RichL

I received my rating results from the RO. I have been awarded 0% SC for hypertension secondary to my SC obstructive sleep apnea. I guess 0% is better than nothing.

I submitted the following evidence: 1. Letter from my Sleep Apnea Dr. Stating that my hypertension "is caused by his service connected sleep apena and/or PTSD." 2. Letter from my civilian primiary care doctor noting that my hypertension "may" be related to my PTSD or OSA. 3. Letter from my ENT doctor to my primary care doctor stating that it is possible that my hypertension is related to my OSA. I am still waiting to find out from the RO what SC percentage, if any I will be receiving for the hypertension now that it is SC.

Thanks for everyones responses.

I just received notification from the BVA that I am entitled to SC for hypertension, to include as secondary to SC for OSA and PTSD from an appeal of a denied clam for hypertension in 2004, and from a denial for SC for hypertension secondary to PTSD and or OSA in 2008. The letter from the BAV stated that my records are being sent back to the VA office that has jurisdiction over this matter. What happens next? The letter from the BVA did not state what percentage of disability for hypertension have been awarded, will the RO?

Does anyone have the complete article? I am only able to get the following abstract: Vol. 302 No. 5, August 5, 2009 JAMA • Online FeaturesResearch Letters This Article •Full text •PDF •Send to a friend •Save in My Folder •Save to citation manager •Permissions Citing Articles •Contact me when this article is cited Related Content •Similar articles in JAMA Topic Collections •Psychiatry •Post Traumatic Stress Disorder •Cardiovascular System •Violence and Human Rights •War •Cardiovascular Disease/ Myocardial Infarction •Alert me on articles by topic Social Bookmarking What's this? Association of Cardiovascular Risk Factors With Mental Health Diagnoses in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Using VA Health Care Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings. To the Editor: Studies of veterans from prior wars have found that those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at significantly increased risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease.1-3 To our knowledge, cardiovascular disease risk has not been evaluated in veterans from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We examined the association of PTSD and other mental disorders with cardiovascular risk factors using national data from veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) who sought care at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. Methods The data source was the VA OEF/OIF Roster, containing demographicand military service information on the 41% of eligible OEF/OIFveterans who have accessed VA health care. The study populationconsisted of 303 223 veterans who were new users of VAhealth care from October 7, 2001 (the start of OEF), to September30, 2008. Data were linked to inpatient and outpatient VA electronichealth . . . [Full Text of this Article] Beth E. Cohen, MD, MAS beth.cohen@va.gov Department of Medicine Charles Marmar, MD Department of Psychiatry Li Ren, MS Department of Medicine Daniel Bertenthal, MPH Health Services Research Enhancement Award Program Karen H. Seal, MD, MPH Department of Medicine San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center San Francisco, California

The VA will presume certain specific listed conditions to be service connected by presumption, provided that they became manifest during a certain period of time after service. These include certain “chronic “ diseases, including arthritis, gallstones, psychoses, sarcoidosis, ulcers, and heart conditions (including hypertension). OSA is not on that list to the best of my knowledge

Is there a maximum VA disability rating that a National Guard or Reserve service member can be rated at, and be receiving compensation while still serve in the National Guard or Reserve?

OSA is not a presumptive service disiability. So being discharged with in 12 months of my diagnosis did not make it SC. I believe that the letter is what provided the nexus for SC in my case.

It sounds very similar. I also take meds to sleep at night. I received 50% for OSA. It was not secondary to my PTSD. I was not diagnosed with OSA while I was on active duty. It was not until November 2006, almost nine months after I was discharged the most recent time that I was diagnosed with OSA. I was already SC for PTSD from 2003 in Iraq. What connected my OSA to my active service was a letter from a fellow Soldier who was on AD with me in Iraq. He described the symptoms of OSA that I displayed while I was on AD in 2003. I believe that without this letter, I wound not have received the SC for the OSA. (I hope that answer your question too 1968 Nam Vet) I now have an overall rating of 80%!!!! I guess that sometimes the system does work.

I just received my notice from the VA. I was awarded 50% for OSA. Thanks for everyones advise.

Is there any recourse if the doctor who conducted your C&P exam does not have your C file at the exam and you are not satisfied with the VA's rating based on the exam that was conducted without the examining doctor having reviewed your C file?

Thanks for the advice.

