winddancer

As far as therapy.... his psych meds are constantly maintained... his primary is at a small CBOC that is overwhelmed with patients and the resident psychologist struggles to handle all local vets with therapy. As far as the DMII, whether he actually has diabetes depends on who you talk to, he has blood draws every two months and some of the A1Cs are elevated... some are not. We try to watch his daily levels, and again some are 130 and above, some are right around the expected norm of 110, and some are borderline low 70s and 80s. We have been told by quite a few doctors that he is a perplexing case cause he has all the symptoms of several different maladies such as the diabetes but when this or that test comes back, specific levels for this or that are within normal limits albeit sometimes it is to the high side of normal and sometimes the low side of normal depending on the test run at the time. I know that his situation is confusing to say the least because he is not "classic" stamped symptoms but as he does not drive for the last ten years I attend all doctor appts with him because his memory is shot and he will not, in most circumstances venture out without me so I have heard the confusion in numerous doctor's voices when he presents with these classic symptoms verified by the doctor and the doctor orders such and such test to confirm what he sees and comes up with benign results. He has been off and on seizure meds for over 20 yrs because one neurologist says epiletiform seizures, next time in the clinic and a different doctor... ptsd related seizures and takes him off the antiepileptics or a multitude of other named types of seizures. For almost 20 yrs the only consistent and constant care has been that there is no constant and consistent care. He has been on as high as 42 different pills a day for different issues accompanied by inhalants, sprays, ointments... you name it. The only meds that we can rely on working are his anti-psychotic meds that keep him tolerably docile most of the time and that is because they make him very tired and sleepy. Pain meds dont even dull much of the pain anymore so he becomes the irritable hateful unpredictable individual that everyone finds a means to totally avoid out of fear so he retreats to either sleep or hide from everyone. I have volumes of medical records to attest to what Ive told you as far fetched and crazy as all of this may sound and volumes more pages where I have researched every potential malady that doctors have suggested might be a culprit for his physical status desperately trying to find a key... any key to unlock what is really going on with him physically to put an end to this nightmare for him and let some puzzle pieces fall into place so he will feel better because I love him and miss the real him. There is enough of any particular issue to raise an eyebrow for a doctor but more often than not he ends up scratching his head cause test results arent as strong as they should be or all symptoms are present... only they have presented backwards from the "norm." I can only attest to what I know of his medical history and the countless 911 calls because of no bp, respiration or heart rate, syncoptic episodes similar to strokes, and evidentiary pools of dark blood on clothing and in toilets, and the reams of tests and labs and extended hospital stays til this or that returns to normal levels. I really am not trying to confound anyone because I know too well how absolutely confusing and mind boggling his case is and if I seem to be rambling or repeating myself, I humbly apologize. Its just that I am scared to death that he is slipping away from me right before my eyes and there is absolutely nothing I can do to stop it, hell I cant even slow it down cause I dont know what it is in the first place. I have to ask myself do they really not know what is wrong with him? Or has all of this been a really thick smoke screen to keep from admitting what they know? Im grasping at straws and I feel so inadequate in what I feel like I should know. I will hush... Ive ranted enough.... but thank you for trying to help... God bless you for all you do...

Berta yes he has been a VA patient since around 1986 when some of his health issues started appearing or at least shortly there after. Was granted 20% for seizure disorder initially in 1977 upon discharge because of a grand mal seizure that occurred in service, then reduced to 0% 2 yrs later and now back up to 10%. Dx'd with COPD and CAD by VA and they cannot make up their minds whether he is a diabetic or not. Has a reoccurring GI bleed disorder, chronic high triglycerides, cholesterol, pre-hypertensive,hypercalcemia, daily headaches and PTSD to scratch the surface.Also has a chronic high white count but if the VA knows what is wrong, they aren't telling. They have him on so many medications that it is unreal, civilian doctor that has seen him from time to time in emergencies feels he is over medicated but doesnt feel safe removing any of them. He was exposed to AO shen he was stationed in Bien Hoa, Saigon and Long Binh in 1970-71 but has been told on numerous AO screenings that "we don't know why you are here." Have to ask what is a Sec 1151 claim? Can break his health issues down further if necessary. While still trying to put all the puzzle pieces in their respective places and feeling like a fish out of water as far as his claims, I am extensively familiar with his medical history since 1970. Will do my best to answer any question asked.

