PEACHES1962

Big Congratulations!!!!

Thanks guys for both points of views and the information you both provided is great. If it ends up being denied that is alright too. Also, I don't need to me TDIU as I am already 100% P&T and employed. But again I do appreciate both you guys input and as usual this site is very informative. Thanks

Thank you both for your answers. I am being treated for both, however I never applied for R/A. Thanks again

Good Afternoon,Quick question...can a person be service connected for both Rheumatoid Arthritis & Fibromyalgia? I am already s/c for Fibromyalgia (40%).Thank you

Thank you pacmanx1 for explaining it to me.....I am constantly learning something new

I am really excited and surprised to learn that I finally reached my 100% P&T SMC from the VA. I just wanted to express my appreciation to this website reading about others success and not giving up. I was truthful with my disabilities to my C&P examiners and when I doubted my issues would not be looked at seriously I found that they were. I often think about how I wish I would have done this years ago. I know back then that I did not understand the system and that all I needed were my medical records (enlisted and VA) along with understanding how my illnesses/issues were connected. I always thought that being female in the military was really hard, but proving your disabilities afterwards seemed unimaginable. However, I did it and now I am 100% P&T SMC. I am not going for TDIU because I really love my job and have no intention of quitting/leaving at this time. Thank you HADIT for assistance with my guidance in this process!!!

Years ago I would not consider restarting the task of executing my VA claims. I found that I had to prove myself to the VA which in turn infuriated me. However, after years of denying myself what I had earned for my service to our country I finally restarted everything in 2018. To date I have a 90% rating and am working on my 100%. At this time I am not attempting to claim unemployable as I still want to work and I love my job. A good friend and fellow female soldier encouraged me not to give up fighting and I eventually restarted and haven't quit yet. I never thought I would get my rating up so quickly in one year but I did with honesty and perseverance. There are no tricks to getting your compensation/disability and getting useful and good advice from soldiers who have been where you are truly a treasure. I am so glad that I found this site and I will continue to forward my knowledge to anyone who asks. I am also glad I found this site.

I am currently 50% from sleep apnea secondary to fibro.

I was surprised sleep apnea could be a secondary condition connected to fibromyalgia. I just had a C&P exam and it looks like a favorable outcome. I have attached the documents. This might be helpful to someone. Sleep Apnea DBQ.pdf Medical Opinion DBQ (Secondary Service Connection).pdf

Went on my C&P exam for sleep apnea secondary to fibromyalgia. I hope these results are good. Please see attachments. What do yall think? Sleep Apnea DBQ.pdf Medical Opinion DBQ (Secondary Service Connection).pdf

Thank you so much GBArmy. I was just surprised to see that it was added. It confused me as to why this would happen. I asked a veteran at work and he stated the same as you did. I will continue to think positive.

Disabilities Claimed: sleep apnea secondary to chronic fatigue syndrome (Secondary), sleep disturbances (related to: Environmental Hazard in Gulf War) (New), sleep apnea (secondary to: sleep disturbances) (New) Update: Preparation for Decision: 10/23/2019 Review Evidence: 10/30/2019 Gathering Evidence: 12/23/2019 - 02/09/2020 Someone added obstructive sleep apnea secondary to fibromyalgia (Secondary). Now the list is: Disabilities Claimed: sleep apnea secondary to chronic fatigue syndrome (Secondary), sleep disturbances (related to: Environmental Hazard in Gulf War) (New), sleep apnea (secondary to: sleep disturbances) (New), obstructive sleep apnea secondary to fibromyalgia (Secondary)

I really appreciate your advise, but I have requested (MH) those records too. One hospital was a civilian one and they have since closed and destroyed records (I was in there in 1994). One of the hospitals was military but I was not in at the time ( I was married to an enlisted soldier). That was in 1985-86 ( I it wouldn't hurt to contact them and see what they say). Thank you GBArmy for the idea.

This is why I am confused. I am currently in therapy now for PTSD-MST based on my meeting all of the criteria. But the dbq is saying I have MDD and Other Specified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders. What does Other Specified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders mean?

Thank you both for your answers. I would like to especially thank broncovet as I did not know I could apply for all. I like the examples you gave.

