tinnitus New Here, First Time Questions

[DDuck]

Sorry I just found this forum, I sympathize with so many of you. So a little background I was med boarded out in '98 at 20%. I was very upset, I suffered a AGE (Air Gas Embolus) from a diving mishap upon successfully removing a distressed diver (I was 2nd Class Diver at the time). I suffered photosensitivity and migraines after a TT6 with two extensions. I was told to suck it up or lose my pin, so I did.

Later in the middle of Phase I EOD training a DUI driver drilled me going about 60-80 mph the cop estimated. Being young and stupid I sucked it up and went back into training for a week until I was urinating blood and my left leg went numb. Later they found a undiagnosed bone spur that shredded my urethra and I have to self cath to this day. (NEW add as of today 2/12/2014) My Creatine levels are 1.38 so the doctors think I may just be starting very early stage kidney failure. They are going to test monthly to see if it stablizes.

A year ago they re-evaluated me at 80% my breakdown is:

Right hip injury/pain (was dislocated in the accident) 10%

Neuropathy of right foot 10%

Urethral stricture and Bladder neck contracture/stricture 60%

DDD L4-L5 and L5-S1 (two surgeries) 10%

Vascular migraine 10%

Tinnitus 10%

My question is my upper back is starting to obtain a moderate curve and is starting to cause breathing problems and shoulder pain (which I have been complaining to the VA about).

How would I try to process this? Attached to a pre-existing back condition or as a separate claim?

Also starting this last year I have been on HCTZ for high blood pressure (over a year of 164+/100+) due to chronic pain my doc figured. Is it to much of a pain to fight for that (not overweight no family history of HBP)?

Last question is I have had flat feet since I was released (no records indicate this that I can find) but my QTC doc stated that with my training and job that I should put in for it, I have been out for 15 years, or is it too much hassle. I am really not able to jump through too many more hoops, I feel like I will choke a doctor out. I have spent my life since age 25 dealing with this and mentally I am shot at 42 now. I have held jobs up until five years ago, the pain/stress have been so bad my wife said I needed to quit or get a divorce. So I quit.

I apologize for the format and the shotgun style questions but I have received no help of significance from the Legion or the DAV.

Regards,

Dan

Edited February 13, 2014 by DDuck

[john999]

I would sure try and get the SSD so you can get medicare. Do you get all your medical care through the VA? That can be dangerous to your health. When I get worried I use my medicare to see private doctors. I have been SC for a heart condition for about 5 years. I have never seen a cardiologist at the VA. I would sure look into the PTSD claim. If that fails I bet your could get a claim for depression approved due to your medical conditions. If you believe any of your conditions are SC then claim them. If you can't work claim TDIU. That will make you 100% for pay reasons. I have a claim in for an increase and it has been almost a year in "Gathering Evidence" stage. Strange since all the evidence is at the VA hospital.

John

[DDuck]

@John

Yeah I am in the loop for SSD; my wife is a firefighter so we are very blessed on that front. I concur with you on the VA care and the military; it is precisely why I am at stage 3 KD undiagnosed. I have been complaining about this for years. I have suspected it and they just kept telling be because I am a muscular guy that my creatine is above normal because of that.

Every complaint I had was countered by "well you know Dan your bladder condition is quite serious and is most likely the culprit here there is really nothing to worry about but I will run labs to be sure". Funny thing is my Nephrologist said the only way to test kidney function is the 24hr collection method.... VA never once even mentioned this or put in for it. If this is true the VA truly has shorted my life span by a considerable amount.

Once again I am utterly pissed, I am so sorry for anyone else that has had their life truly screwed by subpar medical treatment and counseling.

I have been in counseling for about 2.5 months now, diagnosed with TBI/PTSD and MDD. Apparently I was diagnosed in 1999 (just went through my post and I had this listed above LOL like I said I vaguely remember this but it was in the computer for the VA counslers) with PTSD I had no idea I vaguely remember the meds Praozin I believe. I took the full dose and had a crazy reaction that required a brief stint in the ER. Apparently you are supposed to work up to the recommended dosage not just take it. I do not remember anybody telling me that.

