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huskerfanfl

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I got the results of my sleep lab. I had a total of 135 stoppages of breathing (an average of 21/hour). The nurse who called me referred to it as significant sleep apnea. I am going back on Tuesday for my second sleep study and to dertermine the setting on the CPAP I will use. I started the paperwork for a claim today. The pulmonary physician has already stated a willing ness to date the start of the sleep apnea to 2001, which was while I was on active duty.

Tim

Vet and proud of it

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  • HadIt.com Elder

huskerfanfl,

From the information you posted, you have gotten a good start on your claim. Make sure the VA gets that write-up from the pulmonary physician. That will probably be critical to your claim. Also make sure he/she reviews your SMR's and states that on the wrtie-up.

Vike 17

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I got the results of my sleep lab. I had a total of 135 stoppages of breathing (an average of 21/hour). The nurse who called me referred to it as significant sleep apnea. I am going back on Tuesday for my second sleep study and to dertermine the setting on the CPAP I will use. I started the paperwork for a claim today. The pulmonary physician has already stated a willing ness to date the start of the sleep apnea to 2001, which was while I was on active duty.

Husker,

You have SEVERE, not "significant" apnea. When you go for the next sleep study, ask them to fit you for both a CPAP and a BiPAP to see which one works best for you. Also ask them about supplemental oxygen (which is fed through the PAP hose.) I was prescribed 4 liters a minute, which is rather extreme, but so is my apnea. You also have a choice of masks - full face or nose pillow. It sounds like the surgery would not work for you, but I dunno. In the meantime, if it gets really bad, sleep sitting upright.

Be sure the sleep doctor writes up his rationale for a nexus between now and the in-service ocurrences. If you don't have a SMR entry for apnea, hopefully there are sleep difficulties noted there.

Ralph

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