Traumatic Brain Injury Forum and MEB/HYT Questions
I am an active duty Air Force member who was deployed to Baghdad Iraq right before the surge.
Regardless of where people think the battle line is, I tell you the lines were nowhere to be seen in Iraq. It was all a war zone.
I was close to a blast, and I don't remember coming to. I know that people were injured and killed. I felt dazed, confused, and my head hurt. I tryed to help the others. I don't remember how I got back to where I slept I just know I woke up and still had my uniform on with my weapon beside me and blood on me that was not my own.
I never talked about the incident until after I redeployed and asked why I was losing my hair by the hand full (I am a female). When I was sent to the VA in Palo ALto for PTSD, they became suspecious about the possibility of TBI (one year after the event) because of memory problems.
The VA did test me and my MRI came back with no abnormalities other than my brain is small for a person of my age. When I asked about this they said stress or trauma can cause the brain to atrophy. I was also tested for the C-3 and C-4 in the neck damage which can be a result of age or trauma. My left arm on the same side has less sensation (they ran a stick pin up and down my arm). This can be caused by again age or trauma. I also have had migrains since my return a couple of years ago as well. I was sent TDY to Lackland AFB to the polytrauma folks and they had stated that I had had a possible TBI which had complicated the PTSD condition.
Now I am being MEBed (after 2 years) for: Chronic PTSD, with depression, and Cognitive disorder NOS and the Neck C-3 and C-4 issues.
Also I have reactive airway desease, hypothyroidism, migrains (I was hospitalized for altered metal status recently because of the migrains). As well as Sleep apnea, significant sleep issues.
I never had these problems before I deployed.
I also keep spiking high fevers and having body aches, they have diagnosed me with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Military AD), and Fibramyalgia (VA).
I have been tested 3 times for Lupus, 1 time for Maleria, 1 time for tuberculosis, and about 3 times for arthuritis. (I still don't know the answer to this).
A MEB was established in Jun 08 and I fought the idea of what I considered quitting during war. Well just as I was getting used to the idea the MEB came back with the reply to return to duty. Because I was 25 years in and approuching my HYT. Now it feels like the Active Duty side is not acknowledging what happened. I appealed the decision to the informal board.
I am really confused about all of this.
If there is anyone out there who can give me guidance about the TBI issue as well as the MEB and HYT issues I would sure appreciate it.
Thanks for letting me vent during my first post. I generaly feel I can't talk to anyone so thank you.
Vinnie
AD Air Force