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. 

[Gastone]

Don't sit and twist, it's time (Long Overdue) to make a move. Get (ANY) VSR, sign a POA and request that he file an FDC for whatever current Medical Issues that have been Diagnosed (DX). The important thing is to get your 1st Comp Claim Filed.

Have you ever been, or are you currently being treated by a VMC Dr.? Are any of your Dr's Board Certified specialists?

As to your SSDI Claim, expect and be prepared for an initial Denial. Based on your postings regarding your Mental Health (MH) issues, you would be wise to have a SSDI Lawyer "FREE" Consult. For a % of the RETRO, you would get the help your going to need for the Award.

Your ability to handle your own VA & SSDI claims is questionable at this time. Things may or may not change in the future, get the help you need now.

Mrs. B asked, but I don't recall seeing the answer, did you have overseas Service? Where?

[Juiced]

I went to the VA benefits page and it had everything I had applied for listed, but with a determination of non-service related.  I applied for a VA rep to help me with my files and paperwork but still don't have one listed or even contact me.  Right now, not sure what I should be doing.  I visited the LA VA office and basically was told that everything I need to do is on the VA website.

[Berta]

I assume they ruled out Reiter's syndrome?

Without a definitive diagnosis I am not sure how you could claim this.

I might have asked before- forget answer----do you have a complete copy of your SMRs from service?

Edited August 18, 2017 by Berta
added more

[Juiced]

As far as I know, I don't have reiter's syndrome.  The genetic disorder I have is HLA-B27 with the doctors saying I am showing signs and symptoms of this and this.  The second one, I've been multiple attacks hitting the eyes and lower intestinal tracts (it doesn't only attack the groin,  the bladder, pancreas, and lower intestines get inflamed as well.)  The first, they don't tell you that if the inflammation happens near a nerve bundle, that you feel it throughout your lower body.  The doctor said that the "stress fractures" notated in my military medical file may of been beginning symptoms.  How he explained it, a hurting back can cause pain in the legs- and pain in the legs and knees can cause a hurting back.  Considering that the condition is somewhat rare, it would be hard to tell except the xrays from back then show nothing to explain the pain at the time. 

As to SMR's, I have partial copies of portions of it.  I was supposed to get full records in the last couple weeks as I requested them, but they haven't arrived yet.  My apologies for being gone for so long, the docs put me on Prozac in July and have increased the dosage twice since then and my mind feels shattered at the moment.  Hard to concentrate and have a lot of things flying around.

[Berta]

I am not a doc but googled Reiter's and found that it can affect the eyes as well as joints.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/arthritis_and_other_rheumatic_diseases/reactive_arthritis_reiters_syndrome_85,P00064/

Have you ever considered getting a second opinion from a non VA doctor? I know that might not be an option, but 

it concerns me that there is no definitive diagnosis you could claim.

I searched for HLA B27 at the BVA and there are 213 cases there:

https://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva_search.jsp?QT=+HLA+B27&EW=&AT=&ET=&RPP=10&DB=2017&DB=2016&DB=2015&DB=2014&DB=2013&DB=2012&DB=2011&DB=2010&DB=2009&DB=2008&DB=2007&DB=2006&DB=2005&DB=2004&DB=2003&DB=2002&DB=2001&DB=2000&DB=1999&DB=1998&DB=1997&DB=1996&DB=1995&DB=1994&DB=1993&DB=1992

Since that is a test result I then searched for Reiters disease with HLA B 27 and found 27 results:

https://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva_search.jsp?QT=+HLA+B27+Reiters+disease+&EW=&AT=&ET=&RPP=10&DB=2017&DB=2016&DB=2015&DB=2014&DB=2013&DB=2012&DB=2011&DB=2010&DB=2009&DB=2008&DB=2007&DB=2006&DB=2005&DB=2004&DB=2003&DB=2002&DB=2001&DB=2000&DB=1999&DB=1998&DB=1997&DB=1996&DB=1995&DB=1994&DB=1993&DB=1992

Maybe with more info  from you -we could find out if the veterans in any of above BVA cases actually received compensation...and how they developed their nexus.

There are many causes for Reiters........did you ever eat food that was contaminated , and get sick, while in the Mil? Where were you stationed?

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/arthritis-reactive-arthritis#1-2

I am at a loss as to why the VA cannot diagnose  your disability better. 

[Berta]

Gee we were posted here at same time..I guess it is not Reiter's syndrome.

I get concerned when I see posts like yours. 

My husband was misdiagnosed ,and even undiagnosed at all, for multiple conditions clearly documented in his medical records,  that the VA agreed was malpractice. They didn't state 'malpractice'; in the awards, just "multiple deviations from a usual standard of care."....that contributed to his death ( age 47)

I am sure you feel you are getting good care but I dont know what you should claim, except all of the symptoms.

Claim depression and anxiety as well- they are treating you for that and anyone with a disability that is "rare" and affects them this way, certainly can have  a psycholocical affect from it.

I will try to find something in the BVA links that might help- as to the decisions with HLA B27 in them.