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Brother, I agree with everyone else here. You got a 10%. I personally believe that you got lowballed. Why? because the examiner is basically saying that you are mildly impaired, but your history (divorce, relationships, work, ect) shows that you are more than 10% Be ready to appeal. The examiner even put down that you more than likely get better with treatment, that is a bold statement right there. What you witnessed (similar to what I did) will never go away. I hate to sound negative, but I am just trying to be real. You can learn how to cope with it, but it is something that will be there until you close your eyes for good. So, yeah, what I'm trying to say is that the examiner is full of it. Take good care brother and follow the experts advice here, not mine, but the others above. Blessings!

Hello brothers and sisters!

last night I checked Ebenefits and my claim showed to be on "preparing notification" status. Today I go to the mail and I received a big white envelope. I opened and my jaw dropped when I saw that I was granted 70% service connected. I opened the claim on the 20th of February of 2014. My surprise is not only the rating, but how fast it was processed. Many people have been telling me to prepare for an uphill battle with VA. Luckly it was not the case. I claimed ptsd, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and bilateral knees. I got rated for all, with the exception of sleep apnea. I got a 0% for sleep apnea. I already did a sleep study but since I have sleeping disorders, I was unable to sleep in the study. VA schedule me for another study already but is in 4 months. I just want to share this with you guys. I am happy, 70% is good income to deal with my problems. I will deal with the rest later, but at least I can address most of my financial problems now with this. Thanks again folks for all your support and advice. I hope all of you get what you deserve.

Hello brothers and sisters!

Now that I got awarded 70% service connection, I want to apply for IU. I have always taken pride in earning a living for myself and my family, but due to my conditions, I am having a really hard time. I am currently working. I got that job back in February after 2 years of being unemployed. I am not performing well at work and mentally is giving me a beating. Is a very stressfull job and the noise in the plant makes my heart pound like an Apache's ceremonial drum. To keep it short. Can I apply for IU even while working? the job was my only source of income until my claim went through, but if I quit, I won't be able to make it financially. At the same time, I know I will quit soon, regardless I apply for IU or not because the job and the people there are driving me insane. Any advice? Should I wait until I quit to apply for IU? please, don't take this a me trying to get paid for sitting around, that's not the case. I take pride in making a living, I just know I can't mentally and emotionally do it anymore. I preffer to be able to IU and volunteer for a cause, even help other veterans.

Hello brothers and sisters!

last night I checked Ebenefits and my claim showed to be on "preparing notification" status. Today I go to the mail and I received a big white envelope. I opened and my jaw dropped when I saw that I was granted 70% service connected. I opened the claim on the 20th of February of 2014. My surprise is not only the rating, but how fast it was processed. Many people have been telling me to prepare for an uphill battle with VA. Luckly it was not the case. I claimed ptsd, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and bilateral knees. I got rated for all, with the exception of sleep apnea. I got a 0% for sleep apnea. I already did a sleep study but since I have sleeping disorders, I was unable to sleep in the study. VA schedule me for another study already but is in 4 months. I just want to share this with you guys. I am happy, 70% is good income to deal with my problems. I will deal with the rest later, but at least I can address most of my financial problems now with this. Thanks again folks for all your support and advice. I hope all of you get what you deserve.

The statements are helpful but the statements alone may not meet the threshold for service connection. You stated the doctor treated you for sleep disorder but you were not diagnosed with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder. Was this a military doctor, VA doctor or private doctor who treated you?

If you haven't already done so, I would try to get an IME and IMO from a pulmonary doctor who specializes in sleep disorders. Ask the doctor up front if they will provide an IMO that meets VA requirements if their exam and review of the records supports an IMO. Provide the doctor with all of your relevant medical records showing any symptoms of sleep appeal as well as the statements from your wife and room mate. Include the medical records from the doctor who previously treated you for a sleep disorder since the symptoms you mentioned are sleep apnea symptoms. If you have not had a sleep study, ask the doctor to perform one. With the symptoms you describe, the sleep specialist should not hesitate to perform a study. The sleep study will determine if you do in fact have sleep apnea.
At a minimum, the doctor will need to include a nexus statement in the IMO stating it is their medical opinion that "it is at least as likely as not" that you had sleep apnea during your military service.

Good luck to you on your claim.

Hell yes, you should give Fox News the story! VA will never follow the laws unless someone makes them. Right now, that someone is the media and the American public. With pressure from them, then Congress will put the pressure on VA to finally start doing the right thing.