yelloownumber5

Carlie, I was planning on filing for Sleep Apnea not secondary as they (RO) put it. I do not have any documentation of it being secondary to my GERD. So will the RO's assumption of me wanting it secondary to GERD screw up a cliam for sleep apnea on it's own? If so I guess I need to send in my documentation give them maybe a month and just file a NOD and Form 9? the denial for the secondary sleep apnea to GERD that the RO decided to do for me was on 11 Sept 2008

Carlie, So what impact will this have onme when I want to file for service connection of sleep apnea? I did not try to claim nor ask for assistance with a claim for sleep apnea. My year time to NOD it and file the form 9 is almost there. I did not submit any documentation concerning sleep apnea because again I wasn't asking to claim it. I do have some documentation of the sleep apnea but probably not enough for approval, so what should I do? Should I send it in and just NOD it? I have sleep issues in my SMR but will need an IMO. Thanks

Thanks and here is the verbage and the denial Subj: re-opening claims/review of service connection of GERD (I explained of my current problems) Diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus Increased throwing up problems swallowing checst pain heartburn shortness of breath (The only thing mentioning sleep apnea) I have also been diagnosed with sleep apnea in which the GED affects my health due to not allowing me to wear my continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) also affecting my bloop pressure. (This was the reuqest for an increase of GERD only and I only enclosed GERD related documents) On 7/24/08 the RO addressed it as "we are working on your applicatiojn for service connected compensation for GERD, sleep apnea and high blood pressure" 9/11/2008 "Service connection for sleep apnea is denied Your service treatment records show did not evidence of treatment for or a diagnosis of sleep apnea during your military service" I did not send an informal claim for sleep apnea nor a formal claim, however,I did say the GERD affects my sleep apnea treatment. I am concerned and trying to find out what to do because I want to file a sleep apnea claim in the furture. thanks

Hi, Back in 2008 I requested an increased on my Service Conencted GERD. I did list the reasons why and one reason was the GERD is aggravating my Sleep Apnea. I don't remember how I worded this but I'm looking for the paperwork right now. Anyhow, the RO sent a denial for Sleep Apnea dated 11 Sept 2008, it is a concern for me because I do not remember sending an informal claim nor any intent in filing for Sleep Apnea at this time but I will in the future. I will post the verbage of the letter when I find it What should I do. thanks in advance.

VAF, Congrats on getting the SC. I will address the sleep apnea and hypothyroirdism with my endo as she has been willing to write an IMO for my hypothryoidism, I just have to gather the C&P examin and rating criteria for her. I never heard about hypothyroid and sleep apnea but nice to know. My wife is a doctor and she will tell me not to wear my androderm and not to take synthroid when I'm really swollen. I did have the low testerone around the same time..........it's a shame you have to complain of tiredness all the time before things are checked. Do you know about Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, I'm looking for a biochemist to answer some specific questions. Thanks for that link as well....appreciate it. Thanks again, YN5

VAF, Congrats on getting the SC. I will address the sleep apnea and hypothyroirdism with my endo as she has been willing to write an IMO for my hypothryoidism, I just have to gather the C&P examin and rating criteria for her. I never heard about hypothyroid and sleep apnea but nice to know. My wife is a doctor and she will tell me not to wear my androderm and not to take synthroid when I'm really swollen. I did have the low testerone around the same time..........it's a shame you have to complain of tiredness all the time before things are checked. Do you know about Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, I'm looking for a biochemist to answer some specific questions. Thanks again, YN5

VAF, Do you have first hand experience with hypothyroidism? or with sleep apnea? I retired Dec 31 2003 but hounded my PCM about my thyroid for a couple years before he left the command. He did fully panel tests but never an US, Iodine nor sent me to a specialist. Ironically while under his car in 2001 a VA doctor noted "check out thyroid" but he never did.......my PCM also noted "consider sleep study" but never did. Actually in 2006 the Gastro doctor during an endoscopy found something around the C5 (I believe) anyhow this was equal to my thyorid. When the internal medicine doctor found out he had to feel and of couse like everyone else cannot feel a nodule, however, bless his heart he had a US done and this found a nodule, which a FNA was done to confirm two nodules but non cancerous. Ever since this I've been on meds and seeing a specialist. Long story........but I wish some of this so called "advocates" would get off their soap box stand to realized not everyone is trying to get over and to understand that doctors DO NOT always do what they probably should. NObody is trying to get over but trying to: A. Save my life by being treated B. Get better C. get the entitlements that I am entitled to. Thanks for the info.

