Ill also show you: * The problem with your particular type of Sleep Apnea from the VAs perspective, * The Key Question to be resolved in EACH scenario, * Solutions to the Most Common Errors in Sleep Apnea claims. This may be 20 or 30 years after the problems started. 1 0 obj The blockage is believed to occur when the muscles in the back of the throat become overly relaxed. Studies have shown that it is morecommon for Gulf War Veteransin the Southwest Asia theater compared to non-Gulf War Veterans to develop CFS, but the reason for this remains unknown. VADisability Benefits for Chronic Fatigue, Fatigue not relieved by sleep or bed rest which was not always present throughout life. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder, are not met. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. What the doctor may do is multiple laboratorytests to rule out some other underlying cause. While we still have our home base in Florida, A medical nexus (i.e., link) between their sleep apnea and the in-service event, injury, or illness; Once service connection is awarded, sleep apnea is then rated under 38 CFR 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847 - Sleep Apnea Syndromes (obstructive, central, mixed). .{}p/=jyWG0j#kdLl%*~ P5O1A S-<9o2xmBV1 G(7H^1rnWI\8@I8w What the doctor is trying to do is check all possible outcomes for the symptoms to make sure a clear diagnosis can be given. Either way, Veterans have an uphill fight to get their sleep apnea service-connected. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can have a huge impact on a persons life and those around them. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Joints and muscles can have a lot of pain during flare-ups, and, due to the fatigue, mobility may not be something a patient can easily do. That is, until he damaged his knees in-serviceand had to geta knee replacement at amilitary hospital. You will then need an expert medical opinion that shows these symptoms back then in service were probably sleep apnea even though you had not been diagnosed at the time. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. The same can be said about service-connected mental health conditions. We can helpreach out so we can show you how. 56 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<729BA82B1983FD4B95AA1B8BF2E87A7F>]/Index[38 30]/Info 37 0 R/Length 93/Prev 108595/Root 39 0 R/Size 68/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream However, if you use one, it does provide you with a higher rating. I told you at the beginning I wantto change your thinking. When filing a VA disability Claim for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome there are specific things the VA has to see before service connection can be considered and disability compensation granted. The Veteran was granted entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder in a May 2016 rating decision. When Daniel laid it out and told me almost specifically, "Here's your timeline, here's how you do it, "here's what you do, here's what you need, "here are the things that you need," that sealed the deal. Battle of DUAL-EXPERTS Chris, you called it!!! Youll need to make the call on direct service connection versus secondary service connection. A nexus letter is often the missing link in a VA claim. This illness can be hard to diagnose due to its seemingly unrelated symptoms, but do not let that discourage you. Even without a definitive cause of the disorder there are noted risk factors including being between the ages of 40-50, difficulty managing stress, and women are more commonly diagnosed (possibly because they report symptoms more often). There are special rules regarding how a Sleep Apnea disability claim is treated by the VA. It's harder to get than it used to be, and there are more regulations. If you have this condition, it causes the throat muscles to relax while sleeping. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. Veterans Court reminds the VA: the BVA must adjudicate the logically related informal claim. Were Veterans, just like you, whove learned how to navigate within the VA system. That said, the key here is making the connection from service to diagnosis. I met with my expert who offered opinion on my behalf and she was amazed by the decision, but not surprise by the level in which the VA are denying veterans SP claims. The VA classifies Sleep Apnea as a disability for which compensation is granted. I spent nearly a yearresearching Veterans and their Sleep Apnea claims. 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). Just had C& P exam for sleep apnea. Veterans ask me more questions about sleep apnea than almost any other question about VA Benefits Law. protected, calm and informed I spoke with DRO via phone for 5min confirming she received my NOD and evidence. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me. Microsoft Word 2010; modified using iText 2.1.7 by 1T3XT 2020 Strategic Veteran All Rights Reserved. PTSD can cause insulin resistance (fasting Blood sugar results above 100 prove you have insulin resistance) and insulin resistance causes sleep apnea. and Coronavirus. about the threat of COVID-19 and Coronavirus. Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most noticeable signal for those who live alone. