georgiapapa

Buck, The veteran you helped is lucky to have a friend like you. I am happy for the veteran and his family and I am sure he is appreciative of your efforts. I know it is a great feeling when you can help a fellow veteran. You are a good man with a big heart and a great example of paying it forward. Take care of yourself and your family. GP

It is just a mild clicking noise that I only hear for a few seconds at a time. It really doesn't bother me that much. You should definitely consider the Inspire system so you can get rid of the CPAP. JMO GP

Also, my mother's first husband was killed in world war 2 and she received the same property tax exemption as a 100% disabled veteran even though her husband never actually received a 100% disability award. I believe the same would hold true for a veteran who receives a 100% award for open claims decided after their death, especially where the surviving spouse is awarded DIC benefits. JMO GP

I believe that each state has different laws pertaining to property tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. In my home state of Georgia, the surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran can receive the same property tax exemption as her veteran spouse. You should check with your local property tax office to see what the property tax exemption laws are in your state pertaining to 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. JMO Good luck to you. GP

theteuful, I have heard of veterans filing claims for anxiety and depression due to tinnitus. Something you may want to consider if the headaches and sleep deprivation from tinnitus is causing you to have anxiety and/or depression. JMO GP

SARDOG, It is my understanding that first time claimants who filed a fully developed claim (FDC) prior to August 5, 2015 would receive an extra year of retroactive benefits. This would explain why your effective date is one year earlier than the date you filed your claim. If you are not a first time claimant or did not file an FDC claim, I don't how to explain the earlier effective date. JMO

Congratulations on your tdiu award and thank you for your service. Take care. GP

I agree with USMC_VET. I brought my relevant medical records to my last two C & P exams. In both exams, the examiners reviewed my records and cited some of the info from the records in their C & P reports. Also, both of the examiners stated they had not been provided with records from the RO to review prior to my exams. They were simply using a computerized checklist of questions similar to a DBQ which in my opinion prevents the examiner from performing a thorough and complete exam. Both of my examiners seemed to appreciate having my records available. By all means, bring all relevant medical evidence you have supporting your contentions. The examiner may choose not to review your medical records but if they do choose to review the records, your chances of receiving a positive report from the examiner increase, Good luck to you. GP

Buck, I agree with broncovet about DIC not reporting income. Another thought came to mind regarding the widow. If she had health insurance with her former employer, she needs to notify Champva that she no longer has the insurance. GP

Rootbeer, Everything is going ok for myself and my family. I hope the same holds true for you and your family. I also hope you find what you need during the VBA search. Good luck and take care. GP

Vync and Buck, I failed to mention that I had severe obstructive sleep apnea prior to my Inspire procedure. If you have any questions about the procedure, just PM John or myself. John is the one who made me aware of the Inspire procedure and I will be forever grateful to him. He has answered my questions and relieved my concerns during every step of the way. GP

Vync and Buck, Based on my own personal experience so far, I highly recommend the Inspire system procedure. Without insurance the procedure is quite expensive. John may have info on VA offering the procedure. Also, for those who do not have insurance, check out www.imtheramedical.com According to my ENT doctor who performs the imtheramedical implant procedure as well as the Inspire procedure, both procedures work well. In March, the imtheramedical procedure was being offered completely free to qualified candidates who agreed to participate in a five year clinical study which required 8 sleep studies during the first year after implant and one sleep study per year during the next 4 years. You can go to their website to locate the nearest participating ENT doctor. Take care. GP

John, Inspire is working for me. During my last sleep study on August 4th, the Inspire rep checked my implant device at different settings while I was sleeping and finally determined my best setting was 1.9 volts when sleeping on my sides and 2.2 volts when sleeping on my back. During the part of my sleep study when my implant device was on my best settings, I had 0 apneas, 0 hypopneas, AHI 0/hour and LSAT 88%. My doctor did not seem to be concerned about my LSAT level. They did note that I had moderate periodic limb movements during sleep. I am scheduled to have another sleep study in November at which time I will be recorded with my implant device only at my best settings during the study. I now keep my device on 2.2 volts when sleeping and I extended my pause time at night from 15 minutes to 25 minutes. By the way, the Inspire rep Tony Meinz, who flew down from Minnesota for my study, stated he recalled meeting you in Tampa. Take care. GP

