Meniere's Operation?

[rway]

I am currently 30% for Meniere's. I put in for an increase in Nov.2006 and have yet heard anything back. I have not even had a C&P yet. For the last 2 years my Meniere's has significantly increased. My Primary Doctor has been trying everything to help me. I have tried every medication under the table for this. My main complaint is VERTIGO, DAILY and 2/3 Drop attacks weekly!! I have been to the VA Nuerologist, and ENT. In fact, I have been seeing them so routinely, they are like family. They are now talking about operating.

My question to anyone who has Meniere's or knows of someone who has gone through any of the operations. (Labyrinthotomy, Sac Decompression, Vestibular Nerve Section, or Membrane Removal) Has anyone had any success?

They have told me about each operation, with success rate,etc. But, I am finding via the internet, success was great, then a year or two later, people are getting their vertigo attacks back. I have only moderate hearing loss in Left ear and slight in Right ear and do not want to give up my hearing at this time, but.... THIS VERTIGO is killing me. I am current getting prednisolone shots in the left ear, which gives me some relief (Vertigo wise...but I have been very depressed and down right mean. I think that the shots have a lot to do with this) I take Meclize which doesn't seem to help at all,along with Diazpam,hydrochlorothiazide, and Phenergan.

I am also wondering if the RO is waiting to see what I do.I can't believe I have not be scheduled for a C&P yet! Any help or suggestions would be nice.

One last question, I have been seeing the VA doc's approx. every week for something. At the end of each month I get copies of all my records (which are pertinent to my case) and send them in monthly. Am I slowing my case down by doing this?

thanks for any inputs

rway

[Josephine]

rway,

I haven't heard of anyone haven't any of the surgeries. I have been from one state to another, but no cure and no let up and all of my doctors refuse any type of surgery.

This would really be an individual thing. You will have to decide this one for yourself.

This illness just sucks your life away from you. I have been taking Valium one every 4 hours, Antivert, which is the same as the meclicine and the fluid pill also.

I have been this way since February 21, 1994. I remember as though it were yesterday. I was fine in the morning, took at step across the floor and was down with the world spinning with no let up.

The rescue squad picked me up. I go to bed each night, trying to imagine what was life like before this.

I wish that I could offer you hope and not more gloom.

If you are trying to work, I would forget it and go for the 100% permament disability with it being service connected and already proven.

I wish that I could offer you more , but I can't.

I can sympathize with you.

Always,

Josephine

Edited July 27, 2007 by Josephine

[Berta]

rway the 30% seems way too low to me- this case is a little different than your claim but the vet met the 60% criteria and it shows how the VA determined that in a prior decision.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp05/files1/0505696.txt

The veteran had an eye witness account as evidence as well as employment records that showed he missed work time due to the Menieres syndrome.

"In a letter from [redacted], received in August 2001, she

stated that she had seen the veteran experience severe dizzy

spells with nausea. Ms. [redacted] noted that the veteran had

been unable to continue with his little league activities due

to his severe symptoms.

In a letter dated in August 2001 from "[redacted]",

[redacted], General Manager wrote that the veteran had

missed over 160 days of work since December 1999 due to

illness with such symptoms as dizziness, headaches, and

nausea.

A December 2001 report from Cascade Audiology reveals the

veteran's history of tinnitus, hearing loss, and symptoms of

severe dizziness. It is noted that the veteran's hearing

loss had been diagnosed as Meniere's disease. "

[rway]

Thanks Berta and Josephine for responding,

I haven't been able to work for a couple of years because of the Meniere's and my Migraines. I do not have any past history, were I had to take off from work because of these disabilities. When my disabilities became severe enough to effect my work, I quit(2001). I did put in for TDIU about a month ago and I also put in for clothing allowance because I wear a metal knee brace. Both of these, I did, because of what I have read/learned on this great site.

I also believed I was low balled the first time around with the 30%, but did not know I could fight it. I dug out my paper work and the reason they said I did not receive 60% was because I had not reported cerebellar gait problems. That went right over my head, and I just excepted the 30%. Reading a lot of the appeals, I found that generally, they do not award 60% unless you have cerebellar gait problems witnessed by a physician or fail the heel toe test. So, I told my Primary Doc at the VA this and she told me to call her when I have a bad attack, and she would try to get me in to verify and enter it into my records. This is what I have done. Hopefully, it will be enough to open their eyes. I have had balance and walking problems all along, but in my records it always stated severe balance with wide gait, it never stated that I was unable to walk. I hope this helps other vets to realize that sometimes "wording is everything".

