C&P SC MS..will I get backpay to discharge

[murphysmamma]

I got out of military 1996 and was quickly sc 70% for major depression...but the pain in neck, carpal tunnel, tinitis was never evaluated that I can remember. I slept 18 to 20 hours daily and was told basically everything was related to depression. Fast forward to a new Dx of MS and of Narcolepsy. C and P lady validated all of the stuff I was seen for in the service and at the VA as S&S of MS.

? will they backpay back to my discharge date if the MS and Narcolepsy is service connected? My family and I sure have suffered all these years as I know most of you have. Any info would be appreciated.

[Scooter24]

Did you do the request for additional sc or are you using a VSO? I believe they are only going to give you back pay to the date of the current request for S/C. FYI I wouldn't go by what the P & C dr or what ever told you, mine told e everything looked good and then wrote his report and questioned if I even had MS, they are not supposed to tell you anything. Good luck and hope you get the additional $.

[murphysmamma]

using the DAV, but mine didnt even know about presumptive illnesses. I requesting SC for the MS because of my symptoms while on acttive duty and all of the MS symptoms I had during the first 7 yrs after discharge. I was told the pain, fatigue, carpal tunnel symptoms was all in my head and due to depression. I had never heard of IU, but now I have applied for that also. It took a civil doc to do an MRI when I pleaded that I thought I must have a brain tumor because of slurred speech and getting lost in familiar settings. the c and p lady didn't really tell me...she mumbled while taking my info "they missed it didn't they?" and she said she had all she needed for the MS and began the Narcolepsy questions.

[Scooter24]

Have you applied for medical care, that you can get even if not service connected if you meet income levels, there is a web page on the VA web site that you can punch in some #s and see if you are eligable for it,

[murphysmamma]

Oh yes. I have been seen through the VA almost exclusively for the last 15yrs since I was 70% SC right of the bat. I just felt too tired to fight about the symptoms I didnt think were totally "depression related" until the MS diagnosis came up in 09 and I got on some helpful meds. I have always been somewhat quiet about my ailments becuase I dont want to look like a whiner. Now I think I would not have to use a cane, shower chair or give up driving if I had found found out it was MS and started treatment 10yrs ago

[gomer]

I think I know how you feel....

It took me over 25 years after I complained too much about fatigue etc that got me sent to their shrinks, instead of finding out WHAT that something else that was wrong.

The shrinks noted I was not even depressed, just adamant something ELSE was wrong, 1/4 century later the same VA proved me right. I had gone to a non-VA doc to get my diplopia prisms updated, that opened the MS can-o-worms and led to proper testing at the VA and my MS dx.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[Scooter24]

Check with the DAV rep but I am pretty sure they will only give you back pay to the date of this current request. I wish they gave back to discharge date that would be 87 for me and I only put my claim in a year ago. So you have an AFO or walkaide? What is the reason for driving?

[Scooter24]

oops meant to say not driving

[murphysmamma]

I have problems driving because of the Narcolepsy and MS brain fog. I get lost and feel that on alot of days I cant make even easy decisons. I get lost even to routinely travelled places. I cant spell anymore or remember to use pot holders when I get something out of the oven...... I use a cane when I am out in the yard or a shopping cart to get across the parkinglot. I dont always have a total fall cause I can catch myself most of the time, but the three big ones it was like a rug was pulled out from under me. Nowobble or warning, just WHAM!

Gomer...25 yrs! Yikes. I saw that in one of your other posts. So you do know how I feel and then some!

I guess all those times I put in for an increase for the depression rating and investigation into rating the carpal tunnel and back pain again, I was really thinking they would find out what was truly wrong. I was hoping they could see it was MS and backdate to when I filed for the CT and back/neck pain the first times. I guess I should have appealed immed. instead of waiting 4 yrs to do it all again. I was just too tired to fight it.

Actually, you might get some backpay, if it was indeed SC. Depending on the circumstances. But I believe backpay is limited back to 2008. But more research would need to be done.

Katie