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Denied Sleep Apnea Claim

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paulstrgn

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I am new to this site and I will apologize ahead of time incase my question seems pretty basic. I was recently denied sleep apnea and hypertension as not being service connected. I will only ask about my sleep apnea at this time. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea (I retired from the military in 1995). I use to snore very loud while in the military according to my ex-wife. My question is will a statement from my ex-wife be enough to justify my sleep apnea? I was also given a service connected rating for my scoliosis of 20%, I have read online that spine problems can cause sleep apnea. Do you feel that between a statement from my ex-wife and the problems I have had with my spine would be enough to receive a rating for sleep apnea? Any suggestions on anything else I should add to the appeal? Thanks in advance for your advice. 

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Andyman & Paul

if you guys get approved for S.A. or something secondary to it that a Dr will write a nexus to  let me know how you did it?

 or how you were approved for S.A.  OSA.

I have been diagnose with S.A by the VA but never had it while in the service   Sleep Apnea didn't exist when I was in the military  and I did snore according to my Buddys...But this has been 45/46 years ago.

I have a  rating with a  S.C.100% Hearing loss disorder TDIU P&T  Been on that 14 years  and last year was approved for a PTSD Claim at 70%

  but since I been on the PTSD Meds   It seems my S.A has worsen...I can't sleep without my cpap machine either   but using it I still don't get the sleep / rest I need.  & way fatigue out during the day sleep sitting up ect,,ect,, just dead dog tired all the time.

 I told my PCP this and she don't seem to care one way or the other...they all just think I am just trying to use the system, I don't care if I get any compensation  I just want it SC incase I die in my sleep my spouse can file for the DIC.

............Buck  

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Buck,

I am like many military members that seem to have had SA while in the military it is just that back then it was not being diagnosed.

I will share whatever happens with my SA claim. I have been researching online and feel that my SA may be connected to my scoliosis, more because of pain than the lower spine itself. I saw a private sleep specialist who had diagnosed me with my SA.  I am hoping to be able to talk with him next week to see what he says.

Thanks,

Paul

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Buck,

I certainly will share whatever knowledge I may gain, and what the outcome is, as I move through this.  I have an appointment with the sleep clinic that did my test and DXd me, coming up in less than 2 weeks.

I started going through my SMR, old school style, since my home computer died this weekend.  I will be bringing a lot of it with me to my appointment.  Since falling down the stairs has led to a lifetime of pain, and NSAID use, I'm quite sure it aggravated and added to the cause of my SA. I have a blood lab from 09/94 that shows Co2 reading of 34%, several points beyond the high end of normal range.  Of the known medical causes of that, the only one that I would have had at that time would have been sleep issues.

Also, during the first part of my neuro exam, I told the one dr that I have SA, and she was firm that it is most definitely a main cause of my memory issues.  And when I told her that my pulse ox dropped in the mid 70s% saturation range, she cringed quite noticeably!  So...might be something there.  And since I was DXd  as MDD by VA MH, this past June, depression is medically known to be connected to SA, as well.

Will be quite interesting to see what the end results of the neuro exam and my upcoming sleep clinic appointment add up to be. I'm a little anxious, but excited too, maybe my "golden ticket" is beginning to take shape? Hopin and prayin!

Andyman

Semper Fi

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Andyman,

               Keep trucking on brother!  Going the same route as you on the SA.  Just did my home sleep study (because va here don't do it in house) and waiting for results.  Should know something from my Psychiatrist this thursday because he was the one that submitted the request for the sleep study. I'm diagnosed 50% MDD but have always snored even running my wife out of bed. LOL  I believe that the depression meds have made the situation worse.  I'm also having trouble now with bad reflux and heartburn from the meds. Are u having any trouble with this on your meds?  As i'm seeing this SA is going to be a battle.

                                                        Eric 

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Eric,

I'm not on any meds for MH. But I've been taking NSAIDS and tylenol for a combined 23 years now, for pain throughout my 6yr AD and all the years since.

DX'd MDD by VA MH, but NSC.  Not sure what rating could be, but the SI would put me in the 70% if I was SC.

But am in the middle of a neuro exam, will finish on 2 May.  They are quite interested in seeing my non-VA sleep study results, since SA can and does effect short term memory.  The longer undiagnosed the more severe the effects.

My wife hated going to bed, since my snoring, gasping and choking would keep her awake. Most of the time she would sleep in another room till I got up for work. 

Fighting for SA SC is like Sysiphus and his boulder, always pushing it up the hill, and always it rolls back down, for eternity.

Semper Fi.

Andy

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