ptsd Gulf War Syndrom Presumptives

[Gratefulmess]

I know that CFS and IBS are considered Gulf War Syndrome presumptives. I have been recently diagnosed with diverticulosis and encephalitis.I have also been diagnosed with a tarlov cyst on my S2 nerve root, and there is not much known about these cysts. In fact, there are so few ever reported that there are no "experts" on these unknown occurrences. Being that it is on the nerve root, I feel that it is affecting my nervous system. There is steady pain and discomfort in my lower back(on top of 3 bulging discs and an extra vertebrae). Does anybody have any recommendations as to how or if I should even file for disability. My back issues greatly affect my ability to perform physically demanding tasks of my past. I am not on pain meds, but that looks to be my only solution short of having back surgery. This would be a last resort decision. Currently rated at 70% Social Anxiety(NOS PTSD) and TDIU. My one year appeal date is in Aug. 2011 and that is for an earlier effective date of my 70% diagnosis from 2003 to 1996. Any advice on if this is worth pursuing? Thank you all for your service and input!

[Berta]

"Currently rated at 70% Social Anxiety(NOS PTSD) and TDIU. My one year appeal date is in Aug. 2011 and that is for an earlier effective date of my 70% diagnosis from 2003 to 1996. Any advice on if this is worth pursuing? "

I feel a vet should get a rating (hopefully SC rating)- even if it is at "0"% for anything they can positively attribute to their service.

I certainly think it will take a strong IMO to get the diverticulosis and encephalitis and the cyst service connected.

And that would depend on what your SMRs reveal but if this can get worse in time-it might well be important that you claim it.

Also no one knows what they will die from and their surviving spouse will have a hard time getting DIC if they have to prove an SC cause.I would imagine even a 10% SC could contribute to death in some cases and if any SC disability at higher comp (such as PTSD) was the only SC listed-the spouse will have a hard time getting DIC unless a lesser disabling condition did contribute to death.

I know of someone who died decades ago of diverticulitis complications. This is very unusual and they had put off getting medical care when the symptoms first appeared. A CT scan revealed I have some diverticuli but my doctor said this is common and not to be concerned about it.

But this is what I mean- a SC rated at "0" could get worse and could in extreme cases cause or contribute to death.

I know what vet's survivors go through with the VA and it is miserable. They don't discriminate -they treat many of us widows as lousy as they treat many disabled veterans.

Even a low SC rating could be the prime disability that causes a veteran's death.

This concerns me:

. "My one year appeal date is in Aug. 2011 and that is for an earlier effective date of my 70% diagnosis from 2003 to 1996"

When did you file the claim that awarded the 70%?

Why is the 1996 date significant?

Someone recently posted at hadit an EXCELLENT rendition for earliest effective dates.

Have you read that over?

Edited February 15, 2011 by Berta

[Gratefulmess]

"Currently rated at 70% Social Anxiety(NOS PTSD) and TDIU. My one year appeal date is in Aug. 2011 and that is for an earlier effective date of my 70% diagnosis from 2003 to 1996. Any advice on if this is worth pursuing? "

I feel a vet should get a rating (hopefully SC rating)- even if it is at "0"% for anything they can positively attribute to their service.

I certainly think it will take a strong IMO to get the diverticulosis and encephalitis and the cyst service connected.

And that would depend on what your SMRs reveal but if this can get worse in time-it might well be important that you claim it.

Also no one knows what they will die from and their surviving spouse will have a hard time getting DIC if they have to prove an SC cause.I would imagine even a 10% SC could contribute to death in some cases and if any SC disability at higher comp (such as PTSD) was the only SC listed-the spouse will have a hard time getting DIC unless a lesser disabling condition did contribute to death.

I know of someone who died decades ago of diverticulitis complications. This is very unusual and they had put off getting medical care when the symptoms first appeared. A CT scan revealed I have some diverticuli but my doctor said this is common and not to be concerned about it.

But this is what I mean- a SC rated at "0" could get worse and could in extreme cases cause or contribute to death.

I know what vet's survivors go through with the VA and it is miserable. They don't discriminate -they treat many of us widows as lousy as they treat many disabled veterans.

Even a low SC rating could be the prime disability that causes a veteran's death.

This concerns me:

. "My one year appeal date is in Aug. 2011 and that is for an earlier effective date of my 70% diagnosis from 2003 to 1996"

When did you file the claim that awarded the 70%?

Why is the 1996 date significant?

Someone recently posted at hadit an EXCELLENT rendition for earliest effective dates.

Have you read that over?

Dear Berta,

Thank you for your reply. My date for my earlier appeal to 1996 is the date that I was first denied SC PTSD. I was awarded pension in 2003 and fought until 2008 to get a SC rating of 30%. 8 months later I had this rating increased to 70% and then TDIU in Aug. 2011. I have one year to appeal the decision, and the appeal would be for an earlier effective date of 1996 instead of 2003. Because I presented the VA with "new and material evidence" that was not available in 1996, they are granting me the opportunity for an earlier effective date. My only concern is that they would rate me at a lower SC percentage and possibly lose TDIU. I have fought long and hard with my case, even going to a hearing with the BVA. The retro from 1996-2003 could be worth anywhere from $7000 to $22,000, but I don't know if risking my TDIU rating is worth the hassle of an appeal.

Also, I have not read the rendition on earlier effective dates. I will search the board for it! Thanks again!