She has always had a passion for helping others and found inspiration from those she cared for. Scenario 4: The Veteran has one or more conditions service-connected, and is claiming that those conditions CAUSED the sleep apnea. If that is similar to your situation, how do you show that link (nexus) between what was going on with you during service and the actual diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea you now have? This is because sleep apnea is abnormally difficult to prove as a disability that is service-connected. Service Connection for Sleep Apnea and Sinusitis To file any claim for VA disability benefits, veterans will generally first need to become service connected. 8 0 obj The best way to receive a VA disability compensation rating for sleep apnea is to provide the following information along with your claim: While the VA has begun to show a greater understanding of sleep apnea in veterans, the hard truth is that the VA has still not proven itself to accept the full range of how sleep apnea can manifest. I disagree. Required fields are marked *. Even with that little bit of extra information, almost allVeterans are still being denied service connection for sleep apnea. However, if you use one, it does provide you with a higher rating. For doing an awesome job. Also, to check for the cause of fatigue a doctor may do physical examinations such as an exercise stress test to check on the function of the heart and lungs. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! See id. Source: Department of Veteran Affairs Regional Office New Orleans, LA. I talked to hundreds of Veterans who had been denied VAsleep apnea compensation. This is in order to be officially diagnosed. The Veteran was granted entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder in a May 2016 rating decision. VA initially denied (1ST) my SA claim in 2014, I became a premium member in 2015 and followed your training guides step by step, medical expert opinion, 10 sworn declaration statements by family members, co-workers in service and post-service. LIFETIME Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, Quarterly Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, Annual Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, there are 39 medical conditions common among Veterans thatcan cause or aggravate sleep apnea, result of other disorders or medical conditions, Sleep Apnea is going to be as big an issue for our current generation of Veterans. Required fields are marked *. For all about getting a VA rating for sleep apnea, see our post Your Sleep Apnea VA Rating A Guide to Getting a VA Disability Rating for Sleep Apnea. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Elizabeth M. Walsh appeals the Board's denial of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. I can teach you: * HOW toproveyour Sleep Apnea Claim for any ofthe 3 types of Sleep Apnea you have. Hepatitis C also causes insulin resistance. Sounds easy enough, right? Medications can be prescribed that help with depression caused by living with CFS, also low dose antidepressants have been shown to improve sleep patterns. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. All Rights Reserved. endstream Second example.lets say the veteran has service connection for PTSD. You do not have to be prescribed a CPAP machine to be service-connected for sleep apnea. Dont make the mistake so many other veterans have. Proving Service-Connection for Sleep Apnea. application/pdf Follow the steps below to remedy the above-listed typical reasons for denial, and youll be much closer to a winning claim! HE WAS A VET, HE AND I SERVED IN NELLIS AFB BEFORE I GOT OUT,the hard way. 2020 Strategic Veteran All Rights Reserved. I am also service connected for chronic bronchitis with a rating of 0 %. Its an entirely different thing to mix those ingredients so that they turn into a cake. Winning a VA Sleep Apnea is much harder. Even as Veterans Claims for Sleep Apnea soar, it is clear that theVA DOES NOT understand the full scope of how sleep apnea occurs, medically or factually. I did not have a va physical until about 13 years after seperation from service. Youre arent alone. I dont know if Im authorize a second run at the DRO or go straight to BVA. Like researchers that have been searching for the Holy Grail the harder they look, the less they find. How is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed? Learn how your comment data is processed. No proof of service connection (missing a nexus letter), #4 Lack of active-duty documentation and medical evidence, #5 Filing for direct service connection vs secondary service-connection (secondary to an already service-connected disability). Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. In fact, there are three distinct kinds of sleep apnea obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea. <>stream All Rights Reserved. How can you learn more about these things? Take a look at the Sleep Apnea eBook when it comes out I think you will find a lot of informaiton that will help you understand better the many different paths and proofs for service connection of Sleep Apnea. Its no secret, I have written THE book onhow to file a VAdisability claim for sleep apnea. The blockage is believed to occur when the muscles in the back of the throat become overly relaxed. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. endobj FromApril 2013 to April 2014, the BVA denied 76% of Veterans Sleep Apnea appeals. You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube. This is because the fact is that many veterans suffer from PTSDand sleep problems are a common symptom of PTSD. There are three types, obstructive, central, and mixed. I cannot recommend Jason and his staff enough. They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. we represent clients nationwide. Most of the time, a person just deals with it for many years until they eventually go to a doctor and undergo testing. You're not alone. .{}p/=jyWG0j#kdLl%*~ P5O1A S-<9o2xmBV1 G(7H^1rnWI\8@I8w Microsoft Word 2010; modified using iText 2.1.7 by 1T3XT lh20EnM.svSI}][PFkaq-h;qm,=4b~7d #XEBJkb8_]3VL ,zYvA "FJh=2b6`E\ouXj/'|fg See you on the inside! Jessica joined the Hill and Ponton team in the summer of 2017 and was excited to use her skills to help veterans. Either way, Veterans have an uphill fight to get their sleep apnea service-connected. YEP!!! Do You Owe Your Severance Pay Back to the VA? If you are hurt at work, this is the firm you want on YOUR side. There are 3 ways to get it: Chris, There are certain chronic diseases that a veteran may be presumptively entitled to if the disease manifests to a certain degree within a specified timeframe after the veterans period of, In todays society, hypertension is a common diagnosis for most veterans. HWnH}W#zx 8Fb$vhjKLdRCR6-kf$}9u/U(XVX= eX5e2by=t-V?l*_?,?C&{u&Q,E1[x3")KYdXD@Q2+x."]}0uLB!_ne\Ya)y,"k"Q>bV7mWnXQn ZDE(WQ 8mSNMj;vwWoDL-y9mxC~`S3t|4[& S/.TWGaxUtbw>Hk :LfNo`BYL2%*{6GuTP rzY9y+%Koa(+Ja.'Xg <>stream Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Another theory is a hormonal imbalance because elevated hormones are seen in the blood work of those who have CFS, but the importance of this is unknown as well. uuid:9ecae647-b430-492b-9ebf-3254b1d19b42 This is a great group of people who really care about your well being. hb```f``rb`a`} @ odoF@z&I*B{!C*!H12*0`$I +Nw`ubL6iF bICg!|F % Symptoms can become worse with exertion by either physical or mental activity, such as going shopping and having to take a nap in the car before driving home, or staying on task at work and needing the evenings and weekends to recover, taking a shower and becoming bed bound for a couple of days afterward. 0 If you have symptoms of OSA, consider obtaining a sleep study, also known as polysomnography. ZB{hp!=Uds~$?4Af%E)L:va4Hc_?qaH }q?OFI>4 7Q3 I am service connected for chronic sinusitis with a 30% rating. IN THE APPEAL OF . The VA then diagnoses sleep apnea and with the snap of a finger, the Gulf War Illness presumption disappears and the Veteran now has to prove service connection of his sleep apnea. Dear Mr Attig: This may be 20 or 30 years after the problems started. Not a lot of VSOs or advocates get this when helping a Veteran file a VA Claim. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. FREE tips for veterans to stay protected, calm and informed Veterans with CPAP machines have often fallen into the trap of believing that their use of the CPAP will be enough to qualify their claim with the VA. The question raised in this case is whether this "intermediate step" is limited to . Discuss your sleep issues with your primary care VA doctor and ask for a referral to a sleep specialist at the VA. I do not response to Individual claim and legal questions, although I do catalog them for post / video ideas. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. Newonset of debilitating fatigue severe enough to reduce daily activity to less than 50% of the usual level for at least six months. There are three primary ways for veterans to get a sleep study: Once youve finished your sleep study, its important to review your results with a sleep specialist to confirm whether you have a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea. Anxiety and depression can interfere with sleep patterns. Because of my PTSD meds and sleep apnea I have gained considerable weight as well as an underactive thyroid. Theres lots of literature available to back it up. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include: People who suffer from sleep apnea are often unaware of the breathing disturbances, finding out about them from a bed partner or roommate. (6.[,P)BLd?8e:}]eS8Sx| XvKdEP,Zbl65k8 x!KSToHjbrC. hTOo0| HV6+jsl1q$=Yn3 N>% YQUVUOICzR4'By!