Don't Know Where To Turn Next...

[drftit808]

Hey guys, i'm new so not sure i'm even posting in the right place. I'm stressed to the max and don't know what to do or who else to talk to. I'm getting absolutley no support here and feel like i'm just getting blown off.

Here's the short story:

The beginning of this year we deployed (navy) and I suddenly lost 22 pounds (using same workout and diet routine that gained me 17 pounds 4 months prior) I started waking up with numb hands and tingly arms and just being totally out of breath for hours. I started having dizzy spells and feeling nauseous like i was going to pass out. I kept ignoring until we came back from deployment where i finally went to the ships sick bay. They told me i needed to go to the hospital. At the hospital i was diagnosed with "possible hypoglycemia" and just told to "eat more". The next day i started having the sweatiness, dizziness and fainting feeling. Again... i was told to go to the ER. Here's where it get's interesting.

At the ER i was on the EKG and talking to a tech and remember saying "i think i might pass out", apparantly my heart stopped for 16 seconds and when i came back i went totally stiff and had a seizure. SO i got to stay there for 4 days and of course got no diagnosis... I was told to wear a heart monitor and come back. I came back, had an ultrasound of the heart done and had to wait for 2 MONTHS! to see him again. I just saw hime yesterday, did a tilt table test with no results and told to wait another month! to see the neurologist then he'll try and see me again. I've been being seen for other things in the past few months while they pulled me off the ship, put me LLD, and did a abbreviated medical evaluation board such as unknown testicle pain, sharp neck pain and stiffness, ear infection, etc...

My EAOS is in april leaving me only 5 months to figure this thing out and all i'm getting is "reffered" for moths at a time. A disbled marine buddy of mine is telling me i need to get a med discharge. I've been talking to DAV and the VA with no help at all. Everyone has the same thing to say "wait and see what the docs say", the docs that won't see me for months at a time.

My mom thinks it's all caused by the 3 anthrax vaccines they gave me and put me in contact with the VHC who i wasted $50 sending a copy of my medical record to and of course have seen no results "wait and see"...

I'm at a loss here and super stressed, i'm not allowed to work or drive and don't know where else to turn. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[carlie]

drift,

Something I feel that is very important has not been addressed

anywhere I can find in this thread.

You said you had a seizure.

Did you ever have a seizure prior to active duty ?

If not this is very important.

Was the seizure documented?

Did a doc provide a Medical Diagnosis of the seizure and why you

had a seizure.

If the seizure is documented on ad, this would be a good claim.

Get anyone that witnessed your seizure to write you a little statement to that fact

with the date, their name, rank and location, with their address if possible.

jmho,

carlie

[drftit808]

Yeah i was actually in the hospital when i had the seizure and everyone was talking about it. Now that i've been discharged and got the paperwork back it says "seizure like activity".

Also, i went to the ER again yesterday becuase my chest was real tight and i had pain making me dizzy and hard to breath. They didn't find anything again though, not sure what to do... =\

[SouthernBelle]

I AM NOT A DOCTOR, so take this with a grain of salt: My husband has those symptoms often, and they couldn't figure it out. They finally called it "Panic Attacks" (even without triggers). The meds help. The meds are called Lorazepam. The EKG was normal, the 24 hour heart monitor was normal, everything was normal, no out of the ordinary test results, they even did an ultrasound of his insides and couldn't find anything wrong, so they started giving him the Lorazepam and what a difference. When he starts feeling the chest tightness and having a hard time catching his breath he takes one of those little pills and all is well. Just something to think about.

Yeah i was actually in the hospital when i had the seizure and everyone was talking about it. Now that i've been discharged and got the paperwork back it says "seizure like activity".

Also, i went to the ER again yesterday becuase my chest was real tight and i had pain making me dizzy and hard to breath. They didn't find anything again though, not sure what to do... =\

[carlie]

drift,

For medical evidence of Seizure activity you can request from

either Neurology or your PCP to have an EEG test done to check out

electrical activity in your brain. I would show them the paperwork from

when you were hospitalized and had a Seizure while an inpatient.

carlie

[drftit808]

Panic attacks? Really? That's strange, something to look into i suppose... They just recently gave me something called myzopan? Something for vertigo... Yeah i'm seeing the neurologist on the 26th for the possible seizures, i'll let you guys know what they say and thanks for the inputs. It's good to have people in the same situation. =)

[carlie]

drift,

Some rules regarding service connection of seizures.

