Greetings. I did a tour in Kuwait in 2003-2004 and two tours in Balad, Iraq (2007 & 2009-2010). I worked in medical administration, which included patient movement, (offloading injured or dead Soldiers from copters and ambulances), tracking patient status, and processing remains of those who passed away in the hospital (military, civilian, and Iraqis). I was diagnosed with PTSD and medically retired after 19 years in the Air Force Reserves in 2013 with a 30% rating from the AF and 30% VA rating.
In 2009-2010, after seeing a lot of amputations and sending Soldiers home in bags, I took to running. I used to think while running that I was doing it because so many others never could. I ran competitively in 5k's, 10k's, half-marathons, full-marathons, in almost any race I could find between 2010 and August, 2011. I was fit and trim (6'3" and 210 lbs) and ran 6+ miles per day for almost two years.
During a marathon in 2010 (five months after returning from Iraq) I was getting short of breath at mile 14 and decided to walk a mile. After I caught my breath, I started running again but my lungs immediately locked up. I could exhale, but couldn't inhale. I'd never experienced anything like it and was worried as I could not breath. I walked another mile or more while I tried to get my breathing under control. I got it, and decided to run again, but same thing.
After the race, I went to a doctor who told me I probably had something called exercise induced asthma. I didn't think much of it as it didn't bother me again, but during that race I was starting to panic as I had no clue what was happening.
In 2011, I stopped running as my PTSD was getting way worse. Over the next 8 months, I never went outdoors, cried all the time, couldn't sleep, was suicidal/depressed, etc. In early 2013, after refusing to get help for PTSD, my wife gave me an ultimatum and I sought help.
In late 2014, while at a VA physical, I was diagnosed with asthma and prescribed albutrin. My Dr. also advised me to be tested for sleep apnea. I did, and was diagnosed. The testing showed I stopped breathing an average of 24 times per minutes, which was the second highest in the group I tested with.
I thought to myself that an adult being diagnosed with asthma for the first time was odd. And, seeing all the stuff about burn pits and having worked and lived less than 1/2 mile from Balad's pit, I believed my military service may have caused my new respiratory conditions. I filed a claim for sleep apnea in late 2015 and was recently denied.
The denial stated that sleep apnea was common in overweight, middle-aged men (I'm 45). Remember my running stuff? After my diagnosis of PTSD, I gained 90lbs in about 18 months. In my limited thinking, the sleep apnea, asthma, AND the weight gain were at least partially caused by the condition caused by my military service (PTSD).
Long story short, does anyone think it is worth the effort for me to appeal my sleep apnea claim? If so, how should I go about it? I appreciate any input and suggestions.
Thanks!
In 2009-2010, after seeing a lot of amputations and sending Soldiers home in bags, I took to running. I used to think while running that I was doing it because so many others never could. I ran competitively in 5k's, 10k's, half-marathons, full-marathons, in almost any race I could find between 2010 and August, 2011. I was fit and trim (6'3" and 210 lbs) and ran 6+ miles per day for almost two years.
During a marathon in 2010 (five months after returning from Iraq) I was getting short of breath at mile 14 and decided to walk a mile. After I caught my breath, I started running again but my lungs immediately locked up. I could exhale, but couldn't inhale. I'd never experienced anything like it and was worried as I could not breath. I walked another mile or more while I tried to get my breathing under control. I got it, and decided to run again, but same thing.
After the race, I went to a doctor who told me I probably had something called exercise induced asthma. I didn't think much of it as it didn't bother me again, but during that race I was starting to panic as I had no clue what was happening.
In 2011, I stopped running as my PTSD was getting way worse. Over the next 8 months, I never went outdoors, cried all the time, couldn't sleep, was suicidal/depressed, etc. In early 2013, after refusing to get help for PTSD, my wife gave me an ultimatum and I sought help.
In late 2014, while at a VA physical, I was diagnosed with asthma and prescribed albutrin. My Dr. also advised me to be tested for sleep apnea. I did, and was diagnosed. The testing showed I stopped breathing an average of 24 times per minutes, which was the second highest in the group I tested with.
I thought to myself that an adult being diagnosed with asthma for the first time was odd. And, seeing all the stuff about burn pits and having worked and lived less than 1/2 mile from Balad's pit, I believed my military service may have caused my new respiratory conditions. I filed a claim for sleep apnea in late 2015 and was recently denied.
The denial stated that sleep apnea was common in overweight, middle-aged men (I'm 45). Remember my running stuff? After my diagnosis of PTSD, I gained 90lbs in about 18 months. In my limited thinking, the sleep apnea, asthma, AND the weight gain were at least partially caused by the condition caused by my military service (PTSD).
Long story short, does anyone think it is worth the effort for me to appeal my sleep apnea claim? If so, how should I go about it? I appreciate any input and suggestions.
Thanks!
