Diagnosis Change Or Not

[Rockhound]

Veteran has a current sleep apnea diagnosis supported by a sleep study. Veteran submits a claim for sleep apnea and was scheduled for a C&P examination;

The results of the examination are as follows The VA examiner states, at this time my prefered opinion is that Veterans represents as having Nocturnal Hypoxia and based on the history given, it would be difficult for this examiner to fully support a diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The VA Adjudicator then denies claim stating that a diagnosis change was made and that the Nocturnal Hypoxia was the correct alternative diagnosis.

thus a claim for sleep apnea is declined, since the correct diagnosis was for Nocturnal Hypoxia and veteran's medical hystory is mute on this issue.

Is this a change in a diagnosis and/or was it properly changed?

Yea it's a twist on my claim, but some people just don't get it.

[free_spirit_etc]

To me, it seems very strange that a C&P examination could reverse a diagnosis of sleep apnea that was made after a sleep study.

If the vet had a sleep study done to diagnose the sleep apnea - what basis did the C&P examiner use to change that diagnosis.

I see that chronic episodic hypoxia can mimic apnea...

But wouldn't the vet have the same basis for the claim of a sleep disorder, regardless of whether the C&P doctor wanted to call it something different? The symptoms the vet experiences would be pretty similar.

Free

Veteran has a current sleep apnea diagnosis supported by a sleep study. Veteran submits a claim for sleep apnea and was scheduled for a C&P examination;

The results of the examination are as follows The VA examiner states, at this time my prefered opinion is that Veterans represents as having Nocturnal Hypoxia and based on the history given, it would be difficult for this examiner to fully support a diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The VA Adjudicator then denies claim stating that a diagnosis change was made and that the Nocturnal Hypoxia was the correct alternative diagnosis.

thus a claim for sleep apnea is declined, since the correct diagnosis was for Nocturnal Hypoxia and veteran's medical hystory is mute on this issue.

Is this a change in a diagnosis and/or was it properly changed?

Yea it's a twist on my claim, but some people just don't get it.

[Hoppy]

This examiner could be twisting words knowing that he could save the govt. the $$ by getting the diagnosis change. Doctors can be more corrupt than anybody else. They are the experts and they can twist the words.

What does he mean "based on the history given"? He needs to re-state the history for the record to make sure he is not mis-intrepeting the history given. Then he throws in the "fully" supported. What does this mean? You have partial sleap apnea. This is smoke blowing if I have ever heard it.

If you were in a civil action I guarantee you that your attorney would not let a doctor get by without re-stating the history given. Also, an explanation of the difference between a fully supported diagnosis and an not fully supported diagnosis is in order. Is there a list of criteria as in the DSM where you need to meet 4 of the 5 criteria for sleep apnea or is this doctor just making things up in his head.

At this time I think his statement is to vague to determine anything. It is your responsibility to get the nmedical evidence. The VA scheduled the exam and they will go with this BS until you get it clarified. You could argue this with the RO and try to get a new C&P to get it clarified. If it were me I would be talking to a specialist at the local VA or a private doctor. If the new doctor thought this was bogus then get a statement from the new doc.

[ruby]

There is a difference between the 2.

Sleep apnea means you stop breathing.

Nocturnal hypoxia means your not breathing enough or deep enough but your still breathing. You oxygen saturations are low.

I would look at the sleep study result and see what your oxygen levels were, how low did they go and how many times it occurred.

Ruby

[Rockhound]

I wish there was more response but now, change things a bit.

Veteran has a current mental disorder diagnosis supported by a multitude of nuropsychological test, exam, and observation over a three month period, during service. Veteran submits a claim for the mental disorder and was scheduled for a C&P examination;

The results of the examination are as follows The VA examiner states, at this time my prefered opinion is that Veterans represents as having a Personality Disorder and based on the history given, it would be difficult for this examiner to fully support a diagnosis of mental disorder.

The VA Adjudicator then denies claim stating that a diagnosis change was made and that the Personality Disorder was the correct alternative diagnosis.

thus a claim for a Mental Disorder is declined, since the correct diagnosis was a Personality Disorder and since it is a developmental disorder and not a disability for compensation purposes.

Now what do you say?

RR B)

[Testvet]

they are not even prescibing the vaseline for the screwing over they are giving you, what RO are you in? I want to make sure my claims never go there

[Rockhound]

they are not even prescibing the vaseline for the screwing over they are giving you, what RO are you in? I want to make sure my claims never go there

I would say that you need not worry, since this is an exercise to see how the average person would look at the claim. However, the later presentation was based on my actual claim and even after 30 plus years, the same VARO insists on denying the claim based on the same flawed reasons they gave 30 plus years ago.

If you must know, it is the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, Reno Nevada. I would be tempted to seek out a more favorable VARO, but the VA Health System here is probably as good as it gets and I have few complaints of their care and treatment. My only bone of contention is that since I use them as my only source of medical care and treatment, why then can't I use them like I would an IMO and why are they provented from giving me a nexus letter, even if I can provide them with the same medical records that are a part of my C-File and necessary for such a opinion?

RR B)