The thing is I do not feel up to putting in for the TBI/PTSD or MDD from everything I have been reading from people. The VA is doing their part and taking care of me on this front 'I'll let sleeping dogs lay'.

Edited April 9, 2014 by DDuck

[GatorNavy]

I think it's time to put all of the cards on the table and play your hand. I would get the kidney disease filed pronto. Also file for the TBI/PTSD or secondary mental condition. I'd play the music that is in your service med recs though. Without the right mental condition meds the stress could really put the hurt on your physical conditions. You are thinking correctly, pyramiding should be avoided, but the kidney disease is secondary to whatever condition the strictures are secondary. The same thing with the Polycythemia. If you require phlebotomy then that is rated at 40%. You will get to the 100% with what is going on. Also some SMCs in there as well. Some think it is good strategy to file the TDIU while trying to get to the 100% schedular. The VA will give you plenty of "wait" time. You want the earliest effective dates possible on those newly diagnosed conditions to get those retro bucks roiling.

[DDuck]

Well Gator thanks again for your advice and I will follow it. I just really do not want to go through the TBI/PTSD route. My wife has been pleading with me to file for everything; but what do I really have to lose now LOL.

The polycythemia I don't know what to attach that to, the doctors cannot figure out what is happening with that they told me that it is their primary concern right now even over the kidney disease. I have been tested for sleep apnea and they found that I am not taking deep breaths in when I sleep "shallow breathing". But the cpap machine isn't helping now they are going to try a bi-pap.

But with that said how or what would the VA attach that to? I did some research on TBI and breathing problems are symptoms, and the head trauma is in my med records and they did do a CAT in 1996 but didn't see anything aside from some lesions from a considerable amount of logged diving hours they suspected (at least that is what the doctor told me).

Also do I ask the VA psych doctors for information? Because they are the only people I have talked to in regards to mental health.

Thanks again Gator if I ever get through this tunnel I'll send you a bottle of the best of what you drink or flowers if you don't (joke). Your help and others really does spare my family from venting, the amazing thing is I don't vent anymore about this to my wife. Just talking to people who are going thru the same process is the best thing I could have prayed for.

[GatorNavy]

The polycythemia I don't know what to attach that to

could have been caused by prolonged diving

Could be caused by advanced kidney disease

Could be caused by sleep apnea/breathing issues.

A good hematologist should be able to pin the tail on the donkey there.

Also do I ask the VA psych doctors for information?

Your VA psychiatrist should have done a DSM workup which is a diagnosis and severity of symptoms. They should prescribe meds that won't mess with your kidneys. With all of the back/hip pain comes depression/anxiety and I would discuss that with them. The mental condition could be secondary to the DDD or hip injury.

Holy smokes, diving doesn't cause "lesions" like that. Using your head for a racquet ball does though! I am not an MD but maybe I should save up the boxtops and send in for a "free" title.

When you are 100% schedular then you can leave your wife and kids some VA benefits should anything happen to you. Just finding out that you are diagnosed with life threatening diseases can take a toll on you and your family. Hang in there and take care of your health.

Thanks for the offer, but I can't drink any alcohol and I do miss a good beer. Hopefully I will stay on this side of the grass for a while so I won't need the flowers any time soon.

Edited April 10, 2014 by GatorNavy

[DDuck]

Ok another update, I had an MRI last week on my T-spine (I had to force the issue with my primary because they said it is rare to have a injury in that area apparently) and the findings were:

1) Moderate paracentral disc protrusion at T8-T9 it contacts the cord but does not result in canal narrowing or cord deformity.

2) LEFT greater than RIGHT mild to moderate facet hypertrophy at T9-T10.

I asked the doctor about the breathing problems when I lay down she referred me to a specialist. She it is such a rarity she didn't want to comment.

My question is, as this is a new finding of a old injury (the doctor said in her opinion, with the facet issue, it look like a old injury) is anyone have luck getting service connected after 18 years?

The doctor did say she thinks my back doctor would have no problem stating that this injury had to happen from a big trauma a number of years ago.