Meniere's Disease

[navy8005]

I am new here and I am hopeing to find a kindred soul.

I am currently rated 60% for Meniere's disease and have just reqested an increase. I am sick (Vertigo) almost daily with this disease. I currently take a diruretic, valium and phenegen (sp) for the attacks of vertigo. I am to the point where my VA ENT specalist says to take the valium everyday.

I am curious has anyone requested an increase and what is the likelyhood of getting it?

I have not worked for over two years as a result of this disease and I don't drive anymore. I rarely leave my house and then only if I have valium with me.

I included my most recent VA ENT specialist review along with the hearing test which was done about 4 months ago. In the letter my doctor states that I am having more frequent attacks no less then twice a week and he stated that my condition was chronic.

I also sent statements from my husband, daughter, son-in-law and myself showing the impact that it has had on my life.

Just want to see if anyone with Meniere's has been through this and what I can expect.

Will I have to have another C&P? If so will they set it up with my VA ENT Specialist who knows my case or will it go to some general practioner? Or will they base it on the most recent report that I sent them from my VA ENT specialist? I have lots of questions.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

[Josephine]

I am new here and I am hopeing to find a kindred soul.

I am currently rated 60% for Meniere's disease and have just reqested an increase. I am sick (Vertigo) almost daily with this disease. I currently take a diruretic, valium and phenegen (sp) for the attacks of vertigo. I am to the point where my VA ENT specalist says to take the valium everyday.

I am curious has anyone requested an increase and what is the likelyhood of getting it?

I have not worked for over two years as a result of this disease and I don't drive anymore. I rarely leave my house and then only if I have valium with me.

I included my most recent VA ENT specialist review along with the hearing test which was done about 4 months ago. In the letter my doctor states that I am having more frequent attacks no less then twice a week and he stated that my condition was chronic.

I also sent statements from my husband, daughter, son-in-law and myself showing the impact that it has had on my life.

Just want to see if anyone with Meniere's has been through this and what I can expect.

Will I have to have another C&P? If so will they set it up with my VA ENT Specialist who knows my case or will it go to some general practioner? Or will they base it on the most recent report that I sent them from my VA ENT specialist? I have lots of questions.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

Navy 8005,

Welcome to Hadit. Nice to hear from you.

Let me ask you if you take Antivert or the Generic name of Meclizine for your dizziness?

Do you have a perfect gait. Do you fall down? or Almost anyway?

You should be on the Valium every day. Habit forming and addictive , Yes.

Being that you are already at 60 %, an increase should not be too difficult to achieve.

Has your doctor written a letter to the VA. you have not worked for over two years and his prognosis "you will never be able to work again."

Believe me, You won't!!!

Has your doctor written that you have had to give up driving due to this illness.

Also, has he written down for you on paper, there is no known cure for this illness and it is permanent.

No, I am not service connected for the illness, but there are a couple on the Board that are 100% for same.

You may have a C&P.

Most general practioners have the general knowledge of the illness and I don't believe that this would be a problem.

Remember, this is only my opinion.

Do I have the illness, most definitely. Mine is at the extreme, I can't walk a straight line and have no balance.

I can't walk, drive and Goodness knows this is one illness that brings a lot of depression with it.

Do you take any kind of meds for the depression.

The illness zaps your life away from you.

You will always be dependent upon someone to do most everything that you used to do for yourself.

I guess that you already know this.

If your doctor has not written a letter to the above, have him write it down for you.

By the way, Have you filed for Social Security Disability?

Let me know, if I can assist you in any other way.

Always,

Josephine

Edited November 4, 2007 by Josephine

[Berta]

"I am new here and I am hopeing to find a kindred soul.

I am currently rated 60% for Meniere's disease and have just reqested an increase. I am sick (Vertigo) almost daily with this disease. I currently take a diruretic, valium and phenegen (sp) for the attacks of vertigo. I am to the point where my VA ENT specalist says to take the valium everyday.

I am curious has anyone requested an increase and what is the likelyhood of getting it?

I have not worked for over two years as a result of this disease and I don't drive anymore. I rarely leave my house and then only if I have valium with me."

This vet in a recent BVA decision was awarded 100% for Meniere's :

http://www.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0716111.txt

The rating criteria is within the decision.

