hawkcrewchief

Well I guess I never really thought about it, untill I learned that it might be a player in my sleep apnea. Also I was told by the rep when I was filling my paperwork for original claims that I did not go to the doctor enough for it to be SC, in other words he said since I never complained about it after that then they will not grant SC for it. I thought it was true so I never have claimed it, is he right...?

Patient XXX XXXXXXX is a XX year old male recent overnight sleep recording showed: -There were 22 apneas (3.3/hr sleep) of those 0 were mixed , 22 were obstructed and 0 were central apneas -There were 77 hyponea (11.6/hr. sleep). -The Apnea+Hyponea Index (AHI) was 15.0/hr. sleep. -In addition, there were 33 Respiratory Related Arousals 5.0/hr. sleep. -The respiratory Disturbances index (RDI) is 20.0events/hour. -The subjects sleep was recorded mostly supine. -Apneas and Hyponeas during supine sleep (back index) 18.4 -Apneas and hypopneas during REM sleep (REM index) 50.6. - O2 saturation lowest point was 85% ;) Assesessment: Primary Diagnosis moderate sleep apnea, worse in REM caffeine dependence chronic headaches nasal septal deviation ( blunt force injury in army) Plan: -Will need pap titration to determine therapeutic measures -ENT evaluation for nasal obstruction and snoring. -Reduce caffeine intake may improve headaches. -PT reports RLS sx but no PLMS noted with minimal wake before sleep. Will observe, if sx are persistent and problematic we will consider treatment. XXXX XXXXX MD Neurology Soooo does anyone know what this means??? Should I file a claim for SC? My nose injury is not SC but it is in my SMR along with the x-rays from the fractures when I got injured, plus several MD's say I have a deviated septum from it. Thanks in advance.

I like my salt water fish tank. I have also put in a fence around my entire house with a light sensored flood light. So the entire place is lit up at night. I live on a dead end road on the last house so I love that. Cant do crowded malls either so online shopping is the key for me, but when wifey wants to go out we sit in an area where I can watch everybody. So my blanky is my house ohhh and just got double-sided dead bolts on all my doors B)

I had to go to my PC doc and I told him all the things bronco just said and he gave me a consult to see a SA doctor then he screened me and then HE referred the Sleep Study which I have to go to next week at 8pm. Thats how it worked for me so far.

Thanks guys!!!! I am going to mention to the doctor to please write that in there. I also have my own personal copy of my records and will bring in the things pertainig to my nose injury so he can see it for himself. Your advice is right on the money guys thanks!!!!

Thanks jbasser and rentalguy. But I thought if he lived with someone else I had to give the money they gave me for him to him (his mother)?

If my son is from a previous marriage, and I have 50% custody over him along with the fact that he comes over every other weekend for my visititation. Can I claim him as living with me..? I am remarried and drive an hour every other weekend to bring him to my place, he lives here for three days does that count..? I am confused Because the form VA 21-686c states " If any child listed above does not live with you compelete items 16a-16c". SO does he live with me or not....? :D :)

Yes I had an injury in the Army to my nase which caused a fracture, it also seems to have given me a deviated septum, I can hardly breathe because it always has a restriction for the air coming thru. I will try to claim the sleep apnea due to this injury, since the VA sleep apnea docotor who refered me to the study said he is sure my nose is causing the problem. I just dont know how to do it since my nose injury is not SC but well documented, with an x-ray of the fracture...? Any ideas...?

Sorry to piggyback but where do you go or call to get this info...? I got a call and they said they were verifying my address to send me info on my "Award" but they could not talk on the phone about it. Should I assume since he said award its a good thing or should I call someone...? thanks

So im up to bat next week to the sleep apnea lab, and I am a bit nervous about sleeping in a creppy room looking like a robot full of probes. Does anyone know what happens, and what I should do or expect? Thanks in advance

How where you able to make the connection of depression secondary to hearing loss? I have 10% for tinnutis but didnt get the hearing rating.

Im having trouble trying to find something to connect it to. I had a non displaced fracture of the nasal bone which is in my SMR. Im wondering if there was a deviation along with it which I can use as the SC i need, since when I was in the military I never knew what SA was.

I am SC for tinnitus all I had to do was take a hearing test inside this big fridge looking box, they asked me about my symptoms I told them about the ringing and headaches and hearing loss which is documented. Not a bad test at all took little time also in my opinion. But weird thing is they denied me for hearing loss they said I had only an average decibal loss of 15.5 when they start rating at a loss of 26 decibels... go figure??

Sorry if im asking too many questions but im getting all my ducks in a row before my string of exams next week. Im so nervous......

