Riplip

Well that about does it. Thank you brokensoldier

I had my test last week and found my notes on Ebenefits. Nobody has called me and I do not have any appointments. Just wondering if anybody knows what some numbers mean? They don't have an average next to them. During my night recording i had 120 hypopneas, 7 obstructive apneas and 6 central apneas generating an overall AHI of 17.5/hour. The lowest oxygen saturation is recorded at 86%. Not sure if this is normal or not. I don't think I have anyway to SC it but at least they will take care of everything. Any expert advice would be much appreciated. Thanks all.

I know that this article is old but I have a referral to the sleep people at my local VA in 2 months. I have tinnitus, Sever hearing loss, anxiety and depression that I am service connected for. For years now I haven't felt like I sleep well and my wife typically has to leave the room when I'm sleeping. She doesn't think I stop breathing but I defenitely don't sleep well. I wake up all the time when my tinnitus decides to change pitchs and or my snoring wakes me up. I'll talk to the sleep people but would this be a sleep disorder? I don't think its apnea. Thank you

Just figured I'd send an update in case anyone else has the same backwards ED instead of the typical can't get it hard type. They awarded me 0% SC and the SMC for not being able to ejaculate. It was a quick case as well. Had my C&P only a couple weeks ago. So if the meds you are taking for a SC issue are making your sex life more difficult then you can shoot for ED even though you can still get aroused.

It was kind of funny. I hope i win the prize I was shooting for haha

Hearing loss is tough and yes you pretty much need to be deaf for the VA to recognize. I'm 70% bilateral for hearing loss. Without my custom hearing aids in I am useless when it comes to communicating. With that being said everyone who has answered is correct. You might need to use an independent audiologist that follows the same guidelines to get any type of higher rating. Even if you can get them to SC the right ear it'll be worth it in the long run. It sure is a battle but it it is one you can win if you stay in the fight. Don't get discouraged and give up because that's what they want. Good luck and I'm sure whatever help you need can be found here.

Thanks GBArmy that is exactly what I had when I went there. This place was a dump that the VA sent me too. The two women were talking through every question together like it was there first time. It was really weird. It seems like one nurse was an interpreter for the other. With my hearing I couldn't understand anything this doctor said. I was glad there was a second person. When they had to inspect my gear it was really uncomfortable. They were both down there talking to each other about and looking it over for a long while. Very strange. I denied their request to check my prostate haha. If it took that long for them to talk about my gear I didn't want them digging around my backside. I hope by not letting them stick their fingers up my ass it doesn't get denied. I felt it wasn't necessary since I've never had a prostate issue and i had a physical back in August that was fine. I guess I'll see but that was the weirdest C&P I've ever been through.

Quick little update to this issue. Its been since May and I've been through 4 different medications some adding crazy side effects like cold sweats , bad dreams, more anxiety and that type of stuff. Still have the ED and today I go to a C&P for it. I'm trying for SMC K since the research I've done and what the fine people here think I believe I should get it. If I have to stay on these meds. and they can't find one that works then ED it is I guess. Kind of sucks. As soon as I hear back or have more info., I will add it in here. Maybe somebody else has the same issue and this could help them. Thanks

SPO it can take forever with everything else. I requested mine in March and they are still gathering information. Nothing you can do. Its the painful process we have to deal with. Hope it comes in soon for you. I'm not expecting much since i've been trying to get my medical records since 2010 and they can't find them. Good luck

OK thanks guys. I have some pondering to do.....

OK I have read all of that. First I'd like to say I am not trying for an increase in hearing because I just got that a couple months ago up to 70%. My hearing is really bad. The next step is implant which I don't want to do. I also have the peripheral disorder at 30%, tinnitus at 10% and MH at 50%. I have all those symptoms stated above but I have been on so many medicines and supplements and have completely changed my diet to help with the symptoms I don't get the full rotational vertigo as much. Meaning maybe once a week now but constantly get dizzy and lose my balance and catch myself almost everyday a couple times a day but its manageable. I stopped running outside completely 2 years ago and only use machines that have rails to exercise just in case i lose my balance. With that all being said I understand both points here. If they grant the Menieres and my hearing loss, tinnitus and vestibular disorder are higher then they would opt for the higher rating ? which means I wouldn't have a reduction but the meneires would still be connected? I feel that I understand but I also am trying to figure out what I would gain by doing it? Really nothing until, and hopefully it doesn't, the Menieres gets worse. It took me a battle to get to the 90% and to lose any of it at this point would suck. If anything, I am learning a lot here. I'm 40 years old so I have a long time to deal with this. Thanks Buck and GB

