navydoc2

Cooter I'm no doctor but sounds to me more like narcolepsy than sleep apnea, thats just me. The sleep specialist is called just that or sleep doctor. Good luck. /doc

You may find the answer in this thread. Good luck. /doc

I was referred outside of the VA as well, The tech who hooked me up to all the electrodes came in during the night and gave me a mask. I slept pretty good after that the next thing I knew she was waking me up telling me it was time to go home lol. I was told the results would be sent to the VA and they would set me up with a cpap machine. They called a week later and I went in to get one. That was a year ago, I am still having a hard time keeping it on through the night since I sleep on my stomach usually, and at some point turn over during the night and knock it off. I think the cpap I have is a good one, all in all the VA acted pretty quick on this one I have to say. I am set at 15. I think like Pete says you should get a specialist to tell you what it all means, its that important.

Hey it sounds like and looks like good news to me. I was notified by my VSO that I was granted IU a year ago. I know exactly what you are feeling right now. What a great gift, huh. Enjoy, but most of all RELAX. lol

Did you ask them what your current rating was? Somtimes they can tell you that.

John, I'm not sure what my effective date will be from SSDI. I know that I stopped working in June of 08, I tried to continue to go to school through VocRehab until Dec 08, but my symptoms were too bad to continue and I was considered infeasible by the VocRehab counselor. I knew it would be a long shot especially since the clock had run out on the NOD date. I was hoping that if I could show when my symptoms warranted an increase in my SMR that I might have a shot. Thanks for all the replies and direction. /doc

Thanks Carlie I will research this.

I filled out the SOC and they sent me the 21-8940 asking that I fill it out since I had mentioned in the SOC that I was not working and had been struggling in VocRehab due to my depression and chronic pain from my knees. Is that not an inferred claim? I had not initially asked for IU, hell I had never heard of IU until I came here; much less know to ask for it. lol

So it would have been possible to appeal the EED, even thought the clock on the NOD had run out?

No I am in the reconsideration stage of my SSD claim. It was a thought so I figured I'd ask. Thanks for your replies. /doc

I filed my sleep apnea claim on Nov 1 10. I filed my ED and high blood pressure claim Feb of this year. I was rated 40% prior to requesting increase in Feb of 09. My rating was as follows 10% left knee patella femoral syndrome with osteoarthritis. 30% depression major depressive disorder. I was denied for ED and high blood pressure in June of 10 and sent NOD for them in Nov 10.

Do you receive care at the VA for those other issues? What were the C&P exams for? You can send an Iris inquiry if you have not already done so, and ask those questions specifically. Hang in there I know its tough to wait, we have all done it. Do you have copies of the C&P's that were done; that would give you something to do while you wait. Good luck. /doc

I actually applied for increase for depression in Feb 09, they inferred the IU claim and granted it back to that date. I have a new sleep apnea claim, and I have both an ED and high blood pressure claim on appeal.

I was awarded TDIU in August of 09 dating back to Feb of 09. I stopped working in June of 08. I was wondering if I could get an earlier effective date back to June of 08. I would also like to know if since the clock has run out on the NOD for this claim, if I just missed out and am sol. Thanks. /doc

I learned the hard way how important it is to send it back return receipt.

I wondered the same thing too Delta. Shouldn't it have been inferred when veteran reached 70%? Shouldn't the veteran have a case for retro back to eligible date?

I called the 1 800 # yesterday to check on the status of dependency claim. I was told that they would not start on the dependency claim, until they had all the evidence from my sleep apnea claim; that I submitted on the same day. I have not heard of that before, I've never had to wait for dependency claim; which doesn't have to go to rater. I'm still working on the sleep apnea evidence and will probably not submit all that evidence for a few more weeks. The back pay for my new wife would sure come in handy for the holidays. /doc

I meant lol. 7101 Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension): Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more............................................................. 60 Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more............................................................. 40 Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more............................................................................ ....... 20 Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or; minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control......................................... 10 Note 1: Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. For purposes of this section, the term hypertension means that the diastolic blood pressure is predominantly 90mm. or greater, and isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood pressure is predominantly 160mm. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm. Note 2: Evaluate hypertension due to aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism, which is usually the isolated systolic type, as part of the condition causing it rather than by a separate evaluation. Note 3: Evaluate hypertension separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease.

Here is the schedule for high blood pressure I hope this helps. Diseases of the Arteries and Veins7101 Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension):Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more60Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more40Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more20Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or; minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control10Note (1): Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. For purposes of this section, the term hypertension means that the diastolic blood pressure is predominantly 90mm. or greater, and isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood pressure is predominantly 160mm. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm.Note (2): Evaluate hypertension due to aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism, which is usually the isolated systolic type, as part of the condition causing it rather than by a separate evaluation.Note (3): Evaluate hypertension separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease.

I wouldn't care if they got mad at me. I just don't understand how you could have records and they not get where they are supposed to go. I've been trying to call the SS lady back all day today but it goes to voice mail. My lawyer called today and couldn't tell me what had happened actually she claimed that SS was making that up. She said they have had the records since May. Good to hear from you Testvet, its been a while since I've seen you on the board. or KOS :)

This may be long, but I'll try to stick to the point. I applied for SSDI back in Sep of last year, and was denied; I know nothing new there right. I then got a lawyer and requested a reconsideration in Apr. I was thinking that I was due for a decision soon so I called my lawyer last month and found out that they needed my information about my pacemaker insertion from May. I gave my lawyer the information she needed and thought shouldn't be long now. I got a letter this weekend from SS saying that they never received my pacemaker info, I called SS Monday and was told by the woman that the only medical information they had was from the psych exam they sent me to in Aug. I was so shocked I couldn't speak. You mean to tell me they had none of the VA medical information; I am TDIU P&T are you kidding me? I have volumes of medical info from the VA that I gave to my lawyer back in Apr when they took my case. I don't know what to believe, could they be holding onto this information to prolong the time to max out their payout? I'm left blowing in the wind and possibly getting denied; just so my lawyer can get more money. I so want to fire them right now but I know that would be more trouble and cause even more delays. Any advice please? /doc

You might be able to find an answer here. http://www.ssdanswers.com/category/eligibility-issues/auxiliary-benefits/ . Good luck.

You have one year after discharge to service connect issues from active duty. If you can find a doc to draw that line that it goes back to service, then they will pay retro back to the day after you discharged.

I may be able to do it after the new year, but with Christmas coming and young kids; that is just not possible right now. The sleep apnea SC will put me at 100% plus 60% and in the statutory SMC "S" rating hopefully.

Did the VA decide your case using the SSD information?