ArNG11

Heh bud Im not necessary and expert, however, if you can follow the formula and requirements for service connection, such as symptoms in service, symptoms after service, and a medical opinion linking the two with the doc stating that he has reviewed your service medical records and the opinion of at least as likely as then you have some ground to stand on. There is medical literature throughout the internet, medical studies, that correlate sleep apnea with a few things. PTSD and GERD are some examples. The ticket and most important thing is that you have a doc, and/or specialist that relates apnea to service using sound medical rationale. Look up references with the American Heart Association, Pulmo specialist monthly, ect.,and there is tons of articles that you can reference. SMR's and the medical nexus are your strongest points. Oh doctors journals and a great resource, and last and certainly not least BVA and CAVC cases. It is a lot of research but well worth the time. JMO hope this helps.

that sound like a re-entry code but I'm not positive, usually its a 3 letter code, might answer some questions >

Tribbles do reproduce faster than rabbits. But the borg won't assimilate if we are as damaged as we are. I guess that is a positive,...may be,, I don't know. That makes more sense to me than the damn VA comp process.

Gastone, thanks for the input. I actually have a medical opinion from Ellis. What I am waiting on is I need to know what the BVA is going to do with that medical opinion. It became obvious to me from my last DRO that Muskogee wasn't going to grant it. This is the reason I was insanely angry with my former law dog, I don't want to deal with the regional office any longer. I know how they stand on my issues and they are going to ignore the opinions and probative evidence. The Muskogee office does not believe in Burger Kings philosophy of "having it your way " I have to wait and see what the BVA will decide. Statistically speaking the odds are not abundantly in my favor. Your advice is sound. I have another opinion in the chamber for when the time comes. I will use it then. The fact is I disagree with having a private doc use a DBQ if the elements and answer of a disease or condition have already been discussed and addressed elsewhere. Did I mention how much I dislike those forms. I'm not the only one but boy do I understand what folks have been stating for a long time. System designed for denial. Any ways I should probably take a happy pill and have some Chai tea. Getting a little excited for my own good.

Andy trekie fan are we? Your biggest fear, nah that would be pretty scary. Take it easy Andy.

It boggles my mind daily. Not that these people do these things, unfortunately, human nature does have its flaws, however, not the fact that people continually do things like this, but that "we", society say, allow these things to continue to happen without repercussion. Why? ? Plain as day solutions come to mind, however, barbaric and unethical for most people. Rrrrrrr.

Gastone I agree, this is the argument that I have been trying to use with the VA in my claim for sleep apnea. I had symptoms of the disease/condition within the year after active duty 09 specifically as this is when I had my first split night sleep study. Actually symptoms I had them in country, but who the heck would go to sick call for that, but no matter. These are symptoms of sleep apnea. Enough symptoms that a private doctor ordered the sleep study for me in no time flat. At the time I had apnea tic episodes but not enough to warrant a CPAP. Two and half years later still having symptoms of apnea, got a two full night studies in and voila sleep apnea confirmed and have been using the machine since then. The problem I think with myself and others is that overlapping symptoms from other diseases such as hypothyroidism, GERD, fatigue, concentration problems,PTSD, MDD, IBS,ICS, any mental disorder/disease, falling asleep behind the wheel, can be attributed to many a conditions and medications. That is the VA's ticket out of connecting a claim for sleep apnea. Attribute the symptoms to a disease other than SA or use absence of evidence as a counter, no in service medical records or complaints to substantiate a connection to service. We all, or most all know SA is a big ticket item, there seems to a deliberate push from the VA to eradicate it out of the ratings schedule you think? I don't mean to be repetitive just this really gets under my skin. JMO

At least you are getting your records which is the main issue. Wow Department of Justice. Sweet. Rang someones bell, I hope you get the information you need. Congrats.

Chuck I don't think that choice was by mere chance. I had a similar situation when I was getting out of the guard, long story there. However, the jest of it was while in the process of being Med Boarded out due to mental issues, I see why they just separated me and let my contract expire. It's odd in the sense that I wasn't a full timer, I was just an activated guard member that had injuries and conditions during an active period of enlistment. The more I think about the situation the more this action makes sense, Avoid treatment costs and any culpability, avoid paying a pensions seems to make more sense. Hope the member doesn't file for disability and if he or she does, delay as long as possible and hope the Veteran is none the wiser. Am I way off in left field? Or does this situation seem peculiar? Of course I will concede to being somewhat paranoid, not very much, may be a lot, non withstanding, a rational mind can't avoid coming to similar conclusions based on evidence and actions of the agencies involved. Mark if I may not to add to your grief and problem, but have you ever been curious to crunch the numbers? I would think there would be some recourse that could be taken. More importantly can it be retroactively be changed. Hmm.

Thanks coastie. Oddly I'm still waiting on the decision packet. Still haven't received the darn thing. Oh well. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. At least that is what I keep thinking in my head.

