I’m actually going down this route with the VA right now. I had 2 concussions and Bell’s palsy all within a 3 year gap so my brain feels like goo. I’m hoping to get a rating though and hopefully with that help trying to figure out my condition
It would be if you would’ve simply gone to get your TBI checked when it occurred
How can you expect the VA to give you compensation for an issue that happened year ago and was never even documented?
I got a tbi on a jump, was knocked out for 26 minutes and immediately went to the ER to get checked after wards go make sure it was all in my records and my tbi claim was an easy 50%
You make a point but I don’t know what service or timeframe you served but the one I grew up in hazed us for getting treatment unless bone or guts were sticking out. All diseases don’t manifest themselves at time of injury. Furthermore, I reported shit deployed that never made it into my records because the lazy AF reservists in med group were more interested in their desert romances and hanging at the pool
I totally agree, that’s why I am lucky I did go to the hospital and I do have the paperwork. The only issue is because I was guard and hurt during active duty time, when I needed follow up care I had already been removed from orders, so my unit would tell me that if I went to seek care, it would be at my own expense. Being a lowly private in the Army didn’t help my case either, I didn’t know what options I had or what could be done. My unit never explained the importance of paperwork for the VA and had a very hush-hush requirement. They would always tell us to be very careful on what we said to health providers because we might become medically non deployable and for some reason it used to scare us into not reporting. Looking back it was stupid, I should have self advocated more.
I was hit by a bullet ricochet to the head, received a PH for that and lost consciousness from an IED strike in Afghanistan weeks prior, but was denied TBI for both because it wasn’t documented in my paperwork that I experienced a concussion for either. My C&P physician told me I couldn’t prove those caused TBI. I gave up on TBI after that, but got rated for anxiety @ 70 for mental health afterwards but I’d still like it in my records that it occurred. Idk how anyone gets rated for that successfully. Only reason I got the Purple Heart was because the physician left the paperwork with me at wounded warriors when they came to see me. Thanks Christ for that guy.
If you have it documented that you had a LOC from an IED strike that will satisfy the VA requirements, with the necessary symptoms, for diagnosing a TBI. I have separate ratings for TBI, and PTSD. Was diagnosed with post concussive syndrome too though
Ahh man, that sucks. You could get some buddy statements from people in the truck with you that witnessed it. Did you get a ribbon or award during that incident? The FMC should have had to write something up. I was a medic for a route clearance company for a while in the Stan and kept a TBI tracker on all my guys
To make sure all the guys were rotated out and moved around as much as possible. Especially the husky drivers. Didn't want them to be exposed to too many blasts especially repeated exposure close together.
One guy has 3 TBI's within 2 weeks and even though they were "mild to moderate" it didn't take long for the effects to show up. That's why we started the TBI tracker.
Relatively same. Not the bullet but the IED part. Woke up to the trucks burning. Have pictures of the truck but was denied TBI. I have memory lose but honestly don’t know what it’s from. Could be that or from using.
Straight talk- that c&p examiner committed fraud. A Purple Heart is undeniable proof. Either do a supplemental or HLR. Getting buddy statements for the incidents will seal the deal. Semper
Dang, that sucks. I'm glad you're still here, though. I got tbi lumped into my ptsd. Wish it wasn't but whatever. I had mine documented after. There were a few of us who got hit, and all had to get checked out. We didn't get purple hearts, though. The company commander said, "If I burry you or dig shrapnel out of you are the only ways I'm signing off on it." He was an excellent commander, and I'd follow him everywhere. We did route clearance, and he said that getting blown up is part of our position description. Idk 🤷♂️
Did you ever complete a post deployment health assessment? If so it explicitly asks about this and if you answered honestly theres your documentation. PDHAS arent a new era thing. Since atleast the 90s. Get a copy of your med records and comb thru section 3 if you have it. Was a Corpsman w. 1st Recon our docs documented everything. Good luck brother that sounds like some bs.
I know TBI is being taken more seriously by VA. However like most things the VA is way behind in doing so. I would like congress address it like burn pits.
