New to the VBN/ezboard. Need help, advice and opinions. In Vietnam (1968) I received an eye injury, shrapnel to the left eye. Since then, I have complained to the VA about headaches, dizziness, lightheaded and I blame those problems to the eye wound. Have a problem with memory, which I choke up to PTSD. A few years ago the eye doctor sent me from the local VA to a VA Medical Center for a MRI to check for a possible ear problem which might causes the dizziness, lightheaded. The MRI came out fine, no problems with sinuses, and auditory canal is okay. The report was 4 pages long and was mostly about my ears. The report was very technical. One paragraph went right over my head, which I didn't understand it! This is that paragraph:
"MRI Report-There are punctate foci of abnormal FLAIR signal within the deep and subcortical white matter, most consistent with mild microvascular ischemic disease. A larger, more confluent area of FLAIR signal abnormality along the anterior horn is most consistent with a remote lacunar infarction"
My claim was approved for retro-orbital pain and headaches as secondary to the service disability to shell fragment wound to left eye.
In the VA letter, the section REASONS FOR DECISION (long paragraph) (condense), this is what it said "Rating for brain disease due to trauma under diagnostic code 9304 are not assignable in the absence of a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia associated with brain trauma…..
Recently news articles about Iraq vets coming home with traumatic brain injuries is why I looked into my old med files. I was about 15 feet from a mortar round when it exploded. I lose conciseness for some time. My memory is bad, but I feel I'm better today then years ago. Don't give me a bunch of things to remember or loan me money (LOL).
My question: If could someone please interpret the MRI Report to see if it is a possible reason for my memory problems or are they reasons to go to the VA for treatment? What does the MRI report mean? I feel the MRI Report is somehow connected to my memory problem only because of the statement in the VA letter. I'll appreciate any response.
Thanks
Jumper64
