ptsd New Sleep Apnea Claim

[Black3018]

Hello everyone,

I just had my initial consult for sleep apnea.  I havnt had the sleep study performed yet but I did get these numbers from the initial questionnaire:

Berlin Questionnaire: POSITIVE (+++)

Epworth Sleepiness Scale: 9/24

Fatigue Severity Scale: 42/63

Insomnia Severity Index: 18/28

Based on these results and suspicion for sleep disordered breathing, an

oligosomnogram was ordered. Sleep Clinic follow-up scheduled in ~6 months.

 

I wasn't diagnosed with any sleep issues while I was active but when I was explaining to my PTSD therapist about how I was having issues sleeping she stated that it seems like I have insomnia and possibly a major sleep apnea issue.  My wife had to wake me up several times a night when shes home due to either snoring or breathing issues.  My question to you guys is what would be the best way to put a claim in for sleep apnea?  Should I do the secondary issue and attach it to my ptsd (rated at 50%)?  this will be only my second claim and I want to make sure I do it right.  Please help me

[Buck52]

I Just mention the PTSD Medication as a secondary for OSA or Sleep Apnea.

you will need medical documentation as  to SERVICE CONNECT your S.A. and you need in service records that show you had some type of OSA /Sleep Apnea While in the military   or another S,C, Condition that you could file a secondary claim for S.A.

As Gastone mention above

if you don't have these you will probably be denied/even if you have a Diagnose for OSA/Sleep Apnea  and prescribe a C-PAP .

  Thats good you have that machine  sleep apnea is a killer  but even with the C-PAP machine   the VA will still require medical records to show you had OSA while in the military..if you don't  you can get buddy letters detailing how you snored in the hooch/barracks but if it was not reported the VA is very strick on this S.A. Issue. 

Filing a secondary claim from a  S.C.condition that would cause you to have OSA Is the only way to get a Sleep Apnea claim (my opinion) in your case   the PTSD.

 when there's no evidence of it while you were in the military ITS VERY VERY HARD TO BE APPROVED.

You have a  VA diagnose for PTSD but not taking medications for it?

if your in treatment that will help.

Edited January 28, 2017 by Buck52

[USMCVet13]

On 11/30/2016 at 9:20 PM, CaliBay said:

Hello Black,

I agree with Gastone on the SA as secondary to PTSD.  Also you should get the overnight sleep study, its better.  I currently submitted an appeal with Buddy Statements from my roommate, peers, supervisor, and one from my spouse. The one thing I wish I had that can make or break my claim is an independent medical opinion stating my sleep apnea was caused while on active duty.  I have no record of sleep issues in my service records.  

Check this link out of a Board Review I believe seems like a great example of what you need.  What I really liked about it was he had multiple buddy statements and one buddy was a registered respiratory therapist.  Also obesity, snoring, and an enlarged double chin are some things that can play a role in OSA, if you have any evidence of that in your service records such as an elevated BMI, being in the weight management program, or something from a doctor stating you gained weight as a result of medication you are taking for PTSD therefore causing sleep apnea.  Just some suggestions.

https://www.va.gov/vetapp13/Files4/1335733.txt

CaliBay

 

 

I am planning to file a claim for sleep apnea after talking to my VSO. I was diagnosed with OSA last April, and separated early 2013. I don't have anything in my service medical records about sleep issues, so I understand that it will be an uphill battle. I've also gained weight since I got out, although I have lost weight since receiving my CPAP.

I have a statement from my wife talking about my symptoms over the last 10 years and how I would never go to medical for it. I also have several buddy letters stating that I snored loud enough to wake them up, had to be moved into our server room to sleep, was tired and would doze off at work, napped during lunches and breaks, and woke often at night. I also have a buddy statement that verifies I spoke to a Corpsman in Iraq and was given an OTC sleep aid. We were attached to an infantry platoon and that never made it into my records.