I have been diagnosed with Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and Sleep Apnea by a civilian doctor. I use a CPAP machine nightly. I am currently S/C for PTSD at 30%. I asked civilian doctor if it was possible that my Sleep Apnea could be related (a secondary condition) to my PTSD, and if so, would he state that in my medical records. What my civilian doctor did was to write To Whom It May Concern Letter for me. The letter said "This is to confirm the Mr..........has a diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), anxiety, and PTSD. It is my impression that his sleep apnea, PLMD, and PTSD/ Anxiety Disorder are all service related. If you have any questions please feel to call me." Based on this doctors letter, it that enough for me to file for sleep apnea as either a primary condition, or a secondary condition to my S/C PTSD. Additionally, is PLMD a S/C condition? I was not treated for sleep apnea or PLMD while on active duty, but I was diagnosed with both conditions within one year of discharge.

I had custom molded orthotics made for my feet at the VA. I do not know what an AFO is? Please explain....

So, does that mean that I should file for a new SC rating for painful motion of the left foot?

I am service connected for Left and Right Achilles tendinitis at 10% for each foot. I have been seen by a VA Podiatry doctor who had orthotics made for both of my feet. I have also been on various pain medications for my foot pain. I recently had a general C&P exam. During this exam the examiner stated in the report that I was diagnosed with Bilateral Achilles tendinitis that has significant effects on my occupation. In the Musculoskeletal Exam section of the report, the examiner states that in the Other Significant Physical Findings section that my right ankle active range of motion for each type of joint: Dorsiflexion: 0-10 degrees Plantarflexion: 0-45 degrees Is there pain on motion: Yes Motion and degree at which painful motion begins and ends: Pain with Dorsiflexion from 5 to 10 degrees. Negative Deluca For the left ankle active range of motion for each type of joint: Dorsiflexion: 0-0 degrees Plantarflexion: 0-45 degrees Is there pain on motion: Yes Motion and degree at which painful motion begins and ends: Pain with Dorsiflexion from -5 to 0 degrees. Negative Deluca What does this mean, and is it possible based on this exam to receive and increase for my Achilles tendinitis? Or should I make a new claim for foot injuries other (5284), or ankle limited motion (5271), or some other claim?

I was being treated (receiving medication) for Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) while on active duty. Can I become service connected for this?

I am service connected at 60% (30% for PTSD, 20% Hemorrhoids, 10% Intervertebral Disc Syndrome, 10% Tendon Inflammation, 10% Tendon Inflammation, 10 % Irritable Colon, 0% Limited Motion of Ankle, 0% Residuals of Foot Injury). I’ve finely got around to reviewing my VA records and I keep seeing Mood Disorder NOS (ICD-9-cm 296.90 (296.90) listed on my problem list. What exactly is this, and can I file a claim for it? I have also seen notes that I have scored positive for depression screening. Is this related?

Would you provide those COVA cases information. I too, am trying to link sleep apnea to PTSD.

Thanks for everyones advise!

I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apena within one year of my discharge from active duty. I was never treated for the Apena while on active duty. Is it possible to get a service connected rating for the Sleep Apena since I received the diagnosis within the one year of my discharge?

Does anyone know if sleep apena is or can be connected to a PTSD disibility rating? Thanks,

Do you have the web link to the above quot? I could use the entire document.

I have had sucess with the Disabled American Veterns (DAV) service organization. If you are in Pensacola, FL, Ann Heart (DAV rep) at the Vet Center is very good.

I'm in the same situation. After I returned from Iraq and demobed as a reservist in 2003, I stated using the local VA clinic for my medical treatment. I was diagnosed three months later with hypertension and put on meds. My blood pressure reading were in the Stage 1 range. Bellow is the American heat Association guidelines: American Heart Association recommended blood pressure levels Blood Pressure Category Systolic (mm Hg) Diastolic (mm Hg) Normal less than 120 and less than 80 Prehypertension 120–139 or 80–89 High Stage 1 140–159 or 90–99 Stage 2 160 or higher or 100 or higher I submitted a claim for VA Comp for hypertension since I was diagnosed within one year of release from active duty with high blood pressure by the VA. But the VA denied my claim. I have filed an appeal and am currently waiting on the VA’s response. It makes no sense to me why the VA would diagnose me with hypertension, then put me on meds to control my hypertension, and then hold it against me that my blood pressure readings are not high enough for VA compensation because I'm on meds that are controlling my hypertension.