hypertension Sleep Apnea

[COOL BREEZE]

Just finished having a sleep study the other night. Halfway through, I was hooked up on the CPAC machine. I was asked afterwards if I thought my sleep was better.

The official results won't be known for another week. My guess is based on this test and the fact that I had respiratory failure due to low oxygen level I will be recommended to go on the CPAC.

I am already service connected for hypertension and cardiomegaly. Would I file this new claim requesting secondary to either one as sleep apnea?

[carlie]

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful information on the previous posts.

I had a few questions myself as I recently separated from the Navy and plan on submitting a Fully Developed Claim for Sleep Apnea:

Background: Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea while Active-duty serving overseas at USFK. The sleep study dr. on base had me referred me for an actual sleep study at Samsung Medical Center which diagnosed me with "mild to moderate OSAS" requiring CPAP, in addition to a deviated septum. I received my CPAP a few weeks later but also underwent U-3P Surgery and corrected my deviated septum.

QUESTION:

1) Before I submit my claim, should I have another sleep study done privately to show that I still struggle with it? Or is this a waste of my time/money? I've looked into getting a sleep study done at home as well, to save on $ as I don't currently have medical insurance. However, if it will help me get my claim approved, I'm willing to use some of my savings for a private in-clinic or in-home sleep study.

2) I currently don't have medical insurance, but took my records to a vet-friendly internal medicine doctor who was seeing me for another issue, who also reviewed them and filled out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Apnea for me. Will submitting his findings help, or do I need to have a certified sleep specialist submit documentation?

3) After I submit my documentation, will the VA have me do another sleep study? (If so, I may not need to pay for one)

4) Do I need to bring in my CPAP/CPAP card during the VA appointment? I currently still have and use my CPAP (life-saver), but I no longer have my CPAP card as the on-base sleep doctor was reviewing it, and never got it back to me before I PCS'ed back to CONUS.

5) Will the VA care that my base dr. referred me to get my sleep study done at a private hospital? (they apparently didn't do them on yongsan)

Please let me know any insights or advice you have ASAP as I'm planning to submit my claim this week! I'm definitely lucky I found this exceptional community.

-FNG

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