Ok Folks, so this is the start of my thread for my sleep apnea claim and i will keep it update as things progress.
As it currently stands i am in the process of gathering evidence to support a SC claim for sleep apnea.
(As a Note i would purchase Chris Attigs book "PUT IT TO SLEEP" regarding sleep apnea claims, it is superb)
I had issues with sleeping while i was in the Marine Corps but never had a DX or a in service note in my Med record of sleep issues. This is a major hurdle that will have to be jumped over. A DX in service is a golden ticket for your claim, short of that a note in your records of anything sleep related "difficulty sleeping" "fatigue" "tired during the day" can be the evidence you need to help make a claim.
I dont have that at all, i went to BAS 4 times in 4 years. 1 was for bursitis of the hip in boot camp, 1 for pink eye in boot camp, 1 for pink eye in the barracks, 1 for back pain (PT was ordered) after second deployment. I didnt realize then of course how important it was to note everything and on my exit exam i only noted what i had gone in for back pain and shin splints as a "issue" that was reported or unreported. i didnt realize that i could say other things + i was ready to get out and go back to the 1st CIV DIV and start my new exciting life without reveille at 0530!
Anyways
I had my sleep study dont at the end of the month and i was diagnosed with mild OSA (obstructive Sleep Apnea). I believe this is tied to my PTSD as there is a wealth of evidence that PTSD/mental health issues and Sleep Apnea are closely related.
I have attached 4 files that related to sleep disorders and comorbidity with Active Duty/PTSD
In my sleep study it was noted my weight was an issue. I am technically listed as "obese" by the BMI ratings they have for heigh and weight. Problem is i used to work out a lot. I dont work out much anymore but according to the military and med i am supposed to be aroudn 160-170 lbs. Well i am around 190 at the moment (fluctuate between 185-199) and i am considered "obese". I admit i have a bit to lose around my waistline but i have been a 34 inch waist since i got out of the Marine Corps and started working hard. and still am. Since i dont work out anymore i probably have 10-15 lbs i could lose, but with the yard work i can do i do still maintain a lot of the muscle i had. anyways that being said, it doesnt matter, the VA considers my BMI to high.
This can be a major issue with Sleep Apnea as the VA often just denies claims saying "you are a male with a larger neck and a few lbs to lose so thats the cause of it"
I am going to attack this claim with a pincer move on both flanks.
I am going to include all the studies that link it to PTSD as well as any BVA/CAVC decisions that have supported this (none at the moment but will link to them below as i find them)
I am also going to attack the "its not SC because you have a big neck and a few lbs to lose" by including all the side effects of the medications i have been prescribed over the years.
Many of these from Naproxen, IBprufen, Robaxin for my headaches and back all list that Sleep disturbance and weight gain are side effects.
I am trying to figure out the best way to attack the SA Service connection issue. I am convinced its a PTSD/TBI issue. The fatigue issues didnt come into play until around 2005. that was the end of my second deployment and where i got hit by the IED.
I have not been DX'd with TBI so i am wondering what peoples ideas on the route i should take, i am NOT going to file under secondary to, just regular and let the VA make that decision but should i ...
1) PTSD route
2) TBI route (but then i would have to wait for TBI to be DX'd in my next claim to go up)
3) medications as in the very least aggravating it.
Personally i want to just file this at the same time as my TBI claim in the next few months and just send all the literature and evidence of it being linked to PTSD and/or TBI along with the medications and their side effects as well as of course my lay statements of the sleep issues my wife has seen in the last 5 years since being married, and importantly buddy statments from what htey say when i was in at that time.
My worry is that if i bring up the medications that they will jsut DX it for the medications then try to drop it once i move off those meds at some point (hopefully get off them?)
Question
USMC_VET
Ok Folks, so this is the start of my thread for my sleep apnea claim and i will keep it update as things progress.
As it currently stands i am in the process of gathering evidence to support a SC claim for sleep apnea.
