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Military and Epilepsy, my rights

Thu, 03/18/2010 - 14:06

Hello, I am active duty Navy currently and experienced my first grand mal seizure in Sept. 2009. I am been on Limited Duty since then, and will be getting Med Boarded as soon as the results of my 48 hr EEG are analyzed. I am currently at home doing the 48 hour EEG.

Since my limited duty has been extended, I have been targeted by my commander and she is giving me a hard time about everything. She tried to force me to take personal leave for my appointments, though I am entitled CON LV for these appointments. Everything I do is under a microscope, from the type of overcoat I wear with my uniform to how I submit my timecard. She has also told several people about my epilepsy and makes comments in front of the other staff about my "condition". This diagnosis has been difficult for me to say the least. I also have a baby and am unable to drive at this time, so my husband has to drive me everywhere, including to and from work. I have never been late once to work and am completely competent in my job.

To those who have served, I want to know what my rights are, what kind of action I can take to limit our interaction and force her to quit harassing me and making comments about my health condition in front of the other staff. My medical condition is a private matter, but somehow, everyone knows about everything going on in my life. I am also trying different anti-seizure meds which have been really rough on me. I have experienced depression, extreme fatigue, and difficulty thinking/speaking as a result of these medications. I am barely keeping it all together, but I'm still working 40 hours a week and taking care of my family.

Also, to those who have been diagnosed with a seizure disorder in the military, what kind of disability package did you get, if one at all? From what I have read, it looks like I'm entitled to only 20% for one seizure. I just want to have as much knowledge as possible going into this process. I believe I should be entitled to more than 20 if I'm going to get discharged and my career cut short.

If anyone who has gone through this has some experience dealing with the military and disability, I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you.  

Comments

Re: Military and Epilepsy, my rights

Submitted by Spike. on Thu, 2010-03-18 - 23:03

bluebaker34, I've read your posting and will search for information to share with you and other fellow military personnel. One source I'm going to do some searching in will be the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at... http://www.va.gov/

I'm a Disabled American Veteran (DAV) myself (Navy), who recently went through a reevaluation, with the previous 60% disabled seizure disorder - increased to - 80% disabled seizure disorder. At the previous 60%, and still at the 80%, I qualified for the 'Individual Unemployability (IU)', which increases my compensation to 100%.

Bruce. *I'm not a doctor, but the information I share is what I've learned and experienced due to having epilepsy myself.

bluebaker34, I've read your posting and will search for information to share with you and other fellow military personnel. One source I'm going to do some searching in will be the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at... http://www.va.gov/

I'm a Disabled American Veteran (DAV) myself (Navy), who recently went through a reevaluation, with the previous 60% disabled seizure disorder - increased to - 80% disabled seizure disorder. At the previous 60%, and still at the 80%, I qualified for the 'Individual Unemployability (IU)', which increases my compensation to 100%.

Bruce. *I'm not a doctor, but the information I share is what I've learned and experienced due to having epilepsy myself.

Re: Military and Epilepsy, my rights

Submitted by Spike. on Fri, 2010-03-19 - 19:19

FYI, just want you to know I've been searching by Internet and phone, and everything I've found so far goes towards the VA. But I'm going to keep searching.

Someone I called did mention the United States Department of Defense website, at http://www.defense.gov/

Bruce. *I'm not a doctor, but the information I share is what I've learned and experienced due to having epilepsy myself.

FYI, just want you to know I've been searching by Internet and phone, and everything I've found so far goes towards the VA. But I'm going to keep searching.

Someone I called did mention the United States Department of Defense website, at http://www.defense.gov/

Bruce. *I'm not a doctor, but the information I share is what I've learned and experienced due to having epilepsy myself.

Re: Military and Epilepsy, my rights

Submitted by gdsnide on Sun, 2011-02-13 - 13:48

 

 The best advice I can give u is to go to hadit.com & go to forums Then disability claims

 The people on ere are the reason I am 100% P & T (Total & permanent at the present)

 You could also look at VAWatchdog.org

 I fought with the VA for 9 years before I found these people & I also had to have a Lawyer

 You should be able to get 100% but make contact with someone to find out what you need to know

 The VA can be very  difficult

 GARY

 

 The best advice I can give u is to go to hadit.com & go to forums Then disability claims

 The people on ere are the reason I am 100% P & T (Total & permanent at the present)

 You could also look at VAWatchdog.org

 I fought with the VA for 9 years before I found these people & I also had to have a Lawyer

 You should be able to get 100% but make contact with someone to find out what you need to know

 The VA can be very  difficult

 GARY

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