Moderator broncovet Posted January 15, 2016 Moderator Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) Congratulations. Im interested in the rationale your doc gave as his justifcation for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. While I have no doubt there is a link, it would be great if you posted his rationale, as well as the reasons and bases for decisions, as this may help other Veterans who are also seeking OSA secondary to PTSD/MDD. Thanks. VA hates it when we are informed, and that is why I like it. Edited January 15, 2016 by broncovet OEF 21B and flores97 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OEF 21B Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) Hi Broncovet - I haven't received my BBE yet, so I can't post the VA's rational for award yet. Once I get it, I'll post it. I provided my civilian Sleep/Pulminary Dr. with a "sample" Nexus Letter and a Sleep Apnea DBQ with sections VI-Functional Impact, and VII-Remarks filled out with 'suggested' language. After a quick exam, the Dr. agreed to sign the DBQ and Nexus Letter with a few minor changes. I'm pretty sure that the DBQ as well as the Nexus letter were considered fairly highly since both contained a statement linking my OSA with my PTSD... The wording didn't say that my OSA was CAUSED by my PTSD, just that my OSA AGGRAVATED my PTSD; and my PTSD AGGRAVATED my OSA. I think that the aggravated VS caused wording was key, but I'll have to wait and see what the actual award letter says. Semper Fi Edited January 15, 2016 by OEF 21B Andyman73, Corpsman8404, ArNG11 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flores97 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Congratulations, OEF 21B, on a well deserved win! OEF 21B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket1949 Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) OEF 21 B, Congratulations on the good news. I too had a sleep study ordered by my psyc whom was treating me for PTSD . The sleep study came back as ( mild OSA ) sleep apnea. The VA asked if I would like a C Pap machine and I said yes. So I have been on the machine about 4 months. In talking to my Psych about this he was in agreement that the PTSD was related to my sleep apnea. Now I'm trying to make my case and I'm seeking help in putting this together . 1) Did you approach your Psych about writing a nexus regarding your sleep apnea? 2) Does the type of sleep apnea you have make a difference in weather it's related to PTSD ? 3) Did you approach any of your Drs in the VA ( Sleep Doctor, Primary Doctor ) about supporting documentation for your case? 4) Did you have a Dr. fill out VA form 21-0960L-2 ( Sleep Apnea disability benifits questionnaire ) ? Apologizes for so many questions . I'm trying to make sense of all this and get a proper claim together . Whatever your willing to share would be greatly appreciated . Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with your fellow Hadit veterans. Edited January 22, 2016 by Rocket1949 rwskitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyman73 Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 OEF 21B, Got me wondering how this will play out for me, since I've been DXd for over 2 years now, by my private Dr. I recently had a MH C&P and one of the things the Dr did DX me with was chronic sleep issues/disturbances. Maybe that will work for me? I'm kinda in my own little world, mostly inside my head. Eh, sure do wish I hadn't kept all my stuff locked up inside... Congratulations on your successful climb up the high peak to SCD of sleep apnea! Semper Fi. Andyman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OEF 21B Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 16 hours ago, Rocket1949 said: OEF 21 B, Congratulations on the good news. I too had a sleep study ordered by my psyc whom was treating me for PTSD . The sleep study came back as ( mild OSA ) sleep apnea. The VA asked if I would like a C Pap machine and I said yes. So I have been on the machine about 4 months. In talking to my Psych about this he was in agreement that the PTSD was related to my sleep apnea. Now I'm trying to make my case and I'm seeking help in putting this together . 1) Did you approach your Psych about writing a nexus regarding your sleep apnea? 2) Does the type of sleep apnea you have make a difference in weather it's related to PTSD ? 3) Did you approach any of your Drs in the VA ( Sleep Doctor, Primary Doctor ) about supporting documentation for your case? 4) Did you have a Dr. fill out VA form 21-0960L-2 ( Sleep Apnea disability benifits questionnaire ) ? Apologizes for so many questions . I'm trying to make sense of all this and get a proper claim together . Whatever your willing to share would be greatly appreciated . Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with your fellow Hadit veterans. Hi Rocket - 1)My VA Psych told me that he didn't believe that there was any connection and that he wouldn't complete a DBQ or write a nexus letter for me. I ended up going to a civilian sleep doctor that was listed on my civilian health insurance. This doctor completed the DBQ and well as a nexus letter for me. 2) I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. My doctor stated that my OSA was at least as likely as not is aggravated by my service connected PTSD. And that it is at least as likely as not that my PTSD is aggravated by my OSA. I think that key issue here was that he/we never stated that the PTSD CAUSED the OSA, just that it aggravated it. 3) see #1. absolutely NO help from any of my VA docs. 4) Yes. Good luck with your claim! Semper Fi Rocket1949 and flores97 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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