ArNG11

Jerry this is a fairly old thread. Post a new topic, so that more eyes can see your questions.

Mine is a combination of a few however, basically I have 3.5 years Active Duty Air Force, 10 years Army Guard service,10 years FERS, and roughly 1.5 years active Army Guard. For medical retirement under FERS no, you do have to have 5 years good service, having 10 under your belt you are more than fine. We are actually in the same boat with our FERS service, you will have an easier time than I did being 55. (no offense on age my friend) There are few things that can complicate the process, such as maybe having a TSP loan that is unpaid, relatively the whole thing is not that terrible as long as you are given and have the correct information. The TSP loan thing, just has to be paid before you can withdraw it, however, there a ways to help with that such as rolling it over into a different type of retirement account if need be. I didn't have that in my case, Workers Comp stuff was involved, that complicated things some more. I can give you what info you need from what I know and experienced, just PM me. SSD will come into play as well, but all you need for that is just to have an application in, doesn't have to be approved or decided, just have to show you applied. If you submit while working it is an automatic denial for SSD, and with that you can go on with the FERS retirement process.

Thats good to know, as the information is like pulling teeth from people. I'm not on SSDI right now. I just received my denial letter from SS stating that they do not consider me disabled. I have not given them the last VA decisions as the Evidence Intake Center is who takes care of the FOIA requests.

Congrats as well, been missing the posts with good news. I need to read more carefully. In any case still again congrats. Best wishes.

I am kind of in the same boat. I'm only 41 and I retired medically from my FERS DOD job. There are some catches and pitfalls between the OPM side and SS side. Your VA benefits can't be used against you in a sense. I know depending on the order of approval it gets really confusing. Personally I am in agreement. A person should be able to double dip. Everyone who was employed by military, government, or civilian system pays in. On the military side and on SS side. If you put in to both, then why cant you received both benefits, you worked for the benefits, so they are your benefits. If you have enough work credits then there shouldn't be any issues and whether you are receiving other benefits from other government entities is irrelevant. I received 90% TD IU back to last August of 2015. That is the month that I stopped working and was approved for federal retirement. I applied for SSD because it was required as part of the process to retire under OPM/FERS. From what I have read and understand your FERS retirement is reduced by 100% of any SS benefits you received during the first year, after the first year only 60% of your FERS is reduced if receiving and you get approved for SSD. It is a booger any which way you go about explaining this process and a booger and a half to get through all the red tape. Some have made it through the process the first and second go. Myself this is the fourth time denied by SSD. Although the VA and FERS concurs with my status SSD does not. Different laws and different regulations make the process extremely difficult to say the least.

Steve, I agree with Pete on this one as my situation was similar in some respects. I tried hanging in there until the last with my profession and well I should have stopped when the MDs first stated I should. That was back in 2013, I didn't retire until 2015. I understand. Pete is correct with the IU/TDIU statement. Until you are not working, you will not receive what you are seeking. My effective date for IU was the day I retired, when it was all said and done, the VA used that date as start of unemployability and rated accordingly. The VA should have included the 21-8940. When I hit 70% that form was included in my decision packet, however, you may not have been given the form with your paperwork. In my claim when I hit 80% & 90%, the form was included. All situations are unique though. Good luck and best wishes.

Im with others on the above, service connection is the goal here, you can appeal the rest as necessary with the evidence you have if need be. Service connection would be a no brainer here but the VA is what it is. Your evidence and nexus are your bread and butter and it looks like you have that. At least that is what I can ascertain. Heh although most on here are here to help, try to block out personal identifiable information just for your privacy and security. Hang in there friend, stay in treatment, keep taking meds as prescribed, things will get better, you will see. Good luck and take care.

Congrats on the win. Best wishes to you and your family.

Thanks Bronco, Buck, and everyone else. You folks are right, one less worry, and one heck of large pressure off on my chest.

I would quote the letter but the essence was " congratulations, the disability division has reviewed your application and your application has been approved." The letter describes the process and gives a couple of warnings and reminders about the tax implications. The forgiven debt will count as income and suggests to talk to a tax professional about the implications. The fact that I stayed in contact with my lender and informed them on my status was a great help I believe. When you qualify for this benefit, by all means take advantage of the opportunity.

The process is different in some aspects for different lenders, however, below is how my process was done. Once I received the IU rating, I got that together with my federal retirement (medically retired) and sent the permanent rating on my hands to my lender. discussed my status. Once I notified the lender, Nelnet in my case, they suspended my payments, I was paying until recently. The process started and if I am correct took about 90 days total. I had two communications from the lender in the interim. Once to acknowledge they received the Loan forgiveness application and the other was to inform me that they had received all the necessary information. Of course the last was the notification of discharge. The letter stated it could take some to time to process but all should be completed within 120 days.

Thanks Tex.

I just wanted to post this as I think it counts as some good news. I received a letter from my lender stating that my student loans have been forgiven. I should receive a discharge statement here within 4 to 6 weeks. Although I received a letter from SS on my denial for qualifying for benefits, this student loan news has put a smile on my face. Onward and forward I shall go.

Using distilled water and following the cleaning instructions for the most part should keep it working top notch. The filter is very important. I have tried the washable filters with one company but it did not fair as well as the regular whitish ones. I take my nose piece apart an even get between the second layer pillow. The water tank has a detachable plastic layer that helps when cleaning. One thing I will give credit to the VAMC when they were proving parts they did send me quality expendables.

yes! Pete I agree completely.

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

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.

Andy I wish you the best.

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.

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?

Interesting ideas on service connection for the Apnea. Both secondary and primary service connection. The key is having a doctor and or specialist state at least as like as due to or worsened by a service connected issue and the necessary statements to make the link.

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

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.

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.

Hang in there Andy, that guy in the mirror is always the hardest critic and most times denies you credit when credit is due.