georgiapapa

thashow2k1, As long as your medical conditions are well documented in your SMRs and there has been a continuation of treatment since your diagnosis, you should not have a problem having the conditions service connected and receiving compensation from the VA. Sleep Apnea with CPAP is rated at 50% by itself. Make sure you follow broncovet's advice and send only copies of records to the VA with your claim. Never send the originals. Also, make sure anything you mail to the VA is sent Certified Mail return receipt requested. The VA does have a habit of losing documents. If you have any medical conditions caused from injuries in service, you may want to get "buddy statements" from other airmen who witnessed the accident causing the injury. Submit the "buddy statements" along with the SMRs showing treatment for the injuries. Good luck to you and thank you for your service. GP

Buck, If you received an award letter from the VA dated February 5, 2010 stating you have been awarded 50% for Obstructive Sleep Apnea effective February 5, 2009, the start date for the 20 year rule would be February 5, 2009, which is the effective date of the award. GP

RoverV8Man, I would suggest taking copies of any relevant medical records supporting your request for an increase to your C & P exam. Although they should, don't rely on your RO providing copies for the C & P examiner to review. The C & P examiner may or may not review the copies you provide to them. At my last C & P exam, the examiner used info from the reports I provided to answer some of the questions on her computerized checklist and she kept the copies. When I obtained a copy of the C & P exam report, I noticed the C & P examiner had used some of the info from the report copies I provided to her to complete her report. I won my award. Good luck to you. GP

Good luck to you on your appeal. GP

Buck, The effective date of an award is also the beginning date for the 20 year rule for that particular award. GP

I had a psycholigist at my outpatient clinc I saw for several months and then she transferred over to DOD in another state. She was an excellent psychologist and my sessions with her helped me a great deal. When my psychologist left, the VA did not fill her position at the outpatient clinic and the VA informed me if I still wanted to be seen by a psychologist, I would have to see one at my VAMC which is over 60 miles from my home. I am thinking about trying to get my VA PCP (NP) to schedule me with a private psychologist through the VA Choice Card program. I have never been seen by a psychiatrist, only a psychologist and a psychiatric NP who prescribed my medication. GP

Congratulations me.plum. I hope they schedule you for your new C & P exam ASAP. Good luck to you and Semper Fi. GP

bcbcbc, I believe "residuals" usually refers to what is remaining of a disease after an eradification effort is made. The term "static" indicates that a medical condition has not changed or remains the same. The term "watching and waiting" is often used when a disease is currently asymptomatic and doctors continue to monitor the disease for signs the disease has become symptomatic. Hope this helps. Good luck to you. GP

Some ROs update ebenefit info faster than others. I agree with Joe. Give it a few more days. Also keep checking your direct deposit account for retro pay deposit. Also, info from the VA 800# is not always reliable. I called the 800# once regarding my mother's annual DIC benefits letter and was told the letter was sent the day I called. My mother received the letter a week later and the letter was dated five days after the day I called. Good luck. GP

ranger11bv, You not only need to look for a diagnosis of your claimed conditions but also any symptoms of your medical conditions in your SMRs. For example a veteran who was diagnosed with sleep apnea after beng discharged would still have a chance of winning a claim for service connected sleep apnea if their SMRs noted symptoms of sleep apnea such as snoring, gasping for air, stopped breathing briefly during sleep, daytime tiredness, etc. Your SMRs do not necessarily have to show a diagnosis for a specific medical condition for the condition to be service connected but the SMRs would need to show continuing complaints and/or treatment of the symptoms of the medical condition. JMO The information listed by Fat in his post above is good information to guide you as to what is needed to succeed with your claims. Good luck to you. GP

mcoleman5, Congratulations on your long overdue award. In addition to the Chapter 35 benefits, your eligible dependents will also have Champva healthcare benefits available. In my opinion, Champva is the best healthcare insurance available. Also, you will have commissary and exchange privileges at military bases, free dental at the VA dental clinics, life insurance, and probably some additional state benefits. In my state, my property taxes were reduced dramatically and my ad valorem taxes on my car went from over $500.+ to zero. Good luck to you and your family and take care of yourself. GP

Hugh, You must still be working. If you are able to work and have a good job, I understand why you do not want 100% at this time. Good luck. GP

Hugh, Since they asked you to fill out the 21-8940, it looks to me like you are being considered for TDIU. Hopefully, your 90% combined rating will be paid at the TDIU 100% rating soon. Congratulations on the 90% rating and good luck with TDIU. GP

Excellent advice given by Fat.

