C&P exam - sleep apnea secondary to sinusitis

[Hogfan1978]

Hi all, good site and good information. 

So I was diagnosed by my VA doc with obstructive sleep apnea last year. They gave me a CPAP machine as a result of the sleep study.  Earlier this year I was given a 0% service connection for sinusitis. About a month ago, I put in a claim for sleep apnea secondary to my 0% sinusitis disability. There's no sleep apnea in my service records.  I'm assuming that I had sleep apnea while in the service because nothing had changed and the wife tells me I snore the same...

Today, I was scheduled for 2 C&P exams at the Houston VA Center.  

Any idea why there are two exams?  Any idea what the exams will entail?  I want to be prepared for the exam.  

Thanks!

Edited February 24, 2017 by Hogfan1978

[Gastone]

VA SA SC's are difficult to come by, was your SC DXpre or post your Sinus DX?

You didn't indicate what type of SA DX, OSA, CSA or Mixed SA. Your's is?

If it's OSA, how many of the "Usual Suspects" do you have? BMI, neck 17+, age, just to name a few.

I can't say I've ever seen a post where a Vet was successful in getting a SA SC Secondary to a DX that was post, SA DX.

Get and post redacted copies of the (2) C & P DBQ's when you can.

Semper Fi

[Buck52]

The two C&P are probably for Sleep Apnea /OSA secondary to your Sinusitis..maybe?

Is your sinusitis rated as ''Chronic''?

being your S.C. for sinusitis at 0%, if you filed  secondary to OSA  they may give you a increase rating for the sinusitis  and since your VA Doc had you do a sleep study and diagnosed you with Sleep Apnea & prescribe the C-Pap machine you may get a secondary rating for OSA.

Since your sinusitis is 0% service connected they maybe wanting to look at that since you filed  a secondary claim for OSA?

Usually being on C-Pap  is 50%  rating or depending on how severe for a higher rating, but what is in question ....>is your Sleep Apnea/OSA Service Connected?

If there is no medical records for the C&P Examiner to go by or any mention  of OSA in your military  medical records you will most likely be denied.

unless they connect the 0% S.C. sinusitis and its related or caused your OSA. THEN IT CAN BE A SECONDARY CLAIM FOR Sleep Apnea.

you will need a qualified Sleep specialist to give his/her opinion as to 

IT IS LIKELY AS NOT YOUR S.C. 0% Sinusitis is  SECONDARY or related to or likely as not caused your Sleep Apnea.....Unless the C&P Examiner will state that in his/her report.

& since your 0% S.C. Sinusitis & is not of chronic nature (what a big chance for that)

We don't know what they will do but chronic sinusitis can be related to OSA and can be  secondary to S.C. chronic sinusitis. 

 However what you posted here   you may get ready to stand in the Appeals Line.

JMO

Edited February 26, 2017 by Buck52

[john999]

Dr. Bash says he can connect my OSA to DMII.   Just send him $2000 and my records.  What do you think?

[Buck52]

John999

As for as a good IMO/IME

If I was you I'd check out a local Qualified Dr to give his impression to connect the two, by examining you ,  it could be a lot cheaper! Usually a cash price for 250.00 bucks  office visit or maybe less  if they don't do any Blood test urine testing.

 Take him those test from the VA!

Just call around in your area for a Qualified Dr that will be willing to do that, & what would he charge you to do it???..you may even mention that you are on a fixed income with no insurance, (unless you have an insurance policy that will cover his fees  which would be good.

usually a Office visit to let him know what your wanting to do and explain to him how the VA is,  and all you ask is him to read some of your pertain medical records that will give him some insight on your reason to try to get your OSA S.C.

(DIC ) For your spouse incase you go before.

Just take the medical records that show your diagnose for the DMII, & Test that have been performed from the VA BLOOD/URINE TEST!

and ask him to write you out his opinion and State he has examined you and read your medical records & use'' It is Likely as not'' this veterans OSA can be or related to or secondary to his S.C. DMII

and just submit the claim your self

Not to discredit Dr Bash but in my opinion that is  a hefty Price 2000$$  and no guarantees.

Edited February 26, 2017 by Buck52

[Buck52]

I am not 100% sure on this  but it seems I read some where in the CFR's that when a veteran has been Service Connected for his Disbility's 10 YEARS or More  , when he dies his spouse is Eligible  for DIC,  No matter from what he died from (excluding self inflected Death) Suicide.

[Buck52]

veteran whose death resulted from a non service-related injury or disease, and who was receiving or was entitled to receive, VA compensation for a service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling:

for at least 10 years immediately before death, or

since the veteran’s release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, or

for at least one year before death if the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

The surviving spouse is eligible if he or she:

validly married the veteran before January 1, 1957, OR

was married to a service member who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR

married the veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the veteran’s death began or was aggravated, OR

was married to the veteran for at least one year, OR

had a child with the veteran, AND

cohabited with the veteran continuously until the veteran’s death or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation, AND

is not currently Remarried