sgtusmc said:
What is the name of your state?NY
I'm an active duty SGT in the Marine Corps for the last eight years. The last five years I've been getting Migrains and within the last year or so I have been passing out due to my headaches. I've passed out about 30 times so far. I can no longer drive, do my duty (mos 6531) aviation ordnance. I'm on a call in status with my squadron (if i'm to sick to go in, I do a call in muster) I miss about 3-4 days per week and my life as I knew it has totally change due to my headaches. Medical has tried ALL the migraine meds with no luck. MRI, MRA, EEG are all normal. I had a tilt table test and it showed that the reasons I'm passing out when I have a migraine is because my blood and heart rate drop instead of rising. I just got of the phone with Bethesda Medical center and after all the review of my medical package they are giving me a 50% medical retirement. I did not join the Corps to get medically discharge, however I'm sick more than 50% of the time. The SSGT that I spoke with told me I have 15 days to apeal or keep the 50%. If I apeal is there a way that I could get less than 50%? I don't know what to do. For the first time in my Marine Corps career I don't know what to do. I have a wife and a 4year old son to feed. Thanks in advance.
Here is my response to you from May:
Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtusmc
What is the name of your state?NY
I am being medically discharged soon with no real support from my command. No one seems to know who I can contact to get answers as to what my rights and benefits are. My MEB has been dictated and I am told that I should be out by July. I am not getting any better and I am married with one child. I have been asking questions like who can I speak to to find out what I do next and I am not getting answers. I am an active duty marine attached to a reservist unit. I'd like to know if anyone has any numbers or points of contact that might help. The numbers don't have to be from NY. If anyone knows of a person or office in your area that deals with these issues, I'd like the number so that through them I could find the right person in my area. I would truly appreciate any help.
04-30-2005 09:16 PM
sgtusmc What is the name of your state?Ny
I'm a Sgt in the Marine Corps. I've been in alittle over seven years. I did my part in OEF and OIF. I've had migraine headaches for the last 4 years. They have been getting worse. In Aug 04 I had a migraine at work and passed out due to the pain since then, I have passed out over 25 times. I was diagnosed with incapacitating migaines with sycopal episodes. I'm at the point now that I get up to 3 migraines a day. Against my will I'm going to be medically discharged I was planning to due my 20 in the Corps. All the paperwork has been submitted, I'm just waiting to sign the paperwork. Heres my problem, I'm married, with a 4 year old son. I'm stationed in NY and all our family is in CA. I was told that I should be out in less than 4 months. I'm trying to put my wife through school. She has a year left. It is very improtant that she finishes since she will be the bread winner. No one seems to have any answers for me. I did talk to the VA about help but till I receive my dd214 they cannot help. I was told by the VA that it could take several months before I could get any help from them. I just don't know what to do. I don't wanna end up homeless. I have some money in the bank but not enough to stay here for another year. Is there any type of pay once the dd214 comes in? Also does anyone know how long I have before I lose the moving help (shipping my house hold goods)?
Welcome to the frustrating
rmet4nzkx said:
Welcome to the frustrating world of Dysautonomia
AKA soldier's Heart.....
http://www.ndrf.org/orthostat.htm
National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
1407 W Fourth Street, Suite 160, Red Wing, MN 55066-2108
Phone: (651) 267-0525 Fax: (651) 267-0524
Ask for Linda Smith she should be able to give you referals to doctors that may help and or have connections to the VA.
Since you are in NY you might want to contact
Julian M Stewart, MD
Munger Pavillion # 618
Valhalla, NY 10595
Main Phone: 914-594-4370
http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000261.html may also have some assistance
What is your goal?
Diagnosis, treatment?
Do you want to stay in?
Do you want rehab?
Do you know your triggers?
Do you keep salt tablets on hand?
Is this being considered service related?
What degree of disability have they assigned to you? VA will usually reduce it after you get out.
There are a number of non medical treatments incuding lifestyle and diet that may greatly improve your quality of life and reduce your syncopal episodes and migrains. Diet may not be what you expect. I'm sorry I can't answer your questions about the details of shipment of your household belongings and income, but there is usually an option of a lump sum followed by a prorated income. If you qualify for SSDI that will be a separate process, but the qualifying factors are different.
What is your wife training for and how long does she have remaining? What is your MOS? What will be your RE code? You might contact Disabled Veterans organizations,
http://www.dav.org/
http://www.asdv.org/
Keep us updated
Semper Fi
Now you report that you had a positive HUTT with a dysautonomic response. Did you make any of the contacts I gave you earlier re Dysautonomia? Since your case has gone to Bethesda Medical Center I'm going to suggest you contact :
David S. Goldstein, M.D., Chief
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Clinical Neurosciences Branch / Clinical Neurochemistry Section
Bldg. 10 Rm. 4D-20
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-2103
FAX: (301) 402-0180
e-mail:
[email protected]
Be prepared to fax your medical records if they ask for them or provide a release.
Dysautonomia is difficult to diagnos and treat, but often it is successfully treated once the nature of it is understood. Treating your migrains may not be successful, treating your dysautonomia may be successful.
Have you tried Proamitne? Are you eating a high protein diet? Using caffine? Keeping your salt levels up? Keeping hydrated? If you are following the normal diatary instructions, you may be making the problem worse. Did the doctors give a specific Dx of either PAF or MSA? Dr. Goldstein or his assistant can give you more assistance, please follow up on this right away and keep us updated.
Appeal the decision as 50% disability will be cut even further once you are discharged by the VA. If you are discharged, some VA centers are better equiped to treat this disorder.
Have you been chemically exposed, after innoculation or did this start after a viral illness, do you have a family history of syncope?
