Service Connected At 0%. Please Help

[McLain]

^{Hi all! Thank you for your service!}

^{Husband was just rated at 0% for TBI, this is service connected but No compensation? He was also denied completely on his Epilepsy & shoulder dislocation.}

^{He was in Special ops, maybe his records were classified, which is why they couldnt compensate or put the two together, because they could not access records?}

^{I am not sure how he can be rated service connected but 0%? TBI can later cause epilepsy, and clearly this happened to him. What do we do? We are trying to obtain his records that are now archived at ST. LOUIS, MO. and planning to get an atty. Anyone been through this? Since they do recognize the TBI, do you think the appeal process may be easier? Anyone w/ any input is much appreciated.}

^{THANK YOU ALL !}

[harleyman]

Does your husband have a diagnosis of PTSD, from an M.D. or a PHD? a working diagnosis from a counselor is not enough for VA purposes.(it's sounds like the examiner is putting the cause of your husband's issues on a the "non-service connected mental disorder". You definately need a report of examination findings from a VA doctor or a private IMO/IME which will provide a diagnosis of PTSD by an M.D. or PHD. Without that, they may try to say he has an adjustment disorder or a non-service related anxiety disorder. Be careful here, and make sure you have all your evidence together in support of your claim for PTSD. Especially, if your husband was not an OEF/OIF veteran, or if he does not have documentation in his records showing he was in receipt of a CIB or eminent danger area.

Edited July 21, 2013 by harleyman

[carlie]

McLain,

Another question.

Brain injury = Diagnostic Code (DC) 8045 - Pre Oct 2008

TBI = Traumatic Brain Injury = Diagnostic Code (DC) 8045 - Post Oct 2008

If in fact, his TBI was granted as SC'd with a zero percent evaluation -

what was the effective date of the SC ?

[McLain]

Does your husband have a diagnosis of PTSD, from an M.D. or a PHD? a working diagnosis from a counselor is not enough for VA purposes.(it's sounds like the examiner is putting the cause of your husband's issues on a the "non-service connected mental disorder". You definately need a report of examination findings from a VA doctor or a private IMO/IME which will provide a diagnosis of PTSD by an M.D. or PHD. Without that, they may try to say he has an adjustment disorder or a non-service related anxiety disorder. Be careful here, and make sure you have all your evidence together in support of your claim for PTSD. Especially, if your husband was not an OEF/OIF veteran, or if he does not have documentation in his records showing he was in receipt of a CIB or eminent danger area.

[McLain]

Hi thank you for info. I dont know what OEF/OIF means or CIB, sorry very new to the lingo. But anxiety should not cause epilepsy, especially if hes been pretty banged up treated for head trauma right? I am thnking we will definitely need IME.

[McLain]

And no do not believe he was diagnosed by MD about PTSD. His neurologist did acknowledge it a few times and he was told he had PTSD from neuro. Maybe its in her reports? We will be obtaini.g them soon

McLain,

Another question.

Brain injury = Diagnostic Code (DC) 8045 - Pre Oct 2008

TBI = Traumatic Brain Injury = Diagnostic Code (DC) 8045 - Post Oct 2008

If in fact, his TBI was granted as SC'd with a zero percent evaluation -

what was the effective date of the SC ?

McLain,

Another question.

Brain injury = Diagnostic Code (DC) 8045 - Pre Oct 2008

TBI = Traumatic Brain Injury = Diagnostic Code (DC) 8045 - Post Oct 2008

If in fact, his TBI was granted as SC'd with a zero percent evaluation -

what was the effective date of the SC ?

[carlie]

McLain,

Again . . .

Please clarify:

1) TBI - DC 8045 was granted as service connected with a zero percent evaluation.

2) TBI - service connection was denied.