Gunnerdad

Sorry missed this. The letter is for my Hyperthyroid claim (Graves) which they immediately closed. I've filed for a higher level of review with a conference to discuss it. The Sleep Apnea secondary is over a year ago for rejection.

Sorry I've been remiss on checking your messages. Back has had me down so setting at computer was a no go. Made a mistake moving to the Wild West where no help is available. To me it's obvious why they didn't include it since it appears there are more Graves than Hypo. I'll take your advice but assume it will take years for them to change their minds. If you read the attached it not only shows the fact that exposed had Graves at 3X the non-exposed but ironically also showed that we had Hypothyroidism at a much "lower" rate than non-exposed so the wrong form of the disease was addressed according to that study. I wish the Doctor that performed the study would write my Nexus letter but several attempts has had no response. Dustoff referred me to someone for the Sleep Apnea nexus so I'm going to try that person and see how it goes. 2010-06-agent-orange-exposure-linked-graves.pdf

Lemuel, The Pact Act did little for Vietnam Vets such as myself. I am rated for 0% for SC Hypertension. Sleep Apnea is not mentioned in the program. COPD is but only for Gulf War Veterans because of the burn pits. Thanks. Gunnerdad

Pacman, I have a PAC Act claim for Hypothyroidism that is over a year old. That was denied because it was caused by the treatment for non-presumptive Graves Disease. I filed with Sleep Apnea secondary to the Hypo since there is evidence of a connection. Which they also denied, since there was no service connection thru the Thyroid disease. After that I did a lot of research and found the study linking AO to Graves Disease from Boston University. 3X more for the exposed than the unexposed. That was a large study group of over 200K veterans. Further study of VA cases I saw lots of cases where Graves was denied, but NONE where they referenced that study. Many also had Nexus letters stating the same. I reached out to the Doctor in Florida who headed up the research in the hopes I could get a letter from him, but several attempts went unanswered. Last August I filed for Hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease) and as I said they closed the claim 4 hours later with the statement a decision letter was sent to me. When the letter dated 8/24/23 arrived it was as you saw a letter stating they were contacting my doctors. Contacting my doctors on "closed" case? I developed the disease in 1998 and my doctor at that time has long retired or died and her records were only kept for 10 years. I did somehow happen to have a couple of blood tests showing my thyroid was roaring which they eventually treated with radiation that caused me to become Hypo. I included those documents along with anything I could find about the Buffalo study and noted that the VA had indeed recognized a SC for Graves. That what they closed in 4 hours. I've been unable to find anything in writing stating it was denied for cause and my VSO can't seem to even understand my claim. She gets hung up on refiling the Hypo which they will never approve without the aforementioned disease being SC. I recently requested a higher level of review and requested a conference with the reviewer to explain what I just tried to explain to you. Hope you're still awake reading my dissertation, but it continues. I have been rated at 50% for PTSD and as I've been discussing with Dustoff, it is clear I'll need a nexus letter(s) to connect my Sleep Apnea to the PTSD, even though I have had both forever. I have gotten myself to 90% by myself in 7 years and need 40% VA math to obtain 100%. At 77 the clock is screaming in my ear to get it accomplished, so I don't want to make any more missteps. I have filed a NOD for the Neuropathy increase denial as I await my FOIA request for my C&P files for that disease. Thanks. Gunnerdad

Thanks Dustoff. I'll look into him. Be safe.

Can't appeal since claim is over 1 year. But PTSD is new so assume I can now file 2nd to PTSD or is not allowed? I live in the wild wild West of AZ and don't have a doctor that would handle the needed Nexus letter, that I'm aware of. My VSO out of Phoenix is not at all helpful and not responsive because she doesn't seem to understand my issues. How does one find a doctor educated in AO issues? My claim for Hypo was denied because of the Graves Disease treatment caused me to be Hypo so since the Graves isn't SC there wasn't anyway I could see to file a NOD. Since I found that study connecting AO exposure with increased Hyperthyroidism I felt I had a chance to get it AO SC which then opens the door to the rest of my original claim. I'm hoping the higher level review and my interview will get that accomplished. I'm at 90% and by VA math need 40% more to get to 100%, I thought I had made it when they approved the PTSD at 50% that I've had my whole life but was afraid to address for various reasons. On that claim I had filed for an increase to my Neuropathy claim because it has certainly gotten much worse in my legs 20% each and my hands 40% and 30%. The C&P doctor seemed sympathetic and said it had obviously gotten worse without touching me. When the decision came back it approved the PTSD but denied the Neuropathy and said it had showed signs of "improvement" but kept the same rating level. I have filed a FOIA request for a copy of the recent C&P as well as the original C&P that gave me the current rating. If it is what I am hoping for when I review it, I will file for a higher level review and use the C&P file as evidence. Should the report be different than the discussion I had with the doctor, can I request another C&P exam? If so how do I do that?

