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Veterans Administration Service Connects my Lyme's Disease

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Posted 12/20/2013 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to post this for any veterans out there that may have contracted Lyme's Disease while serving in the military. As we all know, Lyme is a very illusive and difficult diagnosis that mainstream medicine typically ignores. Today I received word that the VA actually service connected my claim for Chronic Lyme Disease. This simple acknowledgment by the VA means that they not only understand the complexity of "Chronic" lyme, but also that it is more endemic than is being reported. If there are any vet's out there that need any help with their claim please reply to this post and I will forward you my notes.
Posted 12/20/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JBean!
Congratulations! I assume that means that they will cover your treatments!! :-)

Welcome to our community! I'm so sorry that you have chronic Lyme, although I am happy that you found us and have posted!

If you haven't yet, I would greatly encourage you to read through our "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread as it's packed with important information, symptom lists (as Lyme is rarely the only infection passed), detoxing instructions/help and more.

Although I am not nor have I been in the military, I was hoping that you would share the information with me as well, as I do talk with those who are or have been in the military and are dealing with these diseases.

I also know that there is a group called Military Lyme support. Here is the description they give:
" This site is a source for information and emotional support for ALL Members of the Armed Forces: Veterans, Active Duty, Reserve, Family and Caregivers. "

groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MilitaryLyme/info
Posted 12/20/2013 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Great! Thank you for the link to the Military Lyme Support Group. As with most primary care physicians, I don't believe that the VA docs will be able to do much more than write the prescriptions for my LLMD. Not that I am complaining! The mere fact that there is a viable source for footing even some of the medical bills is truly amazing. I have been dealing with Lyme for the past eight years and have been actually treated for the past two years. As you can probably imagine, the out of pocket expenses have been quite cumbersome.

As for my notes, I will try to email them to you.
Posted 12/20/2013 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome JBean! Thank you for sharing your info. so others can benefit from it. I wonder how they accomplished that. I wish you the best in your recovery.
Posted 12/20/2013 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
JBean, that's great news. Welcome and thanks for sharing.
Posted 12/20/2013 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
That's great!
Posted 12/24/2013 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi JBean- Just curious, but where were you stationed when you got bit and how did you prove it to the VA?

My problem is I dont ever remember getting bit and would never be able to link it to my time in the Army (although I was in Lyme infested areas all over the world).
Posted 12/24/2013 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
Vcast,
As I am sure is the case with you, I was bitten all of the time. After field training exercises I would pick ticks off of me that may have been there for a week. During my nine year career in the Army I was in Ft. Story, VA, Ft. Polk, LA, Augusta, GA, all throughout Southern Missouri, and in Northern California. The way that I was able to tie it all together was through a chronological timeline of military service and my symptoms. Once I established that the symptoms started while on active duty I then had my LLMD confirm the diagnosis in a rather lengthy letter.

The VA is full of government bureaucrats that do not care about veterans whatsoever. So, that being said, it is paramount that you build your case first and remove their ability to deny you. Hopefully this helps. Good luck with your fight.
Posted 12/28/2013 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JBean...

Welcome aboard. Glad you were able to find us. Good luck in your tx.

/sites.google.com/site/drjoneskids/military-lyme
Posted 1/3/2014 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Oh god I hope I didnt get bit in Fort "Lost in the Woods" Missouri. That would mean Ive been infected for 20 years.
Posted 1/3/2014 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
LOL! That's just north of me - and there's no Lyme in Arkansas, don't you know? It's also hard to get most Missouri docs to admit that Lyme is there too.

Vcast, that doesn't mean that you can't or won't heal though, and understanding about how long you've been infected can give you a better idea of how much support your body may need in order to heal.

Although, I too hope that you haven't been infected for 20 years!
Posted 1/19/2014 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Good to hear JBean!

I'm working on my appeal to the VA for Lyme right now. Would appreciate any notes or suggestions you have!

I can be emailed directly

Thanks!

Post Edited By Moderator (Traveler) : 1/19/2014 11:42:18 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/19/2014 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi DKUSMC!
Welcome to our community!
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Posted 1/19/2014 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
JBean, Thank you for posting this. My husband Toby was in the navy for 8 years and stationed in New London, Connectucut for 2 1/2 yrs. His Ignenex report indicated an old infection so it is quite possible he contracted it at that time. Toby is interested in any info. you can provide in processing a claim. Can we write to you if we run into snags?
Posted 5/13/2014 9:25 PM (GMT 0)

Hello JBean, 

Thank you for taking the time to share you knowledge of Service Connected Lyme Disease!

I received a diagnosis for CNS Lyme Disease while still active duty and received treatment via an implanted heart catheter within days of the diagnosis.  Since being medically discharged I have ungone 2 additional treatments through the VA Hospital.  Oddly enough, I am not service connected for Lyme but I also was not charged for any portion of the VA treatments.

I am now receiving treatment at new VA Hospital for ongoing neurological issues identical to those experienced around the time of the initial diagnosis.  I never did file for Lyme Disease because back in the early 2000's I had read a lot about the VA not legitimately recognizing Lyme's. 

I would greatly appreciated any info you could provide me with pertaining to your claim for SC Lyme Disease.

I am new to this site so I am unsure as to the best way to communicate with you.  Thanks again!

Posted 6/20/2014 12:44 PM (GMT 0)

Dear JBean.

Can you help me?  I'm currently in the SC Army National Guard and was sent to Devans MA for a month for 42A training in 2009.  While there, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Since then, I cannot pass my PT Test.  I'm almost 260 pounds, been diagnosed with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, and have constant stomach issues, elevated liver enzymes, and a fatty liver.  I have submitted a claim to the VA for Lyme back in 2011 and it is still ongoing.  There was an LOD done and approved for the Lyme Disease in the National Guard back in 2009.  I can hardly stay awake anymore on my way to work and at work, and I stand all day.  I just want to sleep when I get home from work. 

Posted 7/1/2014 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry, Jbean has not been back on this site since Dec 2013. Please follow this link for some information about dealing with Lyme disease while in the military:
/sites.google.com/site/drjoneskids/military-lyme
Posted 11/3/2014 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
JBean

I'm currently on Active Duty and was recently diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease. I need some help with my claim. Can you please send me your notes. Thank you.

AAA24 

Posted 11/3/2014 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi AAA,
Welcome to our community. As I said in my post above yours, JBean hasn't been on here since Dec. 2013 and he doesn't have an email listed with us, so we have no way of contacting him.

Here are a couple of sites that may be of help to you though:
groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MilitaryLyme/info

/sites.google.com/site/drjoneskids/military-lyme

I wish you the best in finding the help you need!
Posted 11/4/2014 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Traveler

Thank you for the information.

AAA24
Posted 11/4/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your service to our country.

I wish I had more information, but your welcome.
Posted 1/26/2016 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
JBean,
Could you please contact me? I need your help and perhaps info! I have been misdiagnosed with dissemanted LD for over forty years! Which brought me into my tour in the USMC. I have numerous co-syptoms and I am getting no where with the VA. Need help! You can email me at sawdust era by sandy a gmail.com.
Posted 1/26/2016 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Ct guy here.....lived there most of my life....spent lots of time outdoors,wooded areas and so on.

This is good news for all (Dad was USMC)!

Even my Insurance Company is looking at my Lyme bills from (out of network) LLMD?

The conversation is changing.
Posted 1/26/2016 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
JBEAN hasn't been back on this site since Dec 2013.

There are links in the above posts to help direct you to places that may be of help to you - otherwise please start a new thread asking for help!
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