefront. It's time to march. In Washington. In New York. In Los Angeles. In Pocatello, Idaho. Everywhere. It's time for not one veterans story, not two or three, but hundreds or thousands of stories. Otherwise Mansfield, or Bush, or Clinton or any other politico can continue to say that this poor treatment is "rare". The VA can continue to scrub the numbers. The public can continue to forget.
Here at Hadit, we know these cases are not rare. But who else does? I have won my bennifits. Now I NEED to win them for everyone else that deserves them before they are homeless.
Time
Time
I agree with you. In an earlier post I stated that veterans need to be vocal and visible. The time has come to end the neglect and abuse that many veterans suffer at the hands of the VA. Time will tell if the CNN program had any effect on our government to do the right thing for our veterans.
68mustang
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Mustang:
When I first started going to the VA there were 27 Million Veterans. Now there are 17 Million. Even an idiot at the VA has to figure out that the numbers are going down. Less numbers would mean that they would have more money for those left but what we have now will see it as an opportunity to cut dollars spent on Veterans.
Pete53
The number of veterans is going down everyday and the government could try to use that as an excuse to cut dollars spent on veterans. One would think that with less veterans there would be more money, but the costs keep going up. Veterans need to become vocal and visible and make the government aware that veterans will not accept any cuts on dollars spent on veterans. This is my opinion. Thanks
68mustang
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I also saw this advertised last night and believe they said this will be a two part show this coming Saturday and Sunday night at 8 PM-on CNN-
If anyone can confirm- please do-
email from Jere Berry at ALLVETS
"CNN will be airing a blistering report on the Department of Veterans Affairs and their total failure to meet their commitment to our disabled veterans. I urge everyone to tune-in to see how CNN handles this very sensitive subject. Also, tonight at 8PM on CNN is a Special on Homeless Veterans.
Jere Beery
National Public Relations Director
Operation Firing For Effect
www.offe2008.org "
Reading the different posts on this website has made me realized that things have to change for veterans. You may not agree with me , but it may be time that all veterans unite. What I mean is veterans should consider going to Washington , D.C. on a particular designated date. There they can present to Congress their displeasures with the current VA system handling of claims and providing health care. If a veteran is not able to go to Washington on the designated date then they should go to their local Congressman's or Senator's office. Other groups have united to bring forth their concerns to government, why not veterans? It would take a united effort and the organizational skills of many people. It is only my opinion of what veterans could do. I hope you all don't consider this too radical and if you do, please don't me tear me apart. Thanks.
68mustang
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Way to go mustang! Did you have supporting data in your SMRs as well? Did you get a VCAA letter too? Just curious and thinking your addition of job descriptions is fab idea (my performance reports state some of the nitty gritty noisy work I did, hope they help me!) just me, cg
Thank CG. I had not read your post until today. The only hearing tests I had in my SMRs were the audiometric entrance and exit exam, which was a whisper test. I had no periodic hearing exams, which were a requirement due to types of military jobs I did in the 1960s to realy 1970s. I also requested from the Navy, through an FOAI, copies of the BUMED Instructions covering hearing conservation during the time I was in service. I told the Navy that the FOIA and information requested was for a VA claim. I was not charged an FOIA fee. I noted in refiling my claim that my audiologist stated that the whisper test is not a reliable form form of hearing test because it does not accurately measure the different levels of hearing loss. I also sent in copies of my performance reviews, which show that I was being review for the jobs I stated that had caused my hearing loss and tinnutis. I also did get VCAA letter. I know that everyone's claim is different, but I hope this helps.
68mustang
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Question.
A few years back I filed a claim for hearing loss which was denied. They needed more info. My hearing was terribly bad and my medical records show my hearing got a lot worse from when I went in to when I was discharged - tests done by the VA. I did flightline work.
So I was going to refile my claim. All I have ever wanted was hearing aids and nothing more. So I went to a private DR, licensed in my state, who wrote a most wonderful letter that stated in no uncertain terms that my hearing loss was caused my my military work and the VA should give me hearing aids. I thought he was just going to give the letter to me as I told him I wanted it for the VA to refile a hearing loss claim. But he also sent the letter to my VA clinic and to my main DR. at the VA clinic. Thelocal VA clinic called me and said they couldn't do anything as I wasn't service connected. But they must have forwarded the letter or at least a recommendation the the main VA medical center audiology dept. about 75 miles away. I didn't know this until the VA medical center called me and told me they had an audiology cancellation and if I could come in first thing in the morning. This was last Wednesday. I did. The VA audiologist and I started talking about disability and she said this was nothing to do with disability and was a referral. I showed her the letter from the private doctor, we discussed what I did in the military and occupation since. She tested my hearing said it was shot and said the VA would give me hearing aids and fitted me for them. Said I should have them in about a month!!!! I was so happy. I guess I just didn't realize I could get these without some power to be rating me as service connected - unless she could do that - does anybody know- as she was a VA dr. She might have even called somebody as after my test and before fitting me for hearing aids she was out of the room for quite awhile. She assured me I would get them at a cost of what I guess will only be my copay, if that. She also stressed that I should file for the disability as now I am a lower priority and could be wait-listed for future appointments. But if I got the disablility it would give me a higher priority. So I will file for it again.
