Howdy vets

Re: Howdy vets

Submitted by gHOstGuard on Mon, 2008-11-24 - 18:34

XGI-

I also was diagnosed with epilepsy after several accidents overseas (there was also exposure to unknown hazardous materials).  Right now, I'm using a private neuro, but I was seeing the VA (their neuro dept. is seperate from what they call the "seizure clinic").  I started having problems with them, however, when I asked to see a different doctor, due to unprofessional attitude and work ethics.  It's generally a pain in the ass to go through them, as appointments are never available when you need one (and sometimes, you just plain URGENTLY need one).  Their advice is to go to triage/urgent care.  This means sitting around waiting for hours.  Try applying for medicare, then finding a neurologist who will accept medicare payments.  Otherwise, the VA may be your only way of seeing a doctor.  Be prepared for a PA, though, who may know little about your epilepsy.  Remember, they see hundreds of patients.  Good luck. 

Re: Howdy vets

Submitted by dgcorn on Sat, 2009-04-04 - 15:06

Hello there Howdy vets and all my fellow veterans. Welcome home. I do use the VA for meical needs and espically for my epilepsy. My epilepsy cost me my job, inurance, meds, and many other things in life. Then I was taught how to fight by a very old GI. I had been seeing my epileptologist. I had my surgery for my vagus nerve inplant, and I had all of my anti seizure meds. Then I lost my health insurance. My life turned to dung. The old GI took me to the VA had me fill out the paper work right there to set up my meeting to determine what percentage the VA would  qualify me at. The VA pays for all my meds and all my Dr appointments with the VA have no co-pays. Now is is the sweet thing. They had a neurologist from one hospital come to my hospital to see me because they had not seen a patient w/a VNS inplant befor. Now my hosptal has 2 patients w/this same type of inplant. Since the VA has no doctors or equipment to monitor this type of neuro-device, I thought I was out of luck for any more care. My old GI friend said "ask firmly, politely and respectfully" to be able to see your own epileptologist and have the VA pay for it. Having the VA pay for your civilian doctor is called, "Fee for Service" or "Fee Service." The Veterans Aministratins Fee Service Accounting does pay  and I am given as many visits as I need  for 6 months at a time, then I get another 6 months. See if the Fee for Service may help anyone. As far as any disability pay for what happened......do whatever works for you..I can't tell you more.  As for me I am a Patriot. I love my country.  I fear and distrust certain parts of our government. Good luck keep posting lets us know how things go.

Re: Howdy vets

Submitted by KyleBarley on Mon, 2009-09-21 - 19:06

Hi, I'm an E-4 in the USN right now and I'm in the middle of my IPEB process. I've had 34 grand mal seizures, plus I have eye witnesses from my girlfriend and brother plus a sleep test showing that I have seizures in my sleep and I have petit seizures who knows how often. I've broken my neck in two places and had stitches in four places on my face and broke three teeth from grand mal seizures. My seizures have gotten to the point where they last over five minutes and my doctor says that isn't good, my longest seizure was 18 minutes long and they had to bring me back. This has all occured since April of 2008 and I was curious what you think the VA and the USN would rate my disability?

My doctor says my epilepsy is caused by stress, but I don't think thats what is causing it. Anything you guys would have to input would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.