VA Disabilty

[AnthonyA334]

I'm currently a disabled veteran with a 70% service connected disability and I have a question regarding what I believe is another service connected disabilty I feel I am entitled to. When I was in the military 10 years ago I was diagnosed with insomnia took medication for it and all. Never did I have a sleep study while I was in either. Not long after I filed my claim for which I get my 70% disabilty now I decided to take a sleep study because I still have not slept good these last 10 yrs. Come to find out I have severe sleep apnea. Now could it be that I was misdiagnosed while in service with insomnia when in fact I had sleep apnea. Long story short my question is would I have a valid claim for sleep apnea even though I wasnt diagnosed till 10 yrs after I got out due to what I believe was that misdiagnosis of insomnia? I wear a cpap every night now btw

[broncovet]

Yes, go for it.  Remember the Caluza elements:  CURRENT diagnosis (diagnosis is not required IN SERVICE), "in service event or aggravation" and nexus or medical opinion that the first two are related.  

It sounds like you have been currently diagnosed with sleep apnea.  It also sounds like you have "documentation of an in service sleep disorder" (now diagnosed as sleep apnea).  Finally you will need a nexus statement from a doctor who says your current OSA at least as likely as not was related to an "in service event".  

You may have to justify how you got sleep apnea in service or go for aggravation.  

[AnthonyA334]

4 minutes ago, broncovet said:

Yes, go for it.  Remember the Caluza elements:  CURRENT diagnosis (diagnosis is not required IN SERVICE), "in service event or aggravation" and nexus or medical opinion that the first two are related.  

It sounds like you have been currently diagnosed with sleep apnea.  It also sounds like you have "documentation of an in service sleep disorder" (now diagnosed as sleep apnea).  Finally you will need a nexus statement from a doctor who says your current OSA at least as likely as not was related to an "in service event".  

You may have to justify how you got sleep apnea in service or go for aggravation.  

Thank You for your input just want to be sure that I have a case before I pursue it. 

[Richard1954]

I was retired for almost 30 years before I applied and was awarded 50% for sleep apnea.... I had a C/P examiner who actually reviewed my active duty medical record,  my medical history after retirement, and accepted my wife's statement.... it was not hard, in fact is was one of the better c/p exams I have had....   Go for it.... time is not your friend and you lose compensation for every day you wait to apply..

[AnthonyA334]

1 minute ago, Richard1954 said:

I was retired for almost 30 years before I applied and was awarded 50% for sleep apnea.... I had a C/P examiner who actually reviewed my active duty medical record,  my medical history after retirement, and accepted my wife's statement.... it was not hard, in fact is was one of the better c/p exams I have had....   Go for it.... time is not your friend and you lose compensation for every day you wait to apply..

Thank You will do

[Carl the Engineer]

I helped a battle buddy get rated for sleep apnea with a buddy letter.  He asked me for one and I wrote what I had observed regards his sleeping habits while we were in the same tent in Iraq.

See if you can remember anyone witnessing your issue while you were in, and try and get a buddy letter.

Just sayin,

Hamslice