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Hey Buck52 "For me I lost my hearing due to loud sudden noise...and chronic PTSD/DEPRESSION for combat duty from Nam" I to sustained my PTSD from combat duty in NAM, along with hearing loss, and agent orange exposure- the terribly sad part is being what we used to call OLD school, it took me YEARS and YEARS to finally figured out why I was feeling like I did-- I just thought it was me, so you just "soldier on" but but after four marriages and some pretty jacked up social choices (and certain social situations) caused so much stress, and anger I FINALLY came to some understanding-- I also learned despite years and years of denial -- it just doesn't "auto fix". Perhaps if accepted earlier, I would have avoided the hypertension and all the other crap that went along with PTSD.

Thanks brokensoldier244 "Well, yeah, but, statutorily even if you aren't completely broken SMC S has to be considered if you are 100S% plus a 60% rating. Wait for the Dec letter and go from there." The low-balling that was mentioned maybe what happened, since my current rating without the Sleep Apnea is 150% (at least in Ebenefits) .. will just wait and see what the 'DEC' letter says... again thanks all the has been illuminating.

Thanks all for the input. I also appreciate the information regarding Ebennifits - never thought of that- so useful information, thanks .El Train Like I tried, to express was just perplexed as the Sleep Apnea rating, as well as the "NON-SERVICE" connection for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity and peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity considering the diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left and right lower. (Still waiting for my copy of the decision letter.) So then if I am understanding the correct process would be to APPEAL the APNEA since it should would be considered secondary to the PTSD (to retain my file date?). While an SMC would be a plus, I really, was not even considering that --since that seems to be for those guys who are really jacked. Was more concerned about making sure my records properly reflected conditions and make sure my family is covered. I will research the appeal process. As a side note, just didn't want to trigger some kind of "rate reduction" reaction from the powers on high

Thanks brokensoldier24 and broncovet for you input and thoughts. Of course my family is important so this does help answer part of the question. With regard to the question of "Does it say 0% or does it just say not SVC connected? " While I have not received my actual decision letter and the information was taken from "my disabilities" on eBenefits, the information after "sleep apnea" just says NOT SERVICE CONNECTED. And I did initially claim sleep apnea at the same time I claimed PTSD and my Type II diabetes. I am still waiting on my letter and perhaps that will provide some explanations. For example In addition to the 100% PTSD, as I said above I received a 20% for Type II Diabetes and a 10% for myopathy in my left foot, 10% for my right foot (service connected) 10% Tinnitus (service connected) HOWEVER the myopathy for my left and right UPPER extremity was listed as NOT SERVICE connected which is odd, since Diabetes causes the myopathy. Since I am rated at 100% for PTSD anyway, doesn't the VA cover CPAP equipment and treatment? I guess the whole damn process seems a bit disjointed from the outside, so just trying to chart a reasonable COA without being unduly onerous to the folks who have to work the issues at VA

Hello and thanks for reading. I have tried to research the FAQ but keep getting the error message " We could not locate the item you are trying to view. Error code: 2F176/1", so hopefully this is not to repetitive. First a little bit of a back story- I have 44 years combined service for pay (Both active duty (combat) Active Reserve, NG and returns to Active duty for deployments. I used a state VA representative to help file my claim and during the process (the VSO) filed all my claims at one time. These included PTSD, Type II diabetes (presumptive), Tinnitus, Bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea, neuropathy in my left foot, right foot etc. After an C&P I was given a 100% P&T for PTSD (service connected - Combat). My other issues were initially deferred. After looking at my information on eBenefits (still waiting of subsequent decision letters, I found the following (note I have completed all the C&P examinations as requested) 10% For tinnitus (service connected) 20% for Type II diabetes, (service connected) 10% for myopathy in my left foot, 10% for my right foot (service connected) 0% for bilateral hearing loss (service connected) and 0% for sleep apnea (NOT service connected). So while I was surprised at the sleep apnea rating, I think that perhaps this was a result of the the way the claim was filed, in that it was not filed as a secondary to the PTSD. So the questions then becomes, since I am not seeking SMC, as I do not presently see a real path to it in my present state, is pursuing the Sleep Apnea really a hill worth climbing, since as I understand it because I am already 100% service connected then the VA will provide my CPAP needs. So anyone out there see something I am missing, AND if I do seek to address the Apnea do I simply file an appeal to the decision letter or do I submit a new claim for the Sleep Apnea, as secondary.