(As a Note i would purchase Chris Attigs book "PUT IT TO SLEEP" regarding sleep apnea claims, it is superb)
I had issues with sleeping while i was in the Marine Corps but never had a DX or a in service note in my Med record of sleep issues. This is a major hurdle that will have to be jumped over. A DX in service is a golden ticket for your claim, short of that a note in your records of anything sleep related "difficulty sleeping" "fatigue" "tired during the day" can be the evidence you need to help make a claim.
I dont have that at all, i went to BAS 4 times in 4 years. 1 was for bursitis of the hip in boot camp, 1 for pink eye in boot camp, 1 for pink eye in the barracks, 1 for back pain (PT was ordered) after second deployment. I didnt realize then of course how important it was to note everything and on my exit exam i only noted what i had gone in for back pain and shin splints as a "issue" that was reported or unreported. i didnt realize that i could say other things + i was ready to get out and go back to the 1st CIV DIV and start my new exciting life without reveille at 0530!
Anyways
I had my sleep study dont at the end of the month and i was diagnosed with mild OSA (obstructive Sleep Apnea). I believe this is tied to my PTSD as there is a wealth of evidence that PTSD/mental health issues and Sleep Apnea are closely related.
I have attached 4 files that related to sleep disorders and comorbidity with Active Duty/PTSD
In my sleep study it was noted my weight was an issue. I am technically listed as "obese" by the BMI ratings they have for heigh and weight. Problem is i used to work out a lot. I dont work out much anymore but according to the military and med i am supposed to be aroudn 160-170 lbs. Well i am around 190 at the moment (fluctuate between 185-199) and i am considered "obese". I admit i have a bit to lose around my waistline but i have been a 34 inch waist since i got out of the Marine Corps and started working hard. and still am. Since i dont work out anymore i probably have 10-15 lbs i could lose, but with the yard work i can do i do still maintain a lot of the muscle i had. anyways that being said, it doesnt matter, the VA considers my BMI to high.
This can be a major issue with Sleep Apnea as the VA often just denies claims saying "you are a male with a larger neck and a few lbs to lose so thats the cause of it"
I am going to attack this claim with a pincer move on both flanks.
I am going to include all the studies that link it to PTSD as well as any BVA/CAVC decisions that have supported this (none at the moment but will link to them below as i find them)
I am also going to attack the "its not SC because you have a big neck and a few lbs to lose" by including all the side effects of the medications i have been prescribed over the years.
Many of these from Naproxen, IBprufen, Robaxin for my headaches and back all list that Sleep disturbance and weight gain are side effects.
I am trying to figure out the best way to attack the SA Service connection issue. I am convinced its a PTSD/TBI issue. The fatigue issues didnt come into play until around 2005. that was the end of my second deployment and where i got hit by the IED.
I have not been DX'd with TBI so i am wondering what peoples ideas on the route i should take, i am NOT going to file under secondary to, just regular and let the VA make that decision but should i ...
1) PTSD route
2) TBI route (but then i would have to wait for TBI to be DX'd in my next claim to go up)
3) medications as in the very least aggravating it.
Personally i want to just file this at the same time as my TBI claim in the next few months and just send all the literature and evidence of it being linked to PTSD and/or TBI along with the medications and their side effects as well as of course my lay statements of the sleep issues my wife has seen in the last 5 years since being married, and importantly buddy statments from what htey say when i was in at that time.
My worry is that if i bring up the medications that they will jsut DX it for the medications then try to drop it once i move off those meds at some point (hopefully get off them?)
Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among Soldiers With Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Orr.pdf
Sleep Disorders and Associated Medical Comorbidities in Active Duty Military.pdf
Sleep Disorders in US Military Personnel.pdf
Association of Psychiatric Disorders and Sleep Apnea in a Large Cohort.pdf
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Slick
I filed sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. Originally I filed SA separately, denied. Went back and filed as secondary to PTSD. Approval was quicker than a recruit platoon getting into the barracks af
USMC_VET
Ok Folks, so this is the start of my thread for my sleep apnea claim and i will keep it update as things progress. As it currently stands i am in the process of gathering evidence to support a SC clai
Jeffersonrl68
I had NOTHING in my medical records!!!!! Because of my service connected injuries I was able to show excessive weight gain during service, numerous complaints from roommates with loud snoring, gaspin
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