Is anyone in a program like this in South Carolina? My wife and I were talking about this three weeks ago and seemed like the Gas and Electric should do something like this. We called SCE&G and they say they don't know anything but it's our responsibiltiy. My wife prescribed oxygen 24/7 and using a oxygen concentrator for the home use also on the CPAP and I am on CPAP, we called SCE&G they acted like they knew but wouldn't say. Does anyone know in SC? I've searched online and on SCE&G's website but don't really see anything. Thanks.

3 years, Yes fully agree and I am rated for GERD. I just find the humor of the VA not giving a damn and some of the so called "Advocates" on these websites jumping to their conclusions when they do not know the facts. Opinions are like @##Holes We all have them. I find there are many older so called "advocates" that just get up set when they learn of others getting disability for certain things. They seem to think if you were not in Vietnam, a POW, WWII or something else you DO NOT deserve any compensation for your D*I*S*A*B*L*T*Y TISK TISK and CHEERS no tears in my beer. If anyone has GERD and the VA trys to give you NSAIDS you have to balance it..........it you keep throwing up then you need to see a Gastro and tell them this is what the VA is doing to you even though you've told them you have GERD or you end up with BE and then Cancer. Good Luck,

3 years, Yes fully agree and I am rated for GERD. I just find the humor of the VA not giving a damn and some of the so called "Advocates" on these websites jumping to opinions when they do not know the full details of something..........but there are many saying of "opinions". You find there are many older "advocates" that just get up set when they learn of others getting disability for certain things. TISK TISK and CHEERS no tears in my beer. If anyone has GERD and the VA trys to give you NSAIDS you have to balance it..........it you keep throwing up then you need to see a Gastro and tell them this is what the VA is doing to you even though you've told them you have GERD or you end up with BE and then Cancer. Good Luck,

Berta......... "Salsalate , as a NSAID, would certainly support GERD claim, as secondary to this medication." That is really interesting because I have GERD with Barretts Esophagus and I told the Pain Clinic.......my VA PCP has it scanned in but they (the Pain Clinic)STILL prescribed and prescribes me Salsalate. Um, I do not think they really care.........but I'm always screwed up and mistaken.........so who knows anyhow. Per the VA the Sasalate shouldn't affect my GERD.......we know better my wife is a nurse and mother a doctor........but I love to listen to the VA. That is why you save the bottles.........but now the VA wants my whole Gastro file, which they will not get......someone got skeered, lol. Like some idiot saying because I'm overweight now........is why at 25 I had multiple herniated dics...........lol..........but the idiots come a dime a dozen.....people tend to speak from the side of their neck before they ask questions. Cheers There are plenty of web sites with med info on salsalite. I am not a doctor- erythema-I have seen this as a skin condition in a friend of mine with AO diabetes. He has very small red bumps on his face-not enough to be a rash-and very hard to notice- unless he is in sunlight. He is AmerIndian with fairly light skin and-if he tans this condition isnt noticable at all. antral -meaning however the lining of the stomach- I think this means medically that there is obvious visible irritation of the antral-and this is probably due to the Salsalate I could not find these two terms used together but it means one could deduce a visible irritation of the stomach- and the salsasite more than likely caused it.

I worte a response but just deleted it. I guess i"m just screwed. I due have medical evidence for my last three years of "chronic sinusitis" and after service. I posted the ENT note only because he said "septum straight" that was the ONLY reason I posted this and said that in the text. I did not post any of my evidence I used for my claim on here. I just has specific questions about the denial and thought I posted something that I did not use as evidence that rebutts what the VA said.

Rockhound, None of the enclosed was my evidence for sinusitis. My evidence for sinusitis was treatment for years of sinusitis and still post active duty being treated. However, in the denial letter they said my septum was deviated...........but then he said it was midline.........just yesterday looking thru my record I found that ENT letter that said in Sep 2005 (7 months after this decision) my septum was straight. My question are these DAMN IDIOTS (VA) playing with me or WTF is going on. I kind of would like to know if that sleep study would fly or are these idiots going to say it's because of your deviataed septum that is there, not there, there and maybe there againa. Also, can someone give me the VA's definiation of "Trauma", not websters but the VA's. Thank you.

On other question.................. No where does it say that 6510 Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic. 6511 Sinusitis, ethmoid, chronic. 6512 Sinusitis, frontal, chronic. 6513 Sinusitis, maxillary, chronic. 6514 Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic. Must be from this or that............I've been dx' with Pansinusitis, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid all chronic............if a doctor ENT dx's you with this, why in the world can the VA say "I think it's due to cysts or deviated septum" and why would this matter what the cause of it is? I have pansiusitis, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid .........all while on active duty and all now.........and even if this so called fix it septoplasty surgery I still have this crap. I guess I should have claimed them separately not as "sinusitis" Thanks again........

