ptsd Filing a secondary sleep apnea claim secondary to PTSD

[Rocket1949]

I just recently received notice from the VA on my new rating of 80%, a bump of 10% from the previous 70%. While my claim was being processed the VA diagnosed me with sleep apnea . I'm considering filing for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. What would be the best way to do this? I want to start the claim before the end of the year and was going to use my E Benifits account to file. Any information would be greatly appreciated . My ratings are 50% PTSD,40% hearing,10% tinnitus,10% scars. Anyone have personnel experience with this type of claim? Any suggestions to links that would supply more information? Thanks.

[meghp0405]

 a service connected disability of sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is extremely difficult to obtain. I've assisted many vets in their endeavors to obtain the same as you are. They have all been denied with the exception of 2. Both vets were diagnosed with PTSD with 70% or greater. They also had nexus letters with a strong etiology from a pulmonary doc.  A doc cannot just say, that they believe the condition is caused by another without explaining how and why they arrived at the decisions that they did. Also, they mentioned other case studies where they were able to connect the two.

Good luck

[Gastone]

Just stumbled across a BVA Award for SA Secondary to PTSD. BVA awarded based on VA Treating Psychiatrist Clinician Notes discussing the VET's SA more likely than not a result of his PTSD.

Citation # 0102100 01/25/2001 Docket 99-22315

Readers Digest version:  C & P Dr's negative SA DBQ , in the end, could not rule out a POSSIBILITY of a PTSD linkage. SA Secondary to PTSD SC'd!

Semper Fi

Sleep Apnea Award 2ndary to PTSD 12-26-15-4

[Rocket1949]

Thanks all for sharing. Great info. Gastone I could not open the link. It gave me an option of going to DropBox but when I did it said file empty. Would you mind sending it again or perhaps by email to rocket1949@gmail.com  Thanks Everyone.

[brokensoldier244th]

Thing is, you have to get your doctor to say that case applied to you too. Just finding a ruling  doesn't help that much.

[Gastone]

Rocket: I had to use "Notepad" to open it, not sure why, but it worked. If you still have a problem, just Google or DuckDuckgo, BVA SA Secondary to PTSD. The referenced decision, Citation 0102100 Docket # 99-22315, was at the top of the list.

Back in 10 or 11, when I got my 2010 DX'd SA Secondary to my 06 CAD, the SC Award was strictly based on my non-VA Sleep Specialist opining in his Clinician notes that my SA was likely as not a direct result of my CAD. I never had a VA Sleep Study or actual SA C & P. My SA Dr did complete an SA DBQ requested by the VA Rating Dept.  Got the Award letter in like 4 months of filing the Reg Axx Claim, don't recall FDC's being available,  pretty quick; think.

Semper Fi

[Buck52]

What we don't know will hurt us

Here is very good information about SA I found on hadit

 

Citation Nr: 1427733
Decision Date: 06/18/14 Archive Date: 06/26/14

DOCKET NO. 10-06 071 ) DATE
 

http://www.hadit.com/entitlement-to-service-connection-for-sleep-apnea-to-include-as-secondary-to-ptsd-granted/

 

.........Buck

Edited December 27, 2015 by Buck52