ptsd Ptsd @ 50%, Just Diagnosed W/ Moderate Sleep Apnea

[NJ_Devil_Dog]

Hi all,

Just got back from the VA where I had a follow-up appointment with the Nurse Practitioner about a recent sleep study. The results stated that I have Moderate Symptoms of Sleep Apnea which affect the onset of REM sleep/ sleep disturbances. The study concluded moderate obstructive sleep apnea, with a severe REM associated component. CPAP therapy was recommended.

I currently have a 50% rating for PTSD, would the results of this study serve to increase the current rating? Should I file a separate claim? What would you all recommend?

Sincerely,

Gerald

[Guest jstacy]

You may file Sleep Apnea as secondary condition to PTSD. If you use a CPAP machine, My VA uses Auto Pap machines. If you get is service connected, then use of a CPAP is 50 percent rating with daytime sleepiness.

[Pete53]

If you can get the CPAP use it. It took me almost a year to get used to mine but now I use it 100% at night, I sleep so much better, no dry or yucky mouth in morning and even helps my allergies as air is filtered warmed and humid. I get mine with my Medicare HMO.

[betrayed]

going friday for a sleep study consult, been waiting a frickin year for this!

[Cavman]

Hi all,

Just got back from the VA where I had a follow-up appointment with the Nurse Practitioner about a recent sleep study. The results stated that I have Moderate Symptoms of Sleep Apnea which affect the onset of REM sleep/ sleep disturbances. The study concluded moderate obstructive sleep apnea, with a severe REM associated component. CPAP therapy was recommended.

I currently have a 50% rating for PTSD, would the results of this study serve to increase the current rating? Should I file a separate claim? What would you all recommend?

Sincerely,

Gerald

Hey Devil Dog, what was your gaf score and diagnosis on c & p exam for PTSD?

Cavman

[NJ_Devil_Dog]

Hey Devil Dog, what was your gaf score and diagnosis on c & p exam for PTSD?

Cavman

Hey Cav,

Well my diagnosis was for PTSD and depression, the GAF scores vary, when I first went to the VA I had a gaf of 41, later on during treatment I was rated at 45, 55, & 50. The VA assigned an 'overall' gaf of 55 in my SOC. I was more recently treated within the past two months, and my gaf was 45 when I first went in.

Just an aside, do you or anyone else ever noticed/ had the VA assign different therapists for treatment? I feel like they're just bouncing me around from one to another.

[RockyA1911]

OK. Look at it like this 1968. PTSD is a mental disorder and what they are talking about is pyramiding of MENTAL DISORDERS, Sleep Apnea is not a mental disorder so it is not pyramiding but a secondary condition caused by PTSD a mental disorder.

For example I have TBI. Along with the TBI, I have Enecephalopathy, secondary to TBI (organic brain disease), Skull Loss (organic loss muskeletol), and Cognitive Disorder (mental disorder). The only MENTAL DISORDER is the cognitive impairment, the rest are all organic secondary to the same injury.

Another example: Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, both separate claims. Hearing Loss and Meniere's Syndrome are rateable separately. They are not mental disorders.

Now say you have PTSD, Depression, Dementia, Personality Disorder. These are all Mental Disorders and only the highest rating of the one will be awarded. They will not award each separately because they all fall under mental disorders.

Got it!!!