Just Needed To Vent And Ask A Couple Of Questions.

[WVSERVER]

Well I Just decided to file a compensation claim with the VA. I have a couple of question to ask, but first I will give a little history.

I was on active duty Air Force Security Forces from 01-06. I was honorable discharged in September of 06. While on active duty I was diagnosed with the following conditions.

• Sleep apnea requiring CPAP ( was med boarded and given a c-code with return to duty)
• Hydronephrosis of the kidney
• General Anxiety Disorder
• Titanitis
• Minor Depression (is seasonal and comes and goes)
• Acid Reflux
• Dyspepsia
  
  Other things that were mentioned but did not receive a diagnosis for include.
  
  
  
  
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

In about 04 I started to falling apart my body just got zapped for some reason. So I went to the docs. That was a big mistake I was always treated like crap. It started out that I could not sleep, and then I would have pain all over. Some days I would fill like I was having a heart attack then I would be totally wore out for a couple of days. I was in a Personal Reliability Program Position so every time I went to the doc I would be off work. I stayed in rotation for 95% of my time in the Air Force.

I am one of the only people to my knowledge to stay on PRP with a CPAP and sleeping and depression meds. Everyone around wrote me letter to include my Commanders stating that I should be allowed to stay on PRP and was performing at the top even thought I was struggling with medical issues.

Sometime in 06 my issues got so bad I could not stay in rotation, because of this I was at the doctors a lot. I could not get them to listen to me no matter what I said. Back at my unit I had to clean the squadron 12hrs a day work 6 days a week and PT twice a day as an NCO.

In-between the docs treating me like crap and my squadron making me work twice as much as I normally would I decide I would get out of the Air Force. So I submitted my paper work. I had enough leave I was on terminal leave that week. There was no help out processing. I did not get a VA exam nothing. I actually had a Doc tell me I am seeing you too much I think you just want to get out of work. I almost came un-glued. I said Capt. just do you job if you can’t find me a doctor who can figure out what’s going on with me. Needless to say that was the straw that broke the camels back.

I never wanted or needed anything from the VA, I have always had a good job and insurance. I always just dealt with it; I think part of me is afraid of other Doctors treating me like the AF doc’s did.

Well now I am in a different situation my youngest son was very sick for about a year which caused my wife to lose her job. This racked up about $350,000 in bills even thought I have insurance. So with all the stress this is causing my medical issues have started back up in full force, I am back to not sleeping and having pain all over, making it hard for me to work everyday but I still do it.

Because of the med bills a lot of Doctors will not see any of the members in my family. I have foreclosed a house and lost a car to the bank and I am now looking at Bankruptcy. I can not afford to see the doctor even if I wanted to my out of pocket is outrageous. I now work as a government contractor and may lose my clearance due to my financial situation.

So now I got all of that off my chest I have a couple of questions.

· Would appreciate any advice you all could offer me.

· Any pitfalls that I need to be aware of before I start out on this long journey?

· Any steps I need to take before filling my claim?

· I have not seen a doc for any of these issues since I left the Air Force. How bad is that? I really can not afford it; I can barely get my kids to the doc when they need it.

Thanks for all the help ahead of time and sorry about the long post just needed to vent.

[WVSERVER]

Carlie, thanks for the research material I will do my homework. Jbasser thank you for the advice I am getting the information for the paper work now I will also go back and talk to my DO. I am also researching getting on a fast track do to hardship. Berta as of my last check up my kidneys were function close to normal, I would have to go back and read the report. But it does make me have to urinate on a frequent basis.

I have been told by doctors that it will most likely cause me problems the older I get and can even lead to needing a transplant if I don't stay on top of it. Oh yeah yes I did have 3 kidney stones in a row at one time, but have not had anymore since and never made the connection thanks for bring it up.

Everyone thank you for the advice I really needed it thanks.

[WVSERVER]

I finally got home after working 15 hrs strait and low and behold all of my medical records from the civilian doctors I seen while in the Air Force were waiting for me. I feel there is enough proof there to file my claim.

After doing some research on http://www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com/index.html. I think I am going to complete the paper work my self and then let the American Legion DO turn it in. Then there will be a buffer in between me and the VA.

I feel really good about this thanks for all the help.

[carlie]

WV,

Also check out LarryJ's post in starting the topic below

(just click on the link).

[Berta]

"I have been told by doctors that it will most likely cause me problems the older I get and can even lead to needing a transplant if I don't stay on top of it. Oh yeah yes I did have 3 kidney stones in a row at one time, but have not had anymore since and never made the connection thanks for bring it up."

Yes- I hope you don't have any future problems with this condition but it is better to get an SC rating now (even they rate at SC "0" % )then trying to deal with that if your condition gets worse.

[WVSERVER]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I think I am a couple of days from submitting my claim.

[WVSERVER]

Thanks everyone for all the resources and advices my official claim was filled in Huntington WV on 02-28-11 now the waiting begins.