Kimmy, In my opinion, you have been a great advocate for your husband and your hard work has paid off. I know it has been stressful at times for you and your husband but thanks to you, your husband finally received the compensation he earned and deserves. In your husband's eyes, I know you are his hero. I am a big fan of the veteran's spouses on Hadit and believe you are all special ladies for what you all have done on behalf of your veterans. Congratulations on a job well done. I hope you and your husband and your children live long happy healthy lives. GP

Randy, Even if it is a denial, consider it to just be a bump in the road along the way to a successful conclusion. Keep thinking positive and keep us posted. Good luck. GP

ranger11bv, According to the VA, they denied your claims because your SMRs did not contain evidence of the conditions you claimed and you also failed to report for a VA C & P exam. If your SMRs contain evidence of your claimed medical conditions, you should fight the denial. If they did not, you will need some strong evidence showing your conditions were incurred in or caused by your military service. A strong IMO showing a nexus might work but it will have to be supported by reasonable medical rationale. In regards to failing to show up for a scheduled C & P exam, if this is true, you made a big mistake. Always show up for C & P exams. If the VA scheduled an exam and you missed the exam because the VA failed to notify you, you should have let the VA know you were not notified so they could have rescheduled the exam. If you have additional info you can post which can give Hadit members more insight into your claims, perhaps we would be in a better position to help you. GP

green, Now I understand. Your neurologist is going to complete a VA DBQ (Disability Benefit Questionnaire) for you. Your neurologist would need to do the EMG/NCV and then do his regular Neuro exam. In my opinion, you need the EMG/NCV first so your neurologist will have the results prior to completing the DBQ. The EMG/ NCV will determine the nerves involved and the severity of nerve damage. My last EMG/NCV tests took about an hour. You will have needles placed in your muscles and then you will be asked to tighten them, which is somewhat painful. You will also have electrical shocks to different nerves in your extremities. Good luck to you and Semper Fi. GP

green VA regional offices usually schedule C & P exams whether private or at a VAMC. I have never known of a veteran scheduling a C & P exam. I assume you are talking about an IME (Independent Medical Exam) so the private neurologist can provide you with an IMO (Independent Medical Opinion) which you can use to support your claim. My private neurologist provided me with an IME and an IMO. I already had EMG/NCV prior to my IME exam. GP

Slowlane, I cited a BVA case provided to me by Berta in my last claim because the facts were almost identical to my own situation. It was listed by the RO as part of my evidence in my award package and I prevailed just like the person in the BVA case. GP

Bilateral would include both sides.

diver, I think you did the right thing except for stating you found 8 BVA decisions supporting your claim. You need to find some BVA decisions supporting your claim ASAP. You can go to www.bva.va.com and click on "search decisions" and type in key words in the search block such as "sciatica, radiculopathy, etc." You can search under 38 CFR part 4 and find the Schedule of Ratings for the medical conditions matching your medical condition and get an idea as to how it is rated. I have sciatica in my left leg and hip and my ortho doctor (spine specialist) stated it was caused by spinal stenosis at the L5-S1 level. You can find spinal stenosis in 38 CFR part 4.71a. Good luck to you. GP

bh1981, Did you check to see if you have an AB3 or "Commissary Letter" under the "Downloadable VA Letters?" The "Commissary Letter" I have on ebenefits shows my status as "Permanent & Total Disability" and "No Future Exams Scheduled." Congratulations on the IU and the SMC award. Good luck to you. GP

rootbeer22, I agree with Mark. I would go ahead and try to line up some good specialists to conduct IMEs and prepare some strong IMOs for you as soon as you receive your rating decision. However, I would wait until you actually receive your rating decision before you go to the expense of actually hiring the specialists because your rating decision could be the opposite of what you expect. You really never know what will happen the VA. JMO

tdubya82, In regards to your swallowing problems, I have GERD and swallowing problems and recently had an esophageal dilation. My gastro doctor advised me that swallowing problems often return which necessitates the need for additional dilation procedures as often as every six months. You may be one of those patients requiring frequent dilation procedures. I wish you good luck with your health and your claims. GP