Since you cannot work due to your Menerie's,I suggest you fill out, copy and send VA the attached TDIU form and under # 18 Check Yes -and I suggest you apply for SSA benefits and under # 25 Refer them to a separate page and state how this SC con dition and the meds you take for it affects your ability to work.

Also refer the VA to and attach copies of any medical statements you have that document that the SC disability you have prevents you from working.

TDIU_form.pdf

Edited November 4, 2007 by Berta

[rentalguy1]

I have menier's also, but mine is not yet diagnosed. I always thought that the vertigo was a side effect of the tinnitus, and just recvently learned that those two symptoms and hearing loss are all three tied together. I am just now beginning my battle on this front. I was turned down twice in the past for tinnitus, and was too ignorant to appeal it. As of now, I have a claim in for tinnitus and vertigo (among other things) and I have an upcoming vestibular assesment where I'm sure I'll get an official diagnosis. I have the episodes several times a day that last anywhere from a few seconds to an hour. Sometimes they have lasted for over a day. There is no warning, everything around me just starts to spin and it feels like I'm being pulled to the ground to my right side. I had my first episode while pulling a 3G turn on a night flight while wearing NVG's. I'm not sure how I kept from painting the floor of my helicopter, but I didn't. Anyway, I know whjat you're going through, but I don't have an answer for you. I hope you kleep us updated, though, as many on here are going throught the same thing as you.

Welcome to hadit from another newbie.

[Ricky]

Getting the U.S. Attorney's office to prosecute the VA would be like holding a wild bull by the horns and kissing it. In other words it just ain't going to happen.

[navy8005]

Josephine, thank you.

You had a lot of questions and I will try to answer most of them.

I was perscribed Meclizine initially, but it did nothing for me. Valium is the only thing that works to contol the spinning for me. I take phenegren (sp) for nausea.

Perfect gait.. Ha, I am constantly running into furniture, walls, etc and falling down. I have even fallen down my stairs. I use my vision more for balance now and at night in the dark I have a real hard time. I started walking with a cain to give me support.

As far as the valium. I do not take it as my doctor recommended. He wanted me to take it every day as a preventive medicine,but I am afraid 1) of addiction and 2) that my body will be come use to the medicine and it will no longer be effective in controlling the vertigo. However, I am still taking valium at least 2 to 4 days a week.

I was diagnosed while in the Navy. Had all the test, blood, ENG, MRI, multiple audiograms while in the Navy as well as seeing a specialist every 6 months. With all of that it would be difficult for them to deny that I have Meniere's.

I am seeing a VA ENT specialist. He did not write any of what you asked. The only thing that he put in his progress note was that my symptoms and severity have increased this is exactly whathe said in the report " recently she has been having these episodes about twice a week. She can blunt the severity of the vertigo by taking a 5 mg valium pill." he stated that this is a chronic balance problem. When I had my appointment I told him that I was having these very frequently no less them twice a week, but somehow that was changed in his write up to "about" twice a week. I didn't care for the wording because I know that the VA will use that against my case. But it is the best that I have for now.

As I stated he really did not state all of this as this was not a C&P exam but my regular visit. But in letters from my husband, daughter and son-in-law that I sent they definately state that I can't drive anymore and that I have not worked for over two years.

Am I depressed... I haven't been able to work for two years... I have a hard time even doing my household chores to the extent that my husband said that he was going to hire a cleaning service. My husband now does most of the shopping and cooking. I have a 13 year old son who is very active in sports and it is getting where I cannot go to most of his events and when he played basketball last winter I could not go at all because of the noise in a confined space. I can't enjoy my grandchildren as a grandmother should. I feel zapped of all energy all the time and sleep at least 12 hours a day. I would say that I am somewhat depressed but I have not been treated for that. My family has written this down in their letters of support for me which I did send to the VA.

He did not state there is no cure or that this is permanent, but he did say that the condition is chronic..??? Would they not consider that about the same?

I just don't know how it will go. But as my husband said the worst that can happen is that I stay at 60%.

I have not filed for Social Security yet. I was just waiting for this and then will start the process for SSDI.

Navy 8005,

Welcome to Hadit. Nice to hear from you.

Let me ask you if you take Antivert or the Generic name of Meclizine for your dizziness?

Do you have a perfect gait. Do you fall down? or Almost anyway?

You should be on the Valium every day. Habit forming and addictive , Yes.

Being that you are already at 60 %, an increase should not be too difficult to achieve.

