Use the Gulf war registry, use the GW vtes problem lists. There is many things we have wrong, that is common between us.
The data is there, stop trying to reinvent the wheel every time. We all have sleep problems, a combination of no rem sleep, and central sleep apneas, yet every doc wants all of us to go through trying all the meds, even though they have not worked for other GW vets. Recognize sleep disturbances w/ sleep apnea, as compensable illnesses. We all have bad migraines, yet some get compensation, and others don't, depends on the way the wind was blowing when the RQ decided the claim.
Do some meaningful nationwide research on our problems. Not this stuff of mindfullness training, that is only tested on a small number of vets in the SLC area.
George,
Thanks to the new “idea” for the feedback site. I look forward to more comments and feedback to your idea and others.
-
Ezjay commented
I have sleep apnea and it has been at the bva since 2009 because the va said it's not gulf war related and since I filed so late after I got out of the Army...I didnt get it there...How did I know I had sleep apnea, or what it was? Someone had to tell me, and I had to believe it, and had to have a sleep
Someone needs to tell these raters sleep apnea is sleep problems. We have tonuse a machine nightly to sleep.
Study -
Hankhill commented
Every Gulf War Veteran that I know has Sleep Apnea, including myself. This condition should be added to the presumptive list for us Gulf War Vets. Currently "Undiagnosed Sleep Disturbance" is on the presumptive list, BUT good luck getting a VA Doc to diagnose you with "Undiagnosed Sleep Disturbance". SLEEP APNEA SHOULD BE PRESUMPTIVE!!!
-
JIG commented
Very good point, I retired in 2002 from the Marines and my health issues include: Sleep Apnea, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), Asthma, GERD, IBS, Neurological & Mental issues. Plus degenerative bone diseases, Spinal Stenosis and I know that I’m forgetting something. So the point I am trying to make here, is the VA treats me for all my issues; but refuses to acknowledge my health problems could be related to the Gulf War or my military service.
-
George Hale commented
The card is worthless, if the docs do not even read it. My PCP will only see me once a year, unless I need to see him for other issues, then he will only discuss that. 10-15 mins, is not enough time to get past hi. The docs do not want to take the time to listen to what we went through. Three times in the last year, the nurse has called me, and said my labs were off, and the doc wants me to take fish oil. Every time, I had to tell her that I have been taking fish oil for 4 or 5 years now. I'm still waiting.
I had a PCP, tell me that she never diagnoses anyone with CFS, and she has been at 4 VA's, and thats the policy at all of them.Pick 5 VAMC's, and call any off the published numbers, and ask for the "Gulf War Registry". I'll bet at least 2 will tell you there is no such department.
Your fast letter 10-03, does not even cover Desert Storm.
I implore you to go and search out some of the Desert Storm forums, and spend some time reading what is going on with us.
-
Getting information to VA doctors has been an area that was worked this past year. A new Gulf War specific reference was developed and distributed to the field. The "Environmental Exposure Card" is also on the web at:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/exposures/environmental-exposure-pocket-card.pdf
-
gregory towler commented
I would like to see more information delivered to my primary care doctors, some of which have
not heard or any knowledge of "pb" pills given to many desert storm vets. Power is knowledge
and being informed of the many environmental exposures vets were exposed to would be helpful
in assessing one's health issues. Thanks, Greg Towler