I guess my question is that I was surprised I can get hearing aids without being service connected - does anybody know if she can give me that rating like she did. I mean she had no doubts I would get them and she even said the batteries. This was last week and if I do indeed get them it will be the biggest Veteran's Day present one could ever ask for.
I guess I will wait and see but certainly am extremely optimistic.
Ricky
I was also denied for hearing loss back in 1990. The denial was also based on what the VA stated on your denial letter, that I had no proof that the hearing loss was caused during my military service. I refiled again this year for hearing loss and tinnutis after my private audiologist stated on the diagnosis that the hearing loss and tinnutis was more likely than not caused by my military occupations. When I refiled I sent in a copies of each military job description and the type of enviornmental hazards present for each job. Plus I sent in buddy letters from two fellow shipmates who stated that we were exposed to hazardous noise while accomplishing our military jobs. I also sent sent two letters from family members who stated how my hearing loss was affecting my everday life. It did not take long after filing my claim to be schedule for a hearing test with QTC, the contractor that does exams on behalf of the VA. QTC also stated that I had a hearing loss and tinnutis and would send the results to the VA. Not long after that the VA allowed my claim with 10% disability.
68mustang
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When I got out of the service at my muster pysical I flunked the whisper test and they wanted to keep me a couple more days so they could run some test OR I could sign a waiver (not sure what it said) but I signed it cause I was 22 years old and just wanted to go home. Anyhow my hearing really started going south and in 83 I filed a claim at the VA just looking to get some help of some kind aid or something. Well the VA denied the claim in one line saying hearing is not service connected.
I am service connected now at 70% and get my aids and all from the VA BUT I am still not service connected, should I even try to see if they will look at this again?
Stillhere
Just to let you know that when I went for my Navy separation physical exam I was also given a whisper test. I was not told whether I failed or passed the test. However I was told that if I did not sign a particular notation on the exam that I would have to wait several months to be separated. I was being given an early out due to reduction in troops and I too did not want to wait. I had to sign that I had been made aware of the provisions of BUMED INSTRUCTION 6120.6D.
I filed a hearing loss claim back in 1989 and it was turned down. I refiled again this year because someone made me aware that if had ringing in the ears (tinnitus) I should file for that. The tinnitus that I have started many years before 1989.
When I refiled this year the certified audiologist that I went to stated in the report that the tinnitus that I have was caused by my military occupations (Boiler Technician and Engineman). Those two jobs are indentified as having hazardous noise exposure.
When I refiled for tinnitus I included the following information with the claim:
1. Audiologist report
2.Job history prior to enlistment and after enlistment.
3. Buddy statements from two fellow shipmates who provided details as to the hazardous noise that our military jobs exposed us to.
4. Statements from my wife and son detailing the problems they noticed I have with my hearing.
5. Copies of the military occupation job descriptions.
I was also sent by the VA for a hearing exam with QTC (a contractor that does medical exams for the VA). QTC also noted that I had tinnitus so that was provided to the VA. I was finally rated 10% not long ago.
I was also exposed to asbestos, but thankfully no diseases have been detected.
68mustang
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Someone sent me this website on legislation pending in Congress to bar some vets. from owning guns.
68mustang
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Well maybe the Houston VARO has decided that you made an informal claim cause you asked for records.
I don't know since it has been a few years since the denial. I didn't know that a denied claim could be reopened by me just asking for records. Thanks.
68mustang
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Last month I requested copies of all documents used to deny my VA claim in 2002.
Today I received a letter from the VA office in Houston, Tx. The letter stated that my application for benefits had been received and action on my claim may be delayed due to the great number of claims that have been filed. All I wanted was the documents used to deny my claim. I don't know if this a response that is used when copies of documents are requested. Has anyone else requested copies of documents and received a similiar response? Maybe I was sent the wrong form letter. Thanks.
68mustang
Tinnitus And Meniere's Disease
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
Thank you for your input and I will look into what I can do. 68mustang