So today i had an appt with my Primary VA DR, who by the way is from India and speaks with broken english. I asked him for a few referrals, one being a TBI referral. i was denied due to not having a professional diagnosis. The Dr. told me that a TBI, is when you receive a blunt force blow to the head hence the term Traumatic. So we went back and forth, and finally i had had enough and told him if i dropped a concussion grenage in the room with us and we sustain no physcial injuries if he thought his brain would be affected. The sad fact is he still did not understand. Frigin idiot. i am so fed up with this guy. But finally he added the referral to my list after i told him the symtoms i thought i had that are connected to TBI. christ, now i have to do the Dr's job... sorry just venting..

Matt

Does not sound like the kind of treatment any Vet should have. I suggest that you change Docs.

Pete,
That is a good idea. he was actually assigned to me when i moved from the regional to a local VM outreach that has primary care dr's. How do i go about switching dr's?

Thanks Matt

matt,
What is the breakdown of your 60 % SC ?
carlie

Carlie,
My 60 % break down comes from:

10 tinittus for hearing
50 PTSD

matt,
Sounds like your PCP is not going to be any help in getting a
referral for a TBI screening or exam.

I asked for your breakdown because MH provider's can refer for a TBI screening and/or
examination.

In that case I feel that you may have success another way.

If you have someone that is providing treatment for your PTSD
then that is who I would speak with now, in regards to a referral
for a TBI screening and/or exam.

Be sure to state to the MH provider why you feel you should be checked
for TBI and if you have some evidence of the (what wever happened)
event - take it with you to the MH provider.

Also check out the new regs for TBI that went into effect Oct 2008
38 CFR Diagnostic Code 8045.

8045 Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI):


http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....67&idno=38


Hope this helps a vet.
carlie

Matt,

I went through the same thing with my PCP. Only there was no language barrier and I gave him in service hospital records of my blunt force trauma. He still told me I didn't have a head injury. I had to contact my congressman and force a referal. In the end it still did no good.

I take it you did get your referal. I don't know your location but it is very important to have a screening/evaluation by the best that you can get access to. Some places are better than others and I strongly suggest researching the best option for you. Travel if necissary. Better yet, if you have access to private care you chances of a proper evaluation increase dramaticly. I would not be DX'd and rated had it not been for private evaluation.

If you'll go to the AVBI forum, they have the best information for evaluation and treatment options for TBI. Just explain the fight your having getting a simple referal and they should be able to give you contact information to the best sources for evaluation.

http://avbi.org/index.html

Matt:

Easy way is to go to Patient Advocate and ask them to help you get a new Doc.

Or you can make a request from the Head Doc at the VAMC.

It should not be to hard.

My suggestion is to not make it to personal. If they refuse ask for a Hearing or go to the Administrative Office hidden in a remote place and talk to them.

Good Luck

By the way the English is not a big a problem as the lack of understanding but a Primary Care Doc at VA mostly makes consults.

time,
Thanks for that link - it's a new one for me :)
carlie

thanks all,

In the end my PCP gave me the referral after i told him my symptoms. i also told him that i think i had Irritable bowel syndrome and needed a referral it was another fight. dang, just wish they would do their job. i have 30 minutes total in the room witht he dr. 27 is taken up by his stupid questions going nowhere and i have 3 minutes to ask my wuestions hard to get the proper care in 3 minutes unless i camp out at the VA and see them everyday of the week. which i am prepared to do at this point.

I may look into private TBI IMO just due tot he trust issue. i have dealt with some really helpful people at the va(unfortunately those instances are one-offs)

Matt

Matt,

You do not need a referal from your PCP. You can self refer to the DVBIC and I recomend it.

The number to call is 1-800-870-9244.

Here is a link to the site.

Defence and Veterans Brain Injury Center

WHO MAY BE REFERRED TO THE DEFENSE AND VETERANS BRAIN INJURY CENTER (DVBIC)?
Any service member or veteran with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) who is covered by TRICARE or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits may be referred to DVBIC.

WHO MAY REFER SOMEONE WITH TBI TO DVBIC?
We accept self-referrals as well as referrals from family members, primary care physicians, and other healthcare providers.

HOW CAN YOU REFER A PATIENT TO DVBIC?
To begin the referral process,use our Interactive Map to call the DVBIC regional office nearest to you. You can also use our Contact Us form or call 800.870.9244 and our headquarters will direct you to the appropriate staff member.

HOW CAN WE HELP?
DVBIC clincial care can address the needs of service members and veterans who sustain injuries through events that often affect the civilian population (motor vehicle crashes, falls, etc.) as well as incidents usually more unique to a military setting (blast/explosion, penetrating shrapnel, paratrooper injuries).

TBI may result in a broad range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social challenges. DVBIC is committed to providing excellence in care that addresses the wide- ranging needs of patients and their families. We work to provide services and support to help the individual with TBI return to duty, work and community. Individualized evidence-based treatment and expert case management and care coordination serve to maximize function and decrease TBI-related disability.

Time,
Where you been hiding these links Bro ?
carlie

LOL, I havn't been.

They have been been posted in this forum before. Both links have threads to themselves here in the tbi forum.

Time,
I like it when I learn something.
Maybe I need to go spend some time over in the TBI section :)
carlie

No problem reposting good information. Its always new to someone