Hello all I’m looking for guidance. I was med boarded in dec 2019 for PTSD. Last week I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and given a CPAP from the VA. In the notes it says it could be secondary to the PTSD. I’m trying to figure out if this is claimable. I talked to a local VSO and she told me she didn’t think so. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Sleep apnea
- Thread starter Superchochee
- Start date
Here is one case where it was approved. LINK <—-
Please note these decisions do not establish precedence.
Added: In my opinion, this board is the best for appeals and the PEB/MEB process. Jason Perry would be my choice as an attorney for any of those processes. Another board, VBN, has a bunch of old timers who never depart. For general VA info, that would be my choice...including claims. There are two VA raters on that site; one active and one retired.
Ron
Please note these decisions do not establish precedence.
Added: In my opinion, this board is the best for appeals and the PEB/MEB process. Jason Perry would be my choice as an attorney for any of those processes. Another board, VBN, has a bunch of old timers who never depart. For general VA info, that would be my choice...including claims. There are two VA raters on that site; one active and one retired.
Ron
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Given that it has been approved in the past under certain circumstances, I suggest you apply and find out!
There is the additional thing where depending on how you were separated some disorders claimed within 1 year of Separation are found to be automatically service connected. On the premise you probably had it because there wasn't enough time for it to develop in < 1yr.
Since you were separated Dec 2019 - you got 3-4 months to work that angle, which has a better chance than getting OSA connected to PTSD as a secondary.
I'm about 90% sure OSA is one of those "kind of automatic" diagnosis claimable with in the year. The provider who diagnosed you needs to CLEARLY state in one of their notes when they think your symptoms started, or how long you've had these symptoms even though it was only caught now.
Before I was separated, I did a number of DBQs for guys with in 1 yr for OSA they couldn't get sleep studies for in time, and all of them were approved as service connected independent of other diagnosis's
Since you were separated Dec 2019 - you got 3-4 months to work that angle, which has a better chance than getting OSA connected to PTSD as a secondary.
I'm about 90% sure OSA is one of those "kind of automatic" diagnosis claimable with in the year. The provider who diagnosed you needs to CLEARLY state in one of their notes when they think your symptoms started, or how long you've had these symptoms even though it was only caught now.
Before I was separated, I did a number of DBQs for guys with in 1 yr for OSA they couldn't get sleep studies for in time, and all of them were approved as service connected independent of other diagnosis's
The VA also have home sleep study devices if you cannot get a sleep clinic study. SC’ed it for me and backdated to my retirement date because I had it done within my first year after retirement.
Hello,
Where was the LOD "on file"? Was it in your medical records presented to the VA?
Regards,
Ron
Yes, but the VA said i was a reservist, so they denied it. Guess they did not notice i was on orders for almost 4 years before the diagnosis.
Hello,
I suspect you are aware of all of the following linked information. Recommend you find a veterans service officer in your area to assist you with your claim. It would seem that this, ""...even though I had an LOD on file from the AF stating it was in line of duty" would be adequate for the VA to award VA compensation for your disability. @chaplaincharlie might have some useful suggestions.
VA.gov | Veterans Affairs <--LINK
Disability Benefits
"VA pays monthly compensation benefits for disabilities incurred or aggravated during active duty, or active duty for training for disabilities as a result of injury or disease, or inactive duty training for disabilities due to injury, heart attack, or stroke. Additionally, the discharge must be under other than dishonorable conditions. For additional information see Chapter 2, 'Service-connected Disabilities'."VA.gov | Veterans Affairs <---Chapter 2
Yes it can be claimed secondary to PTSD. I was awarded sleep apnea @ 50% secondary to my PTSD without being given a C&P exam. I would’t procrastinate long though.
I seen you manage to get you sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. I am trying to do the same thing. The sleep doctor would not write me a letter saying my sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by PTSD. He wrote a letter saying treating sleep apnea has been found to improve PTSD not very helpful for a Nexus letter. Did you get a letter from a doctor? Without a letter from a Dr will the claim be denied.
Sorry, I’ve been busy. My PTSD doctor wrote in my medical notes that it was imperative to use my CPAP, along with the meds for controlling the PTSD. The VA will not write nexus letters, so I went to a civilian sleep doctor and asked if they would if I had them conduct their own sleep study and conclusions. I provided them with all the VA medical records prior to their study. I told the civilian sleep clinic what I was trying to do and they had no problem.
I actually wrote the nexus myself and worked with them to produce a outstanding nexus that was awarded 50% service connection with no C&P exam. That blew me away to say the least.
Having a nexus is the best option, in my mind at least. With the new claim process you only get a few chances at winning the claim.
Best of luck to you
Hi SFC H, I was wondering if you could possibly share with me the nexus letter that your doctor wrote for you? It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
SFC H was last seen on
this board more than two years ago.
“Last seen Nov 9, 2021”
Hopefully, he will be alerted to your post.
Ron
PTSD has been linked to a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
There is a close association between PTSD and sleep apnea, which could lead to sleep apnea secondary to PTSD VA rating. More than half of veterans test positive for sleep apnea, and those with PTSD appear at increased risk.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by doing a sleep study. The more breathing pauses per hour, the more severe the disorder. This is represented in the VA rating, with sleep apnea rated either 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100%. The higher the percentage, the more severe your sleep apnea symptoms.
Gathering as much detail as possible will help you show the VA that your sleep apnea is directly linked to PTSD and your military service.
Evidence to Show Sleep Apnea is Secondary to PTSD:
- Sleep Study Results
A sleep study is the basis of an obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. The key here is that it displays the severity of your disorder – information that can help you receive an appropriate VA rating.
-Medical Records
Retain all your health records since these will detail your PTSD and sleep apnea history. This information can also help you receive the correct VA rating for your conditions.
- Health Professional Statement
A statement from your doctor detailing your PTSD and sleep apnea history and how they are linked to your military service would also be beneficial.
-Buddy Statements
Statements from loved ones and people you served with can also detail how PTSD and sleep apnea have impacted your life.
I hope this helps with the claim,I wish you all the best.