I'm in the middle of a claims process with the VA for sleep apnea, and I just wanted to share my story and maybe get some feedback. Since I started this process, I have spent some time surfing these forums and finding my information on Google. Mostly I have found claims for sleep apnea as secondary to other things or advertisements for E-books on how to get approved.
I separated from the Navy in August last year after 9 years of service. I never sought treatment for apnea while I was in, but I did go to my civilian doctor (Tricare Prime Remote) in 2011 for trouble sleeping/falling asleep and snoring. He prescribed some mucinex for congestion and recommended a neti pot to help my breathing (he is a very natural-approach doctor which normally I appreciate). I never saw any improvement, and since he didn't think it was a serious concern, I never bothered to ask for a referral to someone else.
I deployed right up until getting out of the Navy, and after I got back (June of 16) my wife starting waking me up in the night worried that I had stopped breathing. She also started consistently sleeping in the other room because of my snoring, which had never been quite as bad.
I got a sleep study done and diagnosed with moderate central and obstructive apnea in February this year (6 months after discharge), and started the claims process in March.
The local VSO was pretty rude and didn't seem interested in helping me, so I waited for the ebenefits site to start working again, and filed the claim online. I submitted all of my recent records and sleep study results, as well as the record of my doctor visit in 2011 with sleep complaints.
I went to a scheduled C&P exam two weeks ago, and here are a few of the notes:
Evidence reviewed (check all that apply):
[X] VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA)
[X] CPRS
1. Diagnosis
------------
Does the Veteran have or has he/she ever had sleep apnea?
[X] Yes [ ] No
[X] Obstructive
ICD code: G47.33 Date of diagnosis: 2/2016
[X] Central
ICD code: G47.31 Date of diagnosis: 2/2016
2. Medical history
------------------
a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's
sleep
disorder condition (brief summary):
veteran states did not seek treatment for sleep issues in service
however did have difficulties and wife confirms starting around 2010.
The veteran was diagnosed with sleep apnea within the year of
discharge.
He currently wears cpap
5. Diagnostic testing
---------------------
a. Has a sleep study been performed?
[X] Yes [ ] No
If yes, does the Veteran have documented sleep disorder breathing?
[X] Yes [ ] No
Date of sleep study: 2/2016
Results:
AHI 24.8 with 84% oxygen nadir
TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION PROVIDED: [ MEDICAL OPINION FOR DIRECT SERVICE
CONNECTION ]
a. The condition claimed was at least as likely as not (50% or greater
probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event
or
illness.
c. Rationale: The veteran has recently been discharged from active duty
8/2015 and within the first year diagnosed with obstructive and central
sleep
apnea. It is as likely as not that the veteran experienced sleep apnea in
the
service. The veteran and veteran's wife notes he particularly noticed
sleep
issues around 2010 while in service.
The following week, my claim status in eBenefits went to "Preparation for Decision", and that is the latest as of now.
Should I bother with obtaining my C-File at this point? I haven't heard of it until the past couple of days. It appears that all of my records have been reviewed.
What do you think are the chances of being awarded service connection for this? I really have no idea what to expect.
At any rate, I just wanted to get my story out there. If anything, it may help someone like me who is trying to figure out the chances and what to expect. But mostly, I think posting this will help with the stress of this whole process.
Question
Willy P
Hello Everyone,
I'm in the middle of a claims process with the VA for sleep apnea, and I just wanted to share my story and maybe get some feedback. Since I started this process, I have spent some time surfing these forums and finding my information on Google. Mostly I have found claims for sleep apnea as secondary to other things or advertisements for E-books on how to get approved.
I separated from the Navy in August last year after 9 years of service. I never sought treatment for apnea while I was in, but I did go to my civilian doctor (Tricare Prime Remote) in 2011 for trouble sleeping/falling asleep and snoring. He prescribed some mucinex for congestion and recommended a neti pot to help my breathing (he is a very natural-approach doctor which normally I appreciate). I never saw any improvement, and since he didn't think it was a serious concern, I never bothered to ask for a referral to someone else.
I deployed right up until getting out of the Navy, and after I got back (June of 16) my wife starting waking me up in the night worried that I had stopped breathing. She also started consistently sleeping in the other room because of my snoring, which had never been quite as bad.
I got a sleep study done and diagnosed with moderate central and obstructive apnea in February this year (6 months after discharge), and started the claims process in March.
The local VSO was pretty rude and didn't seem interested in helping me, so I waited for the ebenefits site to start working again, and filed the claim online. I submitted all of my recent records and sleep study results, as well as the record of my doctor visit in 2011 with sleep complaints.
I went to a scheduled C&P exam two weeks ago, and here are a few of the notes:
Evidence reviewed (check all that apply):
[X] VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA)
[X] CPRS
1. Diagnosis
------------
Does the Veteran have or has he/she ever had sleep apnea?
[X] Yes [ ] No
[X] Obstructive
ICD code: G47.33 Date of diagnosis: 2/2016
[X] Central
ICD code: G47.31 Date of diagnosis: 2/2016
2. Medical history
------------------
a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's
sleep
disorder condition (brief summary):
veteran states did not seek treatment for sleep issues in service
however did have difficulties and wife confirms starting around 2010.
The veteran was diagnosed with sleep apnea within the year of
discharge.
He currently wears cpap
5. Diagnostic testing
---------------------
a. Has a sleep study been performed?
[X] Yes [ ] No
If yes, does the Veteran have documented sleep disorder breathing?
[X] Yes [ ] No
Date of sleep study: 2/2016
Results:
AHI 24.8 with 84% oxygen nadir
TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION PROVIDED: [ MEDICAL OPINION FOR DIRECT SERVICE
CONNECTION ]
a. The condition claimed was at least as likely as not (50% or greater
probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event
or
illness.
c. Rationale: The veteran has recently been discharged from active duty
8/2015 and within the first year diagnosed with obstructive and central
sleep
apnea. It is as likely as not that the veteran experienced sleep apnea in
the
service. The veteran and veteran's wife notes he particularly noticed
sleep
issues around 2010 while in service.
The following week, my claim status in eBenefits went to "Preparation for Decision", and that is the latest as of now.
Should I bother with obtaining my C-File at this point? I haven't heard of it until the past couple of days. It appears that all of my records have been reviewed.
What do you think are the chances of being awarded service connection for this? I really have no idea what to expect.
At any rate, I just wanted to get my story out there. If anything, it may help someone like me who is trying to figure out the chances and what to expect. But mostly, I think posting this will help with the stress of this whole process.
Thank you for reading!
Willy P
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Top Posters For This Question
7
2
2
1
Popular Days
Aug 5
3
Jul 7
2
Jul 11
2
Jul 15
2
Top Posters For This Question
Willy P 7 posts
silverdollar22 2 posts
Buck52 2 posts
toddt 1 post
Popular Days
Aug 5 2016
3 posts
Jul 7 2016
2 posts
Jul 11 2016
2 posts
Jul 15 2016
2 posts
Popular Posts
toddt
"The condition claimed was at least as likely as not (50% or greater probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event or illness." That almost certainly
silverdollar22
Willy P your good to go IMHO!!! Glad to see someone get what they deserve as far as sleep apnea is concerned. This goes to show how important claiming your problems within 360 days from service comp
13 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now