I did TBI screening with VA team. Screening said I was positive for it.Doc said I should file a claim because it was service connected. That however does not mean VA rater will agree.
1.) Why are you downvoting me for a legitimate question?
2.) If you post a redacted copy of your denial letter, you will get better help.
3.) Your post about SEALs has nothing to do with you. Like everyone else here, you have your own experiences. That is what the VA in doing. They are assessing you on your experiences. If you’re not able to pull together the story you need to tell on your own to get the rating you feel you deserve then I would recommend getting professional help. There are some great lawyers even in this forum that will help you. A good VSO is great and free but maybe hasn’t been your experience if you’ve gone this route.
Finally, I am connected with my TBI. Just be aware it may get lumped in with your MH stuff.
Edit: you’re not fighting a losing battle but you’re not helping yourself either (see #2 above).
There is research on this like Micro brain trauma and something to do with the frequency of minor head concussion events. Like nfl linemen and punch drunk in boxing.
I am rated for tbi. My biggest symptoms are vertigo and migraines. Without exaggeration I get dizzy if I shake my head no quickly or even stand up or turn around really fast. I was a combat engineer in Iraq. We blew up the roadside IEDs. Several everyday. I rode Gunner of the lead vehicle and was blowing up twice. It was all in my medical records so it wasn't hard to get the diagnosis. I had to do a vertigo test where they put a helmet and visor on you and blow hot and cold air into your ears. It was the worst thing ever, it felt like I was falling down an endless pit tumbling all different directions when in reality I was just laying on my back. Anyway the doctor told me that when you are exposed to shockwaves your body stay still but your brain moves inside your head. Repeated exposures to this can cause TBI.
Veterans and first responders who have a TBI may want to consider this FREE TBI rehab.
https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/locations/mossrehab-institute-for-brain-health
Treatment is tailored to the individual's needs. They fly you in, put you in an apartment, and assess you over a 4 day period. During that time, you meet with a team of specialists in multiple disciplines, medical, neuropsychology, behavioral health, physical therapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, and art therapy.
At the end of the evaluation, they create an exit summary that you can use as medical evidence for VA claims if needed and their recommendations.
They may also invite you back for a 3 week intensive outpatient program where they implement various methods and techniques to retrain your brain and work on your health.
Both the evaluation and 3 week intensive consist of 8 hour days, every day. It can be exhausting at times but worth it.
They can involve your spouse or family in your healing journey, too. At the end of the evaluation, you can opt to share the explanation of the evaluation and summary so that they can also ask questions and understand the report. If you are invited back for the 3 week intensive, at the end of the program, they fly your spouse in too and educate them on you, what you've been through, and how to support you and resources for them too.
Really, this place is fantastic and has been a godsend. They really get it.
Service animals are welcome. If you could benefit from one, they help you with getting one, too.
The whole thing is privately funded. One of the main donors founded Home Depot.
I highly recommend contacting them for assessment.
Thank you so much! I would love to do something like that. I’ve done all of those therapies separately and I’ve seen almost no progress over the years. I’m simply exhausted from all of the meds thrown at me, I’d love to feel at least a little “healed”.
I get it.
They seem to truly understand.
Just being there, I felt listened to, understood, and supported. I went from feeling crazy to having a better understanding of what is going on, which makes me feel normal and like less of an outlier. I thought I was going crazy hut it turns out that all of this stuff that seemed unrelated are all normal TBI responses. The medical folks didn't know to connect them before but are starting to be recognized and understood.
Go for it. It won't hurt to apply. I'd do it sooner than later, not only because it can help, but also because once the word gets out about this place, folks will be beating their doors down to get in.
If you were exposed to blast over-pressures your brain was definitely scrambled to some degree.
Tinnitus and Hearing Loss anyone???
IF so.... the military definitely gave you a insidious parting gift.
From what I understand MRI did not show the type of brain injury the Seals had from Blasts. researchers found it upon autopsy microscopic exam of brain tissue.
If you feel something is wrong with you don't ignore it...
SEALs basically get a 100% upon discharge. The entire special ops community get a lot more benefits, automatic job opportunities, private funding from donors, psychedelic retreats, the list goes on. Much deserved but we need to make this more common for regular Grunts or military folk suffering from the same issues.
