ptsd Brown Envelope Came Yesterday

[HvyGns38]

The brown envelope came yesterday and I was very surprised and a tad bit disappointed at the outcome.

First, they rated my PTSD at 70%, the highest possible since I am gainfully employed. However, they denied my Meneire's disease saying that my last diagnoses was in 1997 from a civilian doctor and there is nothing in my SMR to indicate Meniere's, only hearing loss. So, I have one year to see an ENT and get him to connect my military service with Meniere's or that was the onset of the disease was from military service.

Very surprised at the high PTSD rating especially since I am employed. While I struggle daily with my demons, I am still pleasantly surprised.

PTSD = 70%

Right knee = 50%

Hearing loss = 10%

Tinitus = 10%

Total = 90%

Thank you sooooo much to everyone who had the patience to answer my questions!!! I'm sure I will have more!! :)

[dizzyvet]

Hvygns38, Having been through the ringer with Meniere's disease and getting a claim won I thought I might pass a little info that might help in the future. If your meniere's becomes debilitating, to the point that you can no longer work, I would advise that you start the process for a diagnoses. The reason that the va will not award or service connect is that it sounds like you have yet to get a valid differential diagnoses. Meniere's is a bad disease to have. Because the cause is unknown, it is very difficult to diagnose. Here Are some examples. I had to have multiple hearing tests to show that I had fluctuating hearing loss. I had to have blood tests to rule out being born with syphilis. I had to have tubes put in to see if aural pressure could be relieved mechanically. I had to endure multiple injections through the eardrum of steroids that cause additional hearing loss. All of these treatments and tests were to rule out other diseases, and there are more. A diagnoses for meniere's is only accepted after all else has been ruled out. Its a long process and let me tell ya it can be demoralizing at times. But until you are actively seeking treatment and show history its not likely that they will award for it. I found that going through the process for me was to find relief from this disease, I realized later what the Dr was doing and Im thankful. In the end he did all he could to prove my case. And that was a VA ENT.

Good Luck and congrats on your other successes.

Diz