Deacon 2011's first post

[Deacon 2011 0]

OK Vets... this is my first posting so I am hoping that I do not butcher this. All of your comments are interesting, I've been slugging out the TBI battle with the VA for almost a year. I've gotten so frustrated from the variety of reasons why the claim has not been completed that I initiated a Congressional Inquiry. In efforts to get some help physically and psychologically, I requested copies of all of the examination reports from the VA which revealed the following:

Chronic headaches, imbalance, vertigo, dizziness, hypersensitivity to light and sound

Trigeminal neuralgia

Sleep disturbance

Difficulty with executive functions

Cognitive impairment

Physiatric complications (irritability and restlessness)

Neurobehavioral changes (frustration and anger)

Tinnitus and right ear pain

The list goes one however; with all this said I am being told that despite these diagnosis (from the VA) it is difficult to complete my rating... anyone been down this road before? HELP!

[carlie 50]

Deacon,

Welcome to Hadit.com .

I split your post off from the original poster's because your

question/s are different.

[timetowinarace 0]

I had difficulties the my TBI claims yes, but they were different than yours. I was rated before the current rating system was in place.

The new rating proccess is difficult for raters. You'll have to have seperate ratings for some issues like tinnitus and headaches. It is likely your rating will be lower than it should be when you get it.(just a heads up)

Some questions for you:

Do you see a neurologist for your headaches/dizziness?

Have you had neuro-psychological testing?

The testing is the single most important part of a TBI claim.

[Deacon 2011 0]

Yes, I have gone through a battery of testing and seen all of the appropriate specialists; there are at least 13 secondary conditions associated with my TBI. I've gone through a series of exams for hearing/tinnitus balance, dizziness etc; went throught a complete battery of neuro-psychological testing, done it all.. all the doc's listed multiple conditions relating to TBI, all moderate or severe. Still not sure why it is taking so long to rate. Claim has been with the rating board since early November, or so I am told.

I had difficulties the my TBI claims yes, but they were different than yours. I was rated before the current rating system was in place.

The new rating proccess is difficult for raters. You'll have to have seperate ratings for some issues like tinnitus and headaches. It is likely your rating will be lower than it should be when you get it.(just a heads up)

Some questions for you:

Do you see a neurologist for your headaches/dizziness?

Have you had neuro-psychological testing?

The testing is the single most important part of a TBI claim.

[timetowinarace 0]

It sounds like you are in good shape for your claim. I'm afraid the proccess is just slow. The congressional inquirey will likely slow things down more.

At this point my advice is not a popular one but accurate I think. Kick back, do some fishing(or whatever you can enjoy) and wait.

[Berta 3,013]

I agree- Nov to Feb isn't such a long time to wait for a decision on a claim like yours.

Is the proof of the cause of the TBI in your SMRs?