grayling12

I had my 4 minute sleep apnea C&P exam 3 weeks ago. I filed it as: sleep apnea secondary to ptsd, depression, alcohol abuse, the medications to treat them with obesity as an intermediate step. My VSO read me the examiners opinion which was basically that ptsd and sleep apnea are not related, 'not service connected". My evidence included a weak, bought nexus letter from a psychologist, prescription list, an obesity nexus statement in my VA treatment notes from my VA psychiatrist linking my weight gain to chemical changes in my brain due to my ptsd, a medical article showing that alcohol will trigger apnea events even in people without sleep apnea to help show it as an aggravation and my weight records since going to Iraq to show the weight gain progression. I even included the VA memo allowing obesity to be used as an intermediate step in my statement in support of claim so they couldn't play dumb and act like they didn't know about it. I haven't received the denial letter yet, but want to have a game plan ready to fight the denial when it comes. It didn't sound like the examiner considered anything other than the ptsd connection. What steps should I take to fight this likely denial? I have never fought or appealed anything before. Thanks

I'm a little uneducated in filing secondary claims. I asked my Gastro PA if she would do a DBQ for my fecal incontinence secondary to IBS claim. Now I'm second guessing myself, people are telling me that for a secondary claim a NEXUS letter is almost required and a DBQ won't help much. Is this true? She won't do a NEXUS letter but I might be able to get her to enter something in my treatment notes instead of the DBQ. Can she put a short nexus note in the comment section of the DBQ and would this help any? Thanks

I want to file for bruxism and TMJ secondary to PTSD. PTSD is already rated but bruxism and TMJ aren't. Can I claim TMJ secondary to bruxism and PTSD if the bruxism isn't even rated yet, I want to use the bruxism as a kicker to help win the TMJ? Most people are saying it would be a guaranteed denial for the TMJ since the bruxism isn't even rated yet. 1. Should I file for bruxism secondary to PTSD then after it's awarded file for TMJ secondary to PTSD and bruxism to strengthen the claim? 2. Should I just file for bruxism and TMJ secondary to PTSD in one claim? Thanks

Sorry, already asked this, can't figure out how to delete it.

Thanks for the information.

If I file for bruxism secondary to ptsd, would I receive a rating for bruxism or would they just call it a symptom of ptsd and not assign a rating? If bruxism is service connected, does the VA have to cover your dental?

If I file for fecal incontinence secondary to IBS, would I be awarded two separate ratings, for example FI 30% and IBS 30% or would they just consider the fecal incontinence as a symptom of the IBS and roll them into one rating and give 30% total for both conditions combined?

namvet6567 I filed my intent in June 2023, I have 6 maybe 7 claims I want to file in January. My biggest hold up is, where I live the doctors have no problem throwing diagnoses at you but then say they are too busy to write a NEXUS letter, I believe my current doctor because it takes 4 months or more to get in to see her. I'm in the process of writing a NEXUS letter for my fecal incontinence, then I'm going to see if my doctor agrees with it, if she does, I'm going to see if she will sign it. If she won't, then I'm going to try one of the online NEXUS letter places, if that doesn't work then I'm going to ask for a referral to a GI doctor and see if they will do a NEXUS letter. Hopefully it doesn't drag out that long.

I'm getting ready to file some claims in January and one of them is asthma under the pact act. I have a PFT from a year ago and use a rescue inhaler along with a daily steroid inhaler. My question is: 1. Will the VA accept a private DBQ using my PFT results from a year ago or will they likely require an updated PFT? Thanks

Going to file some claims in January. One of them is fecal incontinence secondary to my service connected IBS. The only tests that my family doctor did for the diagnoses was review my history, asked me some questions about my symptoms, a colonoscopy, did a visual and digital exam then made the diagnosis. My questions are: 1. Will the VA consider this a good diagnosis or are there other specific tests that they require? 2. Is my history and doctor notes good enough for the connection to IBS or do I have to get a separate NEXUS letter?

If awarded Bruxism secondary to PTSD, would I get a separate rating for the Bruxism or do they consider it as a symptom of your PTSD and just combine it with your PTSD rating? If they consider it a symptom, is there any way to get it as a separate rating? Thanks

If your PFT shows your pre bronchodilator scores in the 70% range which is ratable around 10% but your post bronchodilator scores (the one that counts) shows in the 100% range which wouldn't be ratable, can they still rate you at 10% just based on needing to use a rescue inhaler and trelegy ellipta steroid inhaler daily? Thank You for any information provided.

Can I file and potentially win a claim of aggravation such as: A non service connected issue that's aggravated by the medications taken for a service connected disability? Example: if I have urinary incontinence linked to BPH, (non service connected) but it is aggravated by my mental health meds, (service connected) that show urinary incontinence as a possible side affect, could this be claimed as a secondary condition or as aggravated by my mental health meds? How would this get rated if it's considered aggravation? Also, can I claim my urinary incontinence as aggravated by and/ or caused by my service connected IBS, since I get incontinent frequently when I'm constipated and leak badly when trying to get up to use the bathroom etc.? Thank you for any information

For Asthma, which one of the following readings would be used for your rating? FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy If your post bronchodilator reading puts you above the first two group of numbers then would they base it on your use of intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy? Thanks for any info!

RetiredVetFlagged, To answer your questions: 1. I wasn't informed about the note in my medical record, I found it while reviewing my treatment notes. 2. The note doesn't give any instructions to staff. 3. What is a PATS-R? Update, I looked this up online and know what it is now. Thanks