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ArNG11
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Posts posted by ArNG11
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17 hours ago, pete992 said:
It's not impossible a veteran must find a condition that a doctor can say that it is as least likely as not that sleep apneas is the cause of the condition/disability or the condition/disability is the result of sleep apnea. Examples are migraine headaches, sinus problems, spinal injuries in the upper back, acid reflux, PTSD and any other condition a veteran can find. Keep in mind that sleep apnea is a respiratory condition and the disability must affect your air way.
I have claimed a combination of these and was still denied on appeal. The nexus was provided by Dr. Ellis between GERD which is service connected and sleep apnea which is not. Dr. Ellis used medical rationale and service medical records but the regional office still denied the connection.
From seasoned VA claimants I have come to similar conclusions that have been pointed out to me over time, the regional office is just not going to approve a sleep apnea claim without a fight. I'm stubborn so I will keep trucking, however, I'm not sure how it will end. Although I am fairly confident that when I leave the regional office arena and get into the BVA circus arena my chances will go up some. At least those are my thoughts, however, who knows. Either way this claim is not going to be won without a fight.
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17 hours ago, pete992 said:
It's not impossible a veteran must find a condition that a doctor can say that it is as least likely as not that sleep apneas is the cause of the condition/disability or the condition/disability is the result of sleep apnea. Examples are migraine headaches, sinus problems, spinal injuries in the upper back, acid reflux, PTSD and any other condition a veteran can find. Keep in mind that sleep apnea is a respiratory condition and the disability must affect your air way.
Andy I wish you the best.
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Silent Uproar i understand your predicaments as I was in a similar situation myself as a federal employee. Not that I'm advocating that you do the same as I and retire through disability retirement. I just got to the point where I was going to hurt people, fortunately it was an inanimate object that I took my anger out on but I very well was imagining it was my supervisors face. When I got to that point, it was in my best interest to leave. I hated that fact, however, in my situation it was the best decision I made. You have to decide what is best for you. I may sound like a douche, however, really you have to weigh the situation very carefully. You've worked hard and have done your service, no reason to ruin what has been an important part of who you are. There is no shame in that.
You will not do your family any good if you get fired and incarcerated. Let alone the guilt you would feel because you lost your temper and took it out on a fellow employee. Trust me you don't want that. Consider these statements.
If you decide to stick it through then great. I respect that decision. I suggest you find a treatment plan, and a hobby to relieve the tension and aggression. I flew my small drones during some breaks and lunch when I was working. I buried myself in my work and what I could do physically. Those actions worked for quite a while.
Heh if you have the support of your leadership and co-workers then keep at it. Just be mindful. If anything, please be mindful. I hope you find something that will work for you and you find the answers you are looking for. Good luck.
- Andyman73, flores97 and TALON II FE
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I'm sure under the right circumstances, however, it has to be a doctor that states the conclusion is such, using correct medical rational and utlizing a persons service medical records.
You must have those items to have a chance at service connection, and even then it is difficult, not impossible though, with the proper nexus and medical evidence. Clear as mud?
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29 minutes ago, Buck52 said:
silver
Be sure to keep it clean, I soak my mask and hose in some shampoo hot water for couple hours and then rinse out about 3 times and hang up and let dry..I do this 3 times a week & wipe off the mouth piece with some fresh scent sanitized hypoallgenic & alcohol free flushable wipes right before bed.
clean your water reservoir daily....don't use abrasive soaps rinse out with hot water and tab dry or let dry alone and wipe off with clean towel.
Its important to keep your mouth mask & hose clean....either one you choose.
jmo
......................Buck
I would add a couple of more things to what Buck as suggested. The use of distilled water will make a marked difference in build up of minerals and thus keeping the machine working properly. Also using distilled water is relatively cheap and will add countless longevity to the machines lifespan. Be sure to clean your hoses and frequently change the filters as directed. The machine is literally a life saver. JMO
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On April 22, 2016 at 4:49 AM, Andyman73 said:
I do wonder if my MDD and hypertension would also tie into SA, for SC? I will have to make sure I cover every medical issue when I go see my SA specialist in a few weeks.