Based on the quesionnaire here should I be applying for PTSD or depression? I am so confused. Mental Disorder Questionnaire.pdf

Update - Just called VA and was informed that my claim went back to development stage. They are now waiting on documents from military hospitals I was admitted to (which they should already have). At this time there is no estimated date but they will try to complete within the 125 days (Started from 06/26/2019 - . 11/2019 should be 125 days). In the meantime since I have the name of another hospital I was admitted to (4 altogether), I will submit that information. She informed me to do this on a 21-4142a and a 21-4138. I am doing this now and submitting to evidence intake.

Today contacted my VSO (ebenefits not working) and he told me that my supplemental claim for PTSD-MST is currently in the "ready for decision" status. My question is what is "ready for decision status" and what is the average guess time between "ready for decision status" and completed. Will a decision come soon or will I have to wait until longer?

This site is so great!!!

By the way....who is Peggy and how do I get in touch with her?

Update: As of 09/13/2019 my supplemental claim for PTSD is now in decision status after I called the VA number. However, my others are still gathering evidence.

Let me see if I can answer all of your questions: Do you currently have any SC ratings? I suspect you do, but I am asking so you will list them and their percent and year granted. My current disability rating is 40% Fibromyalgia and 0% Onychomycosis. Both were granted in Nov 2018. have you had a VA sleep study? do you have the results? will you redact and post them? My sleep study was at the VA-Houston location and the results stated that I have obstructive sleep apnea and of course I was issued a CPAP machine. I am attempting to request both C&P exams from both 2002 and 2008. Did not know I could request those at the time. Now I know, thanks. I did get denied in both cases because I did not submit a statement in support of claim. Basically, I did not want to talk about it let alone write about it and I didn't know who to turn to to help me submit the correct documents. Both were denied because I did not submit the paperwork before the deadline. They were both denied based on my not submitting proof of stressors proving a connection to the service. However, they did receive my medical documents showing that I had been hospitalized a couple of times for attempted suicide while in and out of the service. In both cases I was diagnosed with PTSD and MDD.

Let me see if I can answer all of your questions: Do you currently have any SC ratings? I suspect you do, but I am asking so you will list them and their percent and year granted. My current disability rating is 40% Fibromyalgia and 0% Onychomycosis. Both were granted in Nov 2018. have you had a VA sleep study? do you have the results? will you redact and post them? My sleep study was at the VA-Houston location and the results stated that I have obstructive sleep apnea and of course I was issued a CPAP machine. I am attempting to request both C&P exams from both 2002 and 2008. Did not know I could request those at the time. Now I know, thanks. I did get denied in both cases because I did not submit a statement in support of claim. Basically, I did not want to talk about it let alone write about it and I didn't know who to turn to to help me submit the correct documents. Both were denied because I did not submit the paperwork before the deadline. They were both denied based on my not submitting proof of stressors proving a connection to the service. However, they did receive my medical documents showing that I had been hospitalized a couple of times for attempted suicide while in and out of the service. In both cases I was diagnosed with PTSD and MDD.

This is my first time writing on this site even though I read it alot. I submitted a claim in July 2019 for sleep apnea secondary to chronic fatigue syndrome (Secondary), sleep disturbances (related to: Environmental Hazard in Gulf War) (New), sleep apnea (secondary to: sleep disturbances) (New). I have had my exam through LHI in August with the following remarks from my examiner: Veteran was also diagnosed with OSA and is compliant with a CPAP machine therapy. Concerning the contention of Sleep disturbances due to environmental hazards in Gulf War. Veteran has sleep disturbances that are likely a result of PTSD type symptoms with nightmares, insomnia which are both hallmark symptoms of PTSD and trauma based disorders. Her sleep disturbances are also a result of her diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and other Gulf War medical issues. In fact, it is highly likely her sleep disturbances have incurred from both all stressor occurrences while she was in Army. I also have a supplemental claim in progress for PTSD that was initially denied in 2008 and the examiner stated: Veteran's previous C & PReview PTSD Examination was completed on MAY 13, 2008 by Cristina Gamez-Galka, Ph.D., of Houston, TX. Dr. Gamez-Galka diagnosed veteran with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. A C & P Initial PTSD Examination completed on MAY 6, 2002 by Dunn, Ph.D. (Houston VAMC) also diagnosed veteran with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent. Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or mood My question is, would this be enough to qualify me for compensation or is it a chance I will be denied? I must add that I am currently seeing a VA psychologist for PTSD. Thank you guys for your responses.