ptsd Helping My Dad Out

[montanagray]

Hello everyone,

I am a disabled veteran myself and trying to give my dad some advice on his disability. When he retired from the Marine Corps he submitted for tinnitus and hearing loss. He was given 10% for tinnitus and 0% for hearing back in 1998. He is currently getting his records together for a new claim on the following information:

1. His blood pressure

2. Sleep Apnea (uses a breathing machine)

3. Hearing loss again. He got the hearing test used by the VA just to have a hard copy to compare. Here are his results: RT EAR 1000=35, 2000=20, 3000=25, 4000=55, LT EAR 1000=30, 2000=15, 3000=30, 4000=50 The results of the speech audiometry are as follows: MVL, SRT for RT EAR=15 and then some goofy number that is under HL/PB% those numbers are 75/100, LT EAR SRT 15, HL/PB% 75/88 and his masking numbers are 55 for both ears.

4. Exposure to toxic chemicals at Terrawa Terrace, Camp Lejeune. Both of his natural children were underweight and learning difficulties.

5. Multiple Lipomas, he has about 50 of them. The VA has even removed some of them for him.

6. PTSD, was a combat camerman/photographer in the USMC. He photo'd alot of dead bodies to include military dependent children. HE DOESNT KNOW WHAT TO WRITE FOR THE STRESSOR since it spanned quite a few years.

7. He is currently seeing a military physician for his diagnosed longterm depression and takes anti depressants and sleeping medication. Does this fall under PTSD or another diagnosed criterion.

8. Head trauma during military service.

Is there any suggestions that you may have to help my dad in this process.

Thanks,

montanagray

[montanagray]

To the Senior Chief that asked about my CSF temporal bone leak. I have had major headaches since the gvmva and couldnt figure out why. I do have leakage out of the ear once in awhile, but a majority of it is drainage in the throat. I had the neuro testing and I dont have the results in front of me right now. I know I had some scores in the low 40's but I did do well on the math part of the test. My wife told me that she is worried that I can go to wal mart and add up as the cashier goes and even tell her when she missed something. WEIRD. I would be willing to deal with this better if the VA just had a little bit compassion and speak plain english to their patients. My ENT doc in Pittsburg was not a student, but a student had to tell him where the damage was. When I left the Army in 2004 all I wanted was to have all my military related injuries documented so I could be taken care of. Now it seems like anymore they think a vet just wants money. I have worked as a DVOP for 3 years now and most vets that I deal with just want an honest diagnosis.

[timetowinarace]

I'm with you there. I went 14 years undiagnosed/misdiagnosed.

I know a bit about CSF leaks because I feel I had one. Terrible headaches.

I know I had one in my spine after a surgery once, so I know how they feel. But I also believe I had one in my ear. It would drain into my throat, the fluid would not come out of the ear though. It could be seen behind the eardrum but I couldn't get a doctor to put a needle in to test it. They pretty much told me I was nuts to be able to feel it dripping in my head.

It won't make you feel much better but for TBI and CSF leak problems the VA is not the only ones that don't have a clue. Private docs were no better for me and there are many many people that have had diagnoses problems, even non-veterans.

There are Docs that specialize in leaks though, I think one is at the Mayo clinic.

Go here for CSF leak info. http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=126

I don't know what can be done for rating purposes for the leak. I'll see what I can find when I get some time.

For the TBI, you will need to review the C&P. Read the DC8045 guidelines and look for anything you disagree with.

PS Most people go years before a leak is diagnosed.

Edited November 12, 2009 by timetowinarace

[montanagray]

I think right now my name is mud with the VA. 6 years ago I was involved in a government vehicle accident that broke my hip, shoulder, collapsed left lung, broke leg and some other stuff. My bad luck was that it happened right before I PCS'd so I got transferred for the after care at a military hospital. For 2 years I had to deal with a fractured hip that didnt heal right and the military kept telling me that it was in my head. So I ETS out of the Army get lined up with the VA and they tell me the same thing. Even though my hip would lock up and I couldnt move it. Then the VA sent me to a ortho VA doctor in another state and he told me that MRI's arent a refine science and my hip was fine. So I wrote a letter to Senator Byrd about my situation and within two weeks I was allowed to go to a private doctor, had the MRI where they stick the fluid in your hip and BAM they had it diagnosed and I had surgery a month later. I couldnt believe it. But because I wrote a congressional they thought I had a problem with the VARO and I didnt at all. It was with the doctors. I honestly think that the VARO here is pretty good and I know most of them down there. They try to get everything done right. But the doctors at the local level leave something to be desired. I went 5 years with a hip that didnt work until Sen. Byrd got involved and now in my C file it shows that I filed a congressional and it had nothing to do with VARO. Our C&P Physician Assistant will even follow the veteran out of the hospital to see if his walk changes or if she perceives his claim for a back injury is bogus. WOW.

[montanagray]

I dont mind about the rating for the leak, just want to make sure that if I get surgery it is done by someone that knows what they are doing.

I'm with you there. I went 14 years undiagnosed/misdiagnosed.

I know a bit about CSF leaks because I feel I had one. Terrible headaches.

I know I had one in my spine after a surgery once, so I know how they feel. But I also believe I had one in my ear. It would drain into my throat, the fluid would not come out of the ear though. It could be seen behind the eardrum but I couldn't get a doctor to put a needle in to test it. They pretty much told me I was nuts to be able to feel it dripping in my head.

It won't make you feel much better but for TBI and CSF leak problems the VA is not the only ones that don't have a clue. Private docs were no better for me and there are many many people that have had diagnoses problems, even non-veterans.

There are Docs that specialize in leaks though, I think one is at the Mayo clinic.

Go here for CSF leak info. http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=126

I don't know what can be done for rating purposes for the leak. I'll see what I can find when I get some time.

For the TBI, you will need to review the C&P. Read the DC8045 guidelines and look for anything you disagree with.

PS Most people go years before a leak is diagnosed.