12 replies to this topic

[dsgsr]

Went to the TBI clinic at Togus VA Hospital in Togus,Maine on the 15th. Referral from my VA PCP Dr.Grimes. (Little back ground) 1985 Car accident while on duty (Army Reserves) Hit head twice in windshield, don't remember impact. Saw car coming at me but don't remember anything until few Min's after the accident. Had concussion for 1.5 months after. Have had minor headaches in the area of trauma since. Last few yrs. they have gotten worse with moments of sever pain. Not often, maybe couple times a month. Have lost all taste, my smeller is messed up. Very forgetful, once in a while a little dizzy.

TBI Doctor tells me it's all do to my drinking beer. I don't have TBI. TBI is at it's worst when incident happens and only gets better from there. You don't have problems later in life.

I hope you all feel as Educated as I do??????????


David

[timetowinarace]

Unfortunatly, this still happens. I was hoping things were changing, but the are not. Took 13 yrs for my diagnoses, was told many times head injury could not cause my problems.

Educate yourself.

TBI Guide-free

[dsgsr]

Unfortunatly, this still happens. I was hoping things were changing, but the are not. Took 13 yrs for my diagnoses, was told many times head injury could not cause my problems.

Educate yourself.

TBI Guide-free

Thank you for the link, Good reading. I can't remember much of what I read, but it is good at the time:)

[lugnut]

I had the same "diagnosis" at Togus last summer--no real testing, just the BS, then blame it on drinking booze. I haven't drank in 30 years, but my headaches and dizziness, and the moments of losing the subject material, not to mention the short term memory loss stuff are probably not TBI residuals. Go figure. I am now in the Tampabay area and my PCP is sending me for testing next month at the TBI unit in Tampa VA. So I will keep it posted here when I get some results. I suffer a lot from depression also that my psyc Dr. seems to think is a result of the fall I suffered in the military. My claim is reopened and is still in Togus. I guess I have to "wait and see" what transpires.
Lugnut AKA Buddy

[timetowinarace]

I had the same "diagnosis" at Togus last summer--no real testing, just the BS, then blame it on drinking booze. I haven't drank in 30 years, but my headaches and dizziness, and the moments of losing the subject material, not to mention the short term memory loss stuff are probably not TBI residuals. Go figure. I am now in the Tampabay area and my PCP is sending me for testing next month at the TBI unit in Tampa VA. So I will keep it posted here when I get some results. I suffer a lot from depression also that my psyc Dr. seems to think is a result of the fall I suffered in the military. My claim is reopened and is still in Togus. I guess I have to "wait and see" what transpires.
Lugnut AKA Buddy

Good luck. Location seems to matter for TBI asessments so maybe they will do it right this time. Depression and anxiaty are both common with TBI.

My main misdiagnoses was depression depending on what kind of doc I was seeing through the years. The medical doctors all said depression and sent me to psychs who said no mental health issues and they sent me to medical doctors. I went round and round like that for years. I finally gave up on the TBI and filed claim for depression. The psychiatrist at C&P had actually read my file and suspected TBI and requested testing. VARO denied depression claim cause examiner stated it was caused by TBI in service, no tests were done and TBI claim was not re-opened. Thankfully the Doc had told me what I needed and I got testing done privatley.

In other words, don't give up.

[john999]

When asked by VA doctors about drinking alcohol just say "NO".

[dsgsr]

When asked by VA doctors about drinking alcohol just say "NO".

They did their home work. I noticed, ever since the referral was made, at every VA appt. I had they would ask me how much I drank. Some would ask if it was out of control. I'm too forgetful to lie, when you tell'em something you gotta remember. Plus it's easy to tell with lab work. May be thats something I should bring up to the VA. I didn't start drinking until 8-10yrs. after the accident. I started because of pain and depression, Is there a rating for that:)


Thanks,
David

[john999]

There is a rating for pain and/or depression. Why I say not to tell the VA about drinking problems is that the VA will blame everything on your drinking. The same thing about illegal drugs. If it is in your urine then you have to admit it. If you stay drunk and sober up three days before you give urine then don't tell them you are staying drunk or taking an illegal drug. The VA should know this is a symptom of mental disorder. However, they tend to tie drinking and illegal drug use to personality disorders. This is really bad news. It is bad enough if they know you have mental health DX because medical doctors will presume your problems are mental and not go the whole nine yards to find a physical cause for some problems. What you want to project is that you are a perfect and compliant patient. All your problems are caused by factors out of your control. You were healthy in every way before military service. Now your health is wrecked because of military service. This may sound cynical but it will pay off years from now. As you get older your health is not going to get better. If you can tie future problems to military service that is good. If you drink or drug the VA will make it much harder. The VA is going to try and get by with the least without your helping them do it to you. This is my opinion.

[dsgsr]

All good information john999, Thank you. I have a rating for Depression and I'm assuming the ratings on the other 5-things are because of pain. I understand the projection thing, I just don't care. I drink Beer most evenings to make me feel better (pain wise and depression wise) It is not out of control, I don't have too drink, Thank my lucky stars I don't have the alcohol bug. I know the symptoms I have had since the accident ref. TBI. I guess theres just no way to force the VA to believe me. I didn't know there was such a rating for TBI until I found this site & read the regs. I probably shouldn't rock the boat, I'm already 100% P&T and don't want the VA messing with that.


Thanks,
David

[john999]

dsgr

You might be able to get some extra money via a SMC if you get rated for TBI. I say that if you have a serious disability then you should get it rated if possible even if you are 100%. Now little things that will net you 0% forever I would not bother with, but anything that could get worse or cause death then claim it.

[dsgsr]

dsgr

You might be able to get some extra money via a SMC if you get rated for TBI. I say that if you have a serious disability then you should get it rated if possible even if you are 100%. Now little things that will net you 0% forever I would not bother with, but anything that could get worse or cause death then claim it.

But John, If the VA already has a (So called) TBI doc. saying I don't have it ,what can I do. Other than the symptoms I have, the only other evidence is the hospital report and my civilian Doc. notations in 1985 of the head contusions and concussion. Will that be enough?


Thanks,
David

Edited by dsgsr, 28 February 2011 - 07:46 AM.

[timetowinarace]

But John, If the VA already has a (So called) TBI doc. saying I don't have it ,what can I do. Other than the symptoms I have, the only other evidence is the hospital report and my civilian Doc. notations in 1985 of the head contusions and concussion. Will that be enough?


Thanks,
David

No, it won't be enough.

In order to pursue a TBI claim, you will need 'objective' tests to confirm/prove a DX for TBI. Objective tests are imaging such as CT, MRI and SPECT or Neuro-Psychological tests. 'Subjective' symptoms can get a TBI DX and now get better ratings but is less likely, especially for head injuries that occured years prior.

If you wish to pursue it, my opinion is you will need to seek private Neuro-Psychological testing.

[dsgsr]

No, it won't be enough.

In order to pursue a TBI claim, you will need 'objective' tests to confirm/prove a DX for TBI. Objective tests are imaging such as CT, MRI and SPECT or Neuro-Psychological tests. 'Subjective' symptoms can get a TBI DX and now get better ratings but is less likely, especially for head injuries that occured years prior.

If you wish to pursue it, my opinion is you will need to seek private Neuro-Psychological testing.

Thanks Timetowinarace, I can't afford private Neuro-Psychological testing, So I guess thats out.


Thanks again everyone,
David