I could ask my local VA to document a couple of physical conditions but I don't know if that's important in the long run. I'd like to get the big picture before they inflict their wisdom upon me.
In the last week I've come down with respiratory symptoms related to volcanic fog. (Vog is produced by Hawaii's Kilauea volcano eruption. It's normally blown away by the tradewinds, but when they stop for a few days the vog permeates Oahu's air.) It's mostly sinusitis & ear fluid with some swelling & pain, annoying but treatable by decongestants. Martha, you can tell your kama`aina expat friends that now I understand exactly where they're coming from.
While researching vog symptoms I've learned that acute exposure to volcanic ash can cause a number of respiratory problems. I spent a week in Subic Bay, RP during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and suddenly I can understand why I've been fighting respiratory infections, bronchitis, & pneumonia over the last 15 years. It's taken me that long to make the tentative connection of my symptoms to the exposure.
While I'm at it I could also tell the VA that I've torn both of my anterior cruciate knee ligaments. I believe that it happened in late 2001, six months before I retired from active duty. It was during martial arts training, not related to military duties but not due to misconduct.
No complaints. Neither condition is what I'd consider "disabling" and I don't plan to file any claims or seek any other treatment. However I don't know if it's worth having this information on record in case sometime during the next five or six decades these conditions turn out to be an expensive problem that isn't normally covered by Tricare or TFL.
Anyone been through this sort of discovery? Any advice on the next step?
In the last week I've come down with respiratory symptoms related to volcanic fog. (Vog is produced by Hawaii's Kilauea volcano eruption. It's normally blown away by the tradewinds, but when they stop for a few days the vog permeates Oahu's air.) It's mostly sinusitis & ear fluid with some swelling & pain, annoying but treatable by decongestants. Martha, you can tell your kama`aina expat friends that now I understand exactly where they're coming from.
While researching vog symptoms I've learned that acute exposure to volcanic ash can cause a number of respiratory problems. I spent a week in Subic Bay, RP during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and suddenly I can understand why I've been fighting respiratory infections, bronchitis, & pneumonia over the last 15 years. It's taken me that long to make the tentative connection of my symptoms to the exposure.
While I'm at it I could also tell the VA that I've torn both of my anterior cruciate knee ligaments. I believe that it happened in late 2001, six months before I retired from active duty. It was during martial arts training, not related to military duties but not due to misconduct.
No complaints. Neither condition is what I'd consider "disabling" and I don't plan to file any claims or seek any other treatment. However I don't know if it's worth having this information on record in case sometime during the next five or six decades these conditions turn out to be an expensive problem that isn't normally covered by Tricare or TFL.
Anyone been through this sort of discovery? Any advice on the next step?