Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Central Sleep Apnea and TBI in VA disability. Leah focuses on Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) in veterans, differentiating it from the more common Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Leah explains that CSA, caused by the brain's failure to signal breathing during sleep, is diagnosed through sleep studies. She discusses challenges in establishing service connections for CSA, especially for reservists, and explores the link between CSA and Traum...
Oct 05, 2023•11 min•Ep. 62
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Coronary Artery Disease and weight gain as an intermediate step. Leah explores the connection between coronary artery disease (CAD) and VA disability, with a focus on obesity as an intermediate factor. She clarifies that while not specialized in internal medicine or cardiology, she has relevant experience in treating CAD. CAD, characterized by plaque buildup in heart arteries, can be a result of both modifiable (e.g., smoking,...
Oct 03, 2023•12 min•Ep. 61
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses the connection between Diabetes and Sleep Apnea in VA disability. Leah explores the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in veterans, particularly in the context of VA disability claims. She discusses the common occurrence of Type 2 Diabetes in veterans and its potential connections to various service-related conditions, including sleep apnea and Agent Orange exposure. Leah emphasizes the sign...
Sep 28, 2023•10 min•Ep. 60
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Hypertension and its relationship to PTSD in VA Disability. Leah discusses the relationship between hypertension (high blood pressure) and PTSD in veterans, explaining how hypertension can be service-connected in military personnel. Hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure over 140 or a diastolic pressure over 90, can be directly linked to military service if diagnosed during active duty or secondarily associated wit...
Sep 27, 2023•10 min•Ep. 59
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses the relationship between OSA and Rhinitis and VA disability compensation Leah explores the relationship between sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis, particularly in the context of VA disability claims. She discusses various aspects of sleep apnea, including its types (obstructive, central, mixed), and the nuances of its connection to military service, whether as a primary condition or secondary to other medical issues. Leah high...
Sep 21, 2023•7 min•Ep. 58
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in Headaches C&P Exam. Leah provides detailed insights into the CMP exam process for veterans seeking disability claims for headaches. Leah explains that veterans will receive paperwork indicating their CMP exam details, including the examiner's information. She suggests researching the examiner in advance, although notes this might increase anxiety for some. On exam day, veterans should expect to complete p...
Sep 20, 2023•9 min•Ep. 57
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Migraines related to service-connected tinnitus in VA disability. Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Migraines and Tinnitus in Veterans' Disability. Leah discusses the connection between migraines and tinnitus in veterans. She explains that many veterans suffer from service-connected tinnitus, often caused by acoustic noise trauma during active duty. Leah, drawing from her own experienc...
Sep 14, 2023•7 min•Ep. 56
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Headaches & VA Disability. Leah discusses various types of headaches experienced by veterans and their relation to VA disability claims. She elaborates on common types, including migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches, describing their characteristics and associated symptoms. Migraines, for instance, are often one-sided and can come with nausea, vomiting, or visual changes, while tension heada...
Sep 13, 2023•8 min•Ep. 55
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Neck pain in VA Disability Leah explores the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and neck pain, particularly in the context of veterans' service-connected disabilities. She explains how OSA can be directly or secondarily service-connected, including connections to PTSD, mental health conditions, orthopaedic conditions, and weight gain. Focusing on neck pain, Leah details how cervical ...
Sep 07, 2023•8 min•Ep. 54
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Compensation and Pension exams for Erectile Dysfunction. Leah provides an insightful guide for veterans about the C&P examination process for erectile dysfunction (ED). She explains that veterans can be service-connected for ED either directly if diagnosed while on active duty, or secondarily if related to other service-connected disabilities like mental health issues or certain medications. Leah details the examination pr...
Sep 06, 2023•15 min•Ep. 69
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Pes Planus as it relates to VA disability. Leah addresses how flat feet (pes planus) are considered in the context of VA disability. She explains that many veterans suffer from foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and others which can be related to their service. Flat feet can be either congenital (present from birth) or acquired due to various factors such as weight gain or injuries. Leah highlights that for...
Sep 06, 2023•7 min•Ep. 53
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses the relationship between OSA and Rhinitis and VA disability compensation Leah explores the relationship between sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis, particularly in the context of VA disability claims. She discusses various aspects of sleep apnea, including its types (obstructive, central, mixed), and the nuances of its connection to military service, whether as a primary condition or secondary to other medical issues. Leah high...
Aug 31, 2023•7 min•Ep. 52
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses IBS as it relates to PTSD in VA disability. Leah, discusses the relationship between IBS, PTSD, and other mental health conditions in the context of VA disability. She explains that IBS, diagnosed based on the Rome criteria, includes symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. Leah highlights several pathways for veterans to establish a service connection for IBS: diagnosis during active service, associ...
Aug 30, 2023•8 min•Ep. 51
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Knee Pain C&P Exam. Leah offers an in-depth guide for veterans undergoing a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for knee pain. As a US Army veteran, former C&P examiner, and physician assistant, Leah discusses various knee conditions eligible for VA disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, meniscal tears, and arthritis. She explains how these conditions can be service-connected direct...
