Whirly Bird

Well, now I'm really confused. I received the official rating decision in the mail this evening, and it mentions absolutely nothing about my PTSD or Sleep Apnea ratings not being considered permanent....There is nothing in the letter that states anything about any future exams. It just states that with my Fibromyalgia increase, that I am now 100% rated. Goes on to say that I can get an ID card to shop on base at the commissary, and that I now have free dental treatment, but absolutely nothing about being permanent or non-permanent.

Thanks all for the congrats and the advice. It's appreciated. I have an appointment with my Psych doc in a couple weeks, I'll see what he thinks about my condition (Static or likely to improve) before I file an NOD. One thing I forgot to mention in my first post is that this claim was an FDC claim. I filed it on March 27th, and it closed on June 24th. Less than 90 days from start to finish. That's pretty damn fast from my experience. I'm wondering if I'd be ahead to file a new FDC claim asking to be made "Permanent", rather than filing a NOD on the original decision. It could be allot quicker than going the NOD process, and since there is no back-pay involved, preserving the earlier effective date really wouldn't matter in my case.....Something to think about.

Hi all. My service officer called me earlier this evening to let me know that I won my claim. My Fibromyalgia was increased from 20% to 40%. I am now rated 100% schedular. The Rater decided not to make it permanent though, and says I will need to be re-evaluated in 5 years for my Sleep Apnea and PTSD ratings.. I don't understand the pending re-evaluation for the sleep apnea, as I've had it for 15 years using CPAP daily, and the PTSD has only gotten worse over time, but it is what it is. I'm really happy to have the extra money, but really needed the champVA and chap 35 education bennies for my wife and kids. What would be your advice on applying for the Permanent rating? Should I wait a while before applying? I think I can get my physc docs to write a letter for me in support of the PTSD being a permanent thing, and the sleep apnea should be a no-brainer,................Just lookin for some advice. SO HAPPY TO FINALLY HAVE THE 100% Rating, wish i didn't need it, but I'm damn happy to have it.

This C&P report would indicate a 70%-100% rating. Also, I would definitely persue getting an earlier effective date at the higher level based on the docs report. Good Luck!

I'm one of the lucky ones. I have vaccine a-1 and vaccine a-2 listed in my med records, along with the PB pills that we were given to counteract the nerve agents. Our flight surgeon entered the data into everyones med records in theater. Glad he did.

Semper Fi WaStvet. It's a waiting game for sure brother, you've done all you can do at this point. The wait usually isn't to aweful long after the C&P is completed. Good Luck to ya.

Damn right you earned it Brother! Hang in there. I hope your claim is settled soon.

Hey Mont, just out of curiosity, Sounds like the doc attributed your IBS to the meds that you take for other conditions. Are the conditons that you take the meds for service connected conditions? If they are, and the meds caused the IBS, then you have a slam dunk secondary service connection claim. You could actually use the notes from this doctors c&p exam as evidence in support of a secondary service connection claim. "Service connection of IBS as secondary to effects of medications taken for other service connected conditions"

Just checked the calculator and also used the VA rating table. I only need one 10% rating, or an increase of 10% to one of my existing conditions in order to hit 95, which will make me 100% schedular..............so close................I have several conditions that were rated 10 plus years ago that have gotten worse over time. Something to think about for sure...

Received the decision today! I was rated 50% for PTSD and 50% for Sleep Disorder. Pretty happy with the outcome. This, along with my previous 70%, puts me at 90% combined, 94% actually........all I need is a slight increase on one of my other disabilities and I can hit the 100% schedular magic number............not gonna think about that at the moment though............just gonna take a deep breath and relax. Thanks guys!

The big brown envelope showed up today! I was rated 50% for the sleep disorder. The decision doesn't state anything about being secondary to PTSD or attributed to the Gulf War presumptives, just says: "Service connection for sleep disorder has been established as directly related to military service. We have assigned a 50% evaluation based on the fact that you require the use of a CPAP machine". Also received 50% for PTSD in the same claim decision. These two 50% ratings, combined with my previous 70% rating, bumps me up to 90%.... 94% actually......so close, yet so far away.................I'll probably file for an increase on some of my other conditions down the road, but for now I'm just gonna take a deep breath and relax for a bit...... Thanks for all the help with this guys, it's appreciated.

I wish ya the best Navy! and if it's any consolation, the c&p exam wasnt near as bad as I thought it was goin to be.

Thnaks Berta and John. I am currently still trying to work from home, but its gettin hareder all the time. At least now Im in a good position to file for TDIU if I do have to quit or get fired. Im anxiuos to see what the rating decision has to say. Should have it in a couple days.

Well, the claim is closed. My new combined rating is 90%. Still don't know how things were rated because the claim included PTSD and sleep disorder. Will have to wait and see how it all shook out after I receive my decision in the mail. I'm guessing I got 50% for PTSD and 50% for Sleep Apnea. That combined with my original 70% rating would equal out to 90%. Gotta love VA math....

Well, the claim is closed. My new combined rating is 90%. Still don't know how things were rated because the claim included PTSD and sleep disorder. Will have to wait and see how it all shook out after I receive my decision in the mail. I'm guessing I got 50% for PTSD and 50% for Sleep Apnea. That combined with my original 70% rating would equal out to 90%. Gotta love VA math....