These are both logical and medically sound conditions that can lead and/or make sleep apnea worse. Just make sure the doc uses the correct medical rationale to connect the issue.
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I would agree. If it is needed then you'd be foolish not to use one whether or not VA comp connects the disease to service or not. Heck these folks unto recent provided parts and filters yet C&P docs state I don't have symptoms or use a machine, and to minimize another service connected issue state I do. It is really just BS how they get away with this particular item.
Gastone, I will agree with you on the how the VA looks at IMO's and IME's for this condition. Yet even if you have the evidence and proof of symptoms, while in service and post service, they will do everything and anything to not service connect the condition. At least there for a while I got filters, hoses, and water tanks supplied by the VA, even if they don't connect the condition to service, the supplies were a nice tidbit. With most of my serious conditions, the VA dismiss evidence from docs, specialists, IMEs, IMOs, even from their own docs when it suits them. Same old game unfortunately.
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3 hours ago, Andyman73 said:
Thank you, but the one that looks down on me is the one that stares back at me in the mirror(and he never has anything nice to say either).
Every where I go, he's there to make sure I don't ever think better of myself, or that I'm as good as any other, either.Hang in there Andy, that guy in the mirror is always the hardest critic and most times denies you credit when credit is due.
- flores97, Andyman73 and TexasMarine
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Having a hard time of late but I felt compelled to respond to this thread. I agree with all the above. I felt the same way as I only dealt with the enemy while they were behind a cage, however, in situations like these, issues arise, and have an impairment on your life. Your experiences are no different and well qualify to have had and have an effect on you, just as if you were on the front line in the s@$!
I don't consider myself in the same league as folks that were on the ground during the first invasions and incursions before then in theater, but being in heightened awareness, the fear of hostile activity, alarms, gun fire, rocket/mortar sounds ect, these things have the same effect in the long term, no matter how hard you try to forget and dismiss. No matter how hard you try!
Don't beat yourself up about it, it is what it is, the important thing, is to deal with the issue, seek medical care, and heal. I'm not the best example, however, if anything, I have learned at least that.
If a wrench thrower like me can beat the VA at their own game, you folks can as well. Evidence, is what wins. Remember that! No matter how much the VA ignores evidence or at least tries to. Evidence will win, just gotta slap an IME here, an IMO there, and their own verified records.
A Purple Heart and the rater still ignored the obvious. Fight my friend, you have the weapons to do so and you can win. YOU WILL WIN!
Good Luck Black.
- flores97 and TALON II FE
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You intrigue me sir. Possibilities though.
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Also with it being reflective you should wear sun screen Andy.
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5 minutes ago, flores97 said:
ArNG11, thank you, I am toughing it out! I'm not worried about myself as much as what would happen to my mother and kids that depend on me.
Don't talk like that, (write) but thinking about your family is admirable and I respect that. Hang in there! see things through, and most importantly a speedy recovery to you.
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4 hours ago, Andyman73 said:
ArNG11,
I have no intention not keeping up with my treatments, considering the alternate reality being reduced health and/or death.
Slow=smooth=fast sure feels like even the glaciers are leaving me in the dust.
I hear you Andy, the process is much slower than we would like it to be. Persistence and followthrough I believe are important, but I
admit even as fortunate as I have been with my claims, time weighs heavily on me, and it has done more damage than I care to acknowledge.
Meaning no dis-respect, perhaps riding on top of the glaciers might give you the momentum to get to reach your goal faster?
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Andy yes it is a good thing. First, regardless of the claim situation, you have to take care of your health issues. Your odds of success increase greatly if your health issues are being addressed and treated. That in itself will help immensely, for the simple reason that you are healthier to fight, mentally ready to properly reason and defend your claims. An important fact, you will be better for and around your family. At times you get focused too much on the fight and what really is important is blurred and clouded. Speaking for myself, I've learned these facts the hard way.
