FHL Dad

Berta,, I am 0% sc for hypertension. The way I read 38 U.S.C 5107(b) any myocardial occlusion is service connected if service connected for hypertension. I do have a pretty good cardiologist, so maybe he can link both into one letter, since OSA leads to unexplained hypertension and heart disease. Yes the VA had that letter and STR's with highlighted entries about my septum BMI, fatique, HBP and depression, plus a letter from my wife and sister. Like I said, I think they were in a hurry to close it. Thanks for the help and advice

Georgiapapa, Unfortunatly the doc who diagnosed me in 02 has since moved on. He was great and would have given me an excellent IMO. I did go through my STR and civilian health record, found anything remotely related to OSA, highlighted it and submitted it, with this letter. My sister is a physical therapist which kind of puts her in the medical field, and her statement went back to the early 90's. I have an appt with my VSO, so hopefully we can formulate a strategy. Like I said they denied my heart attack, which should have been automatic since I'm rated for hypertension.They decided this Dec 19 so I'm thinking they were in a rush to close it because it was 16 mos old. Especially after the director of the Philly RO testified to Congress in Oct 2014 claims were averaging 4 months

I was wondering if i could get some opinions from the experts on this letter from my primary doc. I was denied SC for Apnea . Retired mar 2002, diagnosed at civilian doc with sleep anea Aug 2002, who didn't refer for sleep study, then sleep study May 2013 I submitted lay statements from wife and sister, attesting to snoring and stopping breathing and i also submitted the following. I have recently been seeing and taking care of Mr x for the past several months, and he has been seen by other medical providers while being a patient in our clinic. While being a patient he was diagnosed with Obstructive sleep Apnea. Upon review of his medical records during his time in the Navy, he had signs and symptoms consistent with OSA. these signs and symptoms included an elevated BMI (31.46 on 28 Jan 99) neck size of 17.5" chronic fatigue with poor exercise tolerance, repeatedly elevated blood pressure despite treatment, history of laryngeal swelling and irregular nasal septum which required surgery, history of smoking and EKG changes with evidence of possible LVH. these signs and symptoms are all consistent with a diagnosis of OSA. Based upon review of his STR from the Navy and the fact he was diagnosed shortly after his retirement, it is my opinion that he had some form of OSA while serving on active duty that was not diagnosed .Furthermore this was likely contributing to some of his medical conditions especially in regards to fatigue, hypertension and heart disease. I suspect his medical condtion developed at some point in his Navy career and not after retirement. Also the same rater denied my Heart attack (CAD) as not service connected, but I am 0% for Hypertension.