ptsd Rem Sleep Behavior Disorder

[armynco2006]

Good Morning everyone.

I am new to this sight. I am still in the army but due to retire 1 October 2013. I have started my claims process for retirement disability. Several of the claims that I have already filed for are Sleep Apna with a CPAP machine which I know is 50%. I have also been dignoised with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder due to me actiing out my dreams. There has been several occasions where I act out my dreams by either running in my sleep, kicking out, or even grabbing my wifes hair and pulling it. God Bless her heart for putting up with it. I have been put on the drug Kolonpin and it has been very effective. I was only deployed once to Kuwait for about 3 months when I was shipped back to the states for a pre existing shoulder issue which was complicated by the heat and weather there. Can anyone tell me if REM Sleep Behavior Disorder is claimable and does anyone have any idea what the percentage might be? I have seen several post where it was considered a secondary to PTSD, which I dont think I am suffering from that.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[armynco2006]

Do we not have anyone out there that can give me advice about VA disability claims for REM Sleep behavior disorder?

[meghp0405]

There is not a diagnostic code for sleep behavior disorder, that I can find in the 38 CFR.

I do know that symptoms like you stated are coupled in with PTSD

[john999]

Is REM sleep disorder where you tend to act out your dreams? Most of us have a safety device builit-in to our sleep where we freeze during dreaming. If you don't have that you can get hurt or hurt others while dreaming. This is not sleep apnea. I have come down with sleep disorders other than apnea myself. The VA tells me that are distinct from apena (narcolepsy). There are many sorts of sleep disorders and I don't think it would be pyramiding if you claimed them. My narcolepsy has gotten so bad that sometimes while drinking coffee in the morning I fall asleep with the spoon in my hand and sleep for hours. My wife lets me sleep becasuse she knows the apnea is just making my nights pretty rough at times.

John

[VetlawUS]

Would like to hear more about Vets experiencing REM Sleep Behavior Disorders. My Firm is looking into reports - from outside and from our own clients - that this is a huge problem for all Vets, but primarily post-9/11 Vets.

Read my post about the serious implications of an REM Sleep Behavior Disorder on the Veterans Law Blog.

I'd like to hear what other conditions Vets with RBD have that are already service connected, the symptoms they are experiencing, and how the VA is treating them in claims for service connection of RBD.

Post here, or on my blog, or come visit my new Facebook page for Veterans with Sleep problems.

Chris

[chuck57thSig]

After reading a short paper, very short, it stated that this can start as twitching or jerking of limbs during REM sleep. I'm just wondering if RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) would eventually lead to this type of behavior...?

[justrluk]

I've dealt with this for years. I was not it a combat zone, but had a roll-over SUV accident @ 60mph while on active duty. Specifically, the events are typically a part of a nightmare. My spouse ends up getting hurt and she's scared of me now. There are no real core issues in the dreams other that I am reacting to fear (eaten by snakes, bugs, etc.) or being threatened by those that want to do harm or lock me in a room. I've had sleep studies and have sleep apnea (I'm not overweight) but this doesn't really help. In fact, the mask makes the nightmares worse by feeling like someone has their hand over my face. Needless to say, those dreams are particularly violent. Clonazepam had minimal effect. When the psychiatrist doubled the dosage, I slept through the nightmares but also didn't wake up do use the rest room.... not good! Now, I'm on a new medication, Prazosin (2MG) and will see how it goes.