georgiapapa

The statements are helpful but the statements alone may not meet the threshold for service connection. You stated the doctor treated you for sleep disorder but you were not diagnosed with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder. Was this a military doctor, VA doctor or private doctor who treated you? If you haven't already done so, I would try to get an IME and IMO from a pulmonary doctor who specializes in sleep disorders. Ask the doctor up front if they will provide an IMO that meets VA requirements if their exam and review of the records supports an IMO. Provide the doctor with all of your relevant medical records showing any symptoms of sleep appeal as well as the statements from your wife and room mate. Include the medical records from the doctor who previously treated you for a sleep disorder since the symptoms you mentioned are sleep apnea symptoms. If you have not had a sleep study, ask the doctor to perform one. With the symptoms you describe, the sleep specialist should not hesitate to perform a study. The sleep study will determine if you do in fact have sleep apnea. At a minimum, the doctor will need to include a nexus statement in the IMO stating it is their medical opinion that "it is at least as likely as not" that you had sleep apnea during your military service. Good luck to you on your claim.

If you are having trouble with CPAP there are other options (oral appliance, surgery, etc.). Reach out to John 999 for more specific information. As far as your claim, If your VA sleep doctor has not reviewed your MMR showing symptoms of sleep apnea, provide a copy to the doctor for his/her review. Afterwards, ask the doctor for an IMO including a nexus statement expressing their opinion that "it is at least as likely as not" that you had "sleep apnea" during your military service. If your VA sleep doctor will not provide an IMO, ask the VA doctor to complete a DBQ for sleep apnea. Even if the VA doctor will provide a DBQ but will not provide an IMO, go to a private pulmonary physician who specializes in sleep medicine, provide the private specialist with all of your relevant medical records (MMR & VA), request an IME followed by an IMO. Any out of pocket costs you incur for the private doctor will be a smart investment when you receive an additional 50% disability compensation award for sleep apnea with CPAP. Just my opinion. Good luck to you.

Congratulations and good luck to you.

My Home Depot and Lowes will accept the brown DOD I.D. card for 10% off anytime for any item, including sales items. They will only accept the regular VA I.D. card for 10% off on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

If you were taking prescription medication for your pain during the past twelve months you can obtain copies of your prescription records from your pharmacy. These along with your records showing periodic visits to the doctor for your pain should be adequate. If you don't have these records it will be difficult to prove a 12 month history of pain.

Excellent advice above. In your buddy letters and spousal statement, ask them to be specific when describing symptoms (snoring, snorting, stopped breathing, gasping for air, sleepiness during the day, etc.) and detail when and where they observed or heard your symptoms. During the first year after discharge your civilian co-workers may have witnessed symptoms and could provide statements.

Since it was a CUE based on an error made in the 1998 decision, I believe you will get retro back to 1998 but I am not an expert. I am sure others on this site will let you know for sure.

Congratulations. Good luck to you and your family.

Congratulations. I hope you got P & T.

Good advice given above. I would not hire an attorney who dabbles in everything. Find an attorney that specializes in VA disability claims.

You will probably hear something soon. Watch your direct deposit account. I received my retro pay before I received my official notification. Good luck to you.

Sorry, my last post should have been directed to Notorious Kelly, not Vync.

Vync, Although I never requested a VSO, the American Legion was designated by the VA as my VSO in 1970. Even today, they are still shown in my claims records as my VSO. I filed claims in 1970, 2010 and 2011 all without assistance from the AL or any other VSO. I have never talked with anyone at the AL but they have been copied on all of my claims decisions. I am not really concerned as long as they don't take any action on my behalf. I believe someone years ago told me the VA required veterans to have a VSO designated whether they use them or don't use them. I don't know if this is true or not true.

My preference is handling the claims myself without a VSO. However, before you file a claim you need to gather as much information as you can about how the VA disability claims system works. Everything you need to know about how to file a VA disability claim can be found on the hadit website. My successful claims have been the result of assistance provided by information on this website, other hadit members and doing a lot of reading and research on my own. Gather your own medical records, don't depend on the VA. You are your own best advocate. Don't depend on a VSO or the VA doing the work for you. The only time I would recommend using a VSO is if you just don't feel confident and/or capable of filing the claim yourself. Good luck to you.

Congratulations on your increase.

I know 100% P & T vets can work but I believe I saw something somewhere that stated veterans with 100% P & T ratings for PTSD who work do so at the risk of having their rating reduced if the VA finds out about it. I may be wrong but I am sure others on this site will correct me if I am. Good luck to you and your family.

I agree with JR. Why risk a possible reduction if they decide to reevaluate your other SC conditions during another C & P exam.

I live in Georgia and after providing the DMV with a copy of my DD214, which indicated I had an "honorable discharge," the DMV provided me with a driver's license free of charge and the license indicates I am a military veteran. I am not aware of any other type of veteran's drivers license in Georgia. I also provided my county tag office with a copy of the VA award letter certifying I had a 100% permanent and total disability rating. The county tag office provided me with one set of "Disabled Veteran" vehicle tags free of charge (no tag fee or ad valorem taxes) for one vehicle only. You can purchase additional DV tags for any additional vehicles you own.

And at the SSA you can actually walk in and talk to a live person, who can pull up your file on their computer, answer your questions all while displaying a helpful positive attitude. They will even give you their name and telephone extension number so you can call them back if you have questions later. The SSA handles more claims than the VA and I would bet their accuracy rate is much higher than the VA. Congress should either turn VA claims processing over to SSA or send SSA supervisors over to the VA to retrain, fire, replace or do whatever is necessary to make VA claims employees function like SSA claims employees.

Sleep apnea with CPAP is 50%.

Congratulations. Enjoy your well deserved cruise.

At 30% you are entitled to additional compensation for dependents and you are also entitled to travel pay for travel to VA medical appointments as of the effective date of your claim.

Yes, for any travel to a VA medical facility. At my VAMC, I just stop at the travel office and fill out a form, which takes about 5 minutes, and they mail a check to me. Travel pay is also paid to any veteran, regardless of rating, when traveling to a C & P exam.

Congratulations. Your hearing loss definitely deserves a high rating. I wish you well.

Did you claim any dependents? If so, when you call the 800 number also ask if the award included your dependents. This may account for some of the shortage. Good luck to you.