TBI Disability awarded; new claim for back issues?

QTC is handling my claim as well, same thing you can’t just reschedule your appointment it’s a process and one that isn’t really an option.

 

For anyone reading, the actual VA website and claims process starts here to submit a fully developed claim - https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage

They do always answer the phone, granted you'll be on hold for a long time before they get to you.

I believe you dealt with a 'county' or 'state' office, in which they help veterans begin an appeal, but are catering those that cannot submit for a fully developed claim.

This process, if I recall correctly, deals with obtaining your medical records, and getting evaluations done (by your own doctor even), to prove that any current symptoms and/or disabilities, are directly related to your service. I found out with a phone call to the 1800 number on the site above that based on my history, I could submit a fully developed claim without ever having to request my medical records. This of course was after I went through the run around with the county office that's full of incompetent, worthless employees.

 

I am talking just the medical system of "hospitals" and outpatient clinics here don't have a valid phone number and all appointments have to be scheduled in person. But like I said they had nothing to do with and thankfully didn't touch my claim. I did use a state sponsored vet representative to file the original claim and she was amazing and I still send everyone to see her for their claims. but none of my appointments and i'm sure a vast majority of veterans appointments for their claims don't occur on a VA property or with a VA doctor. Let alone get referred for MRIs/X-rays/CAT scans etc... their claims and ratings are usually based solely off your personal account of symptoms/ issues, a quick physical, that stupid 2 page draw the clock and remember these numbers forms. so if you got that keep those records and file them with your primary VA caregiver because those two sides of the VA do not talk to each other. They did revamp their appeals process in the last month or two so I have no idea how that works other then that they stood up an office somewhere that deals solely with those.

 

File an IG complaint and congressional. You can also contact your VA care advocate. The VA faculty here is horrible too and our state senator is chairman of the committee (Tester).

To get back to the question at hand, if you are assessed with both PTSD and TBI, they will always attempt to play one off the other. It’s typically always mostly one, with the other rated at 0 or 10%. The tests are a joke and based on the average person, not your cognitive ability prior to your injury.

Great resource below to help see how the VA views what you say or how you say it. Not so you can fake it to a higher rating but so you are educated on what difference a word like debilitating vs suffered through just manning up and going to work could make.

http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/

Those of you that are still active duty, get a copy of your medical files and review them. Claim any and all disabilities, it may matter many years down the road. Your odds on a service connected disability is drastically reduced the longer you are out.

 

Folks, try reaching out to a VSO at your local American legion. Also, I dont know how it works in CA. But here in Idaho we have a Veterans services office that helps veterans file claims. They have a different system thats integrated into Ebenefits thats a lot faster than ebenefits and they get you scheduled appointments quite quickly. The workers are typically retired veterans or veterans so they know how to relate. Just look up "veterans services office California" They are however typically busy also so you have to keep up on them to get an appointment but its well worth the time.

 

I recall reading about Pyramiding, which is why I was specific about my symptoms and how I believe they may be related to TBI whereas my other symptoms may be related to PTSD; those relating to my PTSD were not discussed during my TBI evaluation.

After confirming that I will not be responsible for the cost of the MRI, and after learning that the neurologist believes I require a follow-up, an MRI is scheduled for this Wednesday the 26th.

VA was on the hospital's (Palo Alto) ass to submit their evaluation since my initial appointment was over 3 weeks ago; good to see things moving forward.

On one side, I hope all is well and they find nothing. On the other hand, I don't think what I deal with is considered "normal" either so I don't know

I'll keep you guys updated.

 

Been busy but I wanted to update this thread so far -

Wednesday I drove back out to Palo Alto for my MRI appointment. I was surprised at how efficient everything went; went to MB1 (claims and pension) and checked in. Then I went to the building next door and checked in. After answering a few questions about implants/metal/etc. I waited a few minutes until I was called up. 20 minutes in the machine while I got my MRI and all was done.

Unfortunately, due to this being a claim, I am unable to see any results of the MRI.

Looked up the status via ebenefits and va.gov and it looks as if the TBI evaluation was received.

This was the last evaluation I had as I already had one for Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, and PTSD.

The question now that'll remain unanswered for a bit will be; what percentage will my TBI be rated at, and will the rating justify the symptoms (past and present).

 

I am service connected for TBI, but the VA combined the rating with PTSD (it actually says PTSD with TBI). Some people have told me I got screwed, but the rating was high so I have left it alone. It is because the C&P doctor said the symptoms can’t be separated. I have seen TBI ratings that were separate (I work in the VA disability field), and they have all been low, maybe 10% at the highest. It’s complicated to rate, and you need severe residuals to get into the higher ratings. I’d get a DBQ if you can find one for TBI, and have a private doctor fill it out. That’s the only way I see you getting a fair evaluation.

 

Remember these numbers and draw a clock at a certain time? I'm sure you making it to the appointment location on time would've allowed for these steps to be skipped.

 

WTF are you talking about? I don’t think I’m the only one confused by your comment or where it OP said he was late to anything?

 

I think he was joking. The clock drawing exercise is a cognitive test. Or I could be wrong, and I don't know what to tell ya if he was serious.

 

Don’t remember the clock, plenty of the flipped shape ones though.

Maybe I took too many hits because I could see that making sense now after you pointed it out.

 

It has nothing to do with actual times, appoint times, anything like that. It's a cognitive test, I think it has something to do with testing for dementia.

 

If you go back and read about my initial TBI evaluation, I never mentioned any "clock" test because they didn't use that same test with me.

The Dr asked me to remember 3 words, then asked me to talk about a recent event and recall the memory I had of it, then after talking about said event to repeat the 3 words from earlier.

That and testing my "reflexes" or whatever, were the only real things she did.

 

The initial test was pretty basic for me too, including a couple of those same tests. The re-evaluation involved about a days worth of nonsense.

No matter the outcome, don’t let it get to you too much. Just appeal what you think you need to appeal. The entire process is a spin of the wheel. Also if you haven’t already, read through CFR 38 prior to any re-evaluations so your educated on how they predict how they think you feel.

 

I know there are a ton of active service members as well as veterans/disabled veterans; I was hoping to only invite those that again -

1. are being compensated for TBI

2. would share how their TBI was evaluated

3. what symptoms were you exhibiting at the time of or before evaluation

4. what percentage of disability their TBI was rated at

others are welcome to read and join but my questions were specific for combat veterans that suffered TBI.

 

I did get an MRI done, so maybe I'm a more severe case or maybe they're just handing them out like lollipops?

 

In addition to the info in my original post that answers your other questions, I don't think I put the rating, but it's 70%.

 

Just depends. There is a time limit on anything showing on an imaging test and CTE won’t show at all. I’ve gone through the gambit of most of those. They also typically rate specifically on a history of blacking out. If, as an example, you did route clearance and urban breaching (multiple close explosions), then that is still not considered. They don’t believe in overpressure exposure even though the SDZs have been reanalyzed and adjusted by school house because of that same exposure.

 

Yep, kind of.

You're pretty high but because it's combined with PTSD; haven't heard of that before but then again it could be to prevent pyramiding.

Same evaluation as others have stated above? Or did you go in for additional follow up evaluations?