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Dear Mr Attig: A sleep study is critical to confirming whether you meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for sleep apnea. Proving Sleep Apnea is Service Connected its the one thing I hear more about from Veterans than any other topic. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. * How do I appeal the VAs denial of my Sleep Apnea? I can teach you how to do that. Veterans can also prove service connection for sleep apnea by showing that their sleep apnea began in service using service medical records, or by providing a nexus opinion from a medical professional that links their current diagnosis of sleep apnea to signs or symptoms they experienced in service. 67 0 obj <>stream Jessica Rodriguez, Claims Advocate Updated: June 27, 2020. No wonder Sleep Apnea is affecting so many Veterans sleep apnea can be the result of other disorders or medical conditions. *A good medical understanding of the unique CAUSE/ORIGIN (what doctors call etiology) of YOUR sleep apnea. Not a lot of VSOs or advocates get this when helping a Veteran file a VA Claim. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. They denied extra physical therapy. I cannot recommend Jason and his staff enough. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Sleep apnea can develop for a number of reasons, meaning it can be very hard to pinpoint the exact cause. While sleep apnea on its own can be difficult to connect, you have the option of connecting it to another condition already claimed. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Heres 4 lessons I learned that I want to pass on to you if you can really learn and understand these lessons, you will have the power to really improve and service connect sleep apnea claims and appeals. Most of the time, a person just deals with it for many years until they eventually go to a doctor and undergo testing. In recent years this trend has begun to turn around, but it is still one of the more difficult conditions to win a disability compensation claim for. Some people have developed CFS after having a viral infection like Epstein Barr virus, Herpes virus 6, and mouse leukemia virus, but there has been no conclusive evidence. And then in three months, I got a response back, and it was a favorable response, and that just, that just blew me away. %PDF-1.4 Since that time, we have provided compassionate I absolutely agree I think that Mr. Harris was way out of line, and was not educated about the issue he was commenting on. But if your doctor believes that your Sleep Apnea is somehow related to exposure to TCEs or benzene in the water at Camp Lejeune, then a good medical opinion would probably help you prove a direct service connection claim. And that means you are going to have to think through your sleep apnea claim. Elizabeth M. Walsh appeals the Board's denial of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. Hot Dogs for Heroes 4th of July Event This Thursday! Dont make the mistake so many other veterans have. It is common to have a range of motion (ROM) exercises, stretching a few minutes each day and steadily increase to build a tolerance. % One of the most common service-connected sleep disorders is sleep apnea, which is a sleep-related breathing disorder. I read hundreds of cases. Closely followed by PTSD, Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and TDIU. We cant possibly cover each of those and the ways to service connect all of them in this one article. I talked to hundreds of Veterans who had been denied VAsleep apnea compensation. We would be happy to talk to you. 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. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. Wc%X$(:ss!LCO^?4d *$ Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. 38 0 obj <> endobj The first requirement which must be met to satisfy the VA is a sleep study. But if your body cannot get sleep, you will die. New Rule allows Presumptive Service Connection for Veterans particulate matter (burn pit) claims. While an OSA disability claim secondary to sinusitis/rhinitis is an easier path, veterans who are service-connected for PTSD (or other mental health conditions) are eligible for secondary service connection for their sleep apnea, and its possible to achieve an OSA disability claim secondary to PTSD with the right strategy and credible medical evidence. Making the Sausage: Heres what you need to know about new VA Claims regulations. I want you to think about the BEST Path to proving Sleep Apnea is Service Connected. Cognitive training is important to be able to talk to someone about CFS and its limiting factors on life, and how to cope on a daily basis. It's almost as much work - and it can often take as much dedication. