ptsd (tbi) Traumatic Brain Injury & Va

[drkestlight]

I just finished my VA compensation & pension medical review. I spent a year + at Walter Reed and with various doctors. I submitted copies of my own records too the VA but some doc's still gave me a hard time. I submitted my military disability discharge and SSDI award letter I cannot see anything else they would need from me. Should I worry ? The VA wants me too take tests and be used as a case study,do I have too comply? All of a sudden TBI is the new thing for them but I was turned down for traumatic injury insurance but diagnosed and discharged with a brain injury? The doctors have told me that there is nothing they can do for me so why does the VA want too test me for individual issues associated from the TBI? P & C is over ?Are they trying too screw me over for less compensation ? In addition the VA sent me vocational rehab ? asked me too sign it. I will never work again is this a trick...... that is why I am on Social Security. All my issues are documented and confirmed prior too the VA by civilian and military should I get a lawyer I just don't trust the VA. Any info or comments are most welcome thank you

NY STEVE

TBI

Post Concussive Disorder

Seizures

C 5 -C6- L4 herniated Disks

Balance disorder

Bi/lateral hearing loss / hearing Aids

Sensorial hearing loss / Tinnitus

PTSD

Chronic Migraines

Hemiplegic Migraines

(TIA) Stroke

Memory Loss

Merlalagia Parestetica ® leg

CFS

Chronic Bi lateral Atelectasis (lungs) WTC illness

[Guest rickb54]

I just finished my VA compensation & pension medical review. I spent a year + at Walter Reed and with various doctors. I submitted copies of my own records too the VA but some doc's still gave me a hard time. I submitted my military disability discharge and SSDI award letter I cannot see anything else they would need from me. Should I worry ? The VA wants me too take tests and be used as a case study,do I have too comply? All of a sudden TBI is the new thing for them but I was turned down for traumatic injury insurance but diagnosed and discharged with a brain injury? The doctors have told me that there is nothing they can do for me so why does the VA want too test me for individual issues associated from the TBI? P & C is over ?Are they trying too screw me over for less compensation ? In addition the VA sent me vocational rehab ? asked me too sign it. I will never work again is this a trick...... that is why I am on Social Security. All my issues are documented and confirmed prior too the VA by civilian and military should I get a lawyer I just don't trust the VA. Any info or comments are most welcome thank you

NY STEVE

TBI

Post Concussive Disorder

Seizures

C 5 -C6- L4 herniated Disks

Balance disorder

Bi/lateral hearing loss / hearing Aids

Sensorial hearing loss / Tinnitus

PTSD

Chronic Migraines

Hemiplegic Migraines

(TIA) Stroke

Memory Loss

Merlalagia Parestetica ® leg

CFS

Chronic Bi lateral Atelectasis (lungs) WTC illness

First welcome to hadit, and more inportant thank you for your service.

I am sure you will receive many answers to your question.

Here are my thoughts.

It sounds like you have covered all the bases in terms of evidence for your claims. I see you have a lot of medical issues and I would not be surprised if you were rated 100% plus.. if all the medical evidence pulls the claim in the right direction.

If the va wants to have you complete test for the TBI knowing they can't help you, it seems to me that they want to learn from you so that they can help others. I think if you chose to do their test maybe some good will come of it. But no you do not have to perticapate in these type of test if you dont want to.

The VA will not deny your claim if you decide not to do their test. The va awards service connection based on the current medical record and past medical history. I don't think you need to worry about the va shafting you on your claim, but it is true va personnel do make mistakes from time to time. IF mistakes are made, that is why there is an appeals systems which tends to work well most often.

As far as vocational rehabilitation, there is a program within vocational rehabilitation called the independant living service program. It is for veterans who can not work, and who may need to learn different things to help them live a more independant life, it also coulds offer some hobby items, like a computer, or paint supplies, etc. I say apply for it, talk to a counselor and see what you can gain from it.

Best of luck, welcome home and once again welcome to hadit

Edited March 6, 2007 by rickb54

[Vike17]

drkestlight,

I just finished my VA compensation & pension medical review. I spent a year + at Walter Reed and with various doctors. I submitted copies of my own records too the VA but some doc's still gave me a hard time. I submitted my military disability discharge and SSDI award letter I cannot see anything else they would need from me. Should I worry?"

Not at all, actually being a Walter Reed for over a year and the current uproar over it could work in your favor as far a receiving continued care and services from VA.

"The VA wants me too take tests and be used as a case study,do I have too comply?"

As Rickb54 said, no one will make you take part in anything you do not want to do. Also by not taking part in something like this will have no affect on your claim what so ever. You claims will be decided based on the medical evidence in your record.

"All of a sudden TBI is the new thing for them but I was turned down for traumatic injury insurance but diagnosed and discharged with a brain injury"

One has to keep in mind that the war in Iraq and Afganistan has caused more head injuries with the soldier subsequently surviving that injury than any other conflict the U.S. has been involved in. So when one thinks about the situation, it actually shouldn't be a surprise, so to speak, that there really isn't much knowledge or medical personnel to deal with the problem.

"The doctors have told me that there is nothing they can do for me so why does the VA want too test me for individual issues associated from the TBI? P & C is over ?Are they trying too screw me over for less compensation?

