[Possible mis-dx]

I thought I had updated my case (i.e, possible miss-dx) so this may be a duplicate response:

I received a letter from the VBA which scheduled a C&P for me (..I did not request a c&p or any other type of medical exam so I thought this was strange). 

I did attend the exam. I later received a letter from the VBA awarding me 100%. 

[Possible mis-dx]

I did mean Meniere's Disease (i.e., also known as Meniere's Syndrome). I do have the claim denial filed away. I wil locate it and post.

The VA did perform a cognitive test. I was determined not to have a TBI.

They did award 50% for re-occuring headaches in the left side of my head (i.e., wound side).

I have constant tinnitus in left ear (i.e., wound side) in which I was awarded 10%.

The vertigo,dizziness,balance problem(s),etc were all tied to the Meniere's dx. 

 

 

[Possible mis-dx]

I was diagnosed with Meiner's Syndrome by the VA several years ago. I filed a claim (i.e., secondary to a head wound I received in combat) but was denied because Meiner's Syndrome is defined as an affliction with an unknown etiology (i.e., since the etiology is unknown the claim was denied).

I was sent to an ENT clinic outside the VA for a requested appointment last year. The physician who examed me informed me that, in her opinon, I did not have Meiner's Syndrome and that the symptoms that I am experiencing are caused by something other than Meiner's Syndrome. (i.e., vertigo,dizziness, nausea, etc).

Do I have a case for appeal?

 

 

[Advice]

Buzz: I am curious about your headaches. I am also 90% rated and recently visited a neurologist who said I was suffering from migraines. I received a head wound in RVN. Are your headaches classified as migraines and are they a result of a head wound(s)? My headaches are isolated to the left side (wound side) of my head and although I didn't constantly suffer from them until the last few years, I relate them to my head trauma. Is any of this similar to your experience? I'm considering the filing of a claim for "sc" migraines but I also know the time span from the great war to now weights against me.

[Application For Tdiu]

Don't get me wrong, I do think I deserve it. The point I was trying to make is that most of my disability was increased after I retired and my retirement was voluntary in that I didn't state that I was retiring because of my disabilities, I just wrote off my problems and frustations that I was experiencing with work as old age and decided it was time to quit. Anyway, I've been reading other entries on the forum and many are similar to mine so I'm taking your advice and am going to request TDIU. -thanks.

[Application For Tdiu]

I was sent a TDIU form/application to fill out by the VBA about a year ago after my disability was raised to 90% (i.e. 70% PTSD,30% vistibular dysfunction, 10% nerve damage from wounds, etc-all of which are combat related service disabilties).

At that time I did not know that TDIU was available to veterans and still don't know why they would send me the form unless they thought themselves that I was eligible.

I'm also 65 now and could not re-enter the work force without new skills or updating my old skills: computer s/w and microbiology.

Even though I retired about five years ago becuase of increasing problems associated with my disabilities, I retired of my own free will. I'm sure this would play into their decision to such an extent that it may be a waste of time to even submit my request.

In your opinon, should I apply for TDIU ?

[Tbi C&p]

Carlie, ....I had been seeing interns who were reluctant to make a diagnosis, when I went to a different VA I saw first a physician (i.e., physician, not an intern) who thought I was suffering from a TBI and possibly Meiner's Disease but wanted to review all of my records but didn't have them available.He had me make another appointment.. He said it didn't make any difference that my head wound happened a long time ago...I probably was suffering from a TBI. The second physician (i.e., ENT physician , not an intern) reviewed my history (e.g., all the audiology tests, etc). He told me that he had extensive experience with Meiner's and felt confident that I was at least suffering from Meiner's Disease. He gave me a yellow sheet of paper which he had marked Meiner's Disease and Tinnitus. He also had me make another appointment. That's all I know, I have never seen my records. It is considered service connected and my head wound (...and other wounds) are well documented in my medical history.

[Tbi C&p]

Dewey,

Who diagnosed the Meinere's - what pedigree of a doc - did they do any specific testing

and what exactly did they write ?

[Tbi C&p]

I was given a diagnosis of Meinere's Disease (i.e., the previous dx was labrynthsis (sp)) recently. I have a pending claim for TBI since it was thought that my symptoms mimic a TBI . They said it was still possible I have a TBI and the first physician I saw was sure of it but before he made a diagnosis I was diagnosed as having Meiner's Disease.

I called the VBA and was told that my current claim is with the decision board. I don't know if being with the decision board means a decision is days away or months. I-m afraid that if I intervene at this point it may just cause confusion and delays leading to an inaccurate decision or even being throw back to the "zero day" desk.

Is it too late to bring new information forth pertaining to my recent diagnosis? If so, do I open a new claim or is there a process where I can request to have my current claim re-opened. also, is there anyway to expedite a claim such as mine where the symptoms are all the same but the diagnosis was changed (i.e., the symptoms have al ready been deemed service connected).

[Tbi Still Waiting]

Kansas guy, I'm from Kansas ,also.