You keep going Andy, "slow is smooth...smooth is fast"
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2 minutes ago, Andyman73 said:
Thanks, me too. I do hope that what ever they determine will be useful for my claims.
That and that you get your health issues acknowledged and treated properly. You take care Andy, things will come together, stay in the fight, we are all there with you bud.
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Are you still in currently? Where are you in the separation/medical retirement process? If he will not help you find another doc ( I would report him to the chain of command/ Inspector General or similar) Find another doctor who will actually perform his job. There are ways to combat his attitude. I would very much care about the 20 years you have in don't give that up you have worked hard for that.
If you can't find a doc, then I would seek to try to get and Independent Medical Examination and/or Independent Medical Opinion. If your just needing an opinion on your back that can be done. From above it doesn't sound like you just have one condition but you need to start getting records together, getting evidence to support the degree of disabilities. Figure out your game plan.
With benefits I do see your point, however, don't throw away your good service. There are options there but I can understand your position. Find a way to gather funds to get an independent medical opinion and/or exam if you have no luck with the doctors there. You gave up your golf fees I imagine you can find a way to budget for and IME/IMO exam or opinion. Use your funds from your approve claim to facilitate that. Find a way. I mean try to find the most cost effective way to get that opinion/exam but this will help you in your pursuits, try another doc, but if needed find a way to get and IME/IMO. I would very much care about the 20 years you have in don't give that up you have worked hard for that.
This is just my take from your post. Just my opinion as well.
Also this post if fairly old, I would make a new post to get some opinions out there. More eyes will see your post if you start a new one. These are just suggestions but hang in there, more people will chime in.
Good luck.
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On April 15, 2016 at 4:37 AM, Andyman73 said:
Is that some type of retro dance craze with leisure suits? Will John Travolta be making an appearance?
It's where they pressurize your disk to narrow down the pain source, but I like your description better. ?
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They can do anastetic disco gram. My private provider performed it on my c6c7 spots. It was used to narrow down the pain source once upon a time.
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Yes that is how it is going to be. I am not going to advise on the latter, I did it differently and it worked in my situation.
You are not a doctor so when the VA asks which disability un-ables you to work, don't narrow the playing field. I would state that all your ailments, injuries, conditions, that are service connected would impede your ability to work. From the above, just my take on this, it appears that the service connected PTSD is the problem or rather causing trouble with your employment. However, like most, the combination of illness and/or injuries will affect employment. Concentrate on the service connected issues.
When the fit hit the shan, I opted to state that all my service connected ailments affected my work. In essence, in my case, that is a fact, however, I do have the evidence to substantiate my claim. Be careful with that. A medical expert such as a long standing doc you've been in treatment with, a vocational expert, those folks opinions would be of great value.
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1 minute ago, flores97 said:
Wablackwell, I will read the letter as soon as I can get on my computer, im on my smartphone now and it wont let ne open the document. It is outstanding that he wrote you a letter, as long as it details that you are having difficulties coping with ptsd, and that you WILL be losing your job and have been on restricted duties for the past year, there is absolutely no reason to wait. You have already PROVEN that you are being terminated. That will give your claim the same amount of credence, or more, than already being terminated, because your employer wrote you a letter stating why you are being let go. I will get on my computer tonight(when my nine year old son is dragged away from it for bed), and review the letter first thing. But essentially, you will probably be let go before your claim is complete, also you will have provided proof that you ARE being let go. Thats why you should file right away, sothat you do not (hopefully) have a long gap between working and getting benefits.
Agreed
- wablackwell and flores97
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Denied Sleep Apnea Claim
in Appealing Your Veterans Compensation Disability Claims NOD, DRO, BVA, USCAVC
Posted
Buck yes true the VA is supposed to, however, how often does that happen? Only when the VA is forced to do they act.
I imagine if the condition wasn't so common and didn't rate at a 50% rating with Cpap use, I think it might be approved as common of a disability as tinnitus.
Sorry I am being a little facetious . However, am I really that far off the mark? JMO