The VA certainly isn't out to scew you for less compensation. As I said before, and Rickb54 also, your claims and their precentages will be awarded based on the medical evidence in your records.

"In addition the VA sent me vocational rehab ? asked me too sign it. I will never work again is this a trick...... that is why I am on Social Security"

If you're already receiving Social Security Disability due to your injuries, the VA has no way of knowing this unless you tell them. Make sure the VA has your Social Security award letter and any exams done by them. Just beacuse the VA sends you the application for VocRehab doesn't mean you have to sign it. They have sent you the application for VocaRehab because it's already apparent to them that your disabilities may hinder your employment opportunities.

"All my issues are documented and confirmed prior too the VA by civilian and military should I get a lawyer I just don't trust the VA"

I guess if I went throught the fiasco at Walter Reed as you did, I wouldn't have much faith in the system either. However, the VA is completely seperate from the DoD and the only thing they have to do with each other for the most part is the exchange of records between the two. Just give VA the chance and I'm pretty sure they'll do the right thing.

Vike 17

[militarynurse]

Steve, Except for the PTSD, it appears we have many of the same issues in common. Unfortunately, there are a few in the VA that in my humble opinion are out to screw the Vet...and of course there are many that are decent...but it only takes one or a few to derail a claim and the harm that they can do takes a long time and effort to undo.

I just finished my VA compensation & pension medical review. I spent a year + at Walter Reed and with various doctors. I submitted copies of my own records too the VA but some doc's still gave me a hard time. I submitted my military disability discharge and SSDI award letter I cannot see anything else they would need from me. Should I worry ? The VA wants me too take tests and be used as a case study,do I have too comply? All of a sudden TBI is the new thing for them but I was turned down for traumatic injury insurance but diagnosed and discharged with a brain injury? The doctors have told me that there is nothing they can do for me so why does the VA want too test me for individual issues associated from the TBI? P & C is over ?Are they trying too screw me over for less compensation ? In addition the VA sent me vocational rehab ? asked me too sign it. I will never work again is this a trick...... that is why I am on Social Security. All my issues are documented and confirmed prior too the VA by civilian and military should I get a lawyer I just don't trust the VA. Any info or comments are most welcome thank you

NY STEVE

TBI

Post Concussive Disorder

Seizures

C 5 -C6- L4 herniated Disks

Balance disorder

Bi/lateral hearing loss / hearing Aids

Sensorial hearing loss / Tinnitus

PTSD

Chronic Migraines

Hemiplegic Migraines

(TIA) Stroke

Memory Loss

Merlalagia Parestetica ® leg

CFS

Chronic Bi lateral Atelectasis (lungs) WTC illness

[Pete53]

Steve:

Welcome to Hadit. If I were you and could get around I would go to the VARO and ask for a VA Counselor. Take copies of your records and tell them or ask them to help. I bet that you may get an answer in days.

If you can't get around I would call 800 827 1000 and ask for help.

Like it has been said you have pretty much all that you need.. You can also tell them to rate you with the info that they already have but do it in writing.

Last of all don't take it personal the VA does this to almost everyone.

Good Luck

[allan]

Hello Steve,

I see you found us ok. Welcome to hadit.com

Your records that you submitted to VA?

Did they include your clinical records, Lab reports & radiology?

MRI's? Were brain lesions noted? Were they in the white matter? Any lesions in the corpus callusom?

Your labs?...did they have any high markers? Thyroid check out ok?

You may have some visual problems develop from TBI such as, blurred vision, double vision & loss of vision or nystagmus. Carefully check all your service medical records(SMR's) over. Anything out of place, discuss it with your doctors now.

Health records for secondary claims, should also be submitted, such as a psychologist statement explaining the effects of medication on your daily life.

Are they trying too screw me over for less compensation? There sure is a good chance of it.

Should you trust the VA?... NO!!!!

Should you trust the NSO's?......NO!!!!

Should you believe, "oh, were going to get right on this & take care of you? ...NO!!!!!

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS EXPEDITE, in doing business with the VA.

Make multiple copies of the claim you submit.......theres a good chance it will be lost in the round file & you'll need to resubmit it.

Don't expect anyone working your claim at the VA or VAMC, to know what their doing. Some do, but not very many.

The 1-800-827-1000 number for VA? You can't believe anything they tell you. That includes, if they ever say anything besides,"theres a claims backlog you know."

"Ready to rate", or "Weddy to Wait", as I call it. Means its sitting somewhere collecting dust.

Expect to be monitored, recorded & highly observed whenever you go for a health care visit. Anything can & will be used against you. It is best to have a witness with you taking notes during examinations.

You have the right to request a local hearing with the VA regional office to discuss your evidence in person with someone.

Keep copies of everything & keep a log of phone contacts.

Your goal is to collect benefits you've earned. Their goal, Is to prevent you from seceding as much as possible.

Watch your 6 steve!

Allan

I

[jessejames]

Steve; Thank you for your service and hope all will go well in this claims process. Allan has given excellent advice. It's been a long time since I personally went through the VA "system" but I help vets almost every week on claims. The number one thing is PERSISTENCE, they may and are known for seeking any way to avoid paying a claim, but if you just hang in and don't fail to show for any exams they order, or any info they request, and keep a track of everything...you will succeed. Hopefully again, that you will get the "right" person at the VA reviewing your claim the first time.