Sleep Apnea added to schedular?

[Steve G.]

Can someone tell me when sleep apnea was added to the schedular? Although I'm convinced I most likely had it when I was still active, I don't think anyone had heard of in 1991 so was never diagnosed. I was just turned down for a separate rating for high blood pressure (a separate issue for another topic soon) because the separate rating was added in 1998 after my time in service. This led me to wonder if this affects sleep apnea claims. FTR, I was diagnosed w/ SA several years ago and never bothered to try to claim it due the length of time and the VA's such helpful attitude. The VA did cover my CPAP machine, so they do help some. 

Thanks for the help - 

Steve G.

USAF Msgt, retired 1991

Currently rated at 70%

 

[broncovet]

Im not sure what you mean by "sleep apnea added to the schedular"?  

If you mean when did VA begin compensation for sleep apnea with CPAP, well I looked and the most recent update was in 2006, but that does not mean they first started in 2006.  

You can still apply for compensation for sleep apnea in at least 2 ways:

1.  You can still try to get "direct" SC due to service. If you have documentation that you had sleep apnea symptoms, such as loud snoring, give it a shot.  Chris Attig, the attorney has a whole booklet on sleep apnea  and he may/may not be able to help you.  

2.  You can also (more likely) get sleep apnea secondary to a service connected condition.  There is significant evidence linking sleep apnea to depression and PTSD, for example, but that is not the only way.  Its possible its secondary to nasal/sinus conditions but you would likely have to have physican documentation regardless.  

 

I would not "shy away" even if there was no such thing as sleep apnea diagnosis in 1991.  Here is ONE good reason.  Alex Graham (aka Ask NOD) noted that he and or friends had been denied SC for hep c because "the record was silent for any treatment for Hep C".  Well no, there was no treatment or even diagnois of hep c in the 1970's Vietnam war.  They did not even have a name for it!  I think it was first called "Non  A non B" hepatitus, but they probably did not have a test for it back then either!.  That does not mean you have not been infected with the hep c virus...no!  Just because medical science had not figured it out yet, that does not mean that those hep c bugs swimming around in your liver did not do any damage.    In other words, medical science's inability to test for or treat Hep C in the 1970's does not mean you could not have gotten infected with the virus back then, especially if you were injected with a jet gun, got a blood transfusion, or many other transmission means, such as handling infected blood, such as a medic in war time.  

Ditto for sleep apnea.  Just because we did not figure that out back then, does not mean that sleep apnea wont do its damage or that you did not have it.  

[Gastone]

You either do or don't not have, verifiable SA symptoms in your SMR's. Maybe Buddy Statements as to symptoms? "I'm convinced I most likely had it," won't cut it.

Direct SA Awards, without SMRs, is just about impossible. As a Secondary Issue, a much better chance. Which of your current SC's was DX'd prior to your SA DX? A breakdown of your current SC's would be helpful.

Check SA Medical Literature, usually about 11 or so Listed possible causes of OSA. How many do you have? Has your SA Specialist opined in his Clinician Notes, as to a possible etiology? Were you considered Obese and have a 17+ in neck when you retired? How much has your BMI increased, from 91?

Start an FDC on E-Ben to establish your file date, just don't hit the Submit Button. Then, get busy on your supporting evidence for a Direct or Secondary SC.

Semper Fi

 

[Fat]

I just checked out the Mayo Clinics causes of OSA.

1. excess weight

2. neck circumference

3. narrowed airway

4. being male

5. being older

6. family history

7. use of alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers

8. smoking

9.nasal congestion

Edited April 2, 2016 by Fat

[SemperFiGeek]

1996

[TALON II FE]

They have been saying they were going to adjust it in 2016 during an edit of the Reg since at least around 2013, I believe.  Rumors were down to 30%, but who knows if that was legit or just hypothesizing. 

[Steve G.]

Thanks for the info.

I was recently turned down on CUE request because the req to rate HPB separately happened a couple of years after my initial rating and all my HPB readings from that point on were normal. Apparently my in-service readings no longer counted (I'm working on that separately)..

Although I have been currently diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, and am under treatment (CPAP, provided by the VA). everything I've seen is that you have to prove you
either were diagnosed or had several of the symptoms prior to separation. The only thing I've got is a medical history of Heart disease, a couple of pictures of me with a fat neck, my uniform shirt from my separation, size 19, worn with a neck stretcher, a  vague recollections of being told I snored a lot during overnight exercises and training.

I'd like to try to claim it but I think it will take some real creative writing on the part of my current Doc's and a bit of luck.

Thanks again for the help and suggestions, still working on several issues.

Steve G.
MSGT, USAF Ret