tinnitus Question For Vike 17 And Others In-the-know

[kkp]

I have a question.

I filed a claim for hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and Menieres Disease. This was all documented by a ENT specialist at the VA Hospital. From the way I read the disability chart for this documented disease, I think I already qualify for 100%. I am going to copy and paste a report I picked up from records at the VA Hospital today. My question is "do you think it would help or hinder my claim?" On one of the reports I sent with my claim specifically identified all of the above including menieres disease. In this report it specifically says "definite bilateral hypo vestibular function". From reading on the Internet this seems to be also caused by Menieres. So should I send it or not?

Progress Note

Printed On Mar 19, 2007

LOCAL TITLE: CLINIC PROGRESS NOTE STANDARD TITLE: PHYSICIAN OUTPATIENT NOTE

DICT DATE: MAR 09, 2007@10:21 ENTRY DATE: MAR 09, 2007@15:12:56

DICTATED BY: Dr._____ EXP COSIGNER:

URGENCY: priority STATUS: COMPLETED

REASON FOR VISIT: The patient comes in today in follow-up for his middle ear disease and vertigo.

HISTORY: The patient has self discontinued his hydrochlorothiazide. It just felt that it messed up his libido and energy and did not help with any dizziness. The patient has also taken my advice and seen Dr. Patel, orthopedic surgeon, twice and will be consulting with a Charleston group for pain management and possibly injection of the neck.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Today's clinical examination, after reviewing his nurse's notes, his vital signs were stable today. As far as notes, it seemed like he was doing okay. There were no changes there. We discontinued his hydrochlorothiazide and renewed his mec1izine. He is still very exquisitely tender in the neck on both sides. Visually, when he follows my finger he is definitely looking unsteady, so he has a definite bilateral hypo vestibular function. His ear canals are clear.

IMPRESSION:

1. Vertigo.

2. Dizziness.

3. Cervical spine disease.

LABORATORY TEST:

PLAN: Follow up in one year, continue meclizine as needed, and follow with the spine and the Charleston group for pain management.

JOB# 686914 DB DO: 03/09/07@1021 DT: 03/09/07@1056 800806/AP

/es/

Signed: 03/16/2007 15:36

PATIENT NAME AND ADDRESS (Mechanical imprinting, if available) I VISTA Electronic Medical Documentation

Printed at VAMC

Page 1

[kkp]

Berta Your Husband is a good example of what a wrong diagnosis can do. Its a a shame it took his life.

I have my own motto for the va.( Trust but verify) They do have some ( how be it few) good dr's at the va.,but they are so over worked they can miss a lot. We all know our own bodies and need to follow our gut feelings when getting treatment. I know some of the clinics hate to see me coming, but thats life.

thanks kkp