I have two videos that my wife took shortly before I separated that show me snoring loudly and sleeping with my mouth open. I also had weight issues off and on while I was in. I was assigned to BCP twice, and "diagnosed" with obesity a few times as well. My neck is the same size or smaller since I got out.  

If I'm able to give all this to a sleep specialist and get an opinion that it's likely that I had undiagnosed OSA while I was in, do I stand a chance at winning?

[Black3018]

Well I just got my results back from the sleep study. I have mild obstructive sleep apnea. I'm going to pick up my CPAP machine on Friday. I'm going to file a disability claim for sleep apnea. Since the VA gave me this diagnosis what else do I need to put into my claim? Do I need letters from people I served with stating that I snored loudly? I never had a sleep study while on active duty

[Buck52]

You truly need medical records that your S.A.  or OSA was ongoing during your military service for S.C.

Check your C-FILE look for any OSA OR TREATMENT Records  for  any type sleep disturbances while in the military.

However if you can get buddy statment's from your buddy's from your unit and can testify that you did snore a lot kept them awake  ect,,ect,,  its basicly a 50/50 split as to rather they will S.C. Your sleep apnea dx from the VA?

 You need a nexus letter FROM A QUALIFIED sleep SPECIALIST  connecting the two...to your military service to OSA DURING MILITARY, Without that chances are slim getting S.A.  Service Connected.

It will be a hard claim  if you don't have any medical documentation of any type of OSA  or sleep disorder while in military service....you might think about filing a secondary claim to some S.C. Disability that you may ALREADY HAVE?   example  S.C. PTSD Medications can cause S.A.  and it would be a secondary condition from the PTSD Meds.

other wise with no in service medical Records about sleep disorders  it will be a hard claim  even with the buddy letter's.

Getting a diagnosed from VA & get on C-PAP Will not pass a raters desk with approval for S.C.

[Gastone]

In your lay opinion, what caused your Mild OSA?

What are your current SCs? What SC, could your OSA be Secondary to?

Semper Fi

 

[RickyDee]

Black3018,

 

I have OSA and it's not SC. I am still fighting and have been since 2004. I retired 2001. I have all the diagnoses of OSA but never got diagnosed while on AD, although my wife told me to and my Army buddies did too, but I blew it off and thought nothing of it; I am regretting that to this day. Yes, I'm getting treatment from VA and they provide me all the medical support I need, but WON'T SC.   I did the friend and wife letters too, but still denied. I am also diagnosed with PTSD with mood disorder, sleep disturbance, depression, etc...etc. Still not SC for SA.

I hate to put salt in your wound but Buck is 100. If you don't have anything in your records while you were in service for SA you are going up a hill with a 500lb ruck. Not saying you are defeated, but saying it's going to be a little more challenging than you think. We love a challenge... huh?

I highly recommend before putting an OSA claim in you find something in your medical files that can be SC to OSA...example TBI (highly possible). You might try Fibromyalgia. Fibro is connected to sleep disturbance. But even that's not saying much.

Short story: I had a friend who put a claim in for SA and got denied over and over again but kept on fighting  for over 15 years. He got his claim approved after researching his medical records very...very...Very...closely and found one statement where a doctor recommend he get a sleep test. That was enough and all he needed. You know the rest of the story.

It's not about your illness, although that is important to get treatment...it's about being SC....saying that to mean this; Get your records in order  by date, after that, request a C&P, take all researched records to C&P highlighting the areas pertaining to the claim so there will be no misunderstandings of proof; remember C&P doc's are not looking for conversation only proof on paper. Key thought "You don't have to say anything as long as it's documented...trust me. 

True story:  I did a C&P and the doctor found something in my medical records I never thought of claiming but complained about since 1984...headache's. These headache's manifested into migraines from that time to present. Just think,  I've been complaining about headache's since 1984 but between 84 and present they grew into migraines and I thought it was because of OSA. I do have OSA but now I have found out that my headache's now migraines, resulted from my OSA. I don't know which way to go with this but I am sure within one year I'll figure it OUT!

 

Sorry for being long winded