Leaving military soon what should I do?

[Deagle]

Hello all, 

 

I'm currently active duty and will be separating within the year. 

 

I've had a ton of surgeries while in and I'm not sure how thing will work for the process of getting benefits and care for when I leave the military. I am looking at going Guard to finish my 20 years because I'm so close (I'll be 19 years total, but only 15 active). 

 

I, like many people, had burn pit exposure which led to terrible sinus problems and surgery to remove polyps. The surgeon could not get all of them and I have more or less constant sinus pressure, infections, and stuffieness. I dont take anything other than OTC meds. I also had shoulder surgery where I tore my labrum, capsul, and rotator cuff, I still have arthritis in this arm. I also had right knee surgery to resurface the joint do to something called a plica. Finally I've had 5 foot surgeries for Hallux Rigidus that resulted in implanting synthetic cartilage in one foot and fusion of the other. The foot with the synthetic cartilage will need a fusion eventually as it's failing. 

 

Will I be able to claim these items so that I can have future care?

 

I have also been diagnosed with PTSD (i go to the local Vet center for treatment), carpal tunnel in both hands, sleep apnea (getting a sleep study done for CPAP use), migraines, IBS, depression, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease in my neck and back (VA wanted to fuse my spine when I was only 30 years old), my lungs are pretty well messed up and i have a constant cough/chest congestion, insomnia, and high blood pressure. 

I only take naproxen for the pain and a pill for high blood pressure and a migraine pill 3-4 times a month when i get migraines to stop them, my base doc said to stay away from the preventative migraine meds because it'll make my brain dependant and if I ever stopped it would make the condition worse. I take allergy meds for my sinuses, Claritin Flonase or similar. 

 

How do I proceed so that I can stay in the Guard but also ensure that I have benefits for the future? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My base doesn't offer anything for transitioning active duty (it's a Guard base with active component) so I'm trying to learn as I go. 

 

Thank you! 

Edited January 17, 2022 by Deagle
Typo

[Deagle]

On 1/30/2022 at 8:22 PM, Rivet62 said:

He could start communicating symptoms to his VA doc through MyHealth eVet. That might help move things along. It becomes part of the record.

Thank you!

Edited February 21, 2022 by Deagle
Typo

[Deagle]

On 1/30/2022 at 8:06 PM, DanielB said:

Within this 1st year after separation is when you need to get anything that is in your Medical record service-connected. For me I had several conditions such-as a TBI, Lumbar Strain, Otitis Externa/Media, and TMJ all rated at 0%. Now as I’ve aged, filing a claim for an increase is more straightforward, where I don’t have to try to connect-the-dots for the VA.

Is everything service connected when reporting it during military service? E.g. my surgeries?

[Deagle]

On 1/30/2022 at 9:06 PM, Rivet62 said:

If you get to see a VA doc then you should use MyHealth eVet messaging to your doc(s) as soon as you can to help establish symptomology, and the docs and the VA will recognize the symptomatology. In other words, it alerts your doctors to take action. What you state in MyHealth eVet becomes part of your VA medical record. It's very useful for claims. My back ratings are based on symptoms in addition to medical findings. I wouldn't hesitate to start messaging your VA doc to bring him or her up to speed. What you say is entered in your VA medical record and it's there for every VA health provider that you see. It's there for the VBA to see, too. I was able to move my claims along faster because I could get tests and imaging done faster because symptoms alerted the providers. I exploited MyHealth eVet messaging by stating exactly how my back conditions occurred in service, so that my providers could understand how my existing condition was aggravated in service.  MyHealth eVet messaging is probably the number one reason I like to keep my care within the VA Healthcare System.

Thank you. Unfortunately the VA wouldn't take me, being active duty they said that I'm less a priority 

[Deagle]

So update. 

I have to use a civilian dr but am making sure all records get into my medical file. 

I went and saw a specialist for stomach problems, have a colonoscopy scheduled. 

Did the at home sleep study. Have to get a CPAP as I have chronic sleep apnea. 

Migraines diagnosed and I have a pill to take daily as well as one when the migraines come on. The flight Surgeon at base said to not take the daily one and see what happens after cpap use as that may stop them without messing with my brain. 

Had an appointment for a vasectomy and got hormones tested, they came back low so it's onto further testing and checking my thyroid. 

Checked out by civilian Dr and I have carpal tunnel in both hands. 

I have further testing and visits the next 2 months before I see a vso. I have a lawyer free to submit claims through a local veterans legal society. 

How do I connect all this to service? I've been going to the Vet Center for a while for PTSD and Depression so I feel that is easy enough. What do I do for the 10+ surgeries while I was active duty and the other issues, sleep apnea, etc? 

Thank you!

Edited February 21, 2022 by Deagle
Typo

[Mr cue]

I would make sure I have all the reports from surgery's

An copys of them I would just send them reports with a statement of a break down of all condition and test and date.

And I would let the lawyer or vso handle it.

They will get faster results for you with you been fresh out.

Main thing is get all doctor reports before you exit copy keep them.

Vso and you and VA might play about getting the records 

And give a copy to VA hospital when u get out it will help getting the right care.

I learn the hard way 5 years to get them to understand condition.

Because they never had the records

They will understand what your problem and conditions are.

It's up to you to get these records because after service they will give u hell getting them all.

[Whodat]

All have given you great advice. I applaud all of you. 

I may add, keep going to sick call while on active duty. For example, you are taking naproxen now for pain. Later on down the road, you get gerd. VA like to play games as to they do not see complaints or treatments in your service records. Not a show stopper but now you will have to claim it as secondary to something. Same with other symptom that you may have such as tmj, hip pain. Get all in your service records. 

I had problems with this which caused lots of appealing. 

Once you get out, it will be transfer ed to VA and you can continue continuity of treatments. 

I never complained much my whole 21 years of service. Brained washed. No pain no gain. Leaders are not sick call Rangers. Just pop some ranger candy (Motrin) and you will be fine. I wish that I didn't listen to that advice.