I was just curious to see if any one knows how idiopathic hypersomnia is rated by the VA. I know it’s a newer condition and it is neurogenic. I can’t find any thing in the schedule of ratings for it. Any help would be appreciated.
idiopathic hypersomnia
- Thread starter Xavirgsi1231
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30% without a cpap
I was told it’s rated under mental disorders.
Are u taking control substance for it?
Yes, adderal and provigal, which only provide maybe 2-3 hours of relief, then I’m like a zombie. I can’t stay awake for the life of me or drive.
Hypersomnolence is normally rated 30%. Idiopathic simply means the medical world has no known cause.
Thank you for the reply. I assume it would be rated with mental health?
Idiopathic hypersomnia can be rated either as a mental health condition or by analogy to petit mal seizures under an epilepsy formula. For most people, the petit mal analogous rating formula is the most advantageous. That being said, the USAF PEB has been rather skeptical lately of service members reporting several sleep attacks per week as akin to petit mal seizures. The Army and the Navy seem to accept reports at face value if documented by your providers. Thus, your providers will have to document the frequency of thes episodes in their treatment notes. Since your providers cannot follow you around 24/7 you will have to back up your reported frequency of events with nonmedical evidence letters from coworkers attesting to the occurrence of these events. That will provide you with the credibility needed to convince any skeptics reviewing your case. Good luck!
After the addrral wears off I definitely experience sleep attacks, I’ve told my provider but I’m pretty sure he didn’t document it. Not sure how to tell a provider to document it, but I’m pretty sure they will just put it in with my mental health. If I don’t take the adderal it’s super bad which sucks. Thank you for the feedback.
You're welcome. The alternative evidentiary route is to obtain non-medical evidence letters from supervisors, peers, and subordinates- as well as family members- attesting to the frequency of these events.
I have been diagnosed with both PTSD and IH. For IH, I was on the same medications as the OP until I just moved to a new drug, Xywav.
Are these conditions going to be combined within one mental health rating? That would be hugely disappointing. My doctor said he could not rule out Narcolepsy based on the results of our previous sleep study. I thought IH would be rated more analogous to Narcolepsy.
I’ll let you know if mine gets lumped in with my PTSD or if they separate it. In my notes the sleep doctor said it’s idiopathic hypersonia is from my TBI, but the way they scheduled the exam they made it a part of my PTSD. I’m getting my ratings soon, and if you comment again in a month to remind me I’ll post them for you.
How have things turned out for you? Having the two combined into one C&P is probably not a great sign, but hopefully they separated them for you?
The VA grouped it together with PTSD, Idiopathic Hypersominia, and TBI. I revived a 70% rating for them together. My sleep doctor said it’s related to the TBI. It should be higher because it affects my work significantly and the Adderal doesn’t work. It sucks but at this point it is what it is and I’m hoping to get out, use my Tricare and seek addition help outside of military medicine. I honestly wish it was zero percent becuase living like this is horrendous. I wish you the best of luck!
Hello, this is an old thread, but I'll give it a shot.
If my Commander's Statement mentions that my co-workers have had to wake me up numerous times during the work day and I constantly fall asleep at my desk, would that be a good document to present to the VA to be rated per Petit Mal? I do experience Sleep Paralysis as well as hallucinations.
Also, what are the chances they might lump it together with my OSA? or does it usually not get lumped with OSA?
You can give the VA that statement. You can also have buddy statements attesting to it. Also, if you don't already make some doctor appointments and ensure your doc puts your symptoms in your medical records. I assume you probably already have that if referred to IDES but you get the idea.
Thank you, I appreciate all the advice.