I Need Some Answers Please

[jblanken08]

Okay so I filed my claim almost ten months ago involving Sleep Apnea, REM Sleep disorder, GERD, ankle pain, shin pain, back conditions etc. VA Rep at my TAP class did a medical record review and listed about 15-20 conditions, wrote them all down and said here claim all of these. So that's what I did.

I never received a sleep study while I was in the Navy because there was a six month waiting period to actually get in to get one, everything is documented that in the specialists opinion not only did I have sleep apnea, but also I have a sleeping disorder in which I act out my dreams physically, most of the times violently, I've had my wife write a letter supporting this claim.

I have my first real C&P exam next week, and was wondering what I can expect seeing as I claimed everything the VA Rep told me to claim? Also since I didn't have a sleep study for my apnea while I was in, even though the specialist at Walter Reed said, and documented I needed one, will the VA provide me with a study, and if proven that I have OSA will I be eligible for compensation?

How can I prove that I have a REM sleep disorder that I only have a problem with maybe 6-8 times a year, will the letter my wife wrote to support my claim be enough?

Thanks for the answers,

Joe

[jblanken08]

Thanks for the reply Vync. I was prescribed naproxen and motrin in high doses from the time I joined the military to the time I was discharged. Most of the time it was the 800mg horse pills. I'm pretty sure the TMJ came from clenching my teeth to stop shivering while standing post sentry in Keflavik, documented as such i believe.

I tried for 4 months to get a copy of my service records from the records department only to find out my last duty station still had them filed away there, two years after discharge. So when I finally located them they sent them straight to the VA. Will they not have that copy present when I go in for my C&P? If not how will they know if I was treated for something or not? Because everything I'm claiming was very nicely documented in my records, I made sure of that before I got out, because I knew I'd not have insurance when I did get out.

As for the lower back injuries there were times I was on light duty for weeks due to pulled muscles, and sprains. Most of the times I was prescribed naproxen/motrin and flexeril. Now the pain from my lower back seems to be a constant reminder of my military service with little surprises of shooting pain down both legs to my knees when I turn just the right way.

As for the GERD thanks for that info that's going to help a lot.

I know the upper back injury, right between my shoulders, is military related it was a military member that manipulated my back and caused the damage and the nexus was on my 23 birthday. Feels like I'm being stabbed through my back into my heart and it's constant pain with radiating pain and numbness down my right shoulder, arm and up my neck. It's not a heart attack already been hooked to EKGs for it, I actually think she may have cracked the rib or vertebrate, but it'd probably take a ct scan to determine that.

As for C&P Exam results should I request a results copy to be sent to me as soon as they finish with me? Sorry for the long post, just a little nervous I'm going to screw up and forget something at this exam tomorrow. As for IMO's I've not had insurance since being out of the Navy and didn't want to go into debt getting treated so I've not been to the doctor since my sep. physical.

Joe

[cowgirl]

Welcome to Hadit - the place to get answers or better questions! Not a medic here, just someone who recieved lots of help and asks questions here. Now that my disclosure of who I am not is out of the way; a few questions? Feel free to discuss the answers here or just think about the medical examination as being 'clinical' with no followup medical care from the 'examiner' checking you for 'probable' compensation. Sure you were A'ok when you entered the service.

All the best to ya, Yes, Hadit is here for a reason and myself, been at it for a decade and more - but claims would be long done if I found Hadit back then.

Cg'up2009!(cowgirl)

Thanks for the reply Vync. I was prescribed naproxen and motrin in high doses from the time I joined the military to the time I was discharged. Most of the time it was the 800mg horse pills. I'm pretty sure the TMJ came from clenching my teeth to stop shivering while standing post sentry in Keflavik, documented as such i believe.

((How long have you suffered from GERD or indigestion? How does it affect your day and meals? or other medicines?))

((Do you remember being treated for TMJ in service? did you get a mouthguard? do you recall gritting your teeth, having a dentist mention weardown? How did it affect you in sevice? Were you stressed over significant events? in service? now??))

I tried for 4 months to get a copy of my service records from the records department only to find out my last duty station still had them filed away there, two years after discharge. So when I finally located them they sent them straight to the VA. Will they not have that copy present when I go in for my C&P? ((present ?? when I attended my exam just hoped the doc read it at all or at least in advance!)) If not how will they know if I was treated for something or not? Because everything I'm claiming was very nicely documented in my records, I made sure of that before I got out, because I knew I'd not have insurance when I did get out. ((Do you have a copy of what you submitted for the claim? There are exam checklists for conditions - phsyical, mental, etc that could help you know what to expect))

As for the lower back injuries there were times I was on light duty for weeks due to pulled muscles, and sprains. Most of the times I was prescribed naproxen/motrin and flexeril. Now the pain from my lower back seems to be a constant reminder of my military service with little surprises of shooting pain down both legs to my knees when I turn just the right way. ((good description, I feel sorry for you, what was your specific job? how physical and mental was it? my examiner wasn't familiar with my military duties let alone what the title meant, so I told em))

As for the GERD thanks for that info that's going to help a lot.

