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.

[navy8005]

Thank you for the information. I tried to post a thank you earlier and the system wouldn't let me so I will try again.

I already sent my request for increase out but I guess if I get denied I will seek advise on how to handle it. I only wish that I had found this site before I sent off my paperwork.

[Arch]

Thank you for the information. I tried to post a thank you earlier and the system wouldn't let me so I will try again.

I already sent my request for increase out but I guess if I get denied I will seek advise on how to handle it. I only wish that I had found this site before I sent off my paperwork.

Navy. I have recently been upgraded to 100% from 50% with vestibular disfunction. I allways thought the tinnitus was either blood perssure or someone talking about me? Over the military service I had variable hearing in the ear, to the point that I was accused of malingering. I now know this is the course of meniers disease. I have had all the tests also, and they initially called it vestibular disfunction,deafness with tinnitus. Vertigo is not allways a spinning sensation, it can be a loss of balance falling down or rocking sensation. I have fallen down my stairs, and fall constantly. Good news is there are 3 stages of meniers disease, the middle one being the worst with attacks of vomiting and high speed spinning, or where it tends to accelerate. I am now inthe "burnt out" stage of what is called Classic Meniers disease. Iv'e had a lousy life dealing with bouts of it, No one knows what its etiology is either, we are all a bit different. I have used Vallium ( death pill) antivert and am having the best sucess with a diuretic combo for my Liver disease its. Amiloride and furosomide, I still have ear pain constantly though. All you need is 2 or more epesodes weekly for 100% schedular plus cerebellar gait? Cant get a "gold standard" on that puppy though. watch out for attacks of tumarkin, I also have those thats dangerous....

Arch

[strain35]

The NAVY got me out on TDRL at 100% the VA did give me 100% fore my Meniere’s but it’s not P&T as I was hoping for. So I guess I wait and see when the next C&P will be as well as the Navy’s re exam in 6 months but I will not let them cut in to my scull for something that mite work. But life goes on for me as this thing is killing me as slowly as anything that sucks the life out of you tell you hate life its self. I hope you win with the VA as that is a big thing as for SSI I have not tried to get that for this as I am onshore of how to do it and the hole thing scares the shit out of Me as there is no one helping me as the DAV did with my VA claim.