mzerousa

Hello Brothers and Sisters: I am dazed and confused. Please forgive me. Sorry for the long post. I am 90% Service connected with Ulcers (40%), PTSD (30%) Diabetes (20%) PN both legs (20% + 20%, sec to the Diabetes), PN both arms (10% + 10%, sec to diabetes), tinnitus (10%). Up till May 2007 had a wonderful VA Doc who I felt took care of me. He had a stroke and was replaced with a new Doc who stayed for six months and replaced with another new Doc. These new Docs gave me a feeling of getting a bum's rush out of the facility. I was unable to connect with these new VA Docs so I went to a civilian internist for a checkup. She gave me a complete physical, then asked me why the VA had not taken care of me. She suggested a battery of tests such as Chest Xray (I had been in hospital for Bronchitis and pneumonia), Sleep Apnea, complete Blood work (VA did a minor lab work) to be recommended to my VA Doc. Went to VA Doc and it started raining S_&%^$# down on me immediately. I mean like four hours wait on appt, when I complained it was politetly explained that emergencies take priority, but I did not note any emergency. After several months in March 08 I was scheduled for a prelimany Sleep Apnea test at a local sleep center by the VA. Did it and was called several days later to come back in for a second sleep study (with a CPAP). Results of the test indicated that I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Restless Leg Syndrome. VA has yet to contact me regarding the results of these tests. I initiated an appointment with VA for next week. I knew this from long time ago myself but did not connect it with my other ailments, however, I did tell all the Docs even on active duty thirty years ago that I had trouble sleeping, panic attacks, Restless Legs and needed medication to sleep. Active duty Docs gave me phenobatial and librium so I could cope. Believe me, not a good scene! Yep, the VA did prescribe trazadone which I took for a while and then quit because I could not handle the effects. It didn't seem to help. Now the question(s): I have appointment with Regular VA Doc soon. How should I approach this from the point of connecting it with my SC diabilities? Should it be secondary or should it be an aggravated condition to one of the other SC conditions(PTSD, ulcers, diabetes)? I have an appointment with my VA Head shrinker in two weeks. Should I try to get him to recognize it as secondary or aggravated to my PTSD? Please, my memory and cognitive skills are shot. I am confused about what I read in the other messages. Need help. Thanks for your comments, recommendations. Thank you for your service to our Nation. Sorry for the long post. mzero