ptsd Help With Content For A Letter In Support Of Fibromyalgia Claim

[BlastDaddy]

I am looking for advice.

I need to write a letter for support of my claim of Fibromyalgia. I have a diagnoses from the Rheumatologist that states I have Fibromyalgia and my C&P was clear I have a severe case of Fibromyalgia. But it also said "not connected to Active Duty Service by review of service records".

So I think they are going to screw me.

What content should I include in the letter to support the claim related to the Gulf War/SWA.

I am already 50% connected with PTSD that validates I was in the Gulf War.

There is a lot of stuff about presumptive illnesses diagnosed and undiagnosed.

So Please provide guidance on the content and format that I should put in this letter so I don't screw myself with my own wording.

Thanks

[brokensoldier244th]

A private Rheumatiologist is not going to be up on all goings on VA. The raters, however, are. Why assume the worst? Its right there in the regs.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/fibromyalgia.asp

[BlastDaddy]

I'm worried because of the statement the Nurse Practitioner put on the C&P.

5. Does Veteran have a current diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. YES.

"Not Active Military Service Connected - concluded by review of active service records".

When they write something like that I feel she has already made the case for them.

I may be wrong but not feeling good about this.

Edited May 1, 2014 by jrt1021

[Berta]

I agree with brokensoldier, as long as you meet this criteria :

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c970ae800225c6a79c34fa86d9ad9035&node=38:1.0.1.1.4.1.66.125&rgn=div8

VA practitioners don't usually have a clue on the regulations.

It wasn't in your SMrs but as the reg states...it only has to be diagnosed and at least at a 10% level or more, and vets can file for this presumptive until Dec 2016, so no time limit to worry about there.

(I think VA will expand the 2016 deadline at some point.)

[Guest]

It’s really depends on what’s in your service medical records. If you were treated for muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbance, digestive problems or any of the gulf war illnesses than a rheumatologist can connect the dots but you would need an IMO with his or her medical opinion and rationale. I try to tell veterans to file a claim for fibromyalgia caused by or due to the results of service in the gulf war. Having in service treatment records will greatly support your claim. Keep in mind that VA actually rates the symptoms. A doctors’ statement that your current fibromyalgia is at least likely as not related to your military service will also greatly help your claim. He or she will have to state that they have reviewed your service medical records and give their medical opinion and rationale. I have seen some claims approved and some denied, there is no standard with VA.

[BlastDaddy]

I have scheduled an appointment with the same rheumatologist in Round Rock so she can review all my records and write an IMO. It is in July.

But my military records only show muscle and joint pains once, but listed on my physical when I was exiting the service. On the physical they annotated muscle and joint pains, headaches, Fatigue and sleep disturbance.

As a senior NCO I just didn't go to sick call much. My fault.

Also I am not sure they will connect the dots for SWA because I submitted it as fibromyalgia. I didn't state anything else.

Should I write a letter stating caused by or due to the results of service in the gulf war?

[Guest]

Should I write a letter stating caused by or due to the results of service in the gulf war?

IMHO, NO, since your claim is already filed, I think it would be best if the statement came from your doctor. Make sure she see your out processing exams.