tinnitus Va Wants Evidence Of Tbi From Service Until Screening?

[Signal6]

I filed for TBI service connection and received a response from the VA. they are requesting evidence that I had TBI from time of service (2005) until diagnosis (2009). So they big question, I didn't know I had memory issues until i failed all the TBI tests, so how do I provide evidence? I have doctors reports for headaches, sleep problems, tinnitus, which are all related to TBI, but obviously I don't have evidence of memory problems. Any suggestions?

[Rockhound]

First you must show you had a head injury while in the service, then you must show at the very least, symptomology of your problems, medical records would be much better. Then you must show that you have current problems associated with your TBI, ie. Neuropsychiatric tests showing cognitive dysfunction associated with the head injury, that is to say that the person giving you the exam states that your problem is due to your post traumatic head injury, Also you may consider an MRI and a special EEG test, although these can come up showing nothing, but that doesn't mean you don't have a problem. The nexus statement from the examiner who gave you the neuropsychological test is probably your most crushal evidence and hoping it is backed by your PCP.

You say you had all the TBI tests, what where they and what were the results?

Check with the New TBI schedule for disabilities to compair your results of these tests you say you have, using the schedule and your results to justify your problems. Make sure if they do make a diagnosis of a TBI that it is noted as an Axis I Diagnosis on your DSM IV Axis Chart.

The medical evidence is crushal, you just can't say you have this or that without the medical proof or report that says you had a head injury during service.

I probably didn't do this subject justice, but I am in a similiar position that has been going on now for 30 plus years and only of recent have I been able to get the evidence I believe will prove my claim.

1. I had a psychotic episode in the service, that the VA called a personality disorder, now I have evidence that first question this diagnosis, then more evidence that states I do not have any personality disorder per the DSM manual, and then I have a psychologist Phd, that showed how a neuropsychiatric exam proved that the personality disorder was due to the TBI I had shortly after my psychotic episode and an EEG showed some abnormal frontal lobe pathology that was indicative that the personality disorder was actually a Post Traumatic Cognitive Personality Disorder or a Personality Disorder due to a medical condition and not as the C&P examiner had opinioned 30 plus years ago.

2. With the Personality disorder rebutted, the psychotic episode diagnosis should be reinstated as SC and any residuals from that SC.

It's all about how your evidence, however slight, proves that at least as likely as not, your claim should be SC.

Rockhound Rider :D

Edited April 28, 2009 by Rockhound

[Rockhound]

P.S. Signal6: I reread your post. My ming isn't working like it should, went into town today and I must be tired.

Send them 1. evidence of your TBI while in the service, find all related medical records, buddy statements from friends and family who whave witnessed your problems and how the manifest theselves. If you have had reports generated by the TBI tests you took, send those two. but most of all, you need the nexus statement that says the problems you have been having since your TBI are the same or as a result of the TBI you had in service.

Sorry, I tend to rant, I just hope I am making sence and it is of some help to you

Rockhound Rider :D

[Signal6]

Thanks Rock, I'll see what i can find for medical records. I was in an explosion in iraq and have the treatment records. I have SC for tension headaches and have numerous medical records for headaches, etc. I was referred last year to the TBI screening because of the explosion and after all the tests they said my memory was all jacked and diagnosed with Cognitive disorder NOS. The Dr wrote it was from residual of TBI ,so i would think that covers the evidence of memory and cognitive impairment from testing. But then they asked for evidence from time of service until the tests. I was just a little confused as to what to send them. I have complained about a lot of the subjective symptoms over the past 4 years, headaches, sleep disorder, etc, and realized I had some issues but thought it was PTSD. then I fail this test, meet the neuro Physic Dr and realized it is all related to TBI. But I don't have any records directly related to TBI because I didn't know anything about it. Oh well, I will send what i have and see what they say

[john999]

If you have treatment records since the service send copies (not originals). I suppose they want to see continuity of symptoms. In other words, that your symptoms have been present since you were last treated in the military. I hope you claim both PTSD and TBI since they can both be present.

[Rockhound]

Thanks Rock, I'll see what i can find for medical records. I was in an explosion in iraq and have the treatment records. I have SC for tension headaches and have numerous medical records for headaches, etc. I was referred last year to the TBI screening because of the explosion and after all the tests they said my memory was all jacked and diagnosed with Cognitive disorder NOS. The Dr wrote it was from residual of TBI ,so i would think that covers the evidence of memory and cognitive impairment from testing. But then they asked for evidence from time of service until the tests. I was just a little confused as to what to send them. I have complained about a lot of the subjective symptoms over the past 4 years, headaches, sleep disorder, etc, and realized I had some issues but thought it was PTSD. then I fail this test, meet the neuro Physic Dr and realized it is all related to TBI. But I don't have any records directly related to TBI because I didn't know anything about it. Oh well, I will send what i have and see what they say

Check to see if your Neurologist would look over your past medical records, also any non VA medical records to see if he will write you an opinion as to whether or not those problems are as likely as not related to or the result of your TBI. Make sure the VA knows what records are being reviewed and supply them with any records that are not in or a part of your C-File.

Rockhound Rider :D