Sleep Study

[air1]

I GO TO SLEEP THERAPY AT LOCAL VA,I SUFFER FROM NIGHTMARES FROM ASSAULT IN MILITARY AND ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SNORING AND WAKING MYSELF UP FROM SNORING,BUT DURING DAY I AM ALWAYS FALLING ASLEEP,EVEN IF IN CAR WAITING FOR SCHOOL BUS OR AT HOME ON COUCH,OR IN PARKING LOT OF THE STORE I DOZE OFF,SO MY SLEEP STUDY THERAPIST RECOMMEND I HAVE SLEEP STUDY.I WENT TO SLEEP STUDY GOT RESULTS BACK FROM MY PCP VA NURSE,SHE SAID I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT AND ANY QUESTIONS SEE MY PCP.I SAW VA DOCTOR AND WE WENT OVER THE REPORT,HE STATED IT SAID IM MODERATE-SEVERE SNORING,LOSE 10-15 LBS,THEN MAYBE SEE ENT TO SEE ABOUT SURGERY.I THINK THIS REPORT SHAFTED ME,THE VA DOESNT WANT TO RECOGNIZE ANYMORE SLEEP APNEA,SHOULD I GET MY OWN STUDY.

[Okichewy1]

The VA did my sleep study (at home and in person) through the local hospital since I live about 110 miles from the VAMC. They paid for it since it was a PCP diagnosis while I was only at 20% S/C. When the study came back through the VA sleep clinic as needing a CPAP and was moderate/sever OSA, they issued me a CPAP through Norco local office. I finally asked my PCP is she thought my OSA was associated with my hypothyroidism and high blood pressure and she wrote me a letter stating so. Sent that in as a claim for secondary OSA to hypothyroidism and it was approved within 2 months, no C&P required.

Good luck..

[georgiapapa]

air1,

I would get an actual copy of your sleep study report as Okichewy1 suggested. If the study was performed at the VAMC, you should be able to get a copy of the report by going to the Release of Information Office at your VAMC and requesting a copy. The report may contain more info that was not reported to you by your PCP. If the report states you have sleep apnea, you should ask your PCP about a CPAP. If your PCP states you do not need a CPAP, post your sleep study on Hadit so others can comment on the report.

Based on your comments about your exit exam about "sleep disturbances," you should request copies of your SMRs so you can review them for other evidence of sleep problems. You can request them through Archives.org.

Good luck to you.

GP

[Gastone]

Air: Do you believe your sleep issues are Secondary to your, Hopefully Documented In Service Assault? Appears that you don't have any Service Med recds discussing problems with sleep, right? If your looking to SC your current sleep issues, you may need to establish a PTSD from your documented in service assault. PTSD could serve as a Nexus for SA.

As to the DX of SA, VA or Private. I had SA from about 2007 but not DX'd by Civilian Dr till 2011. When it comes to the overnight sleep study, VA or Civil, the computers and Video don't lie or show a bias. Get all your Sleep Study results from the VA Medical Center including all Clinician Notes. The documented Sleep Study will show exactly how many sleep interruptions (Apnea Events) you had as well as duration and any other sleep issues that were observed and recorded.You either do or don't have OSA SA or MSA. I was referred to a Sleep Specialist after my Regular Civilian Dr ordered the Sleep Study. Ended up seeing a MD Neurologist Specializing in Sleep Medicine. This Dr gave me the Magic "More likely than not, caused by my SC CAD." Rated SC 50% on BiPap Secondary to CAD DX 2006.

Semper Fi

Gastone

[john999]

There is a surgery that implants a device in your chest, side and throat which treats OSA with electric impulses while you sleep. It is called Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation. It reduced my number of apneas from 50 an hour to 10-17. This is a vast improvement and I don't snore like I used to snore. I still have sleep issues but the Inspire device makes the cpap look like medieval history. The only thing I have is a hand held device that activates the implant in my chest. It tightens up my throat and moves my tongue out of the way so I can breath. I still might be able to use a cpap but I just can't stand them. The thing with OSA besides getting compensated is living. OSA can shorten your life if not treated plus you feel like crap all the time. The other surgeries for OSA usually end up with you back on the Cpap.

John