Claiming sleep apnea as a secondary to restrictive lung disease

[navyguy357]

I have a service connected disability with zero rating for restrictive lung disease. How can I claim my recent VA diagnosis for sleep apnea as a secondary? How can I find a doctor who will write me a nexus letter? How can I request an increase for restrictive lung disease? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Vync]

Welcome to Hadit!

Below are links to the VA rating details regarding the respiratory system. Because you are already SC, you would just need medical documentation showing you qualify for a higher percentage. Some respiratory diseases have different criteria, so you would need to refer back to the specific conditions. For example, asthma ratings can be based on FEV/FVC measurements or medication used to treat it (whichever results in a higher rating). Check your medical treatment records and compare them to the criteria in the schedule of ratings for your condition.

Quote

The Respiratory System

§4.96   Special provisions regarding evaluation of respiratory conditions.
§4.97   Schedule of ratings—respiratory system.

Regarding filing for sleep apnea as secondary, I would start by checking your VA medical records to see if anyone noted down a relation to your restrictive lung disease. It might be worth asking your VA neurosleep doc what they think. Although it is very uncommon, they might be kind enough to write the nexus in your records. They may state that they are not allowed to write a nexus. A neurosleep specialist doctor's opinion would carry the most weight. You could always just file for it as a secondary claim, but it is best if you could spoon feed them exactly what they need.

 

 

 

[Gastone]

What makes you think your 0% SC for Restrictive Lung Disease? Do you have a Private or VA Specialist Treatment Notes discussing the possible etiology of your SA DX?

Is your BMI in excess of 28%, male neck size 17+ In and/or a large tongue?

[navyguy357]

1 hour ago, Gastone said:

What makes you think your 0% SC for Restrictive Lung Disease? Do you have a Private or VA Specialist Treatment Notes discussing the possible etiology of your SA DX?

Is your BMI in excess of 28%, male neck size 17+ In and/or a large tongue?

I was discharged with a 0% SC for restrictive lung disease in 2005. Now that I have recently been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by my VA doctor, I'm trying to connect the two. I would also say yes to excess BMI, 17+ neck size and large tongue.

Edited January 13, 2018 by pshaw

[navyguy357]

5 hours ago, Vync said:

Welcome to Hadit!

Below are links to the VA rating details regarding the respiratory system. Because you are already SC, you would just need medical documentation showing you qualify for a higher percentage. Some respiratory diseases have different criteria, so you would need to refer back to the specific conditions. For example, asthma ratings can be based on FEV/FVC measurements or medication used to treat it (whichever results in a higher rating). Check your medical treatment records and compare them to the criteria in the schedule of ratings for your condition.

Regarding filing for sleep apnea as secondary, I would start by checking your VA medical records to see if anyone noted down a relation to your restrictive lung disease. It might be worth asking your VA neurosleep doc what they think. Although it is very uncommon, they might be kind enough to write the nexus in your records. They may state that they are not allowed to write a nexus. A neurosleep specialist doctor's opinion would carry the most weight. You could always just file for it as a secondary claim, but it is best if you could spoon feed them exactly what they need.

Thank you. I cannot find anything in my record that states a diagnosis for restrictive lung disease. I don' even see where FEV\FEC measurements were taken, but I was rated for SC for 0 %, strange.

 

 

 

[navyguy357]

5 hours ago, Vync said:

Welcome to Hadit!

Below are links to the VA rating details regarding the respiratory system. Because you are already SC, you would just need medical documentation showing you qualify for a higher percentage. Some respiratory diseases have different criteria, so you would need to refer back to the specific conditions. For example, asthma ratings can be based on FEV/FVC measurements or medication used to treat it (whichever results in a higher rating). Check your medical treatment records and compare them to the criteria in the schedule of ratings for your condition.

Regarding filing for sleep apnea as secondary, I would start by checking your VA medical records to see if anyone noted down a relation to your restrictive lung disease. It might be worth asking your VA neurosleep doc what they think. Although it is very uncommon, they might be kind enough to write the nexus in your records. They may state that they are not allowed to write a nexus. A neurosleep specialist doctor's opinion would carry the most weight. You could always just file for it as a secondary claim, but it is best if you could spoon feed them exactly what they need.

 

 

 

The link states for 6840 restrictive lung disease a 0% rating is rate primary disorder. what does that mean? 

[broncovet]

If you are using a CPAP, simply ask your sleep doc if he thinks its related to your restrictive lung disease.  

If he says yes, then ask him to document same, that is, make a note in your records.  

If he says No, then ask him why not, and carefully listen to his answer (write it down if necessary).  

Then, if you like post his answer, and this can be researched to see if his reasoning is valid, or is he covering the VA's Zass.