Disabled Veteran at the END of my rope
I am a Disabled Veteran, collecting Veteran Disability Pay. In 1986, my right as crushed in a shipboard accident, in Holy Loch, Scotland. The only Doctor available on the ship was GP, and did know how severe the injury was. For almost a year to the day of the accident, the doctor re-broke, reset and re-cast my hand 5 times. I continued to do my duties at full capacity, I was a Hull Technician, which is welding, mostly on board the subs. Anyway, finally the GP admitted he could not fix my hand and had me shipped to Lackenheath, England to see a Hand Surgeon. This Doctor, actually, shook his head, and said "Your hand is beyond repair". And he proceeded to ship me to Bethesda, Maryland, to yet more "Hand Specialist".These Doctors told me because my hand had been SO badly treated, that I know had Kienbocks Disease, Stage 4. I was one of 3 cases known of at the time. To make a VERY LONG STORY.. short, they did experimental surgery (cardiovascular?? ) but me in a External Fixiure on for the next 6 months. I finally had that removed and was told point blank that I would never have full use of my right again. (to say the lest). My wrist has centimeters of movement, the daily pain level is a 8, night time is worse. My fingers are numb to the touch and I have now lost complete use of my thumb. A tendon snapped in my thumb and part of it came down into the thumb joint, and the other half, is now up in the area of my elbow, which causes a whole new pain. The Va Doctors doctors at one time had me on Liquid Morphine, OxyCodone, among many more pain medications. I became addicted and could not get any help, I went through the withdrawal along, I almost didn't make it. I have tried to hold down any and every job anyone can think of, but can not write, do anything repetitive, or that requires strength, dexterity, or excessive movement of the hand. I could no longer handle the pain and could no longer work in 1995. I have been trying to get financial help and appropriate medical care for 23 years.
In September 2008, I went to Syracuse to see the Compensation Doctor. Dr. Brown. And that was when he told me I now had DeQuarvins Dicease, that the original surgery, and placement of fixature pin, had caused the damage to the thumb tendon, and that I would probably never regain the use of my thumb.
In October 2008 I had an appointment with my VA Doctor, (the doctor that I had been seeing for over 20 years), at this appointment, he finally read Dr. Browns report. AT which time he turns to me and said "Well. I guess it wasn't all in your head." 23 years of my life, struggling with basic daily chores, all the drugs, all the pain, loss of income, self esteem, all the other medical problems caused by the original injury, And on and on...
I was devastated to say the lest. So, here is my question, the background as necessary, to be able to ask this...
I have been trying to get my disability benefits increased, or increased to unemployable status, for well over 10 years, and it is always rejected (they suggest I have a
Disabled Veteran at the end of my rope
I am a Disabled Veteran, collecting Veteran Disability Pay. In 1986, my right as crushed in a shipboard accident, in Holy Loch, Scotland. The only Doctor available on the ship was GP, and did know how severe the injury was. For almost a year to the day of the accident, the doctor re-broke, reset and re-cast my hand 5 times. I continued to do my duties at full capacity, I was a Hull Technician, which is welding, mostly on board the subs. Anyway, finally the GP admitted he could not fix my hand and had me shipped to Lackenheath, England to see a Hand Surgeon. This Doctor, actually, shook his head, and said "Your hand is beyond repair". And he proceeded to ship me to Bethesda, Maryland, to yet more "Hand Specialist".These Doctors told me because my hand had been SO badly treated, that I know had Kienbocks Disease, Stage 4. I was one of 3 cases known of at the time. To make a VERY LONG STORY.. short, they did experimental surgery (cardiovascular?? ) but me in a External Fixiure on for the next 6 months. I finally had that removed and was told point blank that I would never have full use of my right again. (to say the lest). My wrist has centimeters of movement, the daily pain level is a 8, night time is worse. My fingers are numb to the touch and I have now lost complete use of my thumb. A tendon snapped in my thumb and part of it came down into the thumb joint, and the other half, is now up in the area of my elbow, which causes a whole new pain. The Va Doctors doctors at one time had me on Liquid Morphine, OxyCodone, among many more pain medications. I became addicted and could not get any help, I went through the withdrawal along, I almost didn't make it. I have tried to hold down any and every job anyone can think of, but can not write, do anything repetitive, or that requires strength, dexterity, or excessive movement of the hand. I could no longer handle the pain and could no longer work in 1995. I have been trying to get financial help and appropriate medical care for 23 years.
In September 2008, I went to Syracuse to see the Compensation Doctor. Dr. Brown. And that was when he told me I now had DeQuarvins Dicease, that the original surgery, and placement of fixature pin, had caused the damage to the thumb tendon, and that I would probably never regain the use of my thumb.
In October 2008 I had an appointment with my VA Doctor, (the doctor that I had been seeing for over 20 years), at this appointment, he finally read Dr. Browns report. AT which time he turns to me and said "Well. I guess it wasn't all in your head." 23 years of my life, struggling with basic daily chores, all the drugs, all the pain, loss of income, self esteem, all the other medical problems caused by the original injury, And on and on...
I was devastated to say the lest. So, here is my question, the background as necessary, to be able to ask this...
I have been trying to get my disability benefits increased, or increased to unemployable status, for well over 10 years, and it is always rejected (they suggest I have a Civilian Hand Specialist see me) but I have no health insurance, I can not afford to seek help outside the VA and so it goes on, I have appeal again and again and again. Or Appeals Court says I did not file some Form, in timely manner. (What would they know of Timely
Manner). They say I am allowed to have legal representation now, yet I can find no
One to help. I receive 866.00 a month in VA Compensation and 664.00 in SSI. I have two sons 17 and 20, both help me on a daily basis and have for years. We've lost our house, my car and my 20 year old sons chance at college. Both boys are and where honor roll. I can't take letting them down anymore. I don't know if there is any kind of help available (other than the local Veterans Representatives, tried to work with them for over 7 years) either legal, or ANYTHING out there, that can advice me, or any suggestions on where to look for guidance I would be so grateful for any kind of help.