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Macculloch
05-22-2009, 01:28 PM
I was curious if anyone has been in the military and got WG? My husband is in med hold right now, and i believe they are gonna write the board...to medically discharge him...but im not sure? :confused:...just curious if anyone knows whats to come with his military status..and how they might rate him in his disbility stat. (60%, 30%) And since he has only been in for a little over 6 months....will be even be compensated? UH!! :mad:

It makes me so scared and sad, he JUST joined the navy he didnt even get to go to A-school to learn what he went in for (aviation machinist) UH!...and now they are probably most def gonna discharge him....is anyone or has any one gone through this process?

I would love to know because im going crazy not knowing!...THANX! :eek:

Sangye
05-22-2009, 02:34 PM
I was wondering if they'd discharge him. There's no way to make a prognosis with Wegs regarding his military capacity, so they can't keep him in. A higher disability rating may help you qualify for other help.

You need to ferret out some support within the military who can answer your questions. Surely they apply to lots of personnel who get sick or injured early on.

Do you know other Navy wives you can ask for where to begin? Maybe they can do the research for you-- you've got your hands full. It might be hard to ask-- you probably haven't established heavy-duty friendships so early on. But with Wegs, you'll get very good at asking for help. And when others learn your situation, they'll want to do something--anything-- that can help.

You could also ask his commanding officer (don't know if that's the right term) to point you in the right direction.

How about the hospital? Do they have the military equivalent of a social worker?

Macculloch
05-22-2009, 03:20 PM
My husband is not the type of person to talk and ask questions..so im actually very good at it already. HAHA And I cant personally talk to his C.O since he is in med hold....really the navy is bad with telling you anything, even when you ask them for help or questions they basically say they will get back to you and they never do :-P
But yea I joined Navyformoms.com im just waiting on answers from ppl on there. But it would be nice if I could meet someone who has WG and was kinda in the same situation as us, the doctor said he culd possible be 60% disabled....and with me not having an education and him being kicked out of the navy, anything would be helpful!! I need to look to to the Social worker thing, I dont think they have them there.

Sangye
05-23-2009, 12:39 AM
Bethany,
Is there anyone you can "assign" to do this?

I found this website (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/va-disability-compensation)for military issues
"If you are military veteran with a service-related disability you may qualify for over $3,100 in monthly benefits. These benefits are paid to veterans who have injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. These benefits are tax-free."

It sounds like because he was in the military when Wegs started, it would be considered a service-related disability. That would be VERY good, since it would guarantee him medical care for life. If that's the case, then it's a blessing that he got Wegs after joining the military. I know it's devastated his plans, but if Wegs was on the horizon anyway, he'd be up a creek without good health insurance.

I also found this answer (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/general-wg-chat/He%20should%20make%20contact%20with%20the%20neares t%20chapter%20of%20Disabled%20American%20Veterans% 20and%20ask%20to%20be%20put%20in%20contact%20with% 20one%20of%20their%20field%20service%20officers.%2 0That%20individual%20can%20give%20him%20valuable%2 0counseling%20and%20also%20serve%20as%20his%20advo cate%20at%20any%20formal%20PEB%20hearing.%20Those% 20guys%20are%20the%20authority%20on%20disability%2 0matters%20and%20they%20won%27t%20charge%20your%20 husband%20a%20dime%20for%20their%20services.) to a wife's question about her husband's medical discharge :
"He should make contact with the nearest chapter of Disabled American Veterans and ask to be put in contact with one of their field service officers. That individual can give him valuable counseling and also serve as his advocate at any formal PEB hearing. Those guys are the authority on disability matters and they won't charge your husband a dime for their services."

Macculloch
05-23-2009, 03:25 AM
Thank you so much for this information!...I will start looking into all this right away

THANX!! :-D

mucjud13
06-18-2009, 05:41 AM
Hi, yes, me. I am a Navy Viet Nam Veteran(an Oldie here!) As long as your husband has been in for six months or longer he should be eligible for medical as long as he needs it.
There is a site on internet myhealth.va.gov it will give you all the info you need.
you can request the newest GuideBook to Veteraans Serives availble. You ould not believe all he and your family are eligible for. I got a loan for a house even.
I have been going to VA with my Wegener's G for over 5 years, have specialists from major University contracting hospitals due to high pt population and specialties.
I just had found out recently I have breast cancer and they sent me to(I live in GA) St. Joseph's for my surgery and all my previous tests. My aftercare chemo and radiation though has to be at VA Oncology which is one of the best Units in Country!
The waiting time and rescheduling is a big big hassel it's worth it. They also have vans if your you are eligible and that is according to each State. In Delaware I took the van always, in Ga/Atlanta 'm not eleigible-still not sure why.
Hope this helps, let me know.

Macculloch
06-23-2009, 08:01 AM
so, I have a question for you...if its not to personal what percentage did they rate you for your disability?

mucjud13
06-24-2009, 04:02 AM
They could not use my WG for disability but my SSD in low income level and I am a WAR Veteran.
I applied for Pension and was denied. I was like 100.00 over their threshhold which is lower then the National level so be careful about the VA qualifying threshholds or you luck out.
Judi

mucjud13
06-24-2009, 04:04 AM
YOU NEED TO PUSH """"MADE WORSE, AND INTENSIFIED NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS."""
jUDI

Macculloch
06-24-2009, 03:14 PM
well thats all up to the doctor....see my husband got sick right after bootcamp ended. it was so random! The doctor said he is going to take him of the preg. within 6 wks...then after that he wants to see how he does then he will write the board...and he said that will take up to 90 days.

gosh the military acts like they are there for you...but they really dont care do they?...uh! why couldnt they use your WG for disability?

I just want to know we will be financially alright once they medically discharge him...we have 3 boys...and im just a stay at home mother :-(

mucjud13
06-25-2009, 12:11 AM
I hear your anxiety and confusion with the VA!!! Unfortuneatley even Social Security Disability does not even know about WG and how deadly and dibiltating it can be and how rare.
I just know that I was told only a person in renal end stage and lou gerrick didsease is on their list. I contacted my congressman to intercede(pick one that does stuff ofr support of soldiers. A lawyer has no effect on the decision of disability or VA disability they only try to present your case with legal terms that make your case sound serious enough and actually in reality it worse!!!
Look what's happening with PTSD for soldiers it depends on the Commander really and how sensitive he/she is to you and your situation.
Your husband may want to see a psychiatrist with complaints of finding out he has wg and it has overwhelmed his emotional and daily functioning and go that route.
Because ther is no know cause or how we got WG you can't blame the service or where he was located. I f he become diagnosed with depression due to his Nav y experiences so far he may be able to fight for a disabilty discharge and a big monthly payment.
I had a few client's when I was a Clinician that got discharged after only being in for 6 months with Depression, and other psych diagnosis and recieve full free benefits and 2x what i get from SSD.
Its going to be how you two present your case to the Navy. There can not be any doubts of circumstance.
My ex husband had agent orange and never got what was suppose to come to him. He still lives today with these active eating gouges in his skin, he became sterile and his first and only daughter(pre. marriage) had all kinds of disabilites.
Hope this helps
Judi