-v'QZI`+2c.T\`~]Klovk*\3x9$vx%C _FjOBFECxm]WoZ>H*:zR/yuY(r( VAs expert indicated the RISK-FACTORS of my SP was a results of what he had listed. The VA uses two options for rating most sleep apnea claims. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For instance, often sleep apnea presents itself in those who have been suffering from PTSD. There are three components to proving direct service connection for any VA disability claim: For the legal principles of direct service connection, see 38 CFR 3.303. As a matter of fact, it may be easier to substantiate with medical records that the sleep apnea symptoms started after the diagnosis of diabetes. Both sinusitis and rhinitis are linked to sleep apnea. Tender lymph nodes usually in the neck and underarms. Heres WhyMost Veterans are not proving Sleep Apnea is Service Connected. Along with the record of the potential cause must also be a proven medical link between sleep apnea and the occurrence. To find the definitive guide for service-connection for sleep apnea, check it out here. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 Your voice is important especially when it comes to your own health care. Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve! A couple things you mention are worth exploring: Damage to the nasal or breathing passages, like chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, can cause OSA. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure, heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke), diabetes, depression, and headaches, among others. They all treated me as though I was family and helped me with my work comp case in more ways than the average would have.Thank you Jason and Thank you Tina! If there is a way for us to improve our claims to get more granted for Vets with "GWI", rest assured, you will find it on the Veterans Law Blog. 3 Steps to Veteran Disability Benefits for Sleep Apnea, 6 Tips for Your C&P Exam for Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD, 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Insomnia (The Insiders Guide). The VA uses two options for rating most sleep apnea claims. Weve supported more than 15,000 veterans to win their claims and increase their ratings. They then tell the VA that they have sleep apnea and a CPAP and hope that service connection for sleep apnea is granted. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Strategic Veteran would like to help you sort out what you may be able to claim and the best way to go about it. Since that time, we have provided compassionate For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. And that means you are going to have to think through your sleep apnea claim. I talked to several doctors about the causes and limitations of sleep apnea. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 Symptoms of CFS include thinking and memory issues, orthostatic intolerance such as dizziness, weakness, fainting when upright, and much more. Do you have questions about how to service connect sleep apnea claims? Will be some time before answer but getting all the info I can. Sleep studies can be done to rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or other sleep disorders preventing restful sleep. Have sleep apnea, AO esposed, 65 in VN; being treated for mild PTSD for one & 1/2yrs. VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. That's what Veteran Lee G. did - Lee's VA claim changed when he read my Sleep Apnea book: "Chris gave me the knowledge to file a claim for Sleep Apnea. I learned that to win your Sleep Apnea claim, you are going to have to put your Sleep Apnea Claim together right. Your airway narrows and closes, leading to pauses in the breathing cycle. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Lets begin today's post with the Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): It is HARD to get service connected for Sleep Apnea secondary to Depression. Finally, sleep apnea is a complex condition that can present itself differently in the case of each veteran. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Direct service connection for sleep apnea may be granted for veterans who can show that their sleep apnea began in service using service medical records, and by providing a nexus opinion from a qualified medical professional that links sleep apnea to events or exposures in service. Im 50% connected with PTSD and currently have an appeal in for 100% on PTSD. You are going to have to think through your case as objectively as you possibly can. I told you at the beginning I wantto change your thinking. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Secondary Service Connection I understand you want your VA claim to be done as quickly as possible. Veterans are assigned a 0, 30, 50, or 100 percent rating depending on the severity . Lesson #4: More VeteransShould be Able toService ConnectSleep Apnea.