edsteph98

thanks for all of your input. I was not sure if the exam would accomplish anything in support of my disability claim but atleast I will now be in the registry. The only problem is when I called the clininc for my results I was informed they have exams from 07/09 that have yet to be put into the registry database. So how reliable are the numbers of sick gulf war vets if the data has not even been entered? I too have gotten the strong feeling they want me to go away but I keep on pushing. When I was of work due to my disability for 6months it was no picnic. Then, I have to fight for ada accomodations at work and now deal with the VA. Its ironinc that when you are forward deployed and collect hazard pay/imminent danger they are on your side but once your discharged and have some medical problems its an uphill strugggle. I realize there could be some fraudulent claims out there but after a C& P exam or after they collect the medical records and verify the medical conditions and severity the claim should be rated.....

hey i was on the uss horne too..i was a radioman.

thanks for the input, I filed a claim for service connection due to undiagnosed muscle/joint pain, headaches, photo sensitivity and (cervical dystonia - which was denied). However since I reopened with new medcial my VRO recommended strongly that I get the gulf war exam. I am not sure why unless its just for more documentation in my claims file.

I had a gulf war registry exam completed on 10/29/09 and was wondering if anybody knows what information the VA is looking for? I filed a claim for gulf war syndrome which was denied but I have since re-opened the claim with new medical evidence and had the gulf war exam done. I got a copy of the report and summary of findings which is in my opinion already in my medical records. Does anybody know how the exam will be used for my disability?

I asked my neurologist at the hospital (non-va) and he wrote me a detailed letter basically indicating he was not able to determine if the cause of my cervical dystonia was related to the gulf war and exposure to toxins. I also asked my neurologist at the VA and he said he could not be sure the disease was related to the gulf war and toxin exposure but did state he would document my medical records incase this turns out to be another agent orange in the future. Its really frustrating because I have no family history and did serve 3tours in the gulf with direct exposure to the toxins. I also have the shoulder pain/burning sensations which does extend into my arms from time to time and have increased headaches as well as sensitivity to light. I actually went to pain management and they wanted to proceed with a rhizotomy but I declined the operation. Perhaps being out of work on disability got me mad enough to reopen the claim and continue to fight again. I am sure there has to be more vets with dystonia out there and maybe this time I will take the fight to the US District Courts just to have my case documented for any other vets whom experience this illness. The VA makes me feel asahamed for my condiion and as if I am looking for a handout. We shall see what hapens now since I have supplied new medical evidence and am at the RO. I have been given the strong feeling the claim will be denied again and have since requested assistance from the DAV. Thats who alerted me to keep a headache calendar/journal....

I do not have the disability in my SMR'S it appeared after discharge and I did have a C&P Exam with an orthopedic whom felt the burning sensation was related to cervical dystonia but I had positive straight leg raising which ws related to a service injury so that how i got the 10%. I had a second C&P exam with neurology and apparently since I was using medication for the headaches they felt it was controlled and at the time I did not keep a calendar. I since went back to VAMC neurology for cervical dystonia and informed them the meds are not helping any more. They actually wrote that in me medical records which I sent into teh R/O as new evidence in conjuction with my headache log...I realize they maybe looking for a nexxus but I am more amd more confident my exposure to the toxins, vaccinations from teh gulf war is the nexxus. I just wish they would recognized teh diagnosise may not appear within a set timeframe after discharge.

I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia, headaches, low back pain, muscle joint pain and the board denied my claim for dystonia as it was diagnosed after separation. The headaches were considered to be non -compensable, i guess because I never kept a log. I was actually disabled from my job due to cervical dystonia and developed atrophy of the left scm muscle. My headaches had continued (not related to cervical dystonia). I have requested to re-open my claim file under Presumptive Disability from the gulf war. I am just venting but it sure does appear I am not alone with a diagnosis of dystonia and it has continued to progress. I just went for a Persian Gulf War registry exam and my PCP at the VAMC thinks I am depressed because I have no energy, problems sleepping and am fatigued. I exaplained the them I was in a forward deployed unit and served 3tours of duty in the gulf but it seems to be falling on deaf ears....

I filed a claim for service connected disability back in 1998 for multiple symptoms incuding cervical dystonia, headaches, muscle/joint pain and low back pain. I was denied at the RO and appealed to the Board. They denied my claim for cervical dystoina indicaitng the disability ocurred after separation and ruled the headache severity was not substantial enough to warrant a service connection. However, they approved my claim for low back pain and I got a 10% disability. I realize there is a presumptive disability time period for gulf war vets and requested to re-open my claim for cervical dystonia, headaches, muscle/joint pain and fatigue. I did provide new evidence and went for a gulf war registry examination. I am just wondring are there any other vets with dystonia it appears there is a strong correlation with dystoina and exposure to toxins such as petroleum and oil I have been of work for 7months due to the constant neck pain and neck spasms. I had to got the VAMC and got some releief from Botox injections but its wearing off and I am now being referred to PMR.

I have previously applied for a service connected disability for cervical dystonia and was denied. The Board denied my claim sincee the diagnosis was not until 5years after separation. Recently, the cervical dystonia came back with a vegenance and I was placed on short term disability. I have since re-opened my claim for presumptive disability benefit due to the neurological movement disorder. I have also requested a reopen of my claim for muscle/joint pain and headeaches resulting from the gulf war! Is there anybody else out ther who is suffering from dystonia whom served in the gulf war? I think the VA is going to deny my claim again but its frustrating because its a neurological condition and there is strong evidence it is a result of exposure to toxins. I was onboard a forward deployed ship and breathed in all that nasty air from the burning oil wells.