ArNG11, I am sleeping good and I feel better during the day, So far, knock on wood, I have not had any issues other than an occasional clicking noise caused by tongue movement against my teeth. The crazy thing about it is I have only heard the clicking when my implant device is off. I actually believe the clicking may be related to a nerve in my tongue and not the implant device. The clicking doesn't bother me that much and I would prefer it to a CPAP anyday of the week. GP

Excellent advice given by Pete992. Submit any new evidence you have ASAP, especially the hospitalization evidence. GP

Buck, According to my ENT, the oral appliance (mouth piece) for sleep apnea works about 20% of the time in mild sleep apnea cases and is useless in moderate or severe sleep apnea cases. They also cost around $2000.00 which is usually not covered by insurance. I highly recommend the new surgical procedures involving implants. I had my procedure and was released from the hospital the same day. The surgical procedure was painless and I had minimal pain during my recovery. As a result of the procedure, I no longer require CPAP. GP

Congratulations to you and your husband. Berta is right, the Chapter 35 and Champva benefits are great benefits. Your husband will probably also be entitled to some great local benefits, depending on your state. The benefits include but are not limited to property tax reductions, free disabled veteran auto tags, free business licenses, free hunting and fishing licenses, etc. Please express my appreciation to your husband for his service. Take care. GP

If you have documentary proof that you sent and the VA received all of the information and documentation requested by the VA, you should be OK. If you do not have proof, you have a big problem. JMO GP

Buck, According to the Mayo Clinic website, lack of intrinsic factor may be due to an autoimmune reaction or it may be inherited, Has anyone in your family had this same condition? Hopefully, you do not have leukemia but if you do have a B-cell leukemia, it would definitely be AO related. Let us know if you find out what is causing you to have a lack of intrinsic factor. Take care of yourself. GP

Rick, Congratulations on your increase in rating. In regards to your spouse, there was no disability pay differential for your dependent family members until your combined disability compensation rating reached 30% or above. If you have not already done so, follow the good advice given by USMC_VET and send a request along with the required documentation to have your wife added to the VA's records so you can receive the additional bump in your compensation for your spouse. Also, make sure you notify the VA and submit required documentation for any additional dependents (children, dependent parents, etc.) in the future so you can receive additional compensation. Since your combined rating is 60%, you are now in priority group one of the VA healthcare system and you will no longer have any copays for VA appointments or VA prescriptions. Regardless of whether treatment is for a service connected condition or not, all care you receive at VA medical facilities will be free. You can also go to the business office at your local VAMC and request reimbursement of any copays you paid for VA healthcare or VA prescriptions retroactive back to the effective date your combined rating went to 50% or above. In addition, since your combined rating is now above 30%, you are also entitled to travel pay for travel to any VA appointments. You can go to the travel office at your local VAMC and request travel pay for travel to any previous VA appointments retroactive back to the effective date your combined rating went to 30% or above. Thank you for your service and good luck to you and your wife. Take care. GP

63Sierra, Congratulations on a well deserved award after a long hard fought battle. Time to relax and enjoy. Good luck to you and take care of yourself. GP

Basically that is correct. An IME is one conducted by a doctor who does not work for the VA, either directly or through contract.

IME is an "Independent Medical Examination." IMO is an "independent Medical Opinion." Your private doctor would perform an IME and use the results of an IME to render a written opinion of your claimed medical condition(s) in an IMO. GP

Hamslice, You should keep a close eye on your heart disease and follow up with your cardiologist on a regular basis. However, be aware that some cardiac tests are not always reliable. The most reliable test I have had is a heart catherization procedure. I have had three heart catherizations so far. I have had hypertension and mitral valve prolapse for over thirty years. In July 2012, I had my annual cardiac tests with my cardiologist. The tests included EKG, chest X-rays, nuclear stress test with isotope imaging, ultrasound of heart, and ultrasound of carotid arteries. No significant problems found during the tests. Two months later in September 2012, I was taken to my local ER by ambulance after experiencing severe chest pains. Initial tests at the hospital did not reveal heart problems but my cardiologist performed a heart catherization procedure and placed two coated stents in my heart as a result of a 90%-95% blockage and an 80% blockage. My cardiologist stated I was lucky I did not die before going to the hospital. Then in November 2012, another trip to the ER due to chest pains, another heart catherization and another stent for an 80% blockage. My cardiologist admitted she was surprised the July tests had not revealed the blockages and she stated she would send me straight to the cath lab if I have severe chest pains in the future. Good luck and take care. GP