Importantly, obstructive sleep apnea is not one of the conditions that are listed under 3.309(a), and the Veteran must otherwise show that his sleep apnea is due to an event, disease, or injury incurred during service. I will sincerely appreciate it. For reference, see the example buddy statements for PTSD for reference about how to structure buddy letters about PTSD and what to include. Anyone 18 and older with personal knowledge of the objective facts relevant to a claim is competent to write a buddy letter. The code on your DD Form 214 might be alerting your potential employers Quick Tips for a VA Buddy Letter. Ensure That The Buddy Letter Is From Someone Credible And Competent. I went to neurology several months ago and she listed in report that I told her I had not had a seizure in years and I was furious, so sent her letter stating I never had a seizure period and she never responded. I did the Notice of Disagreement and was turned down. Westley Thomas / USMC / Vietnam Veteran 1966-1968. I have also been diagnosed through an MRI of the brain with focal seizures. When filing a VA disability claim, former military service members can fill out the VA Form 21-4138, also known as the Statement in Support of Claim.This is a multi-purpose form that has been used by the VA for many years, on which veterans are able to write any information . Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Tell them whats wrong, how long you have been trying to get things done with the VA, and what you want. My retirement physical stated in the doctors own had writing COPD secondary to long standing chronic Asthma. I go thru it daily but, then again I consider them my colleagues because I deal with them everyday and I have to fight for my veterans. 3.303(a). Doc, said I have PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, but no paperwork exists saying that these patrols I went on ever actually happened. The utility of buddy letters is a unique component of VAs appeals process. The call is free and we won't charge you a single fee unless we win your case. to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA for disability. Examples Templates. The threshold consideration is competence: the author of a buddy letter must be competent to discuss the subject matter discussed in the letter. In general, a VA claim requires the following: Im speaking from my heart because I been there and done that. thay gave me a rating of 10%. He is also featured regularly in national publications as an authority on Department of Veterans Affairs policy such as Bloomberg News, Foreign Policy Magazine, Washington Times, Fox News, CBS, NBC, Star Tribune and more. VA Disability Claims (General) > Sample Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter needed.. Share. If you are not familiar with secondary conditions. According to the recent VA disability rate benefit adjustment of December 1, 2021, Veterans with sleep apnea connected to tinnitus could receive benefits at the following rates: A 30% rating yields $467.39 per month. Tell them about your vet affliations. My name is Danny.I was in the navy fron jan 98-jan 2002. while i was in hurt my neck and back.I have had trouble with both since i got out but i tried to live with it to the point that i just couldnt take it anymore. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Click to Read Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. I have been diagnosed by VA mental health and my doctor said I am unemployable. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Cir. If you are having trouble obtaining service connection for PTSD or other conditions and you think a buddy statement from your wife or other friend or family member would help, you are welcome to contact us online or at 888.878.9350 to discussyourcase. It sickens me knowing what this country took from me and how terrible they treat the soldier after they screw him or her up. Be sure to get a copy of your file using the Freedom of Information Act request letter. Since PTSD often manifests many years after a traumatic event, spouses may be a more reliable lay witness than former servicemembers in situations where VA has already conceded the in-service stressor, as the spouse can more accurately testify about the veterans symptoms over time and their impact on his daily life. Every case if different and many are very complicated. I have shrapnel in my right knee from a grenade that got me just outside of Camp Dobol and the nightmares from the bodies in mass grave sites. Click HERE. So that is my story. Again, I filed for anxiety disorder and VA listed through my records seizures due to talking to my wife (lay person). need a VA layer to represent me in a denial of disability claim 2012 ?