![]() What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?Īccording to the CDC, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any injury to the brain that affects brain function. Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behaviorįor the VA to consider a diagnosis of PTSD, symptoms must be present for one month or longer, get worse over time, and/or interfere with daily life.Difficulty maintaining close relationships.In addition to spatial disorientation, veterans with PTSD might experience: PTSD symptoms can be emotional or physical. For example, many veterans experience or witness trauma in combat, sustain traumatic injuries with lasting emotional impacts, or experience sexual assault. As many as 15% of combat veterans exhibit some degree of PTSD.Īccording to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD is a mental condition caused by the trauma of experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition that affects veterans. ![]() In other words, it should be viewed as a symptom of a service-connected disability, such as PTSD or TBI. For the VA to consider spatial disorientation in a disability claim, you would need to show that it is connected to an injury or mental health condition that you acquired because of your military service. ![]() Instead, the VA lists spatial disorientation as a symptom of PTSD, TBI, or other mental illnesses. The VA does not treat spatial disorientation alone as a disability. Does the VA Consider Spatial Disorientation a Disability? The damage to the brain can affect the vestibular system or the ability of the nervous system to properly interpret sensory information. In addition, spatial disorientation symptoms can appear after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The exact link is unclear, though some researchers believe it has to do with the effects of trauma on the brain’s structure. Research indicates that PTSD can trigger symptoms of vestibular dysfunction, including spatial disorientation. If those structures are damaged or unable to communicate properly with the central nervous system, it can result in spatial disorientation. The vestibular system comprises the delicate structures of the inner ear that aid in balance. Experts believe that vestibular dysfunction is part of the cause. Sometimes people experience spatial disorientation during daily life, even where there is no apparent reason for the symptoms. The causes of spatial disorientation in other situations are less clear. That disconnect can lead to temporary feelings of spatial disorientation. Both airplane flight and underwater diving can cause a disconnect between what the body feels and what the eyes see. Most of the scientific literature on spatial disorientation has to do with symptoms in pilots and scuba divers. The symptoms may be intermittent or can go on for prolonged periods, disrupting regular activity. You might also experience other symptoms of vertigo, like nausea, ringing in the ears, or altered visual perception. Spatial disorientation can also be accompanied by confusion or brain fog. You might be excessively clumsy or need to hold the wall or furniture to maintain posture or navigate walking around a room. You may feel off balance or dizzy for no reason. Spatial disorientation usually refers to feeling like you cannot physically orient your body to your surroundings. Learn more about how the VA addresses claims that include spatial disorientation. In addition, presenting symptoms of spatial disorientation could make you eligible for the higher rating criteria if service connected for certain conditions like PTSD. The causes of spatial disorientation are not always clear, but the VA associates it with both PTSD and TBI. Spatial disorientation causes vertigo, clumsiness, confusion, and tinnitus. Some veterans experience disabling symptoms that make up a condition called spatial disorientation. The long-term effects of service-related injuries can take unexpected forms.
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