Pyramiding

[Aaron grey]

Service connected  Tinnitus hearing loss PTSD and lower back pain - PTSD stressor MST also mention is forgetfulness suspicious depressed mood disturbance of motivation anxiety occupational and social impairment.

2015 VA diagnosis me with obstructive sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP also I have blood disorder  Polycythemia Vera

Confused I think I have a secondary condition but understand I cannot use any diagnosis/symptoms mention in my first claim it would be considered as Pyramiding

[broncovet]

This is not what "pyramading" means.  Pyramid means VA compensates you for the same symptom twice. That is forbidden.  

Example:  You have PTSD and depression.  You only get paid for "one" set of symptoms, not 2.  It does not matter, for example that you cant work because of PTSD and you also cant work because of depression.  You only get credit for "one" of these.  

[vetquest]

On 11/8/2019 at 3:47 PM, Aaron grey said:

Service connected  Tinnitus hearing loss PTSD and lower back pain - PTSD stressor MST also mention is forgetfulness suspicious depressed mood disturbance of motivation anxiety occupational and social impairment.

Tinnitus and hearing disorders are two separate and distinct disabilities.  So are PTSD and low back pain.  Your SA may be secondary to your PTSD but it is not pyramiding since it is a separate disability perpetrated by your PTSD.  Any symptoms that are secondary to your service connected disabilities my be applied for, even though the primary disability caused the secondary.  

[Aaron grey]

Hi Vetquest, I now have a better understanding, this helps me continue my work.

thank you 

[Aaron grey]

Hi Broncovet, thank you for the infomation. This will helps me alot.

Aaron