What could possibly be the factor or incident which brings sleep apnea on? I have had a grenade explosion incident, and an incident where I struck my head on the helicopter so hard I cracked my flight helmet. I served in combat or wait President Clinton calls having freaking bullets shot at a Medivac helicopter while in a minefield in Kosovo a "Peacekeeping Mission" ughhhhhhhhh guess Mogadishu was one also...? I have a BP chart that I have been recording from my SMR I never had BP problems and since my time in service check out the numbers I found in medical records. At my C&P exam last week I hit 150/75 while resting, the same numbers in both arms with a manual reading.... B) :D 10/1998 151/75 10/1998 144/67 2/1999 146/71 4/1999 124/64 8/1999 130/70 8/1999 164/84 8/1999 130/57 10/1999 138/88 6/2000 135/84 10/2000 148/80 3/2001 136/71 1/2002 125/64 8/2002 156/80 10/2002 143/69 12/2002 149/86 12/2002 124/76 1/2003 140/87 1/2003 150/84 1/2003 145/84 1/2003 140/79 3/2003 152/85 3/2003 144/70 4/2003 130/77 4/2003 144/81 9/2003 142/75 10/2003 141/83 10/2003 144/72 10/2003 136/77 11/2003 156/81 11/2003 154/73 12/2003 147/86 2/2004 150/105 :) 2/2004 147/81

I also read it has to be hand written not typed on the computer, is that true?

Anybody have an idea what a good buddy letter should state (verbage) in order to take with me to my sleep apnea study next week? I have tracked down two of my old roommates but no one knows what to write, including my wife. Does anyone have some advice or examples?

How is the claim for migraines 2nd to vistublar diorder going? I have 10% for tinnitus and have "some" symptoms that could be rated under this.

Its ok wings I understand, Ill be here waiting now youve got me wondering about all my zero's. The depression claim would seem like I have enough pain complaints to get it thru but who knows with these people...?

Good Luck with that claim, I wonder how they will get around it if its in the manual? Wings said that there is a way to get my zero's rated higher does anyone else know how? I will make some appointments and start building a stronger case for my pains for now I guess.

Welcome back Everybody has "those" days, thus the reason everybody welcomed you back. Says alot about the character of the people on this website, all volunteers who truly want to help. Ive recently decided to make this my home hopefully you do too.

My pain is a daily thing. I wake up in pain, go to sleep with pain. cant stand lights, noise etc etc. Sounds like headaches; what is the medical condition causing these symptoms? I had a grenade explode within feet of me. I also had an incident where I hit my head and cracked my flight helmet from the impact, and the headaches are driving me crazy VA doc gave me a TBI consult. My depression is secondary to all [moore specifically?] my service connected injuries, even though most are service-connected 0%? Do you have a current diagnosis of Depression? I Have 10% for tinnitus 0% for Degenerative disc disease 0% Bilateral pes planovalgas 0% residuals scar 0% TMJ disorder S/P left mandible fracture (blunt force trauma to the face) No Depression diagnosis as of today, never have seen anyone for any Mental Health issues was afraid they would not let me fly I have a OSA study coming up as well as a TBI consult maybe they can shine some light on my issues. Do not know OSA? Obstructed Sleep Apnea But like I have posted before I was scared of getting a PTSD diagnosis, but after reading things on here I no longer fear facing the truth. And now you have a current diagnosis of PTSD? Hhave you filed a claim for PTSD? No Claim No Diagnosis I was afraid of not being able to work or something (I know i was being dum sorry) When I accept the MH consult should I bring up that my depression due to pain [which] is in fact SC.? Which came first the chicken or the egg? Make sure you have your battle plan down cold before you assert a diagnosis for the VA to agree with. Talk about your pain, talk about your depression, but try to get an IMO (medical opinion) from a doctor regarding the link or nexus. I have never gone to a private doctor for any of my conditions, nor the VA I just try to take care f myself I dont like to nag. I got out in 04 and now things are getting bad so im trying to get them taken care of. Especially now when im learning that the things that are happening to me have names and reasons.

I recently had a C&P exam and the doctor told me that pain is not a disability he told me I had to prove how my injury has disabled me. But if my pain is a daily thing, if I wake up in pain go to sleep with pain, cant stand lights, noise etc etc. and Im only 28 y/o this is very depressing to me. I am a tough guy some friends and family say I am crazy/paranoid etc etc but it is what it is I cant help what ive become. But isnt my depression secondary to all my service connected injuries even if most are 0%? I have a OSA study coming up as well as a TBI consult maybe they can shine some light on my issues. But like I have posted before I was scared of getting a PTSD diagnosis but after reading things on here I no longer fear facing the truth, when I accept the MH consult should I bring up that my depression due to pain is in fact SC...? I confuse myself sometimes can someone unravel my thoughts? Thanks

I have most of the symptoms that you described there, but like skunk said how many stressors do you need to prove your case I have at least one that can be proven with unit military records and news coverage of the incident, and another that hopefully can be proven because I was in an Air Ambulance in a combat zone, but then how can I prove to them my stressors other than my MOS and my military awards...?. But from what I read most of the bad stuff will probably get written off as usual nature of warfare. So then it comes down to wording like Berta's VERY good examples showed. Im just sooo confused, I swear they make it sooo hard so that you just quit and go away. geeeezzzzzzz :D

Hard to follow such thoughtful and beautiful comments, so I will just second on Berta's and all of the other nice comments. Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Quanza or whatever you and your family celebrate. Im just a newbie on here but ive learned more in two weeks than years of trying to do it alone. Thanks Hadit and friends!!!!!!