Wounded Veterans With TBI More Likely To Develop Dementia

by Disability Help Group | Feb 19, 2016 | Veterans Disability

A recent study looked into the potential relationship between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and dementia. Researchers found those older veterans who had suffered a TBI at one point in their life were more than twice as likely to develop dementia later in life. The study produced information that will greatly help the understanding between specific head injuries and dementia risk factors in later life.

Researchers studied medical records of approximately 300,000 veterans, all at least 55 years old. Every subject tested negative for dementia at the beginning of the study, and approximately 2% suffered a TBI at some point in their life. Between 1997 and 2000, every subject had either an outpatient or inpatient visit and a follow-up appointment between 2001 and 2007.

Those veterans who had been diagnosed with a TBI had a 15% risk of dementia. Conversely, there is only a 7% risk factor for those veterans never diagnosed with a TBI.

Researchers defined having TBIs as being diagnosed with either a:

• skull fracture;
• concussion;
• post-concussion syndrome; or
• non-specific head injuries.

TBIs are the “signature wounds” of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and account for approximately 22% of overall casualties. If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability representative from Disability Help Group is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-(800)-800-3332.

Wounded Warrior Call Center Helps Veterans in Numerous Ways

by Disability Help Group | Feb 19, 2016 | Veterans Disability

Many veterans find they have to cope with a variety of issues, including problems in getting compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For many veterans, The Wounded Warrior Call Center (WWCC) is one call veterans can make that will be helpful with almost any problem.

The WWCC is able to provide some jump off guidance for such issues as applying for disability from the VA. Their ability to help stretches to such issues as family counseling, which is another hot point for returning veterans.

The WWCC helps wounded, injured, and disabled veterans. Often the call center will seek out those veterans not yet listed in their database. Representatives will locate those veterans and check on them to ensure there is nothing they need.  Often times, veterans calling with one issue will discover there are other, “interconnected issues.”

The WWCC’s belief is if the problems are treated correctly the first time, and as a whole, they won’t occur again. Much of the time WWCC representatives refer veterans to outside sources for help.

The issues the call center will help veterans address include:

• education;
• medical;
• employment;
• various types of counseling;
• medical;
• Veterans Affairs;
• chaplain resources; and
• Post-9/11 GI Bill help.

The call center can take 100s of calls every day. Even with the most difficult calls, such as veterans contemplating suicide, the staff is trained to immediately get the appropriate help.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability representative from Disability Help Group is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-(800)-800-3332.

Vietnam Veterans’ Skin Conditions May Be Due to Agent Orange

by Disability Help Group | Feb 19, 2016 | Veterans Disability

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed a list of diseases presumed to be associated with veterans’ exposure to Agent Orange. Veterans who served during the Vietnam War era may have been exposed to this toxic herbicide, which may cause several ailments.

Chloracne & Agent Orange Exposure

One of the types of presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure is chloracne, a skin condition that can impact a soldier shortly after exposure and persist for a lifetime.

Chloracne and similar acneform diseases mimic teenage acne in that they cause blackheads, cysts and nodules and result in oily skin and darkened body hair. The disease primarily affects the face around the eyes and temples, but severe cases may spread to the cheeks and sides of the face; it could even affect the arms.

Severe cases may result in open sores and permanent scars and a thickening of the skin accompanied by flaking and peeling. Most of these symptoms are more prevalent in the first few months following exposure to Agent Orange and may fade over time. However, when chloracne appears within one year after exposure and has a 10 percent disability rating, it may qualify for disability benefits.

To qualify for VA disability benefits due to a case of chloracne, you will need to prove that the condition developed within one year of exposure to Agent Orange during the applicable service periods. You may accomplish this through a VA health exam and submission of your service records.

If you are a Vietnam veteran or the child of a Vietnam veteran suffering from chronic medical conditions related to Agent Orange exposure, you or your family may be eligible for VA disability benefits. To learn more, contact the Disability Help Group to discuss your situation with a claims manager. Call today – 1-(800)-800-3332.