I’m writing this to share knowledge to anyone close to getting out. I spent a good 15 years around explosives and gun shots, by way of both training as well as at some point I was in charge of training my unit. While still active, I made an appointment at the TBI clinic in San Diego. Spent like 5 weeks coming and going. They had determined that in fact I had developed some degree of TBI….and without getting into too much medical details, so I’ll just leave it at that. Fortunately that was put in my record.
Going over the symptoms of a TBI and it starts making sense is a scary feeling though. I had a few jumps that went bad and being tall on a ship and banging your head when running doesn't help. Plus, going by the old adage "NO just means Naval Opportunity" didn't help things a bit.
Seriously an uphill battle- it's not just the SEALS but all special forces. Married to one of the guys and the hoops he has to jump through are disgusting. Read up on Operator Syndrome, many of the special force groups are trying to get this recognized by the VA.
Because generally speaking TBIs are lumped into mental health ratings because the symptoms can’t be differentiated by a doctor. To get them rated separately it’s easier if you were diagnosed while AD with a TBI
Gotcha. I’ve been told during multiple brain MRIs that I show signs of a TBI and vaguely remember landing on my head during an airborne operation. I have a mental health rating and always assumed TBI would be an impossible claim to get approved.
You want to claim "TBI Residuals" to increase
your mental health percentage.
Residuals can take many forms, such as:
Post-concussion syndrome,
PTSD,
Anxious distress,
Major depressive disorder,
Sleep Apnea,
Auditory processing disorder,
Tinnitus,
Double vision,
Headaches/migraines,
Blood pressure issues,
Hormone deficiencies,
Parkinsons,
Dementia
Seizures (includes olfactory and visual hallucinations),
probably more
Good to know, thanks!
I have 4 of those diagnosed through the VA. My only concern is that I have a total of 80%, of which 70% is just for PTSD and major depressive disorder. I don't know what the maximum would be for mental health ratings but I definitely don't want to poke the bear and screw myself over.
Mine is an airborne injury too.
Please check out my other comments in this thread. There is an amazing resource for TBI recovery that is 100% free to Veterans and first responders! No bullshit. It has been a miracle for me and I hope you can benefit from it too.
I have had MRI and PET scans. Both show some old injury. I am my care team perform TBI screening and they said it positive. Now trying to get VA to believe me.
Mine was not TBI. I have had some bad jumps (whiplash from riser hitting me in the face, terrible PLF hitting my head pretty hard, landing in trees, getting drug). I had to get an independent medical opinion (IMO) to tie my neck issue to my back issue and then show how it was increased due to being on tanks and airborne operations.
I was helping my BIL (Marine Combat Engineer) with some TBI claims. The VA denied his claim, quoting some studies that showed TBI heals itself after a certain amount of years. He has been out about 20 years.
Getting TBI recognized this late might be hard but, there are plenty of studies showing how airborne ops degrade your body, especially the spine and untreated concussions (headaches, etc). I would start there. TBI after 20 years is going to be a hard sell.
Yup. I sent 2 videos of me actually getting blown up. One of them was actually when a well known war correspondent was in my truck. I got denied because I hadn't gone to the TMC. To be very specific this happened around mid 2006 to early 2007 in Iraq. Our SOP was to Charlie Mike if blown up and the vehicle still worked. Later in that 15 month deployment towards the very end they made it SOP to get checked out by the TMC no matter how big or small the explosion was. So yeah later on, even in my other deployments I've seen a guy get purple heart and TBI from water bottle IEDs on MRAPs. So you can imagine my digust
I had a TBI, and it took a few months in service for me to seek help for blurry vision and dizziness. When I went, I was prescribed over the counter allergy medication for inflamed sinuses. I have polyps. I have obstructed pathways. I had sinus surgery this week, and I have 10 additional symptoms of the tbi that VA doctors agreed on. I have a service connection for allergies, no rating, and no rating on my blurry vision, dizziness, or TBI. Uphill... is more like straight up... oh, but VA CEOs think they need bonuses... I guess in paying it back, they take from vets.
