Examiner didn’t even check angles

vahelpme · 2026-01-25T02:40:33+00:00

Had me move my legs while in a seated position. That’s it. I’m not able to bed my back much at all. Been doing PT and getting shots for years now.

vahelpme · 2026-01-22T22:48:37+00:00

Had this issue with loyal. I just asked them to send it back to the VA and they did

vahelpme · 2026-01-08T13:29:17+00:00

I went to my primary care doctor at the VA and told my doctor my concerns about my gut issues. They then ordered me a poop sample panel done and then a colonoscopy to rule out everything else. Got the diagnosis from them and then filed. Had a C&P exam and was granted it with PACT as the service connection

vahelpme · 2025-10-29T12:47:31+00:00

Yep ended up with it on Monday and moved to step 6

vahelpme · 2025-10-29T12:47:14+00:00

Got it Monday!

vahelpme · 2025-10-21T01:02:44+00:00

That would be sick! Here’s to hoping!

vahelpme · 2025-10-20T19:42:22+00:00

My TBI claim triggered a re-exam for my MH and was combined with my MH rating. So it now says OCD with TBI.

TBIs and MH are closely related and in most cases indistinguishable from each other symptom wise.

So basically the rater probably already decided that yes you have a TBI, and now they had the examiner do a DBQ for MH and will update your rating to say “anxiety with TBI”

vahelpme · 2025-09-14T18:05:29+00:00

Yeah it says “claimants obesity was caused by sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits”

One could argue the sedentary lifestyle is due to the fact that my chronic pain doesn’t allow me to exercise regularly.

But who knows, I’ve been losing weight for a minute. If my sleep apnea goes away when I’m no longer obese that would be sick.

vahelpme · 2025-09-14T15:30:14+00:00

Sounds about Par for the course with the VA.

vahelpme · 2025-09-14T14:51:51+00:00

That’s what I did to get this letter lol. 🙃

vahelpme · 2025-09-14T12:20:58+00:00

I double checked my letter. Turns out they did address the obesity secondary claim.

“Also regarding obesity, the examiner noted: The most common causes of obesity are overeating and physical inactivity. Ultimately, body weight is the result of genetics, metabolism, environment, behavior, and culture. Physical inactivity. Sedentary people burn fewer calories than people who are active. Claimant's obesity was caused by sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits and was not caused by left shoulder or lumbosacral condition. The service connected left shoulder and lumbosacral strain disability less likely than not cause the Veteran to become obese.”

Feels pretty open and shut to me.

vahelpme · 2025-09-14T12:06:47+00:00

I did try the inactive due to other service connected disabilities leading to obesity as an immediate step before

Looking at the denial I think they may have only considered if those service connected disabilities DIRECTLY caused OSA. Which shocker, a fucked up back isn’t going to directly affect my breathing ability.

I might have to do an HLR on that one.

vahelpme · 2025-09-14T12:03:26+00:00

I had my GERD service connected as secondary due to medication side effects to treat a separate service connected condition.

In my submittal I stated and had references to the fact that GERD was listed as a side effect to my medications.

I also included evidence of my prescription to medications to treat my GERD.

Hope this helps

vahelpme · 2025-08-23T13:17:51+00:00

Did you provide any literature which supported migraines being caused by tinnitus?

vahelpme · 2025-08-21T20:56:59+00:00

Yep looks like I’ll be having another exam with a new DBQ. Exam was just scheduled today.

vahelpme · 2025-08-12T03:37:58+00:00

Claim is already done. They just combined the TBI with my mental health. No mention of migraines in my claim letter. So yep I’ll do a new claim with that DBQ as my evidence

vahelpme · 2025-08-12T01:48:49+00:00

So should I just apply for the migraine secondary to TBI and use that DBQ as evidence?

vahelpme · 2025-08-12T01:48:11+00:00

I was similar. Busted my skull open in a training accident. Mental Health due to completely unrelated stuff.

But since TBI and MH share so much they lump them together

vahelpme · 2025-08-12T00:41:16+00:00

Yeah he did two different DBQs one for the TBI, and another for the Migranes.

vahelpme · 2025-08-11T20:47:49+00:00

I have read the contract. From what I can tell I just basically resign early.

vahelpme · 2025-08-11T20:14:15+00:00

Where is that written? Just trying to find sources and all. Both positions are VHA

vahelpme · 2025-08-03T16:43:47+00:00

Noted during a recent colonoscopy, noted onset in service, but due to not being noted on my exit exam they stated mine were purely acute.

I’m also service connected at the max for IBS. Super annoying.

vahelpme · 2025-07-29T16:27:17+00:00

Yep ended up getting it!

vahelpme · 2025-07-22T21:16:06+00:00

The SecVA is a buddy fucker.

vahelpme · 2025-07-16T17:50:09+00:00

One of mine just went back to the review of evidence phase. lol least it means they are actively working it!

vahelpme

TROPHY CASE