Slick

Board of Veterans Appeals has a number of cases. See what they say and what was presented as well as what judge said. https://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=bvadecisions. =Search engine. Cases: https://www.va.gov/vetapp21/Files7/21040067.txt https://www.va.gov/vetapp20/Files4/20023529.txt https://www.va.gov/vetapp20/Files1/20000554.txt There are other cases.

I don't feel you need an IMO just yet. After an “incident” my doc sent me to a shrink and sleep apnea test. Came out with PTSD determination and severe sleep apnea. applied for both separately. PTSD approved and sleep apnea disapproved - not enough to make a service connectrion. researched using Board of Naval appeals (great resource) and found 1) hard to prove sleep apnea without extensive med record documentation and 2) easy if apply as “secondary” to PTSD. Appears you qualify for PTSD and also sleep apnea. my recommendation would be file a claim for PTSD and after approved, if that doesn't get you to 100% P&T, then file sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. i got the sleep apnea approval back in record time just saying

Dr Bash has a good success rec ord, however he is expensive. He'll interview you, take notes and do the write up. Impression is he just pulls similar reports from his file (boiler plate) changes the name and some other things to fit your case. I'd just weigh out the cost of his services and what you'd gain in back pay/future $. Even with his cost, I was happy with the outcome.

Going back a number of years I filed for PTSD and OSA. PTSD approvbed. OSA was denied as I didn't have any record in my book abouit being treated for it. After some research in the Board of Veterans Appeals I went with OSA as secondary to PTSD. I thik the VA broke the land speed record in producing a positive decition.

I azlso have a problem with the wording of "it is possible......" Needs to be more definitive as to the substance of the NEXUS letter, specifically as Buck and GB Army stated. Suggest take a look at Board or Appeals https://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.jsp cases and see how the court ruled, what evidence was submitted and what judges said. I'm not saying cut and past, but we (and our NEXUS letter writers) need to speak their language.. Search the sight looking for OSA secondary to PTSD.

Service officers come in different flavors. Some ar real good and some are not. I had one whgo could not ID prtesumptive disabilities for Agent Orange. File and if necessary appeal. Nothing tried, nothing gained. Also check Board of Veterans Appeal for similar appeal cases and how they adjudicated.

Long time my brothers and sisters. Hope is as well as it can be. Question- Anyone file successfully for Benign Hypertensive Kidney Desease and if dissaproved why?? Asking for a RVN Vet. Thanks

sometime ago, I filed both Sleep Apnea and PTSD in one claim. PTSD came back approved and SA disapproved. did some research and filed SA as a separate FDC, secondary to PTSD. No C&P, and it was approved fairly quickly. best of luck to you

Wishing you the best as you work it against the system.

What is of note in the VA announcement is that it specifically istates Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, and including sub-camps and housing areas. Previously announcement only talked to Camp Lejeune. Now specifically includes more than Lejeune. Good news for Air Wingers like me

comes down to what you plan on having to use it for as well as "concealed" mean concealed. Climate (what you tend to wear) also plays into it. What GLW says- 380 Bodyguard, built in laser and I carry with a 10 round mag loaded with Hollow points. Fits in my pocket although mag is longer than back to front sites Doesn't FL have some crazy rule if carrying, it can't be open carry or stand by to get stopped and checked?

From my determination

As Buck said: Truly hope you get the answers you're looking for from "your" group as it surely appears the HADIT folks can't help- especially without a full background.

when you talk to Dr. Bash I would expect among other things he'll give you the cost for his services as well as the long term financial gain if successful. Not to be unexpected as that should be part of his review of the particulars of your situation and likelihood of success. Question to ask is if result is not getting you to 100% (95%+) what is cost to continue. Your decision when cost considered against probability of success. I used him to get to 94.7 and then a second time to get over that magic 95% number. With my results no way I can say unhappy with him. Any downside is for a period it seemed he was over loaded and then prioritized some individuals based on time constraints to file. Result was putting others on hold which appears to not have gone over well. Believe he has it under control now.

it's a positive comment in support of claim. 50% or greater probability- negative option would have been "not likely." As you're already at 100% would like to hear if the VA goes back and reviews all other SC disabilities.

"Are you precluded from using the VMC because of Tri-Care?" In answer to that if qualified you can use either VMC (for SC), Tricare for life or Medicare or a combination of all three. I have a VA primary doc and a civilian doc who takes medicare and Tricare. I use both and get my meds from both. CPAP supplies and hearing aids I get from VA. Prescription drugs I split between the two- don't double dip, just get some from one and the rest from the other. As far as med records go I have not auth them to share, but each knows what total meds I'm on are. apologize for the long answer

Gents, my recommendation is don't get hung up on e-benny status- will drive you crazy as most times there's no rhyme or reason. Plenty of post on HADIT that touch on that subject and majority recommend what I just said. In addition this time of year doesn't help- holidays = vacation/time off. Calling the 800 number is a "feel good" fix most of the time- if you get thru the rep on the other end will probably just tell you what you already see as far as status goes. Lastly, Keep the faith

A1C tests were current. Historically pre-diabetic- continual results just below 6.0. Doc finally decided on MEDs. after that, as I said went in for unrelated C&P and was surprisingly asked about diabetes- response was "1) AIC pre-diabetic (had A1C results) 2) on METFORMIN and 3) discussed "restrictive diet. Nothing more than that was asked/replied to and VA came back with the 20%

Route I had to go was claim diabetes for high A1C. as expected that didn't fly On a follow on C&P, for a totally unrelated issue Doc asked me about Diabetes- told him I was on Metformin and a restricted diet (at primary care Doc's recommendation.) No salt, bread, etc. He did his thing and VA came back and approved at SC 20%

here's what I got from VA Nurse when I asked why

sent a note to my doc/nurse asking why. I did have it done as something else may show. Drugs- clonazepam and tramadol. I do feel fortunate with my PMP and his nurse as they are responsive to my messaging and appts aren't hard to get at Wilmington except optometry Keep well my brothers and those still in the fight, keep fighting

posted elsewhere without receiving any comments. anyone have a response/comment?

My uneducated guess is you have to initiate- at a minimum you'll know it's been started. If claimed and denied it may be looked at again in the future and granted without you doing anything. At least that's what happened to me. At a C & P for something unrelated Doc asked me about diabetes and when exam results were processed diabetes was granted due to restricted diet and meds- no insulin

May not be the right forum, but: Received a letter today "inviting" me in for a urine drug screen. Specifically stated: "It is time for you to come in for a required urine drug screen test." 1st time had to do this. New policy or do they know something I don't?