ptsd OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) question

[commodog]

Hello!

I am a 80% SC vet (PTSD/TBI/Tinnitus/Hearing Loss).
I was recently diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

In the report, my doctor specifically writes, "Veteran has complained about sleeping difficulties since 2004...", in the report.

First and foremost, it needs to be said that I'm not overtly looking for compensation, and for the moment, I really do feel I am fairly rated according to my symptoms.

That being said, in 2005 I was having some serious issues with "waking up", and was told by my best friend at the time (A guy from another squad) that he always had problems waking me, and that I always seemed tired. (He always brought me lunch though, which was cool!)
Specifically, he came into my house one morning after duty (I was on 12 hour guard shifts @ III Corp command), and said I was snoring loudly, and difficult to wake up (He was standing in my room, looking at me, saying my name. That's how I recall this event.).
I often had headaches, and felt lethargic after waking up.
At the time, I was on Wellbutrin and a few other meds. (Just trying to be as informative as possible here.)

Lot's of you guys have been riding this "train" for a long time, and I am wondering if you think it is worth putting in for the Sleep Apnea service connection, even though it is not present in my service member medical records?

I have not talked to the doctor yet, but you know how the VA docs can be. It's like it's hugely taboo to recommend a vet in the event they think that it's likely said service member had the condition during the period of service.

Thanks in advance, and I hope all is well!

Edited March 2, 2016 by commodog

[Slick]

40 minutes ago, Buck52 said:

Slick 

I'd say you got lucky on this one.

''Note decision made no mention of it being secondary and I did not have anything in 36 years of military med records detailing SA issues''

  Quote

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been established as directly related to military service.

 

............Buck

 

...............Buck

luck or not, they may have just got tired of me keep pinging on them.

advice to all- due diligence, patience and keep up the fight

[Buck52]

That's true Slick & WTG  Buddy

I have S.A. and VA gave me a CPAP to use, but nothing was said about S.A. in my PTSD Claim

They didn't use it as S.A. they used it as Sleep Disturbance,NightMares , Night Sweats, ect,,ect,,

you think I could file a claim on S.A. OSA secondary to PTSD or just file separate for S.A.?

I don't much like the CPAP but use it every night it does help me get sleep.

....Buck

[ArNG11]

1 hour ago, Gastone said:

PTSD as a SA SC Nexus seems to be a very hard sell with VA Raters.

There's a Medical List of "Most" probable "Possible" causes of "OSA," not sure PTSD is even on it. I think there is a general consensus among SA Specialists, that PTSD can be a causative factor in the development of SA. However, when their confronted with multiple well established Physical or medical problems, a recent MH DX of PTSD is difficult to say with any certitude that the PTSD is the 50% or more the likely cause.

How PTSD stacks up against the other Major causative problems, is the big question. Give yourself a little quiz, how many of the other possible causes of SA do you have? If you've really Porked Up over the years and have had a 17+ neck all along, a recent PTSD DX would be almost impossible to sell as the cause of a recent SA DX, from my lay perspective.

I think most SA & PTSD Clinicians agree that neither condition is apt to present overnight. May of been going on for months or years before actual DX. Big problem, VA Raters usually go by DX Date, even if you have verified symptoms going back years.

Semper Fi

Gastone I agree, this is the argument that I have been trying to use with the VA in my claim for sleep apnea. I had symptoms of the disease/condition within the year after active duty 09 specifically as this is when I had my first split night sleep study.  Actually symptoms I had them in country, but who the heck would go to sick call for that, but no matter.  These are symptoms of sleep apnea.

Enough symptoms that a private doctor ordered the sleep study for me in no time flat.  At the time I had apnea tic episodes but not enough to warrant a CPAP.  Two and half years later still having symptoms of apnea, got a two full night studies in and voila sleep apnea confirmed and have been using the machine since then.

The problem I think with myself and others is that overlapping symptoms from other diseases such as hypothyroidism, GERD, fatigue, concentration problems,PTSD, MDD, IBS,ICS, any mental disorder/disease, falling asleep behind the wheel, can be attributed to many a conditions and medications. That is the VA's ticket out of connecting a claim for sleep apnea. 

Attribute the symptoms to a disease other than SA or use absence of evidence as a counter, no in service medical records or complaints to substantiate a connection to service.

We all, or most all know SA is a big ticket item, there seems to a deliberate push from the VA to eradicate it out of the ratings schedule you think?

I don't mean to be repetitive just this really gets under my skin.   JMO

 

[commodog]

7 hours ago, Gastone said:

...
How PTSD stacks up against the other Major causative problems, is the big question. Give yourself a little quiz, how many of the other possible causes of SA do you have? If you've really Porked Up over the years and have had a 17+ neck all along, a recent PTSD DX would be almost impossible to sell as the cause of a recent SA DX, from my lay perspective.

I think most SA & PTSD Clinicians agree that neither condition is apt to present overnight. May of been going on for months or years before actual DX. Big problem, VA Raters usually go by DX Date, even if you have verified symptoms going back years.

Semper Fi

Gastone:

Awesome information.

I currently look like an avocado.
However, without establishing any of what follows as an excuse, I have been so friggin tired that the endless times I have tried to work out, it's literally like nothings there.
I went from ~197lb's of awesomely fit dude (~270-285 PT scores), and steadily crept up to ~320lbs. (~197 getting out of the Army. Then 200, then 220, then 250, etc. For years and years.)
The father in law had a gym in his basement, and I would go over and hit the bag, weights, and cardio as hard as I could (Mostly cardio), but I literally felt like I was on empty. Nothing in the tank. Completely on empty.

My PTSD/TBI rating was 2008.
My weight slowly climbed during this period.
(I am a broad, stalky fellow, and always have been. I still have huge arms, but no neck, hah! I simply have a detestable gut now.) 
My OSA diagnosis was ~3 months ago.
I have been issued an autopap machine. 
It has helped, and my weight, through diet and exercise, has dropped ~13 lbs over the past 2 months.
Mostly due to that, and a change to my head meds, which helped significantly.

I just want you guys to have the clearest picture of me, and my situation.

Also: 

Does it help that the doctor specifically states that I have had sleep issues since 2004?
That almost sounds like an inference to me, but I understand wholly that inferences are just that; inferences.

You guys are a goldmine of information, and I appreciate it.

Edited March 4, 2016 by commodog

[Gastone]

 ArNG

I think the legal term used in Civil cases, "A preponderance of Evidence," plays a large part in the Award or Denial. If it's a 50/50 situation, the Vet is supposed to get the Award.

Your Sleep Dr or Board Cert Specialist could tip the scale in your favor, depending on his wording of his clinician notes or DBQ. Worked for me in 11 and Toddt recently, could work for you.

Semper Fi

[Gastone]

Comm

1 Porker to another, same here. I developed SA symptoms shortly after Bi-pass surgery 10/06. Gained 40 lbs, 181/2 neck and non VA PC said work out and take the B-12 shots, did for 2 yrs, didn't help. New PC Dr jumped right on my symptoms and advised a Sleep Study, definitely saved my life. Been on Bipap and 02 ever since. 100% compliant from the very beginning, took some getting used to.

Dropped about 20lbs with the  VA Porker monitoring program. A recorded call every night to see if I've been putting too many grocery's down the old pie hole and reporting what the scale says , seems to help.

A VA Chest Surgeon asked me last year, WTF was I doing, doing push-ups at my age. All part of trying to exercise, Jar Heads do push-ups.

Semper Fi