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]

5 hours ago, Mr cue said:

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.

Thank you, I appreciate the advice!

[Deagle]

3 hours ago, Whodat said:

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. 

This is the main reason I'm going hard to get everything documented now. I've had a few friends and mentors retire and they all told me to get my stuff together as they know my history with surgeries and everything else. Basically if I want the VA to continue treatment I have to make sure everything is straight. Im just trying to get more opinions and options from people that have been through all this. 

 

This forum has helped a ton!

[Rivet62]

On 2/21/2022 at 3:35 PM, Deagle said:

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

Each VAMC has their own numbers of enrollment. If a VAMC has room at a lower priority then they will take you. Once enrolled, always enrolled. Also, it's important to apply by paper application. Don't take anyone's word for it. Reapply to a VAMC or VA CBOC nearest you. Just apply to one within the same VISN.

Edited February 23, 2022 by Rivet62

[Deagle]

On 1/17/2022 at 10:21 AM, Deagle said:

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! 

Thank you, I'll give that a try