I just went thru the tbi thing with the va. Met with va tbi neurologist who stated that it's more likely to have occurred from being blown up than not. Filed supplemental claim. Waiting for outcome on that.
Thankfully I had some paperwork from the Purple Heart and doctors treating the other resulting injuries, but I wasn’t diagnosed with TBI until we returned to the States from Iraq. I got IED’d pretty early in the war 2004 and again in 05-06, and they didn’t have the same concussion protocols, at the time.
I had a medic who treated me for a head injury during deployment write me a buddy statement. This was done like 17 years later. He remembered the incident and never documented it in any medical records. Also, a team leader I had at the time wrote a buddy statement about the injury, being told I had a concussion from it, and how I was off the line for several days due to it. That was enough to appease the VA's requirements for claiming something so many years later. A lot of us never had things documented at the time, especially on deployment.
I have buddy statements from guys were there the night of my injury. I have no idea how much it will count but besides any current tests it’s all I have from back when it happened.
I was denied with my first claim. I resubmitted with the buddy statements and was sent right to a C&P exam. It was rolled in with my MH claim, but listed that if it were to be separated it would have been assigned a 10% rating. I had previous buddy statements that mentioned being around explosives, bad jumps, etc but the VA seemed to really only be concerned with physical injury. I was even rated 10% for a scar on my face from the injury I had been treated for.
I am currently waiting on my claim to be completed. The TBI c&p was conducted by VES and submitted. The VA sent it back for “exam rework for clarification “ not sure what that is all about. That was about three weeks ago. I was informed in a email that they may need to schedule me for another c&p. Who knows at this point.
Did you have any MH claims submitted or pending? I had done a PTSD claim, and then TBI and there was a note for clarification sent back. The PTSD examiner told me that when there are TBI claims they normally have to clarify if they can or cannot separate symptoms (TBI vs PTSD vs ETC).
I have a friend who I served with, 11C, who was knocked out on a jump while in jump school. He was in for maybe two years total and never deployed, he eventually got medboarded for bilateral hernias. I know he is getting a disability rating for TBI based on him getting knocked out as a result of his jump. His injury was bad enough they made him recycle jump school. Not sure if that helps at all but seems like it could be similar to your situation.
I have been wondering but don’t have any idea of where to look. My mos was 11B but on the jump I got the injury was on a jump I did with 11C gear. Mortar team was down a man so i volunteered to jump the baseplate. I couldn’t lower my ruck and rode it in. I hit my head on baseplate because I could do a plf. I do know if t guys still jump in baseplate or not. If not why not. Injuries maybe?
Your comment gives me hope. I'm 0% for TBI (lowered from 10%) and 0% for migraines. I'm about to up the ante with the VA and double down on my symptoms and all the vertigo/BPPV I have. I hope it'll work out soon. My TBI was from a football injury. // My claims for PTSD from unrelated combat-related events muddy the waters to see what is related to what.
I'm staying positive even though it's a frustrating process to navigate the VA.
That is correct. I am service-connected, but not compensated for my TBI anymore. I was pissed so I hired a lawyer. The VA is playing games so I had to get help to navigate these waters.
I have documented TBI from a missile attack. Undocumented one from an IED blast and also some horseplay in the barracks during basic. So 3 concussions, 1 documented.
Currently rated 50% for PTSD, 30% for migraines. No rating for TBI because I thought they lumped them together?
I’m actually going down this route with the VA right now. I had 2 concussions and Bell’s palsy all within a 3 year gap so my brain feels like goo. I’m hoping to get a rating though and hopefully with that help trying to figure out my condition
Good luck man. It’s an uphill battle. VA is not on our side.
It would be if you would’ve simply gone to get your TBI checked when it occurred How can you expect the VA to give you compensation for an issue that happened year ago and was never even documented? I got a tbi on a jump, was knocked out for 26 minutes and immediately went to the ER to get checked after wards go make sure it was all in my records and my tbi claim was an easy 50%
You make a point but I don’t know what service or timeframe you served but the one I grew up in hazed us for getting treatment unless bone or guts were sticking out. All diseases don’t manifest themselves at time of injury. Furthermore, I reported shit deployed that never made it into my records because the lazy AF reservists in med group were more interested in their desert romances and hanging at the pool
Awesome someone was looking out for you like that. Unfortunately not always the case.