I have a few questions of course and please bear with me. VARO Decision Dated 28 Feb 2005 My decision I attached. First the three I'm asking about were not appealed because of my lovely County VSO. Item 7 of my decision is Approval for Allergice Rhinitis and they say "septum was midline". It also states about my septoplasty surgery. Item 9 of my decision is Denial for Deviated Septum, which it states denied because not shown caused from trauma. However, it does say on this a cyst was "more than likely the cause of sinus infectons" This cyst is still there Item 10 of my decision is Denial for Sinusitis, which it states "ct in Nov 2002 did not show chronic sinusitis was the cause of sinusitis", The main cause of sinusitis was deviated septum" (not to be anal but I did not have a CT in Nov 2002 but a MRI in 2001.......my doctor did write a note in Nov 2002 on my med form 800 or whatever wondering if I had a cyst or polyp......) I'm still confused because same exam right....Item 7 says septum midline then Item 10 says deviated. Enclosed is a ENT exam dated 27 Sep 2005 (not Feb that I named the file) The ENT States Septum Midline Enclosed is my Septoplasty copy I also have a question about my sinus surgery. While on active duty I did have surgery because of Daytime Fatigue, problems breathing but does anyone know what the Pre Op and Post Op diagnosis of SAA Stands for? Finally I attached a copy of my sleep study........ A concern was under the assesment the doctor put "weight" then"nasal obstruction" but under the sleep eval he notes i have a deviated septum with no history of a fracture but had septoplasty surgery in the past. That part kind of concerned me the VA would say sleep apnea is due to deviated septum. I do have some documentation as long with the surgery note........ Quesitons are What is up with that decision in regards to the "deviated" and "midline" septum. Is that some kind of error? Can I send my ENT's notes in as new evidence or what should I do? I did want to get sinusitis approved. With the honesty factor I did and do have a deviated septum. I also have cysts and wonder if the cysts can make my septum deviated. With enough documentation while on active duty should my sleep apnea claim be okay........or another way this deviated septum won't get in the way will it. Thanks. 2_28_2005_VA_Decision.pdf 2_27_2005___ENT___Septum_Midline.pdf 9_3_2003___Septoplasty___Daytime_Fatigue___SAA.pdf 11_15_2006_Sleep_Study___Weight_and_Nasal_Obstruction.pdf

Wings, Thanks that might help me some. I don't know why places are so anal.......dealing with the Animal Control here I asked for copies of my complaints, I was told they are filed in boxes and it would take for ever for them to get maybe 7 complaints for a 3 year period, this was in person. I wrote a certified letter and nothing for 2 to 3 months. I sent one last one and noted the Freedom of Information Act and right about 30 days I did get them. Crazy...... I do have a question......I was in a Navy ER over 22 years ago, I would think there is a record but having much trouble getting anything but will try the FOIA and some other documentation, the records should be somewhere, right? I also was being treated for alcohol rehab with Antabuse (Disulfiram) and I think I have problems from this......there is nothing in my medical record about this, so I need to send a letter to the Command DAPA also..........all were at Pensacola, Florida. Was kind of curious anyone have problems with Antabuse?

Caveman and others............., I as well have BE. I request an increase but was denied and still at the 10%. I seen my non va PCM and asked for sleeping pills (ambein) because I was going crazy and very depressed because I would wake up 4 or 5 times a night with this acid reflux and unable to sleep. The doctor didn't even put that in my record but did note insomnia........however, I do have sleep apnea but this is not how it was addressed. I'm not sure how to address the depression aspect of this, I assume I should speak with my VA PC and talk with her. It is noted a couple times of depression in my records and my VA PC did give me Zoloft but that was primarily for other things going on. Has anyone had problems or been check with LUNGS with really bad GERD? I think my lungs might be affected somewhat. I do know I have that hiatia hernia which is near my diaphram and I cannot bend over and breathe often I can't catch my breathe either....... My epigastric pain has made me pull off the road several times......and I have two ER visits because of this pain and thinking it was a heartattack but they VA doesn't consider this a considerable impairment to health? And if you do have GERD ensure you take your meds, adjust your lifestyle, and for B.E. have those follow up scopes...............

I would think this would not suprise anyone.

Rockhound, Thanks I will see what I need to do. I guess facts are facts and the only facts are the sleep doctor said my sleep apnea is primarly based off weight and my active duty doctor did note weight gain because I was not able to PT due to spinal issues so maybe I should go that route. I know different angle and for this I will need a ENT IMO but they do say a "severly" deviated is most of the time from trauma. Mine was seen as severe but who knows.

