Tbi Screening Gone Wrong...?

[doc-up8404]

First time poster here. I just wanted to vent my frustration with my first tbi screening appt today.

Background – I had a concussion during my drill weekend in late 2009 with very brief loss of consciousness (a few seconds) due to me slipping on ice and falling on my head. I was fine after 2-3 days. Fast forward to Nov 2011 in Afghanistan, I was involved in a really big IED blast, suffered a mild TBI. I got better in a couple weeks later. Came back to the sates in Jan, by early Feb 2012 I start getting worse symptoms, dizziness/vertigo, irritability, loss of coordination, loss of some memory, BAD HEAD ACHES over Left eye as well as constant neck stiffness with tension head aches, sleeping only 3-4 hours a night because I am constantly waking up.

End of March I get off orders. Now I have my “TBI screening” today. Thinking I am going to the VA to be put through the ringer of tests (or at least schedule the tests) or do SOME TYPE OF TESTS???? the Doc makes me touch my nose with my finger then with the same finger touch his nose, back and forth. Then he asks me to place one hand on top of another and flip the top hand over and back repeatedly as fast as I can. He also stated "I walked in the room with no problems" so that was a great sign I’m doing just fine.

So here is the kicker. He tells me here is some sleeping meds, you need to see mental health, and once you get sleep and talk to someone about your anxiety & anger problems you should be fine, your symptoms should go away, “YOU ARE JUST TIRED”. WTF? Are you kidding me? Yes I do have bad sleeping problems but does that cause these serious head aches that I have to shut down my life and ride them out? Does that cause all these other several symptoms I have?

I don’t know what just happened I just know I have something wrong with me that isn’t just caused by “lack of sleep”. I could go on but this should be enough info I hope. Any wisdom, guidance, help is appreciated.

[doc-up8404]

Berta,

That brings a tremendous amount of hope to my claim when I decide to file. Like I said the VA shrink seems just like a great guy, super easy to talk to, doesn't rush, listens to what I say. He had all these things he was going to ask me but, I was so pissed off when I was in his office we only spoke about that. So if I can see him for PTSD then go to an outside source for my TBI I see it as a win win.

You are amazing Berta! Truly a hadit vet! I literally read this site every day and the knowledge is power.

I feel if I keep going to mental health, then the migraine Doctor, then see an outside neuro Doc I should have a solid claim as I have a lot of stuff in my medical record for my TBI's. I don't want to file anything though until I get the diagnoses from the VA Docs. Is that what you would advise is best? Am I on the right path?

Thanks again Berta, awesome news!!!

[doc-up8404]

John999 yeah man, I guess that's really all they can do is prescribe pills.

But, I was thinking maybe they can give me advice or guidance on what to do with my memory problems, balance problems, ext...

I hear you though, unfortunately (right now) there is not really much they can do

but, I'd like to have some type of treatment.

[Berta]

In your case, I would file for PTSD and the TBI. That way they will set you up for C & Ps.

The bad part about waiting for a formal diagnosis is that ,with a million claims pending now, it pays to get into the claims stack ASAP.

You seem to have a very good nexus for the PTSD and the TBI to your service.

Once you file the claim a VCAA letter will come eventually telling you what else you need to send them.

I assume you are an OIF and OEF veteran,and as a corpsman, you dealt with a lot .

Other types of claims I might not be quick to tell the vet to file right away but in your case, why wait .

The best thing to do too now is to establish that paper trail as these guys said.

As much as VA wants to go paperless-they still love "paper".

You will be establishing current treatment records that they can access when they finally get to your claim.

I think maybe I said my earlier post wrong-sure VA would know what 'head trauma' means- but some of the raters might not be smart enough to think TBI and then look for the evidence of the IED incident.