ptsd Any Hope?

[jhilly]

My doctor referred me to a sleep specialist concerning OSA. This specialist threats VA patients part time. He scheduled me a sleep study thru a private hospital.

My PTSD doctor was able to get me a sleep study thru the VA. That sleep study came back positive for severe OSA. I filed a claim for service connection.

I was hoping to get a IMO from ]the sleep specialist that my doctor referred me too, but he is now saying that I had to have OSA prior to my deployment to Iraq. I asked him "is there anyway that this could NOT have been caused by my deployment; and he told me "it's hard to prove your deployment caused this".

I have nothing in SMR's only a redeployment check-out where I told them that I started having headaches when I woke up halfway thru my deployment and I got to the point where I was tired all the time. Also, people in my platoon started telling me that I started snoring very loud and was waking them after awhile.

I had a TBI test done recently and I thought my examiner said TBI, PTSD and OSA were related.

My question is, is there any chance in anyone's opinion that I may be able to get this OSA service connected. If so, what advice can anyone give me.

[jhilly]

As always this group comes thru :)

Pete,

I am getting buddy statements together now...

The TBI test was not a C & P but a VA doctor at my local clinic who handles TBI injuries..

I am waiting on the progress notes from the doctor that did my sleep study. I paid to go see him but he works part time for the VA..I asked him point blank "Are you saying this could not have happened to me in Iraq"/ His answer was and I quote "there is no way to prove that, it's like saying I can say your my friend but I cannot prove that you are not" not sure what that had to do with my question..he went on to say "it's gonna be hard to prove this happened because you went to Iraq"..so I think I have a claim....

Thanks again everyone...Im gonna use y'all's advice as always :)

"I filed a claim for service connection. "

For TBI, PTSD and OSA?

"I had a TBI test done recently and I thought my examiner said TBI, PTSD and OSA were related."

Was this test part of any C & P exams?

"Also, people in my platoon started telling me that I started snoring very loud and was waking them after awhile."

Have you attempted to try to get any buddy statements?

"My PTSD doctor was able to get me a sleep study thru the VA" Has this doctor documented anything that would support a relationship between your PTSD and the OSA?

"I was hoping to get a IMO from ]the sleep specialist that my doctor referred me too, but he is now saying that I had to have OSA prior to my deployment to Iraq. I asked him "is there anyway that this could NOT have been caused by my deployment; and he told me "it's hard to prove your deployment caused this".

I dont know how he could determine that. Did he state this in the sleep study report?

[jhilly]

yes, I have gained 60 pounds ...

Did you experience any weight gain? That's often associated with OSA.

Like Pete said, key is getting a doc to tie it in somehow, if that's the case.

Best to research other cases where it's been awarded.

Here's a vet who got 50%