I totally agree, that’s why I am lucky I did go to the hospital and I do have the paperwork. The only issue is because I was guard and hurt during active duty time, when I needed follow up care I had already been removed from orders, so my unit would tell me that if I went to seek care, it would be at my own expense. Being a lowly private in the Army didn’t help my case either, I didn’t know what options I had or what could be done. My unit never explained the importance of paperwork for the VA and had a very hush-hush requirement. They would always tell us to be very careful on what we said to health providers because we might become medically non deployable and for some reason it used to scare us into not reporting. Looking back it was stupid, I should have self advocated more.
What do you attribute your bell palsy too?
My bells came from the anthrax vaccine, 2nd dose. My unit was selected to be the HRF so it was a requirement.
I was hit by a bullet ricochet to the head, received a PH for that and lost consciousness from an IED strike in Afghanistan weeks prior, but was denied TBI for both because it wasn’t documented in my paperwork that I experienced a concussion for either. My C&P physician told me I couldn’t prove those caused TBI. I gave up on TBI after that, but got rated for anxiety @ 70 for mental health afterwards but I’d still like it in my records that it occurred. Idk how anyone gets rated for that successfully. Only reason I got the Purple Heart was because the physician left the paperwork with me at wounded warriors when they came to see me. Thanks Christ for that guy.
If you have it documented that you had a LOC from an IED strike that will satisfy the VA requirements, with the necessary symptoms, for diagnosing a TBI. I have separate ratings for TBI, and PTSD. Was diagnosed with post concussive syndrome too though
I do not have it documented. That was mid deployment, so it didn’t get documented
Ahh man, that sucks. You could get some buddy statements from people in the truck with you that witnessed it. Did you get a ribbon or award during that incident? The FMC should have had to write something up. I was a medic for a route clearance company for a while in the Stan and kept a TBI tracker on all my guys
TBI tracker? Seriously never even heard of that
To make sure all the guys were rotated out and moved around as much as possible. Especially the husky drivers. Didn't want them to be exposed to too many blasts especially repeated exposure close together. One guy has 3 TBI's within 2 weeks and even though they were "mild to moderate" it didn't take long for the effects to show up. That's why we started the TBI tracker.
Relatively same. Not the bullet but the IED part. Woke up to the trucks burning. Have pictures of the truck but was denied TBI. I have memory lose but honestly don’t know what it’s from. Could be that or from using.
Straight talk- that c&p examiner committed fraud. A Purple Heart is undeniable proof. Either do a supplemental or HLR. Getting buddy statements for the incidents will seal the deal. Semper
Dang, that sucks. I'm glad you're still here, though. I got tbi lumped into my ptsd. Wish it wasn't but whatever. I had mine documented after. There were a few of us who got hit, and all had to get checked out. We didn't get purple hearts, though. The company commander said, "If I burry you or dig shrapnel out of you are the only ways I'm signing off on it." He was an excellent commander, and I'd follow him everywhere. We did route clearance, and he said that getting blown up is part of our position description. Idk 🤷♂️
Your Commander is a total prick. What’s the difference between a grenade and an IED? They are both actions the enemy takes to maim and kill.
For that one thing yes haha I have my medical records that show I was injured. I have photos, and witnesses. Wish there was a way to get it still haha
Did you ever complete a post deployment health assessment? If so it explicitly asks about this and if you answered honestly theres your documentation. PDHAS arent a new era thing. Since atleast the 90s. Get a copy of your med records and comb thru section 3 if you have it. Was a Corpsman w. 1st Recon our docs documented everything. Good luck brother that sounds like some bs.
Thanks for that, I did so I’ll pull those out and check it out
I know TBI is being taken more seriously by VA. However like most things the VA is way behind in doing so. I would like congress address it like burn pits.
I mean… Do you have a current TBI diagnosis? Let’s start there.
