PTSD/TBI, Headaches, and bad back

[Vet Dog and wife]

Hello, I have posted on this subject in the past. We are still living abroad.

We have a psychologist, a physiatrist, a neurologist, and a general practitioner that are wanting to help my husband with his VA claim. These doctors said they would write letters and fill out any necessary DBQs, and they asked me to what I needed and to bring any forms to them, and they will get it done. Could anyone let me know exactly what I need to do from here?

Some doctors agree that my husband is severely disabled for both TBI and PTSD. they also agreed that he needs daily aid and attendance.

My husband had to be admitted to the hospital due to his PTSD and will be there for a few more days.

 My husband is a 100 percent, permanently and totally, Service-connected, disabled veteran. In 1980 he opened a claim and was rated 0% service-connected for a scar for occipital area scar, skull. code 7805 (according to his service medical records, his scar is from a blow to the head with a pickax while serving in the Marines.)

During his time in the marines, he was a full-time boxer.

 In his 1980 claim, my husband was denied service connection for headaches because he hadn’t provided evidence. He filed a notice of disagreement (in 1981?) but, as always, he never followed through, nor was he mentally capable. Nor did the veteran’s service officer work hard to file a complete and proper disability claim. (This claim was again lacking most of my husband’s problems.) Along with his cognitive and emotional issues, we believe my husband may have been homeless, jobless, separated from his wife, and having marital problems at the time.

 In 1997, My husband reopened his claim and received 100% P&T VA service-connected compensation, and he was rated totally and permanently 100% disabled with TBI; he also has service-connected PTSD, which is combined under his TBI. This combined rating falls under his TBI rating. His 100% rating is service connected.

 His C-File and VA medical records show that he has also been diagnosed with Dementia pugilistica, TBI, PTSD, severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder, debilitating headaches, hearing problems and tinnitus, stiff neck, stiff and sore hands, and sore feet, his ankles sometimes fail, he has lower back issues, and other problems. Most of these issues were listed by the nurse when he was discharged, but the doctor threw the documents in the trash.

 Found in my husband's Claims-File: The VA said that on 07/29/1998 my husband was awarded 100% Service Connected, permanently and totally for dementia due to head trauma with mood disorder and PTSD code 9304.

 We were told by Berta and others that we need to get separate ratings for his TBI and PTSD. Since he is already rated for PTSD and TBI what DBQ do we use? What does the letter need to say for a proper separation?

 He also suffers from severe migraine headaches several times a month cause him to stay in bed. Does he just need a DBQ for his headaches or also a letter, and from what kind of doctor?

Any other advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you again for all Your help

Edited November 16, 2018 by Vet Dog and wife

[Berta]

"We were told by Berta and others that we need to get separate ratings for his TBI and PTSD. Since he is already rated for PTSD and TBI what DBQ do we use?"

 

What ratings for the PTSD and the TBI are within the 100% SC he gets now-

The VA will only rate and pay compensation for one MH disability-

Did he receive a letter such as the one in this link?

https://abcnews.go.com/US/va-admits-25000-veterans-received-improper-brain-injury/story?id=39734423

 "Could anyone let me know exactly what I need to do from here?"

What is your goal-

                                         to attain SMC ?

Were the migraines considered as part of the TBI rating?

"He also suffers from severe migraine headaches several times a month cause him to stay in bed. Does he just need a DBQ for his headaches or also a letter, and from what kind of doctor?"

 

 

[broncovet]

You posted:

 

Quote

 they also agreed that he needs daily aid and attendence.

The obvious answer here is for you to apply for aid and attendance, aka SMC l.  

Once you get to 100 percent, the only way to increase compensation is via SMC.  

Even those who have 2 or more 100 percent ratings, only get paid for 1, but it could make you eligible for a higher level of SMC.  

My advice:  Apply for SMC L, aid and attendance.  I think it amounts to about an extra 700 per month, if awarded.  

[Buck52]

I was thinking when a Veteran is rated 100% and with another separate disability the VA Service Connects this separate disability 60%or higher it  is mandatory that the  VA Rating specialist  apply the correct SMC to this disability.

I knew nothing about this  when I filed for my PTSD Claim..and was Awarded 70%chronic PTSD ....>  the rater took my already s.c. rated TDIU P&T along with this New 70% separate S.C. Rating and Applied the SMC S H.B.

If they fail to do this  the Veteran needs to Appeal the rating decision and request the Appropriate SMC that meets the correct criteria.

Edited November 14, 2018 by Buck52

[Buck52]

I had a Veteran the other day when I was at my VAMC we were talking in the waiting area  HE ASK ME IF VA Paid out  Temporary SMC?

I SAID I AM NOT SURE ON THIS?   ANYONE KNOW?

I KNOW THEY PAY A CERTAIN AMOUNT FOR SURGERY OR ANY TYPE OF BED RIDDEN RECOVERY...BUT I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE TEMPORARY SMC?

Edited November 14, 2018 by Buck52

[Berta]

Vet dog and wife- can you scan and attach here this  decision- as to their ratioanle for the award and also we need to see the rating sheet info-in those days they gave the Diagnosic codes and ratings for all SCs and for any NSCs.

Cover the C file #, name of veteran, prior to scanning it. 

and anything they stated as to SMC_ if they stated anything about it at all:

 "In 1997, My husband reopened his claim and received 100% P&T VA service-connected compensation, and he was rated totally and permanently 100% disabled with TBI; he also has service-connected PTSD, which is combined under his TBI. This combined rating falls under his TBI rating. His 100% rating is service connected.

[Vet Dog and wife]

My husband is still in the psychiatric hospital due to PTSD and suicide issues. He will be out in a few days, I hope

I will upload the other requested documents in a few days.

My Husband was a Marine boxer

He is a 100 percent, permanently and totally, Service-connected, disabled veteran.

In 1980 My husband opened a claim and was rated 0% service-connected for a scar from getting hit in the head with a pick-ax. He was given a 0% rating for occipital area scar, skull. code 7805 (according to his service medical records, his scar is from a blow to the head with a pickax while serving in the Marines.)

In 1997, he reopened his claim and received 100% P&T VA service-connected compensation. He was rated totally and permanently 100% disabled with TBI. He also has PTSD, which is service connected and is combined under his TBI. This combined rating falls under his TBI rating. His 100% rating is service connected.

Found in his Claims-File: The VA said that on 07/29/1998 my husband was awarded 100% Service Connected, permanently and totally for dementia due to head trauma with mood disorder and PTSD code 9304.

In his 1980 claim, he was denied service connection for headaches because he hadn’t provided evidence. Matthew filed a notice of disagreement (in 1981?) but, as always, my husband never followed through, nor was he mentally capable. Nor did the veteran’s service officer work hard to file a complete and proper disability claim. (This claim was again lacking most of Matthew’s problems.) Along with his cognitive and emotional issues, his family says he may have been homeless, jobless, separated from his wife, and having marital problems at the time.

His C-File and VA medical records show that he has also been diagnosed with Dementia pugilistica, TBI, PTSD, severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder

My husband never got a rating for Migraines because he never got a letter from a doctor.

He does not have a rating for PTSD, but the VA recognizes that he is service connected for PTSD.

He never got a letter like this https://abcnews.go.com/US/va-admits-25000-veterans-received-improper-brain-injury/story?id=39734423

The VSO believes my husband may qualify 100% for TBI and 60% or higher for PTSD, migraine headaches back to 1980. SMC A&A back to 1998 for CUE.

Thank you for all your help for my husband