I read your comments and found them to be quite interesting. I'm also a KS guy and am still awaiting a decision from the decision board after almost two years. Your comments are somewhat dated and I am wondering the outcome of your case. After reading your comments twice, it seems to me to be a no brainer (i.e., no joke intended). If they are saying more than likely then the physician either agrees with you or is leaning in a positive direction.

I would like to know what your outcome is/was. Please respond. I'm meeting with a physician in Kansas City next month who has already told me that he can't believe they can't come to a dx. Thanks, Go JayHawks!

[Tbi C&p]

In my case, I went to a different VA and spoke with a doctor that has considerable experience with TBIs. I told him about symtoms and that the C&P doctor I saw stated that it wasn't likely that I am suffering from a TBI since it happened so long ago. He responded BS....have her call me, she doesn.t know what she's talking about. He wanted me to rescheduled an appointment so he can study my case. He thinks That I am suffering from brain damage and I have always been since the wound that I claimed (i'e, which is documented in my medical records). I finally got physician that truly cares about my case.

[Tbi C&p]

What exactly are the seizures that you are speaking of, I occasionally have a tremedous pain on the left side of my head (brain) that feels like a spike was driven into it that seems to paralyze me for a second...is that something like a seizure or are the seizures that you're speaking of heart seizures?

[Tbi C&p]

I filed a claim over a year ago which the VA is still adjudicating for Menier's disease, although they all tell me they think it's Menier's disease they keep testing for other causes of my reported sympmtoms (i.e., migraines, etc). I received a call from the people handling my case stating that, after review, they feel my symptoms are indicative of a TBI and asked to file a claim for TBI on my behalf. I agreed. The problem is this; I'm a Viet Nam Viet and my head wound occured in 1968. I now have an upcoming C&P appointment for TBI and upcoming appointments with ENT for my pending Menier's claim (i.e., they have already awarded me 30% for labyrithisis but have agreed to revaluate after ENT gives a Dx for my condition).

My questions are: What should I expect at the TBI C&P, will it cause confusion with my current ongoing claim, and was it prudent at all to file a claim for TBI (...I was told at the time that my head injuries were temporary and was sent back to field duty after a couple months of hospital/bed rest).

[Tbi Vs Vestibular Dysfunction]

Chief, you said this "vestibular testing resulted in a central vertigo DX, meaning the symptoms are caused by my brain(TBI) and not an ear disfunction." what kind of test did they do to determine this? I don't have a copy of my C&P but I remeber that the examiner said that I received a TBI just like the soliders in Iraq, he also said that he wasn't sure if I had Meiner's Disease or Vestibular Dysfunction.

Other symptoms I'm having since the C&P are what seems like short little black outs (i.e., like a second or less) and problems reconizing words that should be fimiliar to me.

[Tbi Vs Vestibular Dysfunction]

Thanks. I went for my physician appointment. She spent alot of time with me. She also wrote me a referral for audio so that may be a start. I'm suppose to meet with her in 3 months so maybe the audio people can tell me what's going on.

In reference to my complaint about my nerve damage due to my shoulder wound (i.e., I expalined to her that the VA had prescribed Gabapentin to ease the pain but I had to stop taking it because it aggrativated the vestibular dysfunction symptoms-dizziness,etc) she said there was nothing that could be done for it and giving me medications would probably only complicate things. I understand where she's coming form but still don't understand why it was rated at zero per cent.

[Tbi Vs Vestibular Dysfunction]

Greetings everyone:

I'm new to HADIT, just registered today.

I suffered wounds in Viet Nam while serving with the 25th Infantry Div. As a result of those wounds, I applied for compensation for nerve damage to my shoulder. At first my claims(s) were denied due to no record of being wounded, however, a few years later after another attempt I was granted an C&P (i.e., head injury & tinnitus). The tinnitus was straight forward and granted, the C&P examiner (i.e., an PA)

examined me and said I had received a TBI and he wasn't sure if I had Vestibular Dysfunction or Meiner's Disease. He also informed me that VBA had instructed him to look into my previous claim of nerve damage from a shoulder wound (i.e., this is the claim I sudmitted earlier and was denied because there was no record -they found my records evidentily-years later).

The results were 10% Tinnitus (SC), 0% Nerve Damage (SC), 30% PTSD (SC), 10% Vestibular Dysfunction (SC).

My questions are these:

If the examiner said I received a TBI, why wasn't I rated for it?

The Nerve Damage claim was rated at zero per cent even though I have a burning sensation in my shoulder when ever I do upper body motions (i.e., the VA physician put me on Gabapentin to ease this pain but I had to stop taking it because it aggrevatedthe Vestibular Dysfunction symtoms). Since the C&P, the pain has increased in my shoulder and I now have a "tingly" feeling in my fingers (of that arm).

I don't know if this is related to the shoulder problem or not.

The symptoms occuring due to the Vestibular Dysfunction have increased considerably (e,g,.dizziness, light headedness, vertigo, nausea, loosing balance, etc).

I have an appointment with my VA physician next week, is this the person I should ask for a re-evaluation (..or should I even ask)?