That's interesting, an island, wow. My apologies for rambling. Meds got the best of me this evening. It sounds like you have plenty of inservice symptoms and records of those symptoms. I think that is the key part of your claim. Besides having symptoms now and ongoing treatment you have Continuity of care. You are not a doctor so you can't self diagnose, however, you can attest to symptoms and the severity of your symptoms. With your records confirming these facts you will be in better shape. At this point I believe Bronco hit your defense pretty much on the head. Don't narrow yourself to a specific mental diagnosis, leave it as general as you can, a mental health condition. Also getting the medical nexus to tie your problems in service and the relationship to your problems now should help. Talon is also correct the VA will rate it off the symptoms. That will be your bread and butter. In my case the VA changed the diagnosis, however, it is the symptoms, severity of symptoms, and continuity of care that makes the difference. Hope I made sense and at least made it clearer than mud. JMO

The Mrs has recommended that I do the same, funny... i quit the VA's pills as well, in some ways it has helped. More expensive now, however much better treatment. Give and take are the rules unfortunately.

This sounds so familiar. Scary even. I had a bud who did the same. Wow. sounds unreal. This wasn't in the 45th INF? I mean he wasn't from the 45th INF? Sad but true. Get help Hemipepsi5p., this can be managed and the highs and lows can be brought under control. "Hablas espanol amigo?"

At least he got caught, yes, would have been better had he been caught before so many deaths, however, at least he won't be hurting anyone else for a while.

Congrats Derick911. Take it easy and good health to you.

rpowell01 I agree but it can help just not by itself. A multi discipline approach under the care of a non biased specialist would be the best route. Also if the VA infrastructure was just leave you alone and quit trying to bury you would help immensely. Either help or leave me alone so I can get proper care and support. I'm beating a dead horse here, this is nothing new and sadly with the VA it is a fight we will always have.

You are not rambling my friend. This cat will listen to what you have to state. You hang in there and fight it to the end, others will follow and do the same, I promise you that I will. Look at Motley and Rice, they are a firm that are a part of the Class action lawsuit against KBR, there was a Rule 56 motion granted at the Balad Location, the other sites are to follow. (15 from my count) You do what you must to have closure. You fight till you can't fight no more. I promise you here and now that I will do the same till my last breath you can be assured. That's all I am going to write about that.

Heh keep an ear out for the Circuit of Appeals case against KBR. It is starting to get really interesting. Would be worth your time to take a look.

My predominant exposure was being a Tank Rat on KC 135's as a civilian at Tinker for almost 10 years. (9 years and some months)

I wouldn't presume that. I haven't kept contact with any one from my unit during that deployment, however, statistically I doubt the number of folks that came down with issues is low. Particularly the folks that were working the pits everyday for months at a time. Thanks ahead of time. PM me if you don't mind.

Sweet, I would like the information very much. I have a multi-faceted claim with DOL and I would like the insight you can provide. My claim is directly pointed towards my time as a DOD fuels mechanic for the Air Force. 10 years total with most of that except 3 years in the tanks of KC 135's. White cotton cover-alls is all we had, gortex was not allowed due to the static discharge potential. Not my reasoning as I know better now and partly then, I would also document the LEL levels before anyone in the building entered the tanks myself included. I landed in the hospital for 8 days in 2014 and caught it early enough, believe it or not, my wife nagging and a phone call from my private doc that I needed to go to the ER STAT is an understatement. I was lucky. Fit hit the shan and it was a wake up call. My other exposure route is the burn pits from Bucca, Iraq. That was only 10 months or so but I did have a few days of details burning everything and using jet fuel as an accelerant. The rest was secondary exposure from the smoke and fumes around the post. Of course the issue I am having is getting a medical professional to help with this type of claim. Heck even the ER doc who diagnosed me knew what it was and asked specifically about my burn pit exposure. To this day makes me wonder what they knew and when. In any case sorry didn't mean to ramble. Would love to take a look at your findings and resources. Thanks.

P.S. It's not just the VA that will fight you on this. According to Occ. Health docs benzene, jp4 and the like don't cause the health issues you and I have. My base out right denies I ever worked the stuff. Kid you not. Im sure you have plenty of studies and material but I will share what I have found.

I gather that. More than just being on a base that had burn pits. I've had my share of details in the pits. More of curiosity as I have not met folks that have been successful. I mean I read about them both in VA and Fed Workers Comp Cases but not a person who has had luck with a nexus or a claim for that matter. Either way I wish you the best of luck and wish you success. Just my opinion, you might consider staying on record during the DRO, this will go up higher than the local level, just keep that in mind. Either way good hunting and good luck. P.S. Other than AIC blood markers what DNA sequences have been altered if I may ask? Or can you direct me to such information?

Wow asknod, I fear the VA may eventually get tired and say hey it's this guy again, don't mess with him. Then again maybe not. The VA is a creature of habit so keep the *****slaps a coming. Eventually they might learn.