Chris111

I was in Marine Corp rifleman which include humping backpacks, machine guns and all sort of items. I did a lot fast roping too.

there is no specific event that i can remember in service that cause the back injury. I have been living with terrible pain for years, and doctors just keep telling me to "stretch." I finally had a MRI done and i have something called "neural stenosis", and"buldging disks," and sciatic issues. i will be having a procedure called a "facet injection" and "radifrequency lesioning" done soon.

I have some back issues ie bulging disk, sciatica, neural stenosis. A fellow vet told me to put a claim in for low back pain, he said that is a catch all for the lower back. Is this true?

I have a 1 year time limit on a denied claim about to expire in a week or so. Can i let the 1 year expire and file a new claim on the issue at a latter date?

I almost forgot for hypertension and sleep apnea the rater said "Dr. bash noted your sleep apnea, but did not discuss or give an opinion regarding the condition. Therefore, because there is no evidence of an in service condition that has continued since service, or opinion linking your current condition, it is denied." The basically use the same line for hypertension. This was a de novo review, and I'm confused on how much time i have to appeal, in the third page is say one year, and another says 60 days. A form for a BVA appeal came with it, Can i keep it a RO?

Dr. Bash did not do the IME for ptsd, he did it for the ankle which was approved, and the 2 other issues that were denied.

PTSD increased form 30% to 50%, Chronic Ankle sprain with recurring instability given 10%, was previously denied. Total 60%, but was denied sleep apnea and hypertension, even though i had IME from dr. bash. Not sure how i should go about pursing this, as the one year mark on a couple of other issues are almost up too.

yes i had a MRI, but i dont know the full details, just pinched nerve in lumbar area. I dont have anything in my medical records of injuring my back in the service. Next doctor appointment i will try to see about getting a nexes letter, and more details of MRI results. How would i get the MRI results through the VA on a non C&P MRI?

I went to a private foot doctor who wrote a nice letter for me. On his report he said the following: difficulty walking pain in limb chronic r medial ankle pain s/p sprain while in USMC. R sciatica by hx R drop foot R EHL weakness. Diminished R achilles reflex. From reading this can it be assumed that the sciatica/ dropped foot can be secondary?

I also just found out i have a pinched sciatic nerve on my right side; and a right dropped foot. I do have a military injury on my right ankle, can it be related?

how do i get another exam done on me to see if i have any of the presumtive illness's? i had one in 1995 and had skin issues at that time.

I have sciatic nerve issues but do not have anything in my smr related to this, only an ankle/ knee issure. I'm on a couple of nerve pain meds, Primary doc is referring me to a specialist. I was an infantryman humping 90lbs through mountains and stuff. how do i go about getting this issue service connected?

Im currenty rated at 30% and did a c&p here are the results: Axis 1, PTSD the established diagnosis is agreeable. the symptons are consistant with those found with ptsd such as recurrent thoughts, avoidance of certian stimuli, sleep and mood disturbance. there is no other axis 1 diagnosis. there is no substance abuse. axis 2, no diagnosis. axis 3, sleep apnea] axis 4, problems with social support axis 5, GAF score 53 Then there is a addendum: Withe continued treatment PTSD may worsen. Improvement may be limited due to chronic nature of his illness. Alcohol abuse in remission. Symptons of alcohol abuse began prior to any trauma or ptsd symptoms. I actually did start drinking heavy after the war, so not sure where they figured if started before. Is persuing the alcohol abuse beneficial?

Federal jobs seem to require security background checks, since i have been diagnosed with PTSD and am taking paxil will that hinder my chances of getting a federal job? I have not been diagnosed with depression, the bottle says mood/ anxiety.

question. when i first got my award letter the awarded me 30% ptsd and denied a few others. I am going to submitt a NOD letter for the "others" and in order to get a increase for the ptsd do i also call it a NOD? I am using hadit's NOD template.

Just rescheduled an appointment with my therapist at the vet center to see if she can give me something.

I read about two types of DRO review, one being personal meeting. If i can not make the meeting will a VSO handle this for me? Also for the PTSD 30% rating; i do not have records from the Vet Center counseling; and neither did the original rater. can i just tell them in nod to get my records?

I am about to file a NOD on a couple of issues that were denied. I feel i have some better evidence and a IME from a private doctor that can swing these items in my favor. I also have a 30% ptsd decision i feel was underrated; but have been going to vet center and that wasnt taken into account in my claim. Does someone have any advise on how to go about doing this? i like to make it short and sweet.

hi i applied for a supervisory position in DC back a couple of months ago and the status reads "Referred as a Veterans Equal Opportunity Act 105-339 eligible under competitive procedures". My question is how many for levels are there until i know I've been selected? The position is WS- 09/09, not sure what the 09/09 means?

one doctor said i have ischemic heart disease due to trauma from military service; what is the current rating on that?

I was recently rated at 30% and would like to go back to school using Voc Rehab to get a college degree to eventually be employed by the Federal Government. I already have a AA degree, but realize i will need to get a bachelors degree to make more money. Was originally considering a Business degree; as it is faster; but now i am looking into a construction management. Does the type of bachelors degree matter?

In Iraq I was in sick call for days; but it didnt show up in my service records. there was no medical facilities around so they just gave me pain meds and told me to wait it out. I had broke a small bone that still bothers me to this day. I heard one can request unit MORNING REPORTs and those should state where i was. How can i do this? thanks

Actually the smart card is different than the modem they are proposing to install in the Cpap machine. The smart card has to be taken into the office for them to read; while the modem sends them real time information so then can read my results the next morning. This sleep study is totally volantary but if im having problems getting used to using the device, they will be calling me.

bump

Hi i was told i have sleep apnea and the VA is conducting a study in which they will put a modem on the cpat machine if i choose to participate. The only benefit will be getting my cpat machine faster. I feel having a modem can be a bit invasive as they will be checking on me everyday; anyone have any experiences with this?