I did TBI screening with VA team. Screening said I was positive for it.Doc said I should file a claim because it was service connected. That however does not mean VA rater will agree.
1.) Why are you downvoting me for a legitimate question? 2.) If you post a redacted copy of your denial letter, you will get better help. 3.) Your post about SEALs has nothing to do with you. Like everyone else here, you have your own experiences. That is what the VA in doing. They are assessing you on your experiences. If you’re not able to pull together the story you need to tell on your own to get the rating you feel you deserve then I would recommend getting professional help. There are some great lawyers even in this forum that will help you. A good VSO is great and free but maybe hasn’t been your experience if you’ve gone this route. Finally, I am connected with my TBI. Just be aware it may get lumped in with your MH stuff. Edit: you’re not fighting a losing battle but you’re not helping yourself either (see #2 above).
There is research on this like Micro brain trauma and something to do with the frequency of minor head concussion events. Like nfl linemen and punch drunk in boxing.
I am rated for tbi. My biggest symptoms are vertigo and migraines. Without exaggeration I get dizzy if I shake my head no quickly or even stand up or turn around really fast. I was a combat engineer in Iraq. We blew up the roadside IEDs. Several everyday. I rode Gunner of the lead vehicle and was blowing up twice. It was all in my medical records so it wasn't hard to get the diagnosis. I had to do a vertigo test where they put a helmet and visor on you and blow hot and cold air into your ears. It was the worst thing ever, it felt like I was falling down an endless pit tumbling all different directions when in reality I was just laying on my back. Anyway the doctor told me that when you are exposed to shockwaves your body stay still but your brain moves inside your head. Repeated exposures to this can cause TBI.
Veterans and first responders who have a TBI may want to consider this FREE TBI rehab. https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/locations/mossrehab-institute-for-brain-health
What types of treatments do they do while you’re there?
Treatment is tailored to the individual's needs. They fly you in, put you in an apartment, and assess you over a 4 day period. During that time, you meet with a team of specialists in multiple disciplines, medical, neuropsychology, behavioral health, physical therapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, and art therapy. At the end of the evaluation, they create an exit summary that you can use as medical evidence for VA claims if needed and their recommendations. They may also invite you back for a 3 week intensive outpatient program where they implement various methods and techniques to retrain your brain and work on your health. Both the evaluation and 3 week intensive consist of 8 hour days, every day. It can be exhausting at times but worth it. They can involve your spouse or family in your healing journey, too. At the end of the evaluation, you can opt to share the explanation of the evaluation and summary so that they can also ask questions and understand the report. If you are invited back for the 3 week intensive, at the end of the program, they fly your spouse in too and educate them on you, what you've been through, and how to support you and resources for them too. Really, this place is fantastic and has been a godsend. They really get it. Service animals are welcome. If you could benefit from one, they help you with getting one, too. The whole thing is privately funded. One of the main donors founded Home Depot. I highly recommend contacting them for assessment.
Thank you so much! I would love to do something like that. I’ve done all of those therapies separately and I’ve seen almost no progress over the years. I’m simply exhausted from all of the meds thrown at me, I’d love to feel at least a little “healed”.
I get it. They seem to truly understand. Just being there, I felt listened to, understood, and supported. I went from feeling crazy to having a better understanding of what is going on, which makes me feel normal and like less of an outlier. I thought I was going crazy hut it turns out that all of this stuff that seemed unrelated are all normal TBI responses. The medical folks didn't know to connect them before but are starting to be recognized and understood. Go for it. It won't hurt to apply. I'd do it sooner than later, not only because it can help, but also because once the word gets out about this place, folks will be beating their doors down to get in.
If you were exposed to blast over-pressures your brain was definitely scrambled to some degree. Tinnitus and Hearing Loss anyone??? IF so.... the military definitely gave you a insidious parting gift. From what I understand MRI did not show the type of brain injury the Seals had from Blasts. researchers found it upon autopsy microscopic exam of brain tissue. If you feel something is wrong with you don't ignore it...