Rockhound, "Question? Is their any medical evidence that can possibly show that your original Deviated Septum was exacerbated/made worse by the surgery you had in the service?" When on active duty they asked a few months after the surgery and I didn't believe it helped, I also remember the surgeon telling me that this would not help my labored breathing. C&P Examiner did note that I feel my septum is worse after surgery. The C&P examiner diagnosis "recurrent sinusitis and allergic rhinitis in spite of recent septoplasty for correction of deviated septum." I'm not sure they would say the septoplasty surgery made my septum worse since they say it'd "mildly" deviated post surgery vs. serious deviation pre surgery. I also have comments about tiredness, fatigue, and all thate prior to the surgery so I don't know. But I will try. I have 3 recorded forhead trauma in my medical record but nobody put deviated septum.....one was a car accident that was totalled. One even says inner eye lid which is like right on my eye lid but the VA dismissed this because no deviated septum from trauma. This is what has me trying to figure something out. Aug 2003 while on active duty surgery to correct my deviated septum, 2004 C&P says it's "Midline" Sept 2005 ENT says it's straight, May 2007 ENT (different one) says it's "slight rightward bowing of the nasal septum." I know "slight" is relative but if I have not have any trauma since surgery and only 39-42 during those times........any ideas what would make the septum do this, does it become weaker after surgery? The sleep doctor assessment was "This patient has mild to moderated sleep apnea syndrom primarily on the basis of excessive body weight with contributions from nasal obstruction and mandibular retrodisplacement. There may be an element of insomnia." I had braces when I was younger with an overbite, also he did note about deviation to the right side. Also do you know much about Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, they did note on the lab speciem that i had this in my nasal cartilage not sure if that is normal or not nor who to address that with.

Rockhound, I did have surgery (septoplasty) before I retired from the military to straighten that non service connected deviated septum. I will just ask the ENT again what he thinks and see if he will do an IMO. Thanks.

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I know I've asked a similar question in the past but this is what I've been trying to get an answer to......... I know the Va can do about whatever they want but. If I have sleep apnea now and if it can be connected back to my in service could they deny my claim because the cause of sleep apnea is a deviated septum which is not proven to be service connected. Just trying to know me not being able to service connect my deviated septum and as the sleep doctor said it's not the primary contributor but secondary would you think they would deny my claim because of this. Mentally, I cannot think and the VA has screwed up my head, I'm sorry if I seem to break this down to too many pieces but your guidence is truly appreciated/ Thanks.

I was denied deviated septum on a claim because of no evidence of trauma. I had surgery septolasty to fix this deviated septum while on active duty, shouldn't I be able to claim deviated septum since it wasn't straightened out from surgery and still having problems? Also I have contact with one person that seen me after I totalled a military van and had nasal problems since but I'm not sure what all they should say in the witness statement. They did come to the seen as I was on duty but just trying to ensure the VA doesn't dismiss this because all that is in my record is a bill from the Naval Hospital to Navy Legal who had them draw a urine and blood test for drugs. Nothing else was done except cleaned up and given some pain meds. There is referrence to the car accident in my SMR but only by me telling doctors. Why would I lie about this accident 15 years before I even knew what a VA claim was? I also have a cateract that the eye doctor said is due to trauma or possibly can't remember the wording but it did say "X" amount of years ago. I guess they can tell about how long ago it was. I am also SC'd for allergic rhinitis (0 %) but having a problem finding someone to give an IMO for this. Nobody has said yes or no, they just don't want to do it.........can anyone recommend a doctor for an IMO's other than Dr. Bash? Dr. Bash is stuck on his price that I cannot afford. Thanks much,

Poolguy and Pete, Poolguy, I sure will send you a PM, and everything is in there I just have to pull it again......not sure what happened but I have copies everywhere. Pete, Yes, I received my CPAP shortly after that titrational sleep study which was like March 2007 With wife and SSA. We just received the "unfavorable" decision yesterday and she left messages for a couple lawyers but timing isn't great to start this. I just really do not understand what these judges look at when they cite something old but not newer material. On that note I didn't know much aobut the "RFC". Let me tell you when she had the SSA exam.......the result came back and said she used to be a Nanny, untrue and not sure where this came from. Said she's been receiving SSI for 10 plus years, untrue again. Said she's overmedicated true but now they said she doesn't have any serious pain meds isn't vicodin kind of serious? she has like 4 different KILLERS. I know everyone has their own tolerances but I'm like dang those are pretty serious. Pete but one of the things was after they ALJ they said they didn't have her as a US CItizen.......................well not close to any other citizenship. Not sure what else to say with that. But thanks for your wishes and hopefully we will find someone decent for this appeal with SSA.