/ help please Joseph.A.G. Youll be glad you did. A well-written statement or buddy statement can be the difference between a grant of service connection for your VA claim and a denial. Never, ever give up! of The VA. Research: http://www.VA Watchdog.org. Thats all I got to say about that! I suffer from MST/PTSD, and medical issues. Both the Va and Sen.Levins office called me about this and said it was in the highest level. I served from 1968-70, my initial complaints which were backed by the Veterans Doctors, & my own Specialists for the following Diseases, they are as follows: PTSD, Agent Orange, Hepatitis B, after (41 yrs. He deserve to file a claim. I was honorably discharged from USMC for chronic back problems after a fall while in training. Have you found yourself waking up to your wife, telling you to roll over because of your incessant snoring? Well also detail how to file a claim for the Recognizing and Addressing An Underrated Veteran Disability Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is sexual harassment and or sexual assault experienced by a military service member. Take a look at the website above. It took them 9 months to approve my request and that ended up been $13,000 in one payment direct deposit into my bank account. #2. where do you live? hi my name is anthony brown and i served in the united states navy from 1987 to 1995 which the military has lost my medical records serveral times. I am trying to assist him with collecting additional evidence for his disability claim and this is very helpful. I was 10% SC for hypertension but not snoring. The appearance that your letter is coming from a reliable source will be created in this way. If you want to understand how to increase your disability or managed the process, check out my post to increase your disability compensation rating. I caught in Africa setting up Sac bases for all of Europe. to this date, i submitted a claim in on feb 3, 2010 in for numerous illness, and have contacted my congressman john lewis for help. These letters can describe the nature of a veterans observable symptomsincluding their onset, frequency, duration, and the extent to which they affect or interfere with the veterans lifeas well as the events that may have precipitated the disability at issue. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. I have been working as a VSO for 3 yrs and i came across various atrocities. 3.307 and (ii) present manifestations of the same chronic disease, or (b) when a chronic disease is not present during service, evidence of continuity of symptomatology. I am trying now to go back to the 2005 claim, but they are telling me because of the Form 9 was not done, the claim is dead in the water. I completely agree with Rory R Jones, I am a 31 year retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. It can turn an active person into someone who's afraid to leave the house. the va had done x-rays and mris and the va apointed doctor stated that basically this guys back is beyond repair. My fellow veteran employees are all really dissatisfied, I really want to publish a whistleblower book or something, because this way of doing things is evil. In order to ensure the VA accepts the statement as being from someone credible and competent, the person giving the statement should have first-hand knowledge of the veteran or the veterans service. 49, 53 (1990). Went from 10 % to 60% and intend to appeal the items that they said were service connected at 0% plus add something else. that alone is 50% compensation if it turns out you have it. I would like to know if some one can advise me on how to proceed. Click on the above link to get a copy of that letter. Even better, use his or her letterhead to write it. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. 2. By the way, the QTC doctor spent maybe 3-5 minutes with me, did no examination, and asked for no health history. Really good job bilking old Vets out of money when a half-way decent VSO can do it for free-my point is shop around and interview them as to what they have experience with. OTC performs The daughter of a Vietnam War veteran, Paige has had a lifelong respect for our nations veterans, inspiring her commitment to advocating for veterans worldwide. Lay evidence is competent and credible if it is provided by a person who has knowledge of facts or circumstances and conveys matters that can be observed and described by a lay person. Winston Salem, NC 27101 Things are still not the same between us, but I hope treatment will help him find the peace he needs to heal. Currently 90% sc and had to retire early do to my sc disabilities. He began drinking heavily7 or 8 beers a night before he turned to liquor. Is this true, or does it make sense to you? Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. so now i have to go through the apeal and no telling how long that will take. A spousal letter can help you if you were married during your service and your wife observed the change in you after you developed sleep apnea. Sign it in a few clicks. After his left ankle surgery in 1996, he was unable to regularly exercise and he gradually gains weight. This compact, bushy plant produces bright red tomatoes that ripen early in the season. The only time it saved me from the body fat measurement was my thick neck of 17.5 inches. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Another claim maybe fairly simple, but carry a lot points weight wisethat is the one that I am going to work. