yelloownumber5

Angela, Thanks. I get sinus infections about 2 x a month. I have cysts in my (2) maxillary, sphenoid (which took me to the ER with bad eye pain) and one somewhere else. I'm confused........and it's a small thing but I want it connected. I was denied from my NOD in 2006 but sadly looked at the paperwork again and got really upset. I just don't know what I should do now. when it came back denied the county VSO told me it was denied because it went Same claim - original claim before I got out of military and prior to septoplasty surgery. - First Deviated Septum no trauma so denied - I did have surgery to fix this and still have infections and C&P examiner said "septum midline" - Second Sinusitis denied because they are "due to deviated septum." - Thrid Allergic Rhinitus rated but at 0 % I was going to ask this to be reopened and submit the C&P exam that the exmainer said "septum midline" as evidence and my ENT in Sep 2005 saying "nasal septum straight" as new evidence but I want the original date because they had the C&P Examiner notes, however my ENT would be new evidence. I'm not sure if I should do it like this or not.

Purple, I appreciate it...just kind of not understanding at all. The people thay have to an exam that is looking at my noise says it is midline..someone that is reviewing his report and looking at old ct's prior to having septoplasty surgery says it's deviated. Also I seen Bera put the conditions that ptsd cause........what about service connect conditions causeing depression such as gerd (not able to sleep), sleep apnea, high blood pressure.... and if you get this ptsd or depression rating do they say well you had sleep apnea and rated 50% we will award you ptsd @50% secondary to service connected conditions........so does the ptsd get cancelled out by the other ratings? I never understood if something is secondary when you add the percentages does it get added just like a single rating or do they have a formula for this. My VA doctor already put me on depression meds (zoloft) help to me deal also sleeping pills (ambein) because of this crap but need appt with physc. Thanks all for help.

Purple, I'm in Charleston, SC where I was dx and live after separation. The question I brought up is how can the VA on the same C&P claim, however you say it...............Deny a deviated septum claim because C&P examiner said "midline septum" for item 7 then for same claim same C&P say sinusitis is denied.........and the wording is below in my post but denied because the deviated septum is the cause of sinus infections............

Okay a few things. Octdevildog, the ENT said my septum is "The nasal septum was straight, turbinates were boggy and sthe sinuses were a little tender". Dated 27 Sept 2005. Berta, Not sure exactly what the CUE is and I thought it was more a date thing. But if the VA examiner says "septum midline" and the reason the VA denied my sinusitis claim was because of a deviated septum, what can I do? The Va first looked at films that were taken prior to my C&P exam. I have this ENT report on 27 Sept 2005 stating "nasal septum was straight". However, the sleep study doctor in 2006 said it was deviated.....and I plan on submitting that claim soon. My sinusitis claim is closed. My sleep apnea claim is open by an informal letter. I'm just confused and mad......I know I didn't lose a leg but feel like hurting someone. My original claim most items came back denied.........I NOD'd and submitted the same info, highlited and with cover sheet them most were approved less my sinusitis and deviated septum because my PCM said it was still deviated......but now this ENT said it's not. Can these cysts make my septum deviated and I know I need a doctor to write that.......but I should get another referral for an ENT soon because the sphenoid sinusitis is kicking my TAIL....that deep eye pain. Thank you much, Yelloow

Berta, Yes I do have a VSO to file my paperwork....he doesn't do much more than that - this is how he has been since I started with him which is what landed me here for stupid questions. I spoke with DAV on the phone but they just said if you have it in your record then submit for it and they asked if I wanted to put in a complaint against my VSO. I assume I need to get a doctor to say the sinusitis is due to allergic rhinitis........is that correct? I see my military PCM in a few weeks and need another ENT referral. I do not have one thing in my SMR that says sinusitis due to deviated septum......just my dx of sinusitis and rhinitius. The VA said the deviated septum was the cause when they seen the CT Scan which was pre septoplasy (deviated septum surgery) and their post surgery C&P exam said "midline septum". Does it matter when you get or submit an IMO? If I submit one after my claim is denied it that not such a good thing?