38 CFR 4.121

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....68&idno=38

38 CFR 4.122

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....69&idno=38

You will find the rating schedule for seizures here.

Diagnostic Codes 8910 thru 8914.

There are also some specific rating instructions at the bottom.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....72&idno=38

The Epilepsies

Rating

A thorough study of all material in §§4.121 and 4.122 of the preface and under the ratings for epilepsy is necessary prior to any rating action.

8910 Epilepsy, grand mal.Rate under the general rating formula for major seizures.

8911 Epilepsy, petit mal.

Rate under the general rating formula for minor seizures.

Note (1): A major seizure is characterized by the generalized tonic-clonic convulsion with unconsciousness.

Note (2): A minor seizure consists of a brief interruption in consciousness or conscious control associated with staring or rhythmic blinking of the eyes or nodding of the head (“pure” petit mal), or sudden jerking movements of the arms, trunk, or head (myoclonic type) or sudden loss of postural control (akinetic type).

General Rating Formula for Major and Minor Epileptic Seizures:

Averaging at least 1 major seizure per month over the last year100

Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 3 months over the last year; or more than 10 minor seizures weekly80

Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 4 months over the last year; or 9–10 minor seizures per week60

At least 1 major seizure in the last 6 months or 2 in the last year; or averaging at least 5 to 8 minor seizures weekly40

At least 1 major seizure in the last 2 years; or at least 2 minor seizures in the last 6 months20

A confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy with a history of seizures10

Note (1): When continuous medication is shown necessary for the control of epilepsy, the minimum evaluation will be 10 percent. This rating will not be combined with any other rating for epilepsy.

Note (2): In the presence of major and minor seizures, rate the predominating type.

Note (3): There will be no distinction between diurnal and nocturnal major seizures.

8912 Epilepsy, Jacksonian and focal motor or sensory.

8913 Epilepsy, diencephalic.Rate as minor seizures, except in the presence of major and minor seizures, rate the predominating type.

8914 Epilepsy, psychomotor.

Major seizures:Psychomotor seizures will be rated as major seizures under the general rating formula when characterized by automatic states and/or generalized convulsions with unconsciousness.

Minor seizures:Psychomotor seizures will be rated as minor seizures under the general rating formula when characterized by brief transient episodes of random motor movements, hallucinations, perceptual illusions, abnormalities of thinking, memory or mood, or autonomic disturbances.

Mental Disorders in Epilepsies:

A nonpsychotic organic brain syndrome will be rated separately under the appropriate diagnostic code (e.g., 9304 or 9326).

In the absence of a diagnosis of non-psychotic organic psychiatric disturbance (psychotic, psychoneurotic or personality disorder) if diagnosed and shown to be secondary to or directly associated with epilepsy will be rated separately.

The psychotic or psychroneurotic disorder will be rated under the appropriate diagnostic code.

The personality disorder will be rated as a dementia (e.g., diagnostic code 9304 or 9326).

Epilepsy and Unemployability:

(1) Rating specialists must bear in mind that the epileptic, although his or her seizures are controlled, may find employment and rehabilitation difficult of attainment due to employer reluctance to the hiring of the epileptic.

(2) Where a case is encountered with a definite history of unemployment, full and complete development should be undertaken to ascertain whether the epilepsy is the determining factor in his or her inability to obtain employment.

(3) The assent of the claimant should first be obtained for permission to conduct this economic and social survey. The purpose of this survey is to secure all the relevant facts and data necessary to permit of a true judgment as to the reason for his or her unemployment and should include information as to:

(a) Education;

(b) Occupations prior and subsequent to service;

© Places of employment and reasons for termination;

(d) Wages received;

(e) Number of seizures.

(4) Upon completion of this survey and current examination,

the case should have rating board consideration.

Where in the judgment of the rating board the veteran's unemployability is due to epilepsy and jurisdiction is not vested in that body by reason of schedular evaluations,

the case should be submitted to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155)

[29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 40 FR 42540, Sept. 15, 1975; 41 FR 11302, Mar. 18, 1976; 43 FR 45362, Oct. 2, 1978; 54 FR 4282, Jan. 30, 1989; 54 FR 49755, Dec. 1, 1989; 55 FR 154, Jan. 3, 1990; 56 FR 51653, Oct. 15, 1991; 57 FR 24364, June 9, 1992; 70 FR 75399, Dec. 20, 2005]

Hope this helps a vet.

carlie