Remember folks, this is just my background and experience. If you see something wrong or missing, sing out.
Part 1.
DID SERVING IN THE MILITARY CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO MY CONDITION OF MS?
In my opinion, we won't know the answer to that until we know what causes MS in the first place. The VA has stated that they are taking a more active approach to treating MS due to studies that showed a higher incidence of MS in vets who served during the 1980's and 1990's up to the present. As I see it, this is only statistical data at this point with no clear conclusion and we should, for the time being, focus more on treatment than a cause. In other words, your theory is as good as mine.
While I have some opinions about certain shots and pills and the conditions we served under, I also had a VA rep tell me, "That recessive gene can be tricky". If your time of service is outside "the window" I would still check into VA care. The first thing I learned about MS is that this ain't no cheap disease.
SHOULD I FILE A CLAIM WITH THE VA?
I can't answer that, only you can. If you're covered by work or your spouse's health care package then maybe not. If you're out of work and/or lost your insurance the VA may be your only alternative. If you're feeling like you're out of options on your own then the VA will probably be the right choice.
If the question is "Am I eligible to file a claim?" the answer is usually yes as long as you had what is considered an Honorable Discharge from military service. If your status is "other than honorable", it may be possible to have it changed to "honorable", check with a VA rep for more info if this is the case.
Either way, its important to understand that the VA is like an insurance policy that you paid into while on active duty. The DOD budgeted this service based on your probabilty of needing it.
BESIDES MS, WHAT ELSE SHOULD I FILE FOR?
Honestly, MS treatment is enough of a financial burden unless you also have some other catastrophic disease. The VA will screen you for treatment of other problems anyway, let them make the call.
Somewhere along the line, someone will probably tell you that Tinnitis can only be Dx'd if you tell them you have it and that anyone who went to boot camp has PTSD. I'm guessing this person doesn't have MS. While its important to tell the VA all the things which have gone wrong, avoid the temptation to "run the table" when you're first starting out. The VA may "triage" other problems until later but learn to separate "wants" from "needs" and keep your expectations grounded.
In my opinion, we won't know the answer to that until we know what causes MS in the first place. The VA has stated that they are taking a more active approach to treating MS due to studies that showed a higher incidence of MS in vets who served during the 1980's and 1990's up to the present. As I see it, this is only statistical data at this point with no clear conclusion and we should, for the time being, focus more on treatment than a cause. In other words, your theory is as good as mine.
While I have some opinions about certain shots and pills and the conditions we served under, I also had a VA rep tell me, "That recessive gene can be tricky". If your time of service is outside "the window" I would still check into VA care. The first thing I learned about MS is that this ain't no cheap disease.
SHOULD I FILE A CLAIM WITH THE VA?
I can't answer that, only you can. If you're covered by work or your spouse's health care package then maybe not. If you're out of work and/or lost your insurance the VA may be your only alternative. If you're feeling like you're out of options on your own then the VA will probably be the right choice.
If the question is "Am I eligible to file a claim?" the answer is usually yes as long as you had what is considered an Honorable Discharge from military service. If your status is "other than honorable", it may be possible to have it changed to "honorable", check with a VA rep for more info if this is the case.
Either way, its important to understand that the VA is like an insurance policy that you paid into while on active duty. The DOD budgeted this service based on your probabilty of needing it.
BESIDES MS, WHAT ELSE SHOULD I FILE FOR?
Honestly, MS treatment is enough of a financial burden unless you also have some other catastrophic disease. The VA will screen you for treatment of other problems anyway, let them make the call.
Somewhere along the line, someone will probably tell you that Tinnitis can only be Dx'd if you tell them you have it and that anyone who went to boot camp has PTSD. I'm guessing this person doesn't have MS. While its important to tell the VA all the things which have gone wrong, avoid the temptation to "run the table" when you're first starting out. The VA may "triage" other problems until later but learn to separate "wants" from "needs" and keep your expectations grounded.
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