usn01

Makes sense!

Thanks all for the great input on this issue.

Appreciate the phenomenal support! Thanks. I can get a buddy/wife statement, but the DBQ filled out by the internal medicine doc should help yes? Although he didn't write a line like "more likely than not caused by..." in the remarks section, which I've since read on various forums that we need to do so? Should I go back and have him include it? The surgery for the deviated septum and U3P didn't resolve the OSA, and my separation physical shows that I was diagnosed with OSA. If I submit a fully developed claim, and I'm denied, can I later appeal the decision with additional info/a "new" sleep study? A bit confused, as FDC implies that i have "no other evidence" to submit, so I'm wondering if I should have that additional sleep study done and submitted with this FDC. I just enrolled in the VA health care system (but should I have been enrolled automatically? I actually ended up missing a lot of the "separation benefits counseling" due to increased optempo right around when I separated). Do I need to contact the VA medical center to get replacement supplies? Thanks again!

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful information on the previous posts. I had a few questions myself as I recently separated from the Navy and plan on submitting a Fully Developed Claim for Sleep Apnea: Background: Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea while Active-duty serving overseas at USFK. The sleep study dr. on base had me referred me for an actual sleep study at Samsung Medical Center which diagnosed me with "mild to moderate OSAS" requiring CPAP, in addition to a deviated septum. I received my CPAP a few weeks later but also underwent U-3P Surgery and corrected my deviated septum. QUESTION: 1) Before I submit my claim, should I have another sleep study done privately to show that I still struggle with it? Or is this a waste of my time/money? I've looked into getting a sleep study done at home as well, to save on $ as I don't currently have medical insurance. However, if it will help me get my claim approved, I'm willing to use some of my savings for a private in-clinic or in-home sleep study. 2) I currently don't have medical insurance, but took my records to a vet-friendly internal medicine doctor who was seeing me for another issue, who also reviewed them and filled out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Apnea for me. Will submitting his findings help, or do I need to have a certified sleep specialist submit documentation? 3) After I submit my documentation, will the VA have me do another sleep study? (If so, I may not need to pay for one) 4) Do I need to bring in my CPAP/CPAP card during the VA appointment? I currently still have and use my CPAP (life-saver), but I no longer have my CPAP card as the on-base sleep doctor was reviewing it, and never got it back to me before I PCS'ed back to CONUS. 5) Will the VA care that my base dr. referred me to get my sleep study done at a private hospital? (they apparently didn't do them on yongsan) Please let me know any insights or advice you have ASAP as I'm planning to submit my claim this week! I'm definitely lucky I found this exceptional community. -FNG

Thanks for the incredibly helpful post! Just a few questions as I recently separated from the Navy and plan on submitting a Fully developed claim for apnea: 1) IMO= Independent Medical Opinion? If I had my internal medicine doc review my service records and fill out a Disability benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for apnea, is that sufficient or should I have a certified sleep specialist do so? Do I need him to write out specifically that "sleep apnea more likely than not started" while i was in service? Background: Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea while Active-duty serving overseas at USFK. The sleep study dr. on base had me referred me for an actual sleep study at Samsung Medical Center which diagnosed me with "mild to moderate OSAS" requiring CPAP, in addition to a deviated septum. I received my CPAP a few weeks later but also underwent U-3P Surgery and corrected my deviated septum. 2) Before I submit my claim, should I have another sleep study done privately to show that I still struggle with it? Or is this a waste of my time/money? I've looked into getting a sleep study done at home as well, to save on $ as I don't currently have medical insurance. However, if it will help me get my claim approved, I'm willing to use some of my savings for a private in-clinic or in-home sleep study. 3) After I submit my documentation, will the VA have me do another sleep study? (If so, I may not need to pay for one) 4) Do I need to bring in my CPAP/CPAP card during the VA appointment? I currently still have and use my CPAP (life-saver), but I no longer have my CPAP card as the on-base sleep doctor was reviewing it, and never got it back to me before I PCS'ed back to CONUS. 5) Will the VA care that my base doc referred me to get my sleep study done at a private hospital? (they apparently didn't do them on yongsan) Please let me know any insights or advice you have! I'm definitely lucky I found this exceptional community. -FNG