Last entry I had submitted claim for AO SC Hypothyroidism with Sleep Apnea 2nd, and COPD 2nd. All were denied because Hypo was caused by Hyper (Graves Disease) treatment. Saw no bases for DNA. 8-16-23 Filed claim for Hyper with evidence of studies at Buffalo University on over 200K Vets that showed AO exposed developed Graves Disease at 3X the rate of unexposed. Claims check showed all claims referencing that study were approved. Claim was closed within 4 hours and said letter was sent. Only letter I've received was on 8-24 which stated they had reached out to the doctors I listed for treatment. Can't find any letter stating it was denied. If it was closed on the 16th why the doctor letter and why no letter of denial? So I have asked for a higher level of review and requested a conference with the reviewer so I can explain my claim. Wondering if I have taken the proper route? If approved it clears the Hypo claim as well. Second part of same issue is the denied Sleep Apnea. VA diagnosed me with a sleep study as moderate to severe and prescribed a CPAP machine. Because my COPD causes difficulty to exhale, I have struggled thru several versions and am now being fitted for the mouthpiece VA accepts as treatment. I am now SC 50% PTSD. Can I refile the Sleep Apnea as secondary to PTSD. ClaimLetter-2023-8-24.pdf

Two things. Can't seem to get decision letters even though it says it's available online. Mailed never get here even though they have correct address and get other communications and RX supplies. Second, filed a claim on the afternoon of the 16th of August and it was immediately closed, and a decision letter sent. Same day? Filed for Graves' Disease based on research showing AO vets get it 3X those not exposed. Numerous decisions on file granting SC for Graves based on that research. So how did they process it same day and not piggyback it on my existing claim? How do I get information on their response? I have till the end of September to respond to denial of SC for Hypothyroidism since I had Graves' treatment. Hoped to get SC for Hyperthyroidism to make Hypo secondary.

VA rejected my claim for AO related Hypothyroidism, due to the fact it started as Hyperthyroidism and treatment created Hypothyroidism. While Graves' Disease isn't on the new list it occurs at a rate of 3X the norm for Vietnam Veterans and in studies actually occurred more than Hypothyroidism. Is there a path I should take to connect the dots? Also rejected my Sleep Apnea claim as not service connected which was diagnosed by VA. Seems every case is rejected the first time. Currently at 80% for Neuropathy (multiple upper, lower and sciatic), heart (20) and tinnitus (10). Any advice?

OK, seems agreement I should take a wait and see. Thanks!

Well that sounds like I've messed up. I've handled mine as well but got denied after 4 years of appeal. BTW when were you with Dustoff? 144th, An Son?

I filed a claim for Hypothyroidism, Sleep Apnea and COPD it is currently in the investigation phase. I have already completed the requested testing. Here's the issue I'm concerned with. I was concerned about my previous claim filed in 2017 and appealed in 2018, so think I messed up. I have AO connected Heart Disease 10% and Service connected Neuropathy, SC Tinnitus 10% and Hearing Loss 0%. When I put the claim together, I just listed Hypothyroidism, Sleep Apnea (Secondary to Thyroid Disease) and COPD Secondary to Thyroid Disease. I had read up and saw correlation between Apnea and Covid with Thyroid issues. Problem is I shouldn't have made diseases secondary to claimed disease I have not been awarded. Can I and should I correct my labels? AO connected for Thyroid and Service connected for the others? If I need to fix my mistake, what form to use, and can I add it as evidence to the existing claim?

I disputed a claim for my AO related Heart Disease over two years ago with no response to date. Is there anything I can do but wait? At this rate if they rule against me and I file another dispute it could be a 5=6 year process. I had a AO rated heart attack 2.5 years ago. They accepted it was AO rated but only gave me 20% rating for a heart attack and two stints in my heart. Is the idea to get you to die before the answer claims?

Have you found anything that helps RLS? Homeopathic stuff helps some. May concern is the ET started as pulses in my lower legs.. Kind of feels like my skin is crawing. Looks like a ghost just touched my skin as you see a small indentation for a second or two. It has now moved up to my stomach and I now get major twitches in my stomach muscles that can make sleep difficult at best.

Can benzene exposure cause essential tremor. As an aircraft mechanic and gunner in Viet Nam I was drenched in JP4 while refueling my CH-47. It was dark thirty in some outpost fuel stop and no where to wash off. Sat soaked in it till we returned to our base which was 1-1/2-2 hours flying time away. Went in and sat in shower for an hour or so to try to get it off my skin. I smelled of Aviation Fuel for days and felt out of sorts but never went on sick call. Started in my lower legs, but has slowly moved up my body over the past 10 years or so. Have developed severe restless leg syndrome as well. Total interrupts my sleep patterns when I flinch every few minutes. No cancer. Developed Graves Disease in the late 90's.