Has your doctor written a letter to the VA. you have not worked for over two years and his prognosis "you will never be able to work again."

Believe me, You won't!!!

Has your doctor written that you have had to give up driving due to this illness.

Also, has he written down for you on paper, there is no known cure for this illness and it is permanent.

No, I am not service connected for the illness, but there are a couple on the Board that are 100% for same.

You may have a C&P.

Most general practioners have the general knowledge of the illness and I don't believe that this would be a problem.

Remember, this is only my opinion.

Do I have the illness, most definitely. Mine is at the extreme, I can't walk a straight line and have no balance.

I can't walk, drive and Goodness knows this is one illness that brings a lot of depression with it.

Do you take any kind of meds for the depression.

The illness zaps your life away from you.

You will always be dependent upon someone to do most everything that you used to do for yourself.

I guess that you already know this.

If your doctor has not written a letter to the above, have him write it down for you.

By the way, Have you filed for Social Security Disability?

Let me know, if I can assist you in any other way.

Always,

Josephine

[Josephine]

Josephine, thank you.

You had a lot of questions and I will try to answer most of them.

I was perscribed Meclizine initially, but it did nothing for me. Valium is the only thing that works to contol the spinning for me. I take phenegren (sp) for nausea.

Perfect gait.. Ha, I am constantly running into furniture, walls, etc and falling down. I have even fallen down my stairs. I use my vision more for balance now and at night in the dark I have a real hard time. I started walking with a cain to give me support.

As far as the valium. I do not take it as my doctor recommended. He wanted me to take it every day as a preventive medicine,but I am afraid 1) of addiction and 2) that my body will be come use to the medicine and it will no longer be effective in controlling the vertigo. However, I am still taking valium at least 2 to 4 days a week.

I was diagnosed while in the Navy. Had all the test, blood, ENG, MRI, multiple audiograms while in the Navy as well as seeing a specialist every 6 months. With all of that it would be difficult for them to deny that I have Meniere's.

I am seeing a VA ENT specialist. He did not write any of what you asked. The only thing that he put in his progress note was that my symptoms and severity have increased this is exactly whathe said in the report " recently she has been having these episodes about twice a week. She can blunt the severity of the vertigo by taking a 5 mg valium pill." he stated that this is a chronic balance problem. When I had my appointment I told him that I was having these very frequently no less them twice a week, but somehow that was changed in his write up to "about" twice a week. I didn't care for the wording because I know that the VA will use that against my case. But it is the best that I have for now.

As I stated he really did not state all of this as this was not a C&P exam but my regular visit. But in letters from my husband, daughter and son-in-law that I sent they definately state that I can't drive anymore and that I have not worked for over two years.

Am I depressed... I haven't been able to work for two years... I have a hard time even doing my household chores to the extent that my husband said that he was going to hire a cleaning service. My husband now does most of the shopping and cooking. I have a 13 year old son who is very active in sports and it is getting where I cannot go to most of his events and when he played basketball last winter I could not go at all because of the noise in a confined space. I can't enjoy my grandchildren as a grandmother should. I feel zapped of all energy all the time and sleep at least 12 hours a day. I would say that I am somewhat depressed but I have not been treated for that. My family has written this down in their letters of support for me which I did send to the VA.

He did not state there is no cure or that this is permanent, but he did say that the condition is chronic..??? Would they not consider that about the same?

I just don't know how it will go. But as my husband said the worst that can happen is that I stay at 60%.

I have not filed for Social Security yet. I was just waiting for this and then will start the process for SSDI.

I only ask these questions, just in case you forgot to write them down on your increase for benefits.

I have had the same condition as you for the last 13 years and it is the most depressing thing that I ever experienced.

It has gotten to the point that it has stripped all the strength out of my legs for trying to balance myself.

I can't go anywhere that I want and have to pretty spend my time at home as you.

I take the Valium for Anxiety and the Vestibular Conditon. I take 5 a day I started taking them for anxiety in 1973 and tried librium, but it didn't help the anxiety so back to the Valium. The Inner Ear problem came alone in 1994. I will never forget that day.

You may wish to go ahead and file for Social Security as you are loosing money big time.

I didn't mean to knock you down with questions, but I have the conditon.

I must take meclizine one each night.

It is difficult to pretend that you are on a flying carpet as you go to sleep.

Berta had excellent advice for you to follow.

She knows her stuff!!

Always,

Josephine