Sleep Apnea as secondary to Hypertension and/or Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease

[VietnamVetSis]

Has anyone had any luck with claiming Sleep Apnea as secondary to Hypertension and/or Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease ?  My husband has service connection for both hypertension and heart disease and now a current diagnosis and medical equipment for sleep apnea.  I've read where VA has approved hypertension secondary to sleep apnea and heart disease secondary to sleep apnea, but not the other way around. If anyone has an archived VA citation in this regard, or personal experience, would greatly appreciate hearing about it.    Thanks all.

[Gastone]

CAD DX 2006, SA DX 2010 SC Secondary 2011, Retro to 2010 File Date.

[VietnamVetSis]

Thank you Gastone.  Did you support your secondary claim with a nexus letter or just rely on C&P Examiner to confirm the connection, along with your private doctor DX ?

[Gastone]

As it turned out after I had my 3-night nonVA Sleep Study, I was referred to a non-VA Sleep Specialist (Bd Certified Neurologist). He was an AF Vet and at the end of the 1st office I brought up the fact that I was Filing an SA Secondary to my 06 CAD ByPass Surgery. He agreed that it was "more Likely than Not" linked directly to my CAD. He put the exact phrase into his Treatment Notes which I received a copy of on my way out.

The Clinician Notes sealed the Deal. Didn't need a special IOM written. Total cost was about $200.00 (Private Ins Covered).