Is It Possible To File For Sleep Apnea

[BklynVet]

Hi,

I was chatting with someone at the DAV and we talked about my transferring my care to the VA. I told him that I was satisfied so far because they discovered I had sleep apnea and I get a machine to help me sleep. By the way, that thing is great. I sleep like a baby and wake up so refreshed.

He asked me if I filed for it and I said 'no'. I am 20% for degenerative joint disease lumbar spine and 10% for right L5 radiculopathy. He said that I could file as secondary for the back problems because it can be tied together. Here's the thing though. I don't have any record of it while I was on active duty. He said that it doesn't matter because I could say that the back problems changed my sleeping position due to pain and discomfort and that caused me to develop sleep apnea. I was discharged from service back in 2003. I was just diagnosed with OSA in February of this year.

Is this true? I don't want to waste my time going through the process only to fail. I did some Google searching and it looks like back problems and sleep apnea are connected but does the VA think so?

Thanks

[63SIERRA]

Yes you can file for Secondary connection for sleep apnea due to back pain/altered biomechanics. That said, you should have a medical opinion that states your OSA was caused by your back condition or makes it worse. If you do not have a physician on record that your SC condition caused the Sleep apnea or makes it worse I don't see much point in filing until you have a medical nexus.

The bigger question here is do you think that your back condition caused your sleep apnea or makes it worse?

Welcome aboard!

this is an excellent point, because Im positive that my back pain causes me to lie on my side sometimes, making it difficult to wear the cpap mask. or on my stomach to try and alleviate the pain. how in the heck can u wear a mask, while lying on your stomach.

[63SIERRA]

You are correct. I see that now. I'm going to give up on it. I'm glad I got the 40% and it looks like I'll get the SMC-K for the ED.

Thanks

doesnt mean you have to give up on it, just change the reason your filing for it, drop the gulf war presumption and orient the claim as s secondary to your back issues . I may do the same thing. like they are quick to say, we as veterans are not doctors, so what do I know. I assumed the sleep apnea was due to gulf war service then discovered that it was more likely due to my back condition. fight fire with fire. play thier game but beat them at it.

[BklynVet]

Thank you 63SIERRA.