Intro from NC

[pumibel]

Hello fellow Vets,

I have been viewing this forum for a while as a guest, but I think it is better to be a member when one is reading so many personal accounts. Otherwise, I'm just a creeper. I am a single mom and caregiver to my own mom. I was on active duty with the USAF for 12 years, separated honorably from Bolling AFB.  DC did me in, but when I separated in 2004, I really did not think that I would ever file a claim for anything because I had no faith in doctors and no time machine to realize that my health problems would get so much worse within the decade. Anyway, I would like to say that I am not in the same boat as a lot of traumatically injured members here, but many friends and family members have encouraged me to file for compensation because they have seen my physical and mental capacities decline (I am only 42).  Everything started while I was in the military, but the docs would blow me off almost every time I went in for answers. Funny, if I wanted drugs, they were more than helpful, but to press for tests to find out what was wrong- nope. You can't tell them anything, either. 

I only filed my claim a month ago, and I am already sure I did it wrong or back asswards, so I know I have some time to wait. I look forward to discussions here, and thank you all for your service!

[pumibel]

Talon- I had mine removed by my family dentist while I was still a freshman in college, so those military dental students were very disappointed that they would not get to practice on me! I think they made up for it by removing all of my fillings and replacing them.

Andy- I don't think I grind either. I know I clench throughout the day because I have to remind myself to stop and then stretch my jaw. It crackles and pops, and sometimes comes close to either locking or dislocating >"<. Scary stuff. I have tried OTC night guards, but I always spit them out in my sleep. Since I don't wake up with jaw pain, I really don't believe I grind in my sleep.

 

[Vync]

I asked because my TMJ was caused by oral surgery when the military removed my wisdom teeth. I had records and everything, but they denied my claim repeatedly. It took arthrogram imaging I requested on appeal to the BVA for them to finally concede I had a permanent TMJ dislocation.

Be careful if they bring it up because I would not put it past them to try and blame your TMJ on it instead of the real cause. They are supposed to use the principal of "relative equipoise", meaning if all evidence is equal they side with you. Unfortunately, they often look for the smallest possibility of something else as a reason to deny.

OTC night guards are a total waste of time if you grind. The VA made me an acrylic one that was really thick because I kept chewing through all the others.

[Andyman73]

Ok all, here's the big question, how do you write this up for your claim, painful jaw condition?

 

[pumibel]

Yeah, Andy. From what I remember about the VONAP claim, I could only choose left or right jaw condition. There was no specific entry for that one.

[Vync]

I filed mine the old fashioned way - on paper, back in 1995. Back then I was "VA illiterate" and put my claim in the hands of a county VSO. Here's the way it happened for me over the course of 5 years to get SC. Remember, back then the 'duty to assist' did not exist. I hope this is beneficial.

The original claim was something to the effect of "Request SC for limited motion of TMJ due to 3rd molar extraction surgery in service in 1994. Constant jaw pain, popping sounds, and limited motion since surgery." and I included just the pertinent records. The VSO said they had "everything they needed".

1st denial: No medical medical records showing 3rd molar extraction surgery. Empty medical file jacket. Denied.
-- I submitted my records again, return receipt confirmed.

2nd denial: Surgery was elective. Denied.
-- Found nothing about "elective" other than signing an anesthesia form. Appealed to BVA.

BVA: Remand for C&P

1st C&P: Full dental exam and panorex. Pain on right TMJ, within normal limits, not SC.
-- No ROM's documented. Panorex was just a simple x-ray.

BVA: Denied
-- Requested arthrogram

BVA: Denied due to no duty to assist. Told I would have to get my own.
-- Requested to appear before the board

BVA: Assigned traveling BVA appearance date

Traveling BVA: Pleaded my case, no ROM measured. Requested imaging other than normal x-ray, such as MRI or arthrogram in order to determine TMJ was damaged during surgery. BVA granted request for new C&P exam with advanced imaging. The BVA spelled it out that they needed ROM values.

VAMC: Referred for arthrogram. Same C&P oral surgeon reviewed results and then conducted a proper exam included ROM, confirmed permanent anterior dislocation of right TMJ due to dislodged cartilage. A month later, I get a letter asking me to come in for another C&P exam because the doc lost his original paper copy of the write up. SC recommended.

BVA: Granted SC for TMJ with effective date back to 1995

[pumibel]

 

BVA: Granted SC for TMJ with effective date back to 1995

Crap, that was a lot of work, but you finally got it- yay for you! I hope I don't have to go to board hearings...