I know the upper back injury, right between my shoulders, is military related it was a military member that manipulated my back and caused the damage and the nexus was on my 23 birthday. ((Where you treated at the military hospital/clinic for this? Do you have anything that reflects line of duty determination? If not, it may be connected if treated and recorded in your records)). Feels like I'm being stabbed through my back into my heart and it's constant pain with radiating pain and numbness down my right shoulder, arm and up my neck. It's not a heart attack already been hooked to EKGs for it, I actually think she may have cracked the rib or vertebrate, but it'd probably take a ct scan to determine that. ((sorry to hear this injury impacts you - is it daily? weekly?..))

As for C&P Exam results should I request a results copy to be sent to me as soon as they finish with me? ((the report could take a few weeks, read up on Hadit to see how others got theirs)) Sorry for the long post, just a little nervous I'm going to screw up and forget something at this exam tomorrow. As for IMO's I've not had insurance since being out of the Navy and didn't want to go into debt getting treated so I've not been to the doctor since my sep. physical.

Joe

Edited November 23, 2009 by cowgirl

[Vync]

Yeah, that sounds familiar. While I was in from 1990-1995, you could have ebola and they would give you motrin before sending you on your way. When I originally filed my claim for TMJ, they really didn't care much that I was in pain. They cared only about my range of motion, or lack thereof.

Some people were allowed to handcarry their service medical records. Usually the VA rep made a copy and handed the original back to the former soldier with instructions to keep them in a fireproof box and work from a backup copy.

At the C&P exam, the dude will usually have a shopping list of things to check. They work from worksheets specific to your ailments. My examiner briefly talked about my situation, performed the exam and that was it. Don't expect them to review your records while you are in there. They do that while nobody else is around so they can close the door, drink coffee, and listen to rock music. Again, having whatever evidence you have with you might help. Just make sure it is a copy you can leave with the dude. Never give them any original papers.

You might have a C&P by multiple people. I saw one person the first time and two different people the second time. They also had to send me for an arthrogram to eval my TMJ. They injected contrast into my TMJ joint while doing an x-ray. The result was that my jaw was clearly hosed. I didn't know I could ask for copies of my results later, so I just waited it out.

I definitely know about the light duty for sprains, etc. They fed me motrin and flexeril all the time and the VA still does too. I have the leg pain also, like being hooked up to a wall outlet if I move the wrong way. It got so bad that I went and got a pain block from my private doc. That's called radiculopathy. I had to do something because the VA was doing nothing. My range of motion fluctuates since then, but one wrong move and the spasms return.

This might be a long shot, but it might be worth it to get a buddy statement from the person who cracked your back. Be careful though. It might be misinterpreted as some sort of mischiveous activity. Other folks here with more experience might have something better to say about it. I also had some neck injuries while in service and residual cervical issues. X-rays only show so much, but ct scans and MRI's are better. The VA might send you for one as part of your C&P. No clue though. When I had mine, it was before they had them at the VA.

I'm not sure when to request a C&P result. I go to the VA for treatment at least once a month. I get copies of my records from the previous month when I go. If you make a big request, they might have to mail it to you, so it is best to ask in small increments. It might not hurt to politely ask for a copy when they finish, but it might take them some time to transcribe and finalize your review.

Write down all your concerns before you go. This way, you can check them off and not forget anything. Be polite. Don't be tough and suck up the pain, like we were trained. If you can't do something, let them know. If your pain is chronic, let them know. Respond naturally and honestly. Let them know what it limits you from doing. Some people do not take medication before they go, but don't take my word for it. That's something you need to decide, unless it is a medication that keeps you alive. I had to stop my sinus medications for a few days for them to really see how bad off I was. It wasn't pretty or fun.

How long have you been out? I think the VA provides care for soldiers for a year or so after they get out. I'm not certain what the requirements are, but you might want to look into it. Definitely look into this because you don't have to go without care.

[Vync]

Also, I forgot to wish you good luck tomorrow.

[john999]

One thing to remember is that when you file your original claim that is just the first shot in the war to get benefits. If you get denied you will get the obvious hints as to what you need to get a grant. Keep fighting and stay in treatment. That is how you are going to win this thing. Somewhere down the line you will get some doctor to opine that your injuries are at least as likely as not service connected. This is all you need. Most vets don't get a full grant of benefits right away. They start the Long March at some point with a denial or a low ball rating. Injuries that get worse with age are common. If you have service medical records that document the injury that is the main thing. If you come back to the VA 10 or 15 years after a back injury and tell them it is worse now they will usually try and say it is the result of natural aging. You fight that with facts from your SMR's.