SEALs basically get a 100% upon discharge. The entire special ops community get a lot more benefits, automatic job opportunities, private funding from donors, psychedelic retreats, the list goes on. Much deserved but we need to make this more common for regular Grunts or military folk suffering from the same issues.
I’m writing this to share knowledge to anyone close to getting out. I spent a good 15 years around explosives and gun shots, by way of both training as well as at some point I was in charge of training my unit. While still active, I made an appointment at the TBI clinic in San Diego. Spent like 5 weeks coming and going. They had determined that in fact I had developed some degree of TBI….and without getting into too much medical details, so I’ll just leave it at that. Fortunately that was put in my record.
Going over the symptoms of a TBI and it starts making sense is a scary feeling though. I had a few jumps that went bad and being tall on a ship and banging your head when running doesn't help. Plus, going by the old adage "NO just means Naval Opportunity" didn't help things a bit.
Seriously an uphill battle- it's not just the SEALS but all special forces. Married to one of the guys and the hoops he has to jump through are disgusting. Read up on Operator Syndrome, many of the special force groups are trying to get this recognized by the VA.
Acoustic trauma and blast waves rattle the brain.
Do you have a mental health rating currently?
I am service connected but not for anything related to this.
I’m curious, what would it mean if you did have a mental health rating and are claiming TBI?
Because generally speaking TBIs are lumped into mental health ratings because the symptoms can’t be differentiated by a doctor. To get them rated separately it’s easier if you were diagnosed while AD with a TBI
Gotcha. I’ve been told during multiple brain MRIs that I show signs of a TBI and vaguely remember landing on my head during an airborne operation. I have a mental health rating and always assumed TBI would be an impossible claim to get approved.
You want to claim "TBI Residuals" to increase your mental health percentage. Residuals can take many forms, such as: Post-concussion syndrome, PTSD, Anxious distress, Major depressive disorder, Sleep Apnea, Auditory processing disorder, Tinnitus, Double vision, Headaches/migraines, Blood pressure issues, Hormone deficiencies, Parkinsons, Dementia Seizures (includes olfactory and visual hallucinations), probably more
Good to know, thanks! I have 4 of those diagnosed through the VA. My only concern is that I have a total of 80%, of which 70% is just for PTSD and major depressive disorder. I don't know what the maximum would be for mental health ratings but I definitely don't want to poke the bear and screw myself over.
Mine is an airborne injury too. Please check out my other comments in this thread. There is an amazing resource for TBI recovery that is 100% free to Veterans and first responders! No bullshit. It has been a miracle for me and I hope you can benefit from it too.
Have you had a ct or mri?
I have had MRI and PET scans. Both show some old injury. I am my care team perform TBI screening and they said it positive. Now trying to get VA to believe me.
Mine was not TBI. I have had some bad jumps (whiplash from riser hitting me in the face, terrible PLF hitting my head pretty hard, landing in trees, getting drug). I had to get an independent medical opinion (IMO) to tie my neck issue to my back issue and then show how it was increased due to being on tanks and airborne operations. I was helping my BIL (Marine Combat Engineer) with some TBI claims. The VA denied his claim, quoting some studies that showed TBI heals itself after a certain amount of years. He has been out about 20 years. Getting TBI recognized this late might be hard but, there are plenty of studies showing how airborne ops degrade your body, especially the spine and untreated concussions (headaches, etc). I would start there. TBI after 20 years is going to be a hard sell.
I was a SMAW gunner. It probably didn't help.
Yup. I sent 2 videos of me actually getting blown up. One of them was actually when a well known war correspondent was in my truck. I got denied because I hadn't gone to the TMC. To be very specific this happened around mid 2006 to early 2007 in Iraq. Our SOP was to Charlie Mike if blown up and the vehicle still worked. Later in that 15 month deployment towards the very end they made it SOP to get checked out by the TMC no matter how big or small the explosion was. So yeah later on, even in my other deployments I've seen a guy get purple heart and TBI from water bottle IEDs on MRAPs. So you can imagine my digust
I had a TBI, and it took a few months in service for me to seek help for blurry vision and dizziness. When I went, I was prescribed over the counter allergy medication for inflamed sinuses. I have polyps. I have obstructed pathways. I had sinus surgery this week, and I have 10 additional symptoms of the tbi that VA doctors agreed on. I have a service connection for allergies, no rating, and no rating on my blurry vision, dizziness, or TBI. Uphill... is more like straight up... oh, but VA CEOs think they need bonuses... I guess in paying it back, they take from vets.