We submitted a claim to increase SC from 0% to 50% for headaches in May 2013. Currently rated at 70% PTSD, 10% seizure and 0% headaches with 100% TDIU as of February 2011. Also drawing SSDI since 1990. Vet has not been able to work at all since 1990 largely due to mental illness as well as daily headaches at some level since 1970. No mental hospitalizations to date, and no active therapy due to area availability. Should we be concerned about the re-evaluation as vet is static for PTSD, neither improving or getting worse in respect to healing. Vet just turned 63 in September of this year. Currently in consideration for IHD claim as well. Found out in October this year that he has had at least 5 heart attacks and has a complete arterial blockage with collateral arteriogenesis previously undiagnosed. Were not previously aware of any heart attacks although dx'd with CAD several years ago by VA doctors. This is all too confusing for my brain to absorb. Amvets VSO on board that has been awesome in assisting and explaining as best he can about the process but vets medical history incredibly complicated to sort out what we can do, should do, or must do to get him what he deserves. There are 32 different medical diagnoses so far and counting with countless tests and labs that are all over the chart for severity. Nightmare trying to figure out and sort out which dx are relevant, which are severe enough for compensatory attention and which ones to leave as "sleepers" for back up if needed. Sorry for the rant but any advice or explanations at this point are more than welcomed because vet is not capable of explaining and I am somewhat overwhelmed in trying to help him with paperwork end. Thank you guys in advance for all you do and the prices paid for our freedoms, often taken for granted by the masses.

Thanks for the advice. At least I have a starting point. Don't know what I will do at this point regarding a VSO. We have a county VSO but she tends to pick who she wants to help fight the VA and doesnt have a good reputation here locally. Also had a DAV VSO at the VARO in Winston Salem a few yrs ago and he helped about as much as my refrigerator has so we dropped him. Will look into a VSO at the VA hospital as that is my next closest choice. By the way, I tried to pull up the TDIU pdf both from Berta's post and from hadit forms and it told me on both counts that I was not authorized so-o-o will go to VA.gov and get it there. No big deal, just thought that you should know. Again, thanks for letting me vent and giving me a sense of direction. Will see where we go from here but will keep you posted as best I can.

Yes he gets SSA effective 2/2000,got SSI for a short time initially. Do not remember specifically what SSA was granted for other than bleeding disorder and maybe PTSD,would have to get paperwork from SSA to be sure. I know that periodically we get a phone call from SSA to update for review and he has not had to have another exam because new dx keep getting added to medical hx. No, he has not to my knowledge applied for TDIU

Change of award letter for seizure said 0% but records maintained 20%

Original claim went in for seizure in 1978. In 1980 20% for comp on seizure terminated, % reduced to 0%, no comp at all until 2001 when VSO filed for seizure, PTSD, asbestosis, and headaches. My husband was taken out of work in Dec 1999 due to severe recurring GI bleeds coupled with PTSD. Trying to get compensation as rapidly as possible VSO also filed for pension. was granted "improved pension" at 80% in 2002 with breakdown as 30% hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, diverticulitis with rectal bleeding,30% dysthymia, 30% COPD, 10% hemorrhoids, 10% multiple joint arthritis and 0% hypertension but denied comp because our son's income threw household income too high. As claims were processed he was awarded 10% for seizure, and 0% headache, asbestosis denied as of 6/2002. PTSD was granted at 30% in 3/2003.

