cook76

With the exception of "personality disorders" which is now not supposed to be DX'd according to (DSM-V) if you're suffering with a Serious Mental Health condition. It's way too easy for any Doctor. to DX a person with honest to god ...right out of the "war zone" PTSD as an Avoidance Personality Disorder" from a computer given personality test. The main thing they go by is your functioning level/ rating criteria/% form mental health conditions, if PTSD increases your total mental health disability/severity rating/condition then you need to get it rated and treated. It does get nasty when you get older if you ignore it (like me). . I did hear of one guy that joked around saying the VA Doc's kept changing his DX all the time, but his % never went up....PTSD and stress in general is looked as more harmful to your overall health over time. I have both but very common. PTSD. with Co morbid MDD, ect...With the exception of the intrusive -nightmares/flashbacks part and getting angry at the people you love the most for stupid crap, PTSD and MDD symptoms overlap a lot..

Here's a December 2014 study from the Journal of Sleep Medicine with VA centers showing there are higher rates (over 60%) of OSA in Vets with PTSD symptoms. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and PTSD Stress Disorder among OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. It mentions a connection (nexus??) from "lack of sufficient sleep" during combat operations as a contributing factor in developing Sleep Apnea. Note to stay clear of the risk factors in the study This is a bit more recent study than the one the VA used to deny JCOX129's claim. T Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Vol. 11, No. 5, 2015 Sleep Apnea Connected to PTSD.pdf

First, I would first get an IME from a Physiologist (first) and have that Personality Disorder diagnosis removed with "evidence based" personality testing. I found out it's used often by the VA, to not pay benefits for PTSD. Frankly, it makes me sad they would do that to Vets suffering with PTSD. I had to stop working last year and struggle everyday with PTSD and Major Depression. My family is the only reason I'm still here. I too was only was rated at 30% too with a Axis II Avoidance Personality disorder. I wasn't even close to being like that before 1980 and 23 years of service. I know my Doc says the symptom criteria in the DSM-V for diagnosing PTSD has changed. Were you like that (personality disorder - symptoms) before you entered service? The VA scares me so much I can't go there for any mental health services and have ran out of money for any more treatment...and I need it to survive. So, I feel for you brother. Hang in there!