Qhones

Recently received NoD SC increase from 80% to 90% wherein my notice stated it was effective on: specific dates were listed beginning with March 2011, May 2011 and June 2011 for each increase. My claim which began with DAV March last year was originally submitted for Asthma & Sleep Apnea secondary to multiple anterior cervical spine surgery with fusion and hardware the first of which ocurred on active duty and was originally granted 20% SC. March 2011 underwent a second diskectomy due to complete lowering of vertabrae at the next level above, (which had been treated as a bulging disk at the time of first diskectomy). My appeal was submitted April 2011, however unbeknownst to me actual wording was changed and specifically the Asthma and Sleep Apnea were treated as initial claims without documentation of in service record. They, of course were denied as service connection was never established. The following items were adressed: Increase of rating of 20% for ACSS with radiculapathy and spondylosis C-6/7 to 30%. Increase of rating of 10% for sinusitus to 30%. Increase of rating for bi lateral CPS from 20% to 30%. Request for Sleep Apnea was denied due to no in-service documentation. Request for Asthma was denied due to lack of in-service documentaion. Increase of rating of 30% for Ischemic Heart disease denied due to no history demonstrating increased METs. The bottom line is: Service connected compensation was increased from 80% to 90% monthly payment to increase effective 01 June 2012. Retro payment was mentione and three dates adressed were March, May & June 2011, the statement indicated that due to CRSC/CDRP payment system my pay record would have to be reviewed by DFAS in order to establish eligibilty for retro payment. According to what I read I'm already receiving full amount of both SC and retired pay (have been for 2 years) the correct percentage I believe indicates 96% of entitlement. I've been on the retirement rolls since October 2003, started the concurrent receipts percentage buy in almost immediately in early 2004. Anyone know if indeed I'd lose this retro payment due to CRSC/CDRP?

Apology for being 5 days out of pocket... I'm hoping to get some consultation from ENT & Pulmanary Specialist to support either Sleep Apnea or the Asthma as secondary to the now multiple Anterior Cervical Spine Surgeries (ACSS) with fuson and plates at C5-C6-C7. I've not understood why I was never troubled by Asthma or Sleep Apnea prior to the ACSS. Since the first one I've suffered multiple episodes of severe upper respiratory distress ultimately diagnosed as "Asthma". Some people connect the dots to the "Seasonal Rhinitus" throughout my 27 year career as being a mis-diagnosis. How in the world does a pulmunary Specialist write that up? I have a noticeable voice change since the last C-spine surgery (April 2011) and now suffer choking episodes without provocation (especially when relaxed like snoozing in my lazy boy or taking a nap while my bride takes the wheel on a road trip). The term Dyspahgia has been batted around... Dunno, things that make me go HMMmmmmmmmm. Waiting for the last Thursday of the month for my DAV chapter here.

I was notified of 70% rating (Nov 2003) Sinusitus Tinnitus Carpal Tunnel left Carpal Tunnel right (surgically released) ACSS with fusion @ C-6/7 Carcinoma of Bladder Surgically removed Special comp. "K" Among multiple other stupid things the VA decides to give us credit for...the combined total when added up was 140% Somewhere around April 2004 I was instructed to report to a medical center here in the city for Heart specialist. Did all that and Doctor there (discreetly) pointed out and allowed me to see results of his findings "Ischemic Heart disease" was the final diagnosis. I later took all my EKO cardio graphs fronm Navy Physical exams to heart specialist (civ) who actually found the indicators on last 3 physical exams of active duty (never discovered or pointed out by Navy medical). July 2004 I was notified of the findings by VA and my compensation was increased to 80%. March of 2006 the VA sent instructions for me to go for sleep study (out of the blue) I went, was told I was severe case, (The clinic staff wouldn't even considor allowing me to finish the night out in their clinic, sent me home @0200 hrs.) Suffered MCI Veterans day weekend 2006, while at Fort Sill to participate in flag ceremonies, SFC on duty at North I-44 gate there at Fort Sill saved my life. April 2007 VA sent letter confirming Sleep Apnea and invited me to come in for consultation and issue of CPAP. Oct -2007 thru Jan-2008 experienced 7 severe upper respiratory distresss episodes ER rooms here in the City. Finally was able to be referred (TRICARE PRIME & AF PCM) to Pulmunary Specialist who ultimately diagnosed Asthma. VA has just denied my claim for Asthma (Not service connected) Also denied Sleep Apnea as (Not service connected) I never presented with either symptom until after Cervical spine surgery (extreme invasion of the throat and upper airway)