ArNG11

Heh thats grand. Get the treatment you need and deserve. I just wish it would a positive experience for all. If there was a few things I learned in the service it is uniformity. The VA needs reminded of that. Shouldn't be hit and miss. Curious, if you don't mind me asking, what process did you use to get your treatment going? Was it just a referral from the VA PCP or did MHC get it pushed?

Thats a little different. As long as you have a verifiable stressor and treatment records they can try to refute it but they can't change facts. There are reasons why you get hazard duty pay and hostile fire pay. I was in Bucca, Iraq for a while, and although it was not daily, we got hit with mortars and rockets a few times. Pucker factor was there several times I can assure you. I neither got the CAB or anything. In any case that is irrelevant. The point being look at your DD214 you should have some annotations there. Also look up some of the news articles from the time frames you were there. If you guys had any type of action, logs and articles in the papers can be of a big help. Better yet your Unit should still have logs. I don't recall the suspense dates for accessing them but they can be found. This may be a little premature but do you have any of the records, specifically medical treatment records, oh and did you go through the process of a med board. Sorry maybe giving you too much. As long as you are getting treatment on the private or VA side and keep continuity going you should be on the safe side.

Heh this helps as well. With the Mobiprep, that is usually what they give, it goes down better if you go with a gatorade flavor that is not your favorite. It makes it easier to take down. I AGREE and ADVISE the same as Hamslice, stay immediately close to the bathroom and get the softest TP you can find. Your rear will appreciate that. Damn I hate the prep for those Colonoscopies.

Oh almost forgot the alternating of heat, ice and the alternating of TENS and IF on a TENS unit is good as well.

Hey I don't know if this will help anyone. At least for me, the combo of Oxycotton and now Butrans is ok sort of. It is still too early to tell. For me I switch every few days on the muscle relaxer. I take methocarbomol for a week or two, then I will switch it to Skelaxin, then to Demerol, then Norco. I will say talk to your doc though. A person has to be careful with the way some medications interact with each other. There is one catch on this besides the long term effect on your liver and kidneys, some of these bad boys, especially the heavier meds for break through pain, kind of stop you up. This sounds crazy but I'd rather deal with the chronic diarrhea than the alternative, being plugged up. Fiber and laxatives is supposed to help, yogurt, bananas, and liquid breakfast helps me. Anyways back to the original topic of this post, For me chiropractic care, acupuncture and the tens unit in one day has helped many times with the radicular pain. Stretching and staying active by walking helps. An alternate treatment I utilize is ice packs and later on in the evening heating pads. It does not make it go away completely all of the time but it does help. When I was in physical therapy the leg massages actually helped quite a bit. The treatment hurt however did give some relief for longer periods. It is weird though, having pain go down the legs but have areas that are numb and tingling. Then alternate to the sharp pain and burning. Crazy ride to say the least. JME

The so called go lightly. I would agree though you are absolutely correct. Even if they do not find anything, the sooner something comes back positive and the earlier it is caught, the better your chances to survive and recover from it.

Don't forget get an IME/IMO. I personally believe you would be golden, which SMRs showing and recording the signs of sleep apnea, but make your case rock solid. Have the doc use the magic words. GP is right on the money.

Heh be open to the different approaches. A multi facet treatment plan can help a great deal. I kid you not. Just don't stop getting care. JMO

Hell ya! Go get em.

That's sounds like it went smooth Sierra. If I had to do it again, for myself, I would have done it formal. I got hosed with my DRO decision, but I expected no less really. I think I would have received different results had everything been on record. They kept my laptop and phone out of the room, otherwise I would have had it on record. There won't be a next time. Anyways don't want to be a sour puss. I hope it goes well for you, better than it did for me. Good luck my friend.

Read up on aggravation of a pre-existing condition. You most likely will need a doc to say this and say that they have reviewed your service medical records. The real kicker is was it mentioned in your entrance exam when you joined the reserves, and whether it was annotated in your exit exam as well. Do you have your SMR's? If not I would get them and politely ask your docs to consider writing you a nexus statement. If not, you could pay for IME/IMO and ask your docs again. They may be willing to do it then. JMO.

Be nice if it was under a year no?

I call Shenanigans. One of two things, but I'd like to think the VA got caught. Good luck. Hope you get good news. Take care.

Culpability

I appreciate the suggestions. But I had signs of sleep apnea and fatigue since Iraq 2008 and starting getting symptoms of many conditions. But since I was a activated National Guard Member once you orders are done you become the unwanted stepchild sort of speak, even with the 5 years of Quality VA healthcare. Most times with any injury or illness I have to prove it every single time I walk into a VA clinicians office. Deniability. for $ sake. I have plenty of treatment records and testing done, but as we all know, if its not documented in your service medical records then it didn't happen. Or if it is in your service medical record, then it was minor or acute. Same old game same BS defense. I have the continuity of treatment, documented markers of health problems and had a clean bill of health before Iraq. The VA knows this, but they acknowledge only what can be used against you. Hence that is why I am headed to the BVA and beyond on my claims and why I, myself and others have trouble getting care through the VA medical system. I don't think my fights will end there. As long as I have the will and strength I will choose to fight against this injustice. I will fight till my last breath. Literally. You know it sounded catchy when I used it as a quote of sorts at first but I realize that is the unmistakable truth.

thanks for the info though. I haven't pursued that route yet. Not sure if I will. I am going after the credentials and contradicting C&P exam that was used to deny me. Along with the credentials of a OBGYN rendering an opinionated on gulf war claim.

Funny that you mention that why, yes I do, one by my private doc in 09-10, one for don't meet the stressor and criteria, and one recent morning be from the head board dr at the VA. Still no service connection for PTSD. MDD was the other that was annotated recently. Still trying to force the VA to FOIA the QTC DBQ. Funny part is I have digital recording of the exam. I'm just wanting the hard copy. Shenanigans.

That sucks. I was getting hopeful. There's gotta be a better way than this.

Yeah my Gastro specialists at the VA has been rescheduled 4 times. In that time I have had 4 surgeries. It disgusts me. Seems here lately the Psych Doc and the MOVE instructor have been the most help.

Wow good info.

Talon II is right on. If a C&p is done at a VA you can get a copy for on the records section fairly easy. It posts on Evet within a couple of days. Now if your C& P was done by say QTC or VES or some other VA hired docs. You can't get that until there is a decision made on your claim and only then after a FOIA request. Once you look at the exam you understand how much VA is there to help you in your claim. I would suggest to wait until your decision is decided. It will slow down your claim and can booger things up with people who are accessing your file to rate you. Just make sure you do the FOIA once you get your decision. With luck you'll have your records before the one year NOD appeal period is up.

With time frames it can take a while, it is not consistent.

Congrats and good luck. Hang in there and get the care you need. Stay healthy.