Wow that is some outstanding information right there. Thank you Broncovet and Vync. The Meniere's would not change the MH rating at all just the other three. I need to find those documents online so I can print them out. Thank you

I read that. I also agree with you and feel the people here are to be trusted more than the VSO. I have not had my disabilities for 5 years yet. The way he explained it to me was I have hearing loss 70% peripheral disorder 30%, tinnitus 10% and MH 50%. If I go for Meniere's which includes hearing, peripheral, and tinnitus then whatever I would get for Meniere's would replace those 3 rating? Meniere's has 3 ratings 30, 60, and 100. If I don't get the 100 rating then I would be losing money. Does that make sense or since my other 3 are more together then they would side on that instead even if it was SC?

Vync, I don't think it goes under a increase because it would be its own disability. I could be wrong but I was told it would be better if I left well enough alone at the moment.

That is good advice. My DAV rep just answered me and he said If I claim Meniere's and they grant it at 60% then my three 70%,30% and 10% will be dropped resulting in a reduction. He said If i'm not confident I fit the criteria for 100% Meniere's confidently with medical documents to prove it then it may not be in my best interest. I think I will hold off and start a diary/log as well and keep it on the back burner. I'm still waiting for my claims file that I put in for in May so I hope to find something in there as well. Thank you for the replies.

I have a question about how to read this schedule of ratings. The notes part of Meniere's has me confused. I feel I am in the 60% category most months but some months I end up in the 100% with the amount of attacks. On the other hand I have 70% hearing loss, 10% Tinnitus and 30% peripheral Vestibular disorder. If I pursued the Menieres and they put it at 60% or even worse 30% would they all be thrown together and I end up dropping to 60% or 30% total? Seems like I could lose some ratings if I try for it. Am I reading it wrong? Thanks Meniere's.pdf

Thank you Vync

I was thinking that myself. I enjoy working and I have a good job. They work with me on all these issues since I've been here for 20 years and I am a good employee. I think i'll have the DAV setup a intent to file.

Yes sorry I left that out of my list of issues but I have a rating of 50% for MH. Menieres is brutal and since vestibular disorder is already connected and I have the diag. it should go through but just concerned about rolling the dice I guess. You just never know what type of C&P doctor you will get and not many doctors know what Menieres does to people. I do work full time. Its hard but doable at the moment. Thanks

So I am asking the Menieres gurus here about my situation. I have 70% bilat. hearing loss, tinnitus @ 10% and vestibular disorder rated at 30%(max). I have a diagnosis from a specialist that the VA sent me to outside of the VA stating I have bilat. Menieres. I think I want to claim the meneires because of how bad it is and I believe I could get more than the vestibular disorder and get me up to 100%. I'm nervous about making waves and opening up a can for the VA to somehow mess with my rating. Just wondering what others would do really just for thoughts. I don't think I have anything to lose but also I have no trust in the VA. Thank you

Actually I looked up in ebenefits and my Hearing loss is the only thing written in as bilateral @70%. I thought the tinnitus @ 10% and Peripheral disorder @30% would be bilateral as well since they affect both ears. Thats sucks. The 50% is individual and It comes up to 93% that way. I wonder if my other 2 are suppose to say bilateral or maybe they do not have an option for that. If they were i'd be 100% which would be great. seems like its a good calculator so sorry I said the wrong thing first. Thanks

It was wrong on mine. According to this calculator I would be 100% but I am not. 70% 10% 30% Bilateral 50% Individual.

If you are taking antidepressants for a service connected issue like I am then maybe it can be claimed. I'm not sure about the pyramiding effect though. My SC hearing loss gives me anxiety/depression which I take the meds for which is causing this issue.

I sure as hell hope it doesn't end up like that!

I couldn't believe it myself. I was asking my DAV rep. how my C-file was coming and he said still pending but your other claim went through and sure enough Ebenefits was updated and all went through. Still waiting on the actual paperwork to come in.