K9MAL

My only issue is I don't want to cause too many waves before a decision is made. I know it probably won't effect the outcome but if I piss her off is she gonna go talk to her lunch buddy and put the screws to me? I don't know, but I don't want any additional wait time or to have to fight something that might've got rated the first time around. If I wasn't worried about repercussions there'd be a very heated exchange...

This is an email exchange with the VFW in Reno. The guy referenced is my VSO, VFW, here in Las Vegas. Basically it sounds like they think they're a glorified mail service for vets. I've also read that they're paid for every person they get to sign a POA. I'm going to be firing the VFW post haste. From: K9MAL Sent: Monday, February 10, 2014 9:05 AM To: XXX Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Additional Evidence Hi XXX, I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the status of my claim. I had multiple C&P exams completed a while ago and haven't heard anything from anyone. Is XXX supposed to be contacting me giving me any info about what's happening with my claim? I've yet to hear anything from him in over a year so I'm not really sure what a VSO is supposed to do for a veteran. Should I go to the VSO at the main hospital instead? Any info or advice would be appreciated. Thank you, K9MAL K9MAL, No, XXX cannot assist you with the status of your claim. A VSO (Veteran Service Officer) works for you in submitting your claim to VA and makes sure VA follows the laws governing compensation. I also submit your paperwork directly to VA and keep a date stamped copy in case VA loses anything. From what I can see in VA’s computer program, VA has all of the information they need and your claim is in the stack to be completed. I am sorry your claim has taken over a year, however, most claims are taking between 14-18 months. XXX

Same thing for me… Maybe they're working on both of ours at the same time! :) ETA - Just went and checked and now it's working again… Still stuck at pending decision approval.

You should be able to call them and verify what exactly the C&P exams are for. Seriously, just call and ask.

Congrats Devil Dog!

Thanks for your response. Part of my problem was that I was stationed aboard an aircraft carrier and more often than not seen by a corpsman without a lot of experience or authority. A sleep study obviously wasn't possible in the Gulf and the typical answer was that everyone has problems sleeping onboard ship. There is only one written complaint in my SMR and it's a brief statement saying that I have problems sleeping, that's it unfortunately. I used to snore, and still do, like a beast! The guys who slept next to me would often complain but back then I didn't know anything about sleep apnea, we were young, and I just used to laugh it off as being no big deal. Every girlfriend I'd ever had complained as well but my snoring never bothered me, I was asleep. :)

Your entire post was cogent and right on point. These paragraphs really stuck out to me and should be emphasized to all veterans. Thanks for posting!

I received my C&P exam results and had a few questions pertaining to it. Any advice, words of wisdom or recommendations would be appreciated. 1. I left the service in 2001 and had not been diagnosed with sleep apnea until last year. The VA ordered the sleep test, verified that I had OSA and has issued me a CPAP that I use. There is one note in my medical records stating I have problems sleeping, but that's it. I filed for sleep disturbance related to the Persian Gulf due to insomnia, waking up, etc. The doctor's opinion is "The conditioned claimed was less likely than not…" Rationale: The veteran has OSA. Sleep apnea is due to airway closure/blockage during sleep. I am unaware of any Gulf War event/exposure which may cause airway closure/blockage during sleep." The doctor's statement later in the report is as follows: "He states he has problems with sleeping ever since service. He was seen for this in service, states no treatment was given." My question pertains to him stating I was seen in service for the issue. Would this be enough to tie in the OSA to being service related? I know it's a guess and up to the rater but it seems like a positive statement to me or at least some ammunition to fight the battle if it gets shot down. 2. IBS - My private gastro doc stated "more or less constant abdominal stress" on a DBQ but the C&P doc marked "frequent episodes". Which will carry more weight? Does the "tie" go to the veteran in this case? There were several other issues where I feel the C&P doc was trying to minimize the severity like on range of motion measurements. Unfortunately I have to cut this short here but will add more later today. Positive news is ebenefits moved my claim from "gathering of evidence" to "prep for decision" after a year. I know it's not very accurate but it did give me some hope.

I'm currently using the nasal pillows with some success but really can't stand the thing. Is anyone using, or have used, the TAP-3 or something similar? I'm wondering what they're like and if it'd be more comfy than the CPAP face mask, hose, etc.

That looks like a great C&P to me, congrats!

Thank you LC!

Thanks. I've wanted to go in for quite some time but my anxiety about going in has been preventing me. Not sure why I get so worked up about it… Maybe fear of the unknown.

I have several service connected disabilities that give me a lot of pain every day. I deal with migraines (30%), a busted up shoulder (30%) and a bum knee and ankle (both at 10%). I've noticed over time that this constant pain and dealing with it often leaves me in a bad mood and depressed, bummed out, for lack of a better term. I called VA Mental Health and they said to come in next week for some type of indoc screening to see if I would be a candidate for therapy. I've never been to therapy or seen a mental health person so I'm pretty anxious and not sure what to expect. Will there be testing? Just talking? I have no idea what to expect and am worried and stressed about the whole deal. Can anybody offer any direction or advice? Thank you!

Well, what fun is that? LOL!

I used the Hutsky Excel calculator and came up with 95 which rounds to 100.

I may be wrong… But, I'm pretty sure you'll need to get blood work and a colonoscopy for an IBS rating. A gastro doc would have to to the procedure and give his opinion. From my understanding, IBS is diagnosed after all other avenues have been exhausted like Chron's, Colitis, etc.

You're very welcome and I'm really glad I could help!

What a horrible person and very easy to do when the veteran is a faceless stack of paper on their desk. I wish we could confront our raters in person.

You're welcome and please do. I searched and searched for a doc in my area and finally found this.

It's pretty difficult to find an IME doc for most people and I think this'll help, it did for me.

Doing research on finding a good Doc for an IME here in Las Vegas and I came upon the National Directory of Independent Medical Examiners. It looks to be pretty promising and lists doctors by state. It also lists their credentials, experience with IME's, etc. Hope this helps!

Job security. They don't want you to win and go away. Without a long line of needy vets these twits would be out of a job and out on their unproductive asses.

It let me log in and view my current status on C&P claims.

Great post NavyWife. This is the first time I've read about using this strategy. Thanks for the info!

Thank you everyone for the support and the education that Hadit's provided. Stay safe and best of luck in your pursuits! Now… to wait on the big C&P I had...