So, how would they deny it if it was on THEIR letter head? That is if yours was.

quote:

Originally posted by tc1uscg:
So, how would they deny it if it was on THEIR letter head? That is if yours was.

I don't really understand the question. VA never actually admits they lost my health record. The Montgomery VA says they had the record, the Bay Pines VA says they never got the record, and NARA says the record was never returned. VA had the record, and the VA no longer has the record, and the record is not where it belongs. To anyone else that would mean the VA lost it, but not to the VA.

Ray - I suggest a phone call from your state's senior senator to the VA requesting the status of your medical record, in their possession, so the senator's office can review it and your pending claim, will magically produce instantaneous results. (Well in 30-60 days is instantaneous for the VA.)

For 7 months I have been telling the VA that they owed me money (cash money, not the paper shuffle they do) for my Paragraph 30 claim of last April. Finally, I get an almost 5 digit check (left of the decimal point) and look at 2 things - one the amount is based on married (divorced 2-1/2 years ago and filed the claim as single) and two, they cite the letter from my congresswoman as the reason they reconsidered. Originally they tried the "Concurrent Receipt" non-payment issue...I have a friend, who has a friend, who provided me with the VA's own internal guidance that states there is no offset for 100% disabled Vets (except those who rated as individual unemployability - a rating I really don't understand, but it a rating). Amazing isn't it - when confronted with their own information - they still wouldn't budge until a Congresswoman's office stepped in.

Here's the kicker - when I saw the award computation, I immediately called the VA and told them I was overpaid. A week later - hello bank, what, a big deposit from the VA? For the original (married rate) amount...well the old savings account can earn a few dollars in interest...until they catch up with their mistake...

That's step three, after the Notice of Disagreement and the appeal, by then I should know something from NARA so I can have a name or at least an office for the senator's office to tell the VA.

quote:

Originally posted by RWLucas:

quote:

Originally posted by tc1uscg:
So, how would they deny it if it was on THEIR letter head? That is if yours was.

I don't really understand the question. VA never actually admits they lost my health record. The Montgomery VA says they had the record, the Bay Pines VA says they never got the record, and NARA says the record was never returned. VA had the record, and the VA no longer has the record, and the record is not where it belongs. To anyone else that would mean the VA lost it, but not to the VA.

Sorry, I missread.. Thought you had a copy of the VA's record.. Long night/morning.

well hello too military oled and new well my question is i just retire from the military in Nov 2006 for about two years i been diagnosis with sleep apena and now i used a cpap manchine okay okay amryofone

I went back to the DAV last week, the counselor said what the VA told me about not being able to accept my copy of my service medical record because it was not certified was bogus. We completed a Notice of Disagreement, attached it to one copy of my record and sent it back. She said I should hear something in about five months - but by my reckoning, it shouldn't have taken 2.5 years to deny the original claim so I wouldn't be surprised if it took another 2.5 years.

When I retired I made two copies of my health record, figuring the VA would lose one.

Ray, I could have told you that... When I left the CG I took my origional health record, along with 2 copies of it... Nothing was certified, and I was never asked for anything "certified"... up to & including today.....

At any rate, it was nice to meet you when you came to the VA... Michelle is on the ball and appears to know 'what to do' to get things done. I have to pending items, and will probably submit more.....

Hope to see you up here again... if it's a nice day I'll have my bike... (rode my Sportster in today).... One of my hardest decisions is what or how to get to work....

Wray...

Wray, if my claim is approved I'll be a regular customer up there. Especially if it's a high enough rating that I can quit this job (which I think is directly affecting my health).

By then I should have my brand new 2009 fuel injected Triumph Bonneville.

Hello, All:

I was recently (April 2008) given a 50% Disability Rating from the VA for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

I applied in March 2007 after I retired.

It took approximately 1 year to get my rating. This was after a required VA physical and losing my medical records or not acknowledging they were "certified to be true copies" of my official military health record 2x. While the wait was long and there was poor communication on both my part and theirs, the wait was worth it.

Not only did I get the appropriate rating, but I got a lump sum check from them in July, since my rating was back dated to February 1, 2007,
the first day of my retirement.

My advice for those with Obstructive Sleep Apnea is to ensure you get a "certified copy of your health record", to ensure that it is "acknowledged to be service-related", and to have tons of patience.

In fairness to the VA, there are lots of battle-related claims that in my opinion are being adjudicated. In my opinion, they have and should have precedence over us, who thankfully never had to suffer the pains of battle with a fierce enemy.

If you are waiting, my final recommendation is to call 1x or 2x per month to check on your claim.

Regards,
Mark Lewack, MSTCS (ret.)

Did you have sleep apnea before you retired, or did you go after retirement?
I am on a CPAP machine now and retire in about 2 years.

I've got a question for those of you that have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

What symptoms made you go to the doctor and get checked for it? After doing some reading, I've got some of the symptoms, but they seem like they don't necessarily point towards sleep apnea. (morning headaches, tired all day & waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom).

I'm not waking up gasping for air and I don't think I snore very often. So I'm just curious what made you go and get checked for it?

I was diagnosed this year and had the same symptoms as you stated. I went because my wife told me I stopped breathing in my sleep. After going 3 time to the sleep study lab I was then officially diagnosed. Go get looked at ASAP

quote:

Originally posted by WepsET:
I've got a question for those of you that have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

What symptoms made you go to the doctor and get checked for it? After doing some reading, I've got some of the symptoms, but they seem like they don't necessarily point towards sleep apnea. (morning headaches, tired all day & waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom).

I'm not waking up gasping for air and I don't think I snore very often. So I'm just curious what made you go and get checked for it?

The noise caused my wife to get her own bedroom. I also used to scare myself awake with the noise. My wife an RN also told me I stopped breathing in my sleep. Before she got her own room.

The need to use the bathroom at night sounds like a different problem.

I thought that the snoring would be the main reason everyone gets checked out.

The good 'ole doctor internet has these as the "most common symptoms" for it:

-Excessive daytime sleepiness.
-Waking with an unrefreshed feeling after sleep, having problems with memory and concentration, feeling tired, and experiencing personality changes.
-Morning or night headaches. About half of all people with sleep apnea report headaches.
-Episodes of not breathing (apnea), which may occur as few as 5 times an hour (mild apnea) to more than 50 times an hour (severe apnea). How many episodes you have determines how severe your sleep apnea is.
-Loud snoring. Almost all people who have sleep apnea snore, but not all people who snore have sleep apnea.
-Restless tossing and turning during sleep.
-Nighttime choking or gasping spells.
-Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth at night.
-Swelling of the legs if you are obese.
-Getting up during the night to urinate (nocturia).
-Sweating and chest pain while you are sleeping.

I've been going to medical trying to find out why I have the headaches and are tired all the time for the last few years so maybe I'll throw this by him and see what he thinks.