Central Sleep Apnea

[cooter]

My Dr has me on morphine and percs for my pain. Now my sleep study I just had shows sever Central apnea, and he says, more than likely it's due to the opiates I'm on.

My question is, if I filed a claim for the apnea, will they deny me cause its the meds that causing it or will they just try to get me off of the meds so I wouldn't have apnea?

Coot

[brokensoldier244th]

My pain is already classified under my MDD, I think, since my MDD was granted as secondary to it. Wouldn't claiming it on its own be pyramiding?

CAS

That is a good letter from your doctor about the Apnea being SC'ed. Damn good letter for a claim for Chronic Pain Disorder as well.

[john999]

Yes, but perhaps if you filed an increase for the MDD it would help. Are you 100% or TDIU as of now? Here you are a vet with major physical problems, MDD, inability to sleep, chronic pain so how can you work and how can you even take care of yourself?

[brokensoldier244th]

I have an increase in for MDD now. I'm at 30% for that.

I work for a software company, that has modified my job description so I don't deal 1:1 with clients or travel like everyone else, and im the only one that can work from home in the middle of the night other than the VP, my boss. I do a lot of the deep database diving and I help with program development. It is a really sedentary job, and now that I have the CPAP so I get decent sleep my concentration has increased, which is a plus. Im only 70% overall right now-40% spine, 30 Depression, 10% radiculopathy, 0% guy issues, and 10% tinnitus. Since they haven't decided to fire me yet :-) and they work with me and my issues (we are a really small company with some real personalities....) I can't really file for TDIU. I don't want to just quit, either.

CAS

Yes, but perhaps if you filed an increase for the MDD it would help. Are you 100% or TDIU as of now? Here you are a vet with major physical problems, MDD, inability to sleep, chronic pain so how can you work and how can you even take care of yourself?

[Computer Tech]

I did the take home study in August, within the week I got a call to pick up an APAP machine, it's the same as a CPAP but will adjust the pressure. I didn't have any problem adjusting to the mask but sometimes I have problems with the hose. I've gone from waking up every hour to maybe once a night. I really like the fact that most days I don't need to take a nap two or three hours after getting up.

Rick

[brokensoldier244th]

I KNOW! I work in software support/conversion/client training, and database spelunking. 3-5 hours of fitful sleep every night for the last few years is not conducive to pushing one's brain around.

I love sleeping the more I get used to the mask and the tube flopping around at night.

I did the take home study in August, within the week I got a call to pick up an APAP machine, it's the same as a CPAP but will adjust the pressure. I didn't have any problem adjusting to the mask but sometimes I have problems with the hose. I've gone from waking up every hour to maybe once a night. I really like the fact that most days I don't need to take a nap two or three hours after getting up.

Rick

[john999]

I think it is good to work as long as you are able. If you do get fired you have enough of a rating to file for TDIU and SSD. It is good to know. I would start my disability savings account now. You have to plan for these things.