I do not really want an operation that will cause me to be deaf. But, when I am at my breaking point, I wish for them to cut my head off. After, my attacks are over, I keep telling myself, that I would be an idiot to let them operate.

Thanks for letting me vent..

rway

[hollywoodnc]

I am currently 30% for Meniere's. I put in for an increase in Nov.2006 and have yet heard anything back. I have not even had a C&P yet. For the last 2 years my Meniere's has significantly increased. My Primary Doctor has been trying everything to help me. I have tried every medication under the table for this. My main complaint is VERTIGO, DAILY and 2/3 Drop attacks weekly!! I have been to the VA Nuerologist, and ENT. In fact, I have been seeing them so routinely, they are like family. They are now talking about operating.

My question to anyone who has Meniere's or knows of someone who has gone through any of the operations. (Labyrinthotomy, Sac Decompression, Vestibular Nerve Section, or Membrane Removal) Has anyone had any success?

They have told me about each operation, with success rate,etc. But, I am finding via the internet, success was great, then a year or two later, people are getting their vertigo attacks back. I have only moderate hearing loss in Left ear and slight in Right ear and do not want to give up my hearing at this time, but.... THIS VERTIGO is killing me. I am current getting prednisolone shots in the left ear, which gives me some relief (Vertigo wise...but I have been very depressed and down right mean. I think that the shots have a lot to do with this) I take Meclize which doesn't seem to help at all,along with Diazpam,hydrochlorothiazide, and Phenergan.

I am also wondering if the RO is waiting to see what I do.I can't believe I have not be scheduled for a C&P yet! Any help or suggestions would be nice.

One last question, I have been seeing the VA doc's approx. every week for something. At the end of each month I get copies of all my records (which are pertinent to my case) and send them in monthly. Am I slowing my case down by doing this?

thanks for any inputs

rway

Oh rway...

I truly feel for you!!!

My Mother has that nuisance of a disease. She severely reduced her salt intake and hasn't had an episode for over 2/3 months.

I wouldn't let ANY VA doctor operate on my ear! I'd pay the Medicare deductible before a VA wannabee private practitioner touched my inner ear.

That's a very delicate procedure, and requires a SPECIALIST to perform it!

Sorry for the negativity, but I do not like VA doctors.

Good Luck!

[ffranktly]

to you all who are suffering from vertigo, or have suffered from it, my deepest empathy. i had a 2 yr bout with apositional vertigo (kaiser's diagnosis), but they were also diagnosing possible meneieres disease as well. i firmly believe it was partially due to my clinical dependency on xanax, that i withdrew from, with the help of a husband/wife team in concord, ca.

having completely exhausted all standard approaches, i went to an Atlas Orthogonist Specialist. yes, he is a chiropractor, but it is a new technology, whereby he uses a machine, and calculus formula to pinpoint the stylus on the machine to your neck, just behind the ear. the force of the stylus touching one's atlas is so minimal that it is barely recognized. the calculus equation gives the Orthogonist the ability to use the machine that has x,y, and z axis. so it is spot-on.

the bottom line is that he cured my vertigo. and then my mother went, elderly, who had lightheadedness and vertigo, and he cured hers as well.

so if you have an open mind and would like to try this, just google Atlas Orthogonist Chiropractors, and chances are, there should be someone near you, as this is a science/technology that is growing. good luck to you all.

[Josephine]

rway,

It sounds like you have your medical records going in the correct path now. I do believe the VA will be fair with you and increase those benefits.

Sure hope that you are drawing your Social Security Disabiity. Regardless of your age, SSA is pretty liberal on this illness for you can't fake this one if you tried.

I know what you mean by the correct wording. I would fall and bust my backside, if I didn't watch every step that I take.

You do realize that this is one illness that also affects your brain function. This is certainly bringing on the depression.

Have you tried filing for VA benefits for the connection of the depression to the Meniere.

As my doctor explained to me, that your brain is so busy trying to figure out if you are sitting or standing that your brain is in total confusion.

Are you taking meds for the depression?

Give this one a thought.

Always.

Josephine