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.

[navyguy357]

1 hour ago, Gastone said:

If the Sleep Study was done at your VMC, you should be able to get the Results and Clinician Treatment Notes off you MHV (My Healthy Vet) site.

When was your last PFT? Depending on the results, the DX for CPAP could result in a 60% SC for the Restrictive Lung. 60's better than a 50.

I logged onto My Health Vet last night and all on there was some prescription information for blood pressure. None of my VA visits are on there. I will get the results of my last PFT and sleep study and post them. I will also schedule an appt with my VA doctor to see if he thinks my SA is related to RLD. I will also see about my current RLD conditions to see if I can apply for an increase. I will do this today.

[navyguy357]

I spoke with my Veteran Specialist who will help me file the claim. He looked through all my records and could not see why they diagnosed me respiratory lung disease. I did have a visit or two that pointed to symptoms of sleep apnea while on active duty but they prescribed me nasal strips not referred for sleep study. The VSO told me I would be better filing for a new claim with all the documentation I have now (which isn't strong) along with a Nexus letter from a pulmonary doctor stating that my sleep apnea most likely begun while on active duty, along with my current VA doctor making a note in my record stating the same.

Edited January 16, 2018 by pshaw

[navyguy357]

Why would VA diagnose me as having restrictive lung disease and not what I claim sleep apnea? and why does it say just that as my disability, "restrictive lung disease (claimed as sleep apnea)"

[navyguy357]

I spoke with Dr. Ellis office this morning after reviewing some positive comments here on the forum. I will begin putting my package together and see what happens. Any idea how I can get copies of my VA records, because they are not on Myheathvet or Ebenefits.

[Gastone]

Make a special trip to your VMC's Medical Record Dept. If there isn't a large number of Vets waiting, Record Clerk in most cases will burn a Searchable CD of your Complete File. If they're busy, the sign says only the last 30 Days will be provided at the window and you'll have to file an official request (could take 30 days to receive CD).

On the other hand, you can request the Date or Procedure Specific Tests and Clinician Treatment Notes and the Clerk can print them while you wait. I'd still get the CD for future reference.

[RMF]

You need to have a nexus, buddy and your wife's letter (if married) as backups for your claim. They considered these when I got my sleep apnea claim approved.