Jessie, They booted me because i missed an appt that I didn't know of. I did a complaint via IRIS and wanted to know what was up and gave the name and rude comment of the VA Pain clinic rep........ Response was I'm rescheduled for Oct........not sure if this is good or bad personally but at least I can see how they (pain clinic) is.

Berta, "Boy the VA sure paresed the evidence in that one." "Did you formally claim the sinusitus as secondary to the allergic Rhinitus?" No Ma'am, after reading this 100 times I thought maybe that is what I should do. I know the rating isn't much but thought it would help if needed with my sleep apnea claim The decision seems to fully support this as the nexus- allergic rhinitus- http://www.va.gov/vetapp08/files3/0820329.txt this is one of many claims at the BVA -regarding similiar problems- the award was for allergic rhinitus but it is more than likely that the sinusitus in your case came from the insercvice rhinitus- "I am not a doctor so my medical opinion wont help you- it just makes sense however-" "How did they rate the allergic rhinitus-" Persistant nasal congestion (cysts) and diagnosis made, rated the allergic rhinitis at 0%. "how did they rule that out as the etiology for the sinusitis?" On the same award letter they denied deviated septum and said CT scan showed you had a small retention cyst in the left maxillary (CT also says partial opacity of the r sphenoid sinus), which was more than likely the cause of your recurrent sinus infections. Strangely on the award letter number 10 says "the main cause of sinusitis was the deviated septum" and number 7 says examiner "septum is midline". Now CT was 2002, C&P was 2004, they also note "current medical evidence shows you feel there has been no significant relief for the septoplast Deviated septum denied Deviated septum cause sinusitis Go to the BVA and search these conditions and you will get clues as to what I mean here-

Or do I claim sinusitis secondary to allergic rhinitis? Alergice Rhinitis has to have like 50 to 100 nostral obstruction to be ratable....but with my sinusitis and headaches it doesn't seem right. I thought maybe the VA just didn't get my diagnosis of sinusitis but really confused. I have been on antibotics twice while on active duty for this when diagnoses but since learned to live with it. Thanks again.

I was denied in 2006 for sinusitis. "Service conneciton is denied. You were seen multiple time for sinus infections while you were on active duty, primarily as a result of the allergic rhinitis. A CT Scan conducted in Nov 02, did not show chronic sinusitis was the cause of the sinus infections. The main cause of the sinusitis was the deviated septum. The current medical evidence shows you still have recurrent sinus infections, but again, there is no evidence that this is cause by sinusitis. Service connection for sinusitis is denied because of the medical evidence of record fail to show that this disability has been clinically diagnosed." The C&P examiner in 2005 said "septum is midline". Isn't a diagnosis of sinusitis good enough for this claim? Thanks, Yelloow

Danang, When I was on active duty and doctor though sleep apnea at 6'2", I was right at 200. Then within the year he documented my weight gain of some 30 pounds in my record and since I've added more probably 257. My question is why at 6'2" and 200 would this be a weight issue. I'm not sure why nor how they said weight with yours.....but I can see now looking at me they will throw out there weight but that is without listening or looking at my SMC.

Ricky and Pete, Ricky, You don't think it would be a sucessful claim even with the complaints of "day time fatigue", sleep 8/9 hours a day but doesn't seem to get quality sleep", "Fatigue" , doctor said "consider sleep study", "sleep apnea 2 degrees", "?OSA" while on active duty? The deviated septum part confuses me because whil eon active duty I even had surgery on my deviated septum and of course it doesn't matter but no deviated septum annotated on entry exam. I'm not trying to claim a deviated septum but sleep apnea, however, sleep doctor said primary osa factor weight and contributation from "nasal obstruction and mandibular retrodisplacement" Pete, Yes I believe the deviated septum was annotated on the exit physical and I've had surgery on it during active duty. But to actually claim that you have record of Trama to the area.......I'm not trying to claim that but wondering if that would stop my sleep apnea claim. I have my informal claim pending for sleep apnea, increase on GERD and increase on blood pressure.

