Looking for advice

[Juiced]

I was informed on monday to file for VA disability and SSDI by my primary care doctor.    To tell you the truth, it is not something I had not contemplated before and now I am not sure on what I can or need to do.  At the moment, I have been under treatment for HLA B27, depression, bipolar, social anxieties, and am being examined for cause on frequent passing out for no apparent reasons and under various circumstances.  The mental problems have been controlled so far by medication but increases in dosage and changes in medication types have become more frequent as the I may show proper dosage in blood tests, the symptoms reappear after a period of time.  The unexplained passing out, I am currently under treatment by a neurologist, cardiologist, and a lung specialist as they haven't pinpointed the cause.  Right now, I have undertaken multiple CAT scans, heart scans, a heart harness (5 day,) and breathing tests.  So far, no firm diagnosis but they have their theories.  As I show no overt symptoms, and the passing out is random, it has been made extremely difficult to pin it down. 

The passing out at random is bad, but it is the HLA B-27 that has hit me the worse.  I am showing no signs of spinal fusion, but I have had frequent inflamations in the back, eyes, and groin/lower intestinal region.  I am currently taking medication for it but it is not always effective.  I've gone down from an attack every month-6 weeks to an attack every couple months (in the left eye and have lost almost 30% vision in the last year) but have had 2 inflammations in the back that required direct steroid shots and pain medication as the pain was from the lower back to the soles of the feet.  That one has kept me out of work for the last 2 months as work will not allow me back in until I get clearance to return to full duties due to the risks and needs of the job.  So currently, not able to return to work and finding another line of work has resulted in no positions due to having to fill out explanations for missed days at my previous/current employer. 

Right now, I am not sure what to do or if I even meet the standards and I will take as much advice as I can get. 

[broncovet]

Based on your doctor's opinon, I suggest you apply.  He obviously knows much more about your conditions than I do, and may even know more about them than you do.  Most Veterans start out using a Veteran's Service Officer, like DAV, VFW, etc, to help you fill out the paper work and know where to send it.  While Im not a fan of VSO's, in your case, it may be the best for you RIGHT NOW.  

Take all of your medical records with you to your VSO appointment.  The VSO's office is usually in your VAMC hosptial.  Then ask him to give you the original of all your records back and to make a copy to send to VA.  However, If you have been treated exclusively by your VA, then you can sign a consent form and your medical records will be sent electronically to your VARO.  ASK your VSO to give you copies of EVERY document you sign and keep them in a safe place in your home, since VA has a very bad habit of losing or shredding your documents.  

The VSO will represent you at no charge.  

AS an alternative, you can apply yourself, without a representative, but you will need to do some study here to know what to do.  You will have to know what forms to use, and where to send them. 

While many of us know this and can help you, I think as long as you keep copies of everything for yourself, and do not depend on your VSO's advice on every turn, its okay to use them.  

If you think your VSO's advice "smells bad" then by all means ask here at hadit and someone will give you great advice.  

For example, I was given a "0" percent rating for hearing loss, and my VSO recommended I not appeal.  This was very bad advice and Im gonna calculate how much this cost me not to appeal the zero percent rating..but its a lot.  

[broncovet]

You are in a good, no great position, with your doctor suggesting you apply.  This means HE thinks your conditions are "at least as likely as not" related to an event in military service, which is about 2 out of the three main things you need for service connection:  A current diagnosis, an "in service event" and a nexus or medical link between service and your current diagnosis which only a doctor can supply.  

Its almost like your doctor "handed" you a nexus, and many VEts have to fight to get that valuable nexus statemt, and sometimes have to pay thousands of dollars for an IMO/IME as many VA doctors wont give a nexus statement.  Yours did, so you are way, way, way, ahead of the game, assuming the doctor docuemented your nexus statement, and I dont know that until/unless I read your exams.  

[Berta]

Is your primary care doctor a VA doctor?

Are you a Persian Gulf War incountry) veteran?

If so this BVA case may help you to properly word the claim.

 

https://www.va.gov/vetapp11/files1/1103511.txt

[Berta]

I am sure they ruled out Lyme disease?????

[Juiced]

13 minutes ago, Berta said:

Is your primary care doctor a VA doctor?

Are you a Persian Gulf War incountry) veteran?

 

 

https://www.va.gov/vetapp11/files1/1103511.txt

Sorry if I didn't add that information.  I went through the service backwards.  I was in the ILNG for 5 1/2 years and my unit was demobilized and reformed as a unit without my MOS position.  Instead transferring units (5-6 hour drive to a unit with an open slot,) I went from NG to full time and was assigned to a regular army unit.  My time is stretched from 1992-1998 ILNG and 1998-2002 USA.  Right now, my primary care doctor in at the VA as well as my specialty clinic doctors.

[Juiced]

5 minutes ago, Berta said:

I am sure they ruled out Lyme disease?????

Lyme disease was one of the first items ruled out as I grew up and lived for a long period of time in an area that was a site of frequent outbreaks.  They actually tested 3 times for it. Every time my primary care doctor was switched (1 retirement, 1 transfer to another clinic, and my current one,) I was retested.  Right now, my copies of medical reports is roughly 4 inches tall with tests and reports so I don't get surprised when I have to go an retake tests that were already done before.  It's a pain for me to keep track of them, I can imagine how it is for a doctor to go through all the screens to see what has been done and what hasn't.