Aug 24, 2023•17 min•Ep. 50
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Fatty Liver Disease and VA disability. Leah discusses various types of headaches experienced by veterans and their relation to VA disability claims. She elaborates on common types, including migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches, describing their characteristics and associated symptoms. Migraines, for instance, are often one-sided and can come with nausea, vomiting, or visual changes, while tensi...
Aug 23, 2023•9 min•Ep. 49
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses what happens during a VA C&P exam for IBS Leah discusses various types of headaches experienced by veterans and their relation to VA disability claims. She elaborates on common types, including migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches, describing their characteristics and associated symptoms. Migraines, for instance, are often one-sided and can come with nausea, vomiting, or visual changes, whil...
Aug 17, 2023•10 min•Ep. 48
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Veterans' Disability. Leah discusses various types of headaches experienced by veterans and their relation to VA disability claims. She elaborates on common types, including migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches, describing their characteristics and associated symptoms. Migraines, for instance, are often one-sided and can come with nausea, vomiting, or visual ch...
Aug 16, 2023•12 min•Ep. 47
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Coronary Artery Disease and weight gain as an intermediate step. Leah explores the connection between coronary artery disease (CAD) and VA disability, with a focus on obesity as an intermediate factor. She clarifies that while not specialized in internal medicine or cardiology, she has relevant experience in treating CAD. CAD, characterized by plaque buildup in heart arteries, can be a result of both modifiable (e.g., smoking,...
Aug 10, 2023•12 min•Ep. 46
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Erectile Dysfunction as it relates to PTSD in VA disability. Leah discusses the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and mental health disorders like PTSD, depression, and anxiety in the context of VA disability. She explains that ED can be service-connected either directly (primary) or secondarily due to other service-connected disabilities, such as mental health disorders. Leah emphasizes the importance of supporti...
Aug 09, 2023•8 min•Ep. 45
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses what happens during a VA C&P exam for GERD Leah provides a detailed walkthrough of the Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination process for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and other esophageal conditions. She emphasizes that the exam is standardized, following a specific formula and set of questions outlined in the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). She advises veterans to review this questionnaire on th...
Aug 03, 2023•14 min•Ep. 44
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz Anxiety related to Tinnitus in VA disability. Leah explores the relationship between anxiety, tinnitus, and VA disability. She discusses how veterans can be service-connected for anxiety and other mental health conditions either directly, if diagnosed and treated during active duty and continuing post-service, or secondarily, as a result of other service-connected disabilities. Leah highlights several studies illustrating the strong ass...
Aug 02, 2023•6 min•Ep. 43
Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus , where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities. Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7AM. Leah provides a detailed tutorial on how veterans can access their VA medical records o...
Jul 27, 2023•6 min•Ep. 42
Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus , where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities. Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7AM. Leah discusses the emerging use of ketamine for treating chronic pain and mental health...
Jul 26, 2023•7 min•Ep. 41
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz Obesity as an Intermediate Step in VA Disability. Leah explains that while obesity itself isn't directly service-connected, it can act as a bridge linking service-related conditions to other medical issues. For instance, a veteran's service-connected disability might lead to obesity, which in turn causes another condition. Leah delves into the definition and categories of obesity based on BMI (Body Mass Index) and mentions the landmark ...
Jul 20, 2023•13 min•Ep. 40
Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus , where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities. Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7AM. Leah discusses Battlefield Acupuncture, a technique developed by Air Force veteran Dr. ...
Jul 19, 2023•6 min•Ep. 39
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses what happens in a C&P examination for sleep apnea. Leah provides an informative overview of what veterans can expect during a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for sleep apnea. She explains that these exams are primarily conducted by one of three main contractors and outlines the process of the exam, including possible paperwork and the types of healthcare professionals who might perform the evaluation. Leah details ...
Jul 13, 2023•11 min•Ep. 38
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz Anxiety related to Tinnitus in VA disability. Leah explores the relationship between anxiety, tinnitus, and VA disability. She discusses how veterans can be service-connected for anxiety and other mental health conditions either directly, if diagnosed and treated during active duty and continuing post-service, or secondarily, as a result of other service-connected disabilities. Leah highlights several studies illustrating the strong ass...
Jul 12, 2023•6 min•Ep. 37
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What Happens in a VA Disability C&P Exam for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Leah provides insights into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in veterans and the related VA disability Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam process. She explains that CFS is often a diagnosis of exclusion and may be difficult to assert in the presence of conditions like sleep apnea or hypothyroidism. Leah discusses the potential for service connection o...
Jul 06, 2023•14 min•Ep. 36
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Erectile Dysfunction and VA disability Compensation. Leah discusses the prevalence and challenges of erectile dysfunction (ED) among male veterans. She emphasizes the reluctance many men feel in discussing this sensitive issue with healthcare providers and encourages veterans to seek help, even if it means writing down their concerns. Leah explains that ED can be service-connected, arising from incidents during active duty or ...
Jul 05, 2023•15 min•Ep. 35
Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus , where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities. Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. Leah discusses the connection between orthopedic injuries and military service, partic...
Jun 29, 2023•5 min•Ep. 34