Pete, Right. I have symptoms of sleep apnea and my doctors recommendation of sleep study and this remarks of sleep apnea 2 degrees in my service medical record and of course now I am diagnosed. Which may or may not be approved, I understand I may need to get a IMO. However, what I was worried about what they say yes you have sleep apnea but it's due to the deviated septum so denied. Long story with the deviated septum but I did not have one noted on entry exam but yes I know that does not matter. I had car accident totalled.......went the Naval Hospital P'cola but no note in record, I sent letter and they called P'cola hospital has no record of me being there......no follow up either with my PCM the only thing I have in my medical record concerning this was a bill from Navy Legal paying $60 for a urine test......because the car was totalled and they wanted me to pay....but even on this form it says "scratched arm and hands" but it rolled 4-6 times the police estimated (yes, I've asked and they have no record either). So, my fear was the sleep apnea to be disapproved because they (VA) says the consider the deviated septum to be the reason of sleep apnea. Thanks,

I have a question I don't seem to get an answer to. I am diagnosed with sleep apnea (osa) and sleep doctor assessment "this patient has mild to moderate sleep apnea syndrome primarily on the basis of excessive body weight with contributions from nasal obstructioon and mandibular retrodisplacement." I'm worried about filling claim because filed for deviated septum on my initial claim and it was denied due to no evidence of trama. If I'm going to have to connect this or the mandibular retrodisplacement to entitle me for the claim. The American Legion reps at the VA Hospitals are they just someone that will give you forms and what not or are they someone that can look at your evidence and say this looks good or do this and that? Thanks

I filed my claim and they keep sending the VCAA Notice response letter stating "I have no other information or evidence to give VA ....................please decide my claim as soon as possible" or "I have more information or evidence to give to VA to substntiate my claim. Va will wait at leat 30 days before deciding my claim to give me a chance to submit this information or evidence" My question is my claim is only from May 2008, I did send back one of these responses stating "I have more evidence", but a month later I get another, so do they send these every 30 days to enable them to make a decision? If the VA ends up sending their decision does the "one year to submit evidence" go away and now I must do a NOD? One reason I am trying to wait is I might need a IMO and don't have the money for this right now...I was hoping to if this is denied not to have to do this NOD until 2009 sometime. Also I have only submitted informatio on only one of three items I am claiming. I also am not letting the VA get my records....they seem to not look at who is treating you anyhow and this is how my other claims may have been overlooked with not much evidence. Y#5

Trez, Thanks. Yes Sir, I let all doctors I use a CPAP........to me it is a medication and I treat it like that. PR, Thanks that I how I calculate the VA math but someone posted something else where on here and not sure if they were being funny or not but their math was not adding up. Can anyone please let me know. Iif my Sleep Apnea is baised partly off a Deviated Septum per the Sleep Doctor will I have to provide evidence of a tramatic injury supporting the deviated septum to get this rated. I did try to claim a deviated septum years ago and was denied because I did not have evidence of a "tramatic injury", I do have rhinitis and history of chronic sinisitis but as well I have documented sleep issues in my record. I also found it funny for the sleep doctor to primarly base the sleep apnea off "weight" when I had the same thing (as in symptoms but not a diagnosis) while in the military but you can't tell many people anything. Thanks for ya help, Y#5

As I found out a few years ago deviated septum not ratable without record of trama. So, if my Sleep Apnea is founded off weight and a deviated septum does that make my OSA claim unfounded? I was not diagnosed while on active duty, however, my pcm clearly wrote "consider sleep study" "symptoms of OSA" and I did have sinus (septoplasty) surgery while on active duty because of sinuses. Not rated for sinuses right now. I am also worried about submitting the info about the sinus surgery after surgery I did tell my doctor the surgery helped me some with my labored breathing but I still have daytime fatigue, I do not see this in my record though. With the VA Math rated 50% and receiving another 50% rating is 75.....I assume the VA will round down to 70%, right? Thanks.

What exactly is lumbar strain? That makes it sound temp. I tried to claim sciatica but was denied then with the NOD it was approved but changed to lumbar strain. However, the approval did say no re-exams needed since the condition is not expected to improve. My medical record I had "+ sciatica" remarks. I have lots of lower back issues and finally had a lumbar mri which revealed lots of buldging disks also at my S1.. Isn't lumbar strain and sciatica different? Would I mess myself up by filing or re-opening my claim for Sciatica and lumbar DDD? I am rated for Cervical DDD. Thanks.

