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

[Vync]

You are being paid at the 100 percent rate because you are unemployable due to your service-connected disabilities: Yes

You are considered to be totally and permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities: Yes

Don't forget to change your % in your profile. According to the info above, you should be 100% P&T.

Good luck!

[DDuck]

Damn Gator you hit on part of this process that is a major problem. I didn't even realize that until you said it, I do give my family everything that is left. Looking back I find that my family took second, even if I did not think I put them in that place. Giving what is left is not what my family deserves and its my fault for allowing it.

Can't cut back on appointments but I can make sure family isn't on the back burner anymore and schedule around them thanks for that I have a few appointments that I am going to reschedule tomorrow.

Sleep is hard to achieve because I find I cannot will it, but I am postive that is nothing new to anyone here no matter the reason.

Pain is pain we all deal with it, I make sure its not my focus. A few classes behind me introduced me to a great class motto: "To remain as I am is impossible, I must die or be better....(class quote ended here but this is the full quote), it appears to me". Abraham Lincoln

I try not to live on my past accomplishments but I still wear that hoodie to this day. It is a constant reminder that I have two choices: lay down and die or move on downrange.

Gator thanks again perspective is hard to come by.

As soon as the BBE is here I will update my profile and post in the success stories if it is as it states in Ebennies, thanks for the reminder Vync.

Much thanks for the board this place helps. I intend to donate what I can from the back pay when it arrives, I am sure it won't be a ton but it'll be what I can do not what this place deserves sadly.