Does Cognitive Disorder count?

B

Bandit4

PEB Forum Regular Member
I am retired, AD 21.5 years and 80% disabled. I have memory loss (short term) and was going through TBI appointment after TBI appointment at the Temple VA in TX. One visit (last Fall), the Doctor tells me...oh, your TBI didn't happen in combat so I am going to terminate this line of treatment. Yeah...I know the list of questions that should pop into any normal thinking person...
1. When did the TBI happen? a. I have memory loss, I don't know! :rolleyes:
2. Why did she start treating me for a TBI and then change her mind? a: I don't know...:mad:
3. What is the process the VA uses for treating TBI patients (and criteria used to just "terminate" treatment? :confused: a: I don't know...and neither does anyone else from what my research has uncovered...then again, I just learned about this forum!

I do know I was involved in two IED's during my tour, but neither hit my vehicle directly. The worst of them was when I was in the truck behind the one that took the direct hit, we drove through the blast, singed our facial hair...and went to work recovering our injured Brothers. While AD, I also went in for a routine procedure prior to neck surgery...called a myolagram (or something like that). Anyways, they said the dye from it went into my brain and caused me to have two Gran-Mal seizures....hmmm, think that might have caused a TBI???

Okay, up to the minute...I was diagnosed last summer with a "Cognitive Disorder". When I asked the MHE Pro if that meant I had a TBI, she replied; "you have a cognitive disorder".

Can anyone break this down into simple terms for me? I believe I included this in my appeal (to my disability rating) I submitted in February...but still haven't heard back either way on a decision! I am reaching out for general info to see if one of you brings up something I didn't think of or that I haven't already covered....thanks. Remember-no question is stupid, no answer is redundant!
 
Welcome aboard,

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_disorder]Cognitive disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

"they said the dye from it went into my brain and caused me to have two Gran-Mal seizures....hmmm, think that might have caused a TBI"

TBI : [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traumatic_brain_injury]Traumatic brain injury - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

TBI is caused by trauma, directly or indirectly. For example, your head hitting something or something hitting your head. Or shock wave from a blast.
 
Also, remember that you can have both, TBI and a cognitive disorder (caused or not by the TBI).

There are two separate issues, the impact this has on your treatment and the impact on your disability benefits case. I will leave it to your doctors as to the treatment, but as far as your case, it is very important that they consider the possibility of rating under residuals of TBI.
 
I actually thought that was what they were doing for me at the VA over the last year, when I was going to all those appts for "TBI", but when Ms. Doctor tells me, all of a sudden...."Your TBI didn't happen in combat" so I'm terminating this line of treatment...wtf?

I really don't want the money (although a bit of cash never hurt anyones pocket)...but I want to be treated for, and receive just compensation for my service related disabilities.

I am awaiting my appeal. I received 80% disability based on my Retirement physical. I was let down a bit when I had been diagnosed with PTSD (I have reoccurring nightmares, migraines, occasional hypervigilence, and anxiety) while still AD and then I go to a 30 minute interview after retirement and find out I get 10% for "Anxiety Disorder"...nothing about PTSD at all. So, in the appeal, I based it on two things.

1. Most of my physical injuries were rated at 10% and all said words to the effect of; "do not impact social or personal lifestyle". My argument, I served 21+ years as a a tanker, working outdoors and living a very active lifestyle. NOW, I must have an office job (I can't do anything physical really)...and my social life of playing sports, wakeboarding and water skiing, competitive fishing///ALL are things of the past for me.

2. I argued the 'Anxiety Disorder" diagnosis based on the other underlying symptoms of PTSD.

I have read a bunch of topics here, as well as done my research on the net...and still can't figure out a good website that breaks the equation down into normal language to explain how they take one 50% rated disability, and ten 10% ratings...and it all adds up to a total of 80%. So if they decide to upgrade 3 items to 20% based on my appeal...does anyone have a guess what my overall rating would be then?
 
Did you tell MS. doctor you were involved in 2 IED blasts. On my first tour when you were involved in a IED blast if you weren't bleeding no big deal so no record of it . On my 2nd tour if you were involved or close to the blast you had to go to charlie med and it was put in your medical . point being it doesn't have to be in your file for it to have happened and they cant say it didn't . If worse case you get a statement from some one that was there. Also are you doing this alone or do you have help from a service rep like the DAV ??/
 
SSgt B,

Thanks for the response. Now that you mention it, I don't think I really emphasized the two IED blasts when I was seeing that Doctor. My fault...but it being from an IED or the seizure trauma wasn't in the front of my mind...I just wanted to be treated for the "cognitive disorder" caused by either the IEDs or the seizures! I have an SF600 signed by our Corps Surgeon during my OIF tour...but it was created long after our tour. I just was able to find him through the MEDCOM IG and he rermemberred working on me...so I have proof of involvement in at least one of the IED blasts.

I filed my appeal to my initial rating on February 12th, 2009. To date, I haven't heard a thing about it except letters saying; "we are working on it". It is still in Waco and hasn't even been sent to DC yet! Argh, the process has so many systemic problems and the ultimate ones that pay the price is the Veteran. I can't blame the VA...but it sucks not being able to point a finger at the actual problam to help get it fixed.

I was using a VFW Rep to help me with all paperwork. I have since started doing it all myself and running it past the Rep before I send it. Then, when I do send it, I send it via fax to the OIF Rep at the Waco VA...and he takes a quick look as well. I think I have enough people "in the know" looking at things...

I have also recently learned how the VA does that wierd math to get to our overall percentage. If anyone wants me to break it down, let me know and I'll do my best.
 
I can only speak about the VA. I got rated at 70% cognitive 50% headaches for my involvement in 6 ied blasts 2 direct hits with out a purple heart. you have to stay on top of the VA I got the # for the regional office in my area you can call and check on your claim and I did often . I was told that I was waiting on my rating for TBI so I called the # just to check and the lady said your TBI stuff is sitting at the VA hospital they never sent it that was 3 months after C & P If I didn't check it would still be in the same place. your doing the write thing doing all your own leg work . just check up on the VA often. I would go back to the VA and tell ms. Doctor you were involved in Ied blast and you have docs on it and resume your treatment for TBI. cognitive problems are from TBI as are a # of other things . I did notice my problems write away after blast if you say you didn't they will try to blame it on something else meaning not service connected so yes you did notice these problems you just thought they would go away but there not so that's why you are there for help.
 
Hi im specialist Purcell, currently deployed in afghanistan. I was in an IED blast about a month ago, 300lb HME. All i had was a headache that lasted for about 12 hours. Soon after that day I kept feeling I was going to lose my mind. But im guessing it was all in my head, passed the MASE exam for concussion. About two weeks ago, another vehicle was hit roughly 20 meters from my vehicle and i felt that blast pretty heavy and started getting a worse headache and feeling sick to my stomach. Kinda wondering if i have TBI? I cant notice anything different then how i use to be but Im just kinda worried there's something wrong but have no clue that there is something.
 
Just make sure you document everything ! You can go to medical with out being a shitbird just go in tell them what is wrong say you want to document it they will write it in your med record then leave ... it must be on paper !!!! every thing !!!!!!!!!!
 
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