Yes ma'am, I was submitting my increase for GERD but thought I should let me know about my OSA that I will claim shortly and increase on HBP. I understand that Barrett's Esphogus is under GERD but was kind of asking if Barrett's Esphogus would be what they consider one of the "considerable Health impairments". I also have a stricture and stenoasis of the Esphogus I have not asked to be rated but that one falls under DC 7203 and seems to be automatic 30 percent. Under DC 7242 I meet the 30percent level except I guess for "accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain which is productive of considerable impairment of health" I do get that pain in my chest and my PCM told me it was GERD related but is that a "considerable impairment of health" alone or will it have to stop me from doing something. I can only do one thing at a time and was trying to ensure I get my GERD to 30 perent either way. Then I was going to do my OSA claim which should stand on it's own but also go into how my GERD affects wearing my CPAP for the OSA.......and that is bumping up my bp. I see my sleep doctor next week and hopfully I can get him to write something but I do not think he will.

At 80% shouldn't you only need a rating of 40% or more to make 90% (not 50%) 20% of 40% is 8%? rounded up to 10% plus 80% for 90%

GERD under DC 7346 30 percent evaluation is warranted for persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain which is productive of considerable impairment of healthh I have all of the above. I do get a substernal pain in which I've gone to the ER twice because I thought it was a heart attack but after testing and EKG, Stress test it was said to been the GERD. I've learned the pain and do not make an appointment when this happens the GERD has also gone to Barretts Eshpogus. But their statement means the pain is an "considerable impairment of health or do they mean GERD as a condition.......because GERD does keep me from wearing my CPAP. Also The Code 7203 provides a 30 percent evaluation for moderate stricture of the esophagus. I do have a stricture and steonosis (spelling) narrowing of my esphogus and several complaints of difficulty swallowing but do I need to ask for this to be also rated under this code 7203? This was someones decision who was approved at 30 percent for the 7203 code. veteran's GERD is rated as analogous to stricture of the esophagus because his main symptom has been described by medical professionals as a feeling of food being "stuck" in his throat. I understand this is only one rating of 30 percent but just incase someone trys to take something more bases covered. Also, I did put in for a increase of GERD from the 10 percent to 30. I told them that my GERD also keeps me from wearing my CPAP for the OSA, however, OSA is not S.C. for now. The VA said send the info and they would look at making OSA Secondary to GERD. Is that okay? I do have SMR entries about sleep problems, recommend sleep study and sleep apnea 2 degrees....but no sleep study during active duty......would it mater how they put the osa be it secondary to GERD or on it's own? My intentions were to subbmit OSA and GERD on their own but I did say in a letter how the GERD affected my ability to wear the CPAP. Thanks much, Y#5

Interesting enough I click on the "South Carolina" link and it comes up with "Oregon" only tried it 5 times.

Not sure if this topic is dead. But do not let someone try to talk you out of a thyroid disorder claim. If you do not have a endo doctor go see one. I've told my doctor for about 9 years now I thought I have a thyroid problem. My thyroid panel is usually in the good range......however, if you have the symptoms of hypo or hyper as it will bounce back and forth......you will know better than the primary care doctor and probably as much as the endo. don't really on the Primary Care of Internal Med to feel it either..........I never supposedly had a nodule because nobody could feel it........but once ultra sound and iodine uptake.....oh well guess what I have one and my tests are still most of the time "normal" range.....and actually the thyroid nodule was actually seen first by the gastro doctor doing the endoscope with a web near the espohgus (spelling). Has anyone here filled a claim for thyroid disorder? Keep the peace and follow your body!

nevermind.

Yes that identity theift is not a good thing........... Humana/Tricare Regional person sent us someone elses EOB with some of our Eob's.......name, address, ssn, phone, - toyota. Because Tricare wanted to be a butts and act like they cannot add numbers we are looking who to send this HIPPA violation to. Tricare/Humana is all up the DME's tails do they get kick backs if they keep customers and do not let complaints through.? Has anyone dealt with Mr. Brembry or Walker?

Funny but fun.........but when you try to sleep it's something else. I get like that and am no medicines of that sort just stomach meds right now. It can be quit embarrising at time but then you learn to laugh about it and enjoy the hell out of our body.