A Juneau man who claimed a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital misdiagnosed him more than 30 years ago died last week in a Seattle hospital after spending 15 years fighting the department, the Juneau Empire reported.
George Messerschmidt, 59, was first treated for hyperthyroidism in 1984 while in the U.S. Army Reserve and stationed in Greece. Doctors removed 94 percent of his thyroid gland to treat the disease -- which can cause weight loss, weakness and a fast heartbeat due to an overactive thyroid. This remained his diagnosis until 1999, the report said.
What Messerschmidt told the Juneau newspaper he should have been diagnosed with was hypothyroidism, which is a low-functioning thyroid and can cause weight gain. Messerschmidt weighed about 450 pounds near the time of his death, had numerous medical issues and spent many years on the wrong kind of medication.
Since 2005, Messerschmidt had filed five appeals against a VA decision that he should not receive disability back pay, which could total nearly $600,000, the report said. Since 2004, he'd been receiving federal veterans disability pay.
Messerschmidt died July 16, but his family can continue to fight his appeal.