I have several questions for the VA with regard to him. Yes, he was in Nam in 1970-71 in III Corps area. Headaches started shortly after return stateside and have continued on a daily basis, with a lot of days being prostrating. He had a grand mal seizure in Germany in 1977 that neither the military nor the VA have been able to identify the cause of. To our knowledge he has not had another grandmal but doctors, both civilian and a few VA, suspect as do we that he has been having petite mal episodes ever since. The VA stopping his comp in 1979 would not be so disconcerting if they had done any neurological evals prior to termination. Their exam consisted of B/P, temp, pulse, respiration,chest xray, urinalysis and loss of comp. They, as far as I can see, had no nexus to d/c based on eval. I am looking to increase PTSD because the only thing that the VA has done for it in several years is psych meds, no therapist whatsoever since his previous therapist left the VA. All they did is refer him to a Vet Center. The only thing that has transpired from there was a lot of discussion of how to perfectly word claim substance. Please do not misunderstand, I appreciated their efforts but at the time, his sanity and his well-being was more important to me. Input from several different people there is where my confusion originated. Part of his medical records have never appeared after numerous requests. He was hospitalized for several weeks following the seizure both at Frankfurt Germany and at Walter Reed. The only documentation we have is the initial ER report where he was seen at Frankfurt. No one seems to know, at least to this point, where I need to write or who I need to write to procure those records since Frankfurt hospital doesn't exist anymore. There is evidence in his records that doesn't directly point to a lot of his current dx but could be some of the dx in formation stages if that makes any sense. His blood levels have been screwy most of the 30 years that we have been married. He nearly always has a high white count but he also has a very high hemoglobin count. The hyperlipidemia group doesnt sway much on 2 statins and niacin, and a mostly vegan diet. He has elements in his blood levels that the VA says indicates allergy but my research says leukemia. A regimen of antibiotics drops the white count while on antibiotics and then it shoots back up again. He has dx of syncope in his military and civilian records but it has never been evaluated as to cause. I am convinced that he has sleep apnea because he has periods of breathing cessation when he can sleep. After a sleep study that he could not sleep during, the VA determined that it was CO2 overload because he still breathes as shallow as he learned to breathe in Nam. There are several issues that I see the fine details of as I am sure you saw little things with your husband that scare me for him. I have not as yet figured out how to get the VA to evaluate those concerns appropriately. My gut tells me that the VA knows a lot more about what is wrong with him than they are either addressing or will tell. When the last round of claims went in in 1999 the VA judged him 80% NSC for pension purposes. he has been dx with COPD, naturally due to smoking according to the VA, but I feel that the PTSD issues have a tremendous effect on his smoking, especially since he is not in any therapy. Its just a big mess and I truly apologize for rambling on about all of this. I guess maybe I am venting some frustration cause I am just scraping the service on his issues. I have spent the last 10 years combing his records, researching his health problems, fighting with doctors for him and with him. Even he makes me mad because I talk until I am blue in the face about concerns and issues and tell him they arent going to do anything unless it is an issue with him, get him fired up and ready to address the issue and he walks into a VA facility and immediately goes into Military decorum mode with quiet reserve and discipline and looses all fire initiative no matter how many times he is being fired at or screwed. Again, I apologize for my rambling, just trying to make some sense of this mess and get him the appropriate medical attention or at least enough money that I can afford a civilian source of care.

I am trying to sort through my husband's myriad of health issues and file a claim for increase in SC but there are so many issues and I have been told so many different ways to handle this that now I am totally confused. A retired VSO was helping me sort issues and saw a potential CUE but unfortunately he has passed away prior to telling me the issue. Without getting too winded on this post, a brief breakdown of the stats is: grand mal seizure of unknown origin while in service in 1977 resulting in award of 20% coming out of service by VA. Two yrs later at annual eval sc terminated w/o neurological eval. 20% disability stayed on records but no compensation until 1999 when local VSO filed new paperwork then granted 10%. Currently rated at 10% seizure, 30% PTSD, and 0% migraine headaches. He has dx of tendonitis, COPD, GERD, DJD, Anxiety disorder, CAD, Depressive disorder, and hyperlipidemia. Has had stents placed for aortic aneurysm and iliac aneurysm, has had toxic cataracts removed from both eyes, right retinal and macula repair for blown retina, surgery to repair L knee injured in service, tinnitus, decreased hearing, 2 septoplasty surgeries for chronic recurring sinusitis, is on 2 L of O2 at night for CO2 overload, and is considered to be prediabetic currently controlled by diet. He has not been able to work a day since Dec. 1999. Sorry for being so winded , there are more issues but at least you have a general idea of matter at hand. ANY help is greatly appreciated in advance because I am totally confused.