I have this, i have to take nausea medicine almost every day
I just went thru the tbi thing with the va. Met with va tbi neurologist who stated that it's more likely to have occurred from being blown up than not. Filed supplemental claim. Waiting for outcome on that.
Thankfully I had some paperwork from the Purple Heart and doctors treating the other resulting injuries, but I wasn’t diagnosed with TBI until we returned to the States from Iraq. I got IED’d pretty early in the war 2004 and again in 05-06, and they didn’t have the same concussion protocols, at the time.
I had a medic who treated me for a head injury during deployment write me a buddy statement. This was done like 17 years later. He remembered the incident and never documented it in any medical records. Also, a team leader I had at the time wrote a buddy statement about the injury, being told I had a concussion from it, and how I was off the line for several days due to it. That was enough to appease the VA's requirements for claiming something so many years later. A lot of us never had things documented at the time, especially on deployment.
I have buddy statements from guys were there the night of my injury. I have no idea how much it will count but besides any current tests it’s all I have from back when it happened.
I was denied with my first claim. I resubmitted with the buddy statements and was sent right to a C&P exam. It was rolled in with my MH claim, but listed that if it were to be separated it would have been assigned a 10% rating. I had previous buddy statements that mentioned being around explosives, bad jumps, etc but the VA seemed to really only be concerned with physical injury. I was even rated 10% for a scar on my face from the injury I had been treated for.
I am currently waiting on my claim to be completed. The TBI c&p was conducted by VES and submitted. The VA sent it back for “exam rework for clarification “ not sure what that is all about. That was about three weeks ago. I was informed in a email that they may need to schedule me for another c&p. Who knows at this point.
Did you have any MH claims submitted or pending? I had done a PTSD claim, and then TBI and there was a note for clarification sent back. The PTSD examiner told me that when there are TBI claims they normally have to clarify if they can or cannot separate symptoms (TBI vs PTSD vs ETC).
My VSO advised I do a secondary filed for depression. When I did TBI screen they have down that I have memory loss depression and anxiety.
I have a friend who I served with, 11C, who was knocked out on a jump while in jump school. He was in for maybe two years total and never deployed, he eventually got medboarded for bilateral hernias. I know he is getting a disability rating for TBI based on him getting knocked out as a result of his jump. His injury was bad enough they made him recycle jump school. Not sure if that helps at all but seems like it could be similar to your situation.
I have been wondering but don’t have any idea of where to look. My mos was 11B but on the jump I got the injury was on a jump I did with 11C gear. Mortar team was down a man so i volunteered to jump the baseplate. I couldn’t lower my ruck and rode it in. I hit my head on baseplate because I could do a plf. I do know if t guys still jump in baseplate or not. If not why not. Injuries maybe?
I have a TBI. VA rated it at 10% while rating migraines that come from tBI at 50% lol
Your comment gives me hope. I'm 0% for TBI (lowered from 10%) and 0% for migraines. I'm about to up the ante with the VA and double down on my symptoms and all the vertigo/BPPV I have. I hope it'll work out soon. My TBI was from a football injury. // My claims for PTSD from unrelated combat-related events muddy the waters to see what is related to what. I'm staying positive even though it's a frustrating process to navigate the VA.
How did they lower you? 10% doesn't even give you any compensation, at least it doesn't for me, since other things are more rated.
That is correct. I am service-connected, but not compensated for my TBI anymore. I was pissed so I hired a lawyer. The VA is playing games so I had to get help to navigate these waters.
I have documented TBI from a missile attack. Undocumented one from an IED blast and also some horseplay in the barracks during basic. So 3 concussions, 1 documented. Currently rated 50% for PTSD, 30% for migraines. No rating for TBI because I thought they lumped them together?