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. Ensure that the buddy letter is from someone credible and competent. I try to strike my husband and call out his name to awaken him up. As a formality, buddy letters should always include the authors identifying information and his or her relationship to the veteran. Since that night, Johns mood is unpredictable. Stan download the va disability question are for respiratory ailments at va.gov website. He refused to see a psychologist because he insisted he could care for himself and went back to work as a chef. A congressman is great, but the senator is even better. Someone must bleed the words, Not me, I am probably in the chicken coop . He recently agreed to attend group therapy sessions at our local VA, and it seems to help him recognize that he needs help. Before enlisting, he was a happy person who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. In addition, all these job programs for veterans is also a bunch of BS. 100 percent disability rating: $3,621.95 per month. I worte a notice of disagreement in a timely matter. Mr. Ben Lay evidence simply means after the fact evidence and it must be competent and credible. It takes 60 days for Red Rocket tomatoes to reach maturit, Growing Tomatoes in Containers: Essential Tips for a Successful Harvest, Growing tomatoes in containers is a great way to enjoy homegrown fruits and vegetables without taking up too much space. Danny U.S. Navy 98-2002, Hey Danny, one can get a lawyer from American Legion, for free, how, is this to help with our claims??? The VA would then followup via telecom. Its genuinely very complex in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, thus I only use world wide web for that reason, and get the latest information. i had 0s all the way down the list on mobility. Nexus Letters For Sleep Apnea. SSA.GOV have a form that doctors could fill out for back injuries, very specific and a rating of prognosis. Before John deployed, he was stationed at Camp Lejune and wrote me at least once a week. I recently submitted a claim for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD with the assistance of the Disabled American Veteran's org (DAV). E-Mail: [emailprotected]. military treating physician. Good luck and thank you for your service-dont give up-keep on it. Fax: 336 714-0901 i am disheartened reading many of your stories.. All I can add to the conversation is that I am service connected 100%+ for multiple gunshot wounds and PTSD, The VA has been very good to me over the course of my life and I domt have many complaints outside of the times I have seen people who I thought were deserving of compensation and unable to recieve the benefits they earned, often times in blood.. Good Luck to all of you and God Bless. Your claim may be very complex, but carry few pointsso it goes to the back of my box. I care about all young and old. Bobbigidy said: Hi all, I am currently diagnosed at 50% PTSD. Thanks in advanced. I havent been able to get or hold a job for more than a month in the last 8 years, and the grenade, well according to my former PCP, its only a small piece of shrapnel that isnt harming anyone so it can just stay there. Family History is important- I once won a case for person who dad was a vet with pstd, daughter air force pstd, son arm bipolar, another some navy bipolar..raised the ratings. I did it and i got my claim faster. It helped me after 34 years of being in denial, misunderstood, missinformed and receiving the run around with no help. Click to Read Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1167 (Fed. my claim is going on almost 2 years with a congressman backing me an nothing has happen. It seems that family letters are used by the VA for or against the vet. It should clearly describe how he or she knows the veteran and for the length of time. I was told by a military lawyer to keep fighting. His letters were lengthy, lighthearted, and reflective of the man Id always known. My summary letter was 5 pages. Provide every medical complaint to the ships doctor or on base..seek your own records. I ended up with a pacemaker/defibrillator implant. I have no idea who to contact, the American Legion that I am involved, well they are all older and not sure they would know about this, maybe you can point me in the right direction thanks. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. He has weeks or so where he seems like his old self before randomly turning into someone I dont recognize. When I finally found some stability I tried giving it a second shot. Cir. After that, I packed a bag and moved into my parents house until John agreed to get help. My husbands health has gone down the toilet since ETS. It goes on and on. My doctor told me this levetiracetam was for anxiety when quoting it in my record for 5 years as seizure medication. We attempted to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful. Because you often didnt go to the doctor enough while you served on active duty, and thus, your service treatment records do not contain any evidence of a disability or condition. PTSD can turn a friendly, outgoing person into a withdrawn loner.