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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Canadian Vetern seeking help
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.

Canadian Vetern seeking help

by Maddy75, May 05, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Sir or Madam



                        I am a Canadian Naval Veteran from the 2nd world war I was an Asdic operator at sea and my ears were subjected to the constant ping of the asdic set while on duty.

Our Ship HMCS Magog was torpedoed and my ears were damaged by the blast. I have suffered with hearing loss and tinnitus ever since 1943.



A year ago I was diagnosed having panic attacks which I now realize I have been having for many years. My doctor prescribed a seratonin drug called Paxil. It was my feeling that the Tinitus and hearing loss played a major part in my frustration and hearing that help trigger the panic attacks. I thought my 25 % Veterans pension should include the medical care for my high blood pressure and the panic attacks and related illnesses.



The pension and care I receive only covers any requirement related to my pension for hearing loss. My claim was turned down by the pension commission because my doctor mentioned in his letter that there is no clinical evidence that tinnitus causes panic disorder. Maybe so, but I feel my awful tinnitus aggravates or triggers my panic attacks. God knows what the constant ping of the asdic set did to us , we called it being ping batty.



I also have Gerds, chronic sinusitis and vertigo with the panic disorder, which in my opinion are all related to and aggrevated by my bilateral hearing loss with Tinnitus.  I am therefore adamant that I should be receiving full medical care with the TAPS benefits including dental and eye care.



To enhance the chances of a favorable ruling at the hearing, I must have a professional or knowledgeable layman's opinion stating that there is a probable aggravational relationship between my already pensioned bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus and the claimed disability of panic disorder and related illnesses that usually accompany panic disorder. Not forgetting sleep loss.



I would be very grateful if your association could help my endeavor to a just conclusion. Any help whatsoever would be a godsend.

                                                Sincerely yours

                                                                   Email ***@****

by Roger Gould, M.D., May 07, 2001 12:00AM
I think you need to have a consultation with a psychiatrist in Canada rather than a general medical doctor. He or she should be able to help you.
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