Sleep Apnea

[USMCVet13]

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?

The reason I ask is that I've been told by my VSO and my doctor that I probably won't win it because of my weight gain, and I'm considering pulling it off until I lose some more weight. 

Edited March 31, 2017 by USMCVet13

[AwareNavyVet]

I am wondering if anyone has filed a claim for Sleep Apnea based on a connection from being on Tramadol. As soon as the VA diagnosed me with moderate to severe Sleep Apnea, they told me to get off Tramadol since it was "like the plague."

I was discharged back in 1980 and had never been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I was put on Tramadol for pain by the VA several years ago.

Any suggestions?

[Berta]

Are you still on it? Tramadol is servious stuff-

https://www.rxlist.com/ultram-side-effects-drug-center.htm

There is a doctor in line right now who can answer your question at the above link.

 

[AwareNavyVet]

 

On 7/7/2018 at 9:19 AM, Berta said:

Are you still on it? Tramadol is servious stuff-

https://www.rxlist.com/ultram-side-effects-drug-center.htm

There is a doctor in line right now who can answer your question at the above link.

 

Berta:  No, I took myself off of Tramadol the day VA told me that I had sleep apnea and said to avoid it.