hi all, new guy to the forum, OIF2 vet. I have a couple of questions to ask someone in the know. First, I am thinking about persuing a claim for Esophagitis. I had a Barium UGI done last year and my primary doc at the VA noted that I had this problem plus a tiny ulcer??? He ordered supossedley a endoscopy. He told me they would contact me. I never heard from them. I went in for another visit last week, and he again ordered a endoscopy along with a TBI(different deal), he also ordered another visit to audiology (I have already been rated 10 % for tinnitus) plus the usual blood work. If the doctor already noted on his notes that this problem exist, and i was treated for it within the 1 year rule of being discharged, can it be considered service connected. And if anyone has experience in this area, I would really appreciate some advice.
Second I have been SC for PTSD (70%), I have been seeing my Doc at mental health, and decided to get her notes while waiting to see my primary doc. She has noted the past 2 times that I am "getting better" and my GAF was noted at 63. Previously, I was seeing another Doc,(He moved away) and he was rating my GAF at 45-50. I was given a rating of 70% PTSD. I have been on quietpine, sertaline trazadone, and lorazapam. Now when I take all of these meds, obviously I feel drugged, not myself, which is good in itself, ( I feel alot of rage, guilt and anxiety). Granted I only see the doc for less than 15 minutes and it never really gets personal, so how can he come to a descision of the GAF at that moment?
Back to the TBI, my primary wants me to get evaluated for this, and wants me to (Re-live events), and I am not too sure i want to go there.