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I stated on my retirement physical that I sometimes have trouble sleeping at night. Proving Service-Connection for Sleep Apnea. The rate was a staggering 22%. Your airway narrows and closes, leading to pauses in the breathing cycle. Headaches which are new or have become worse. Symptoms of CFS include thinking and memory issues, orthostatic intolerance such as dizziness, weakness, fainting when upright, and much more. I believe that the VA and BVA do not take Sleep Apnea seriously. For instance, often sleep apnea presents itself in those who have been suffering from PTSD. A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide, Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID), Presumption of Service Connection for Chronic Diseases, Common Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. * The SPECIFICEVIDENCEyou will need to prove another medical condition caused your sleep apnea. Im 50% connected with PTSD and currently have an appeal in for 100% on PTSD. The cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is unknown; however, there are a few theories as to what may cause this condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. medical expert report or opinion may be crucial, rate your sleep apnea condition after granting Service Connection, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). The most important thing to keep in mind is that, no matter what the VA may tell you, the law does allow for VA disability for sleep apnea. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 VA Disability Claim Timeline For Active Duty Members & Veterans, Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or; requires tracheostomy, Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine, Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing. * 5- Star Lay and Medical Evidence that show you your VA Sleep Apnea disabilityaffects your dailylife. I have also had a stroke. As the patient, this can be a stressful time, which is why it is so important to tell your doctor all the symptoms you have even if they seem silly or strange. Problems with sleep which include not being rested after sleep or difficulty staying and/or falling asleep. This means they make their claim without providing much proof. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. 7 0 obj Follow the steps below to remedy the above-listed typical reasons for denial, and youll be much closer to a winning claim! If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. Second example.lets say the veteran has service connection for PTSD. Many civilian doctors have NO CLUE what a Nexus letter is or the importance of it! Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 (6.[,P)BLd?8e:}]eS8Sx| XvKdEP,Zbl65k8 x!KSToHjbrC. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 The VA then diagnoses sleep apnea and with the snap of a finger, the Gulf War Illness presumption disappears and the Veteran now has to prove service connection of his sleep apnea. At one point sleep apnea was the most prevalent service-connected respiratory disability for which claims were submitted to the VA. Concerningly, it is also one of the conditions most rejected by the VA, as the vast majority are regularly turned down. Whats the VAs Problem with Sleep Apnea? Take a look at my VA Sleep Apneabook learn all you can about PROVING and IMPROVING your VA Sleep Apnea claim. Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Elizabeth M. Walsh appeals the Board's denial of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. 2023-03-04T21:20:56-05:00 ZB{hp!=Uds~$?4Af%E)L:va4Hc_?qaH }q?OFI>4 7Q3 Any advice on getting sleep apnea service connected? * What if it wasnt diagnosed until years after service can I service connect it then? 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. I dont know if Im authorize a second run at the DRO or go straight to BVA. Therefore, records of an in-service injury, illness or other events that could have caused the sleep apnea condition are essential. . Hepatitis C also causes insulin resistance. The VA uses two options for rating most sleep apnea claims. I read his information, submitted medical documents, receiveda Letter of Nexus or comments from a VA contractor doctor. By doing this your claim will have the best chance possible. I awake countless time at night due to this. Scenario 1: Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea First Occurs a Long Time after Service, with no evidence of sleep-breathing problems in the Military Service, or Military Medical, records. Instead, the leading cause of sleep apnea is weight gain. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: The proper medical explanation of the origin of the veterans sleep apnea, Lay AND Medical detailing of the symptoms experienced from sleep apnea affecting the veteran since the onset of the condition in the service until the present day. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 Common signs of sleep apnea include: Loud and frequent snoring Silent pauses in breathing Choking or gasping Daytime sleepiness Insomnia Unproductive sleep Morning headaches Heck, I get an email or more a day from a Veteran that says this: My Sleep Apnea claimwas not granted. The VA uses two options for rating most sleep apnea claims. Also see our post What is a Service-Connected Disability? Below is the schedule for rating disability for Chronic Fatigue Sundrome. In the year thatI spent researching theSleep ApneaField Manual, I learned that there are 39 medical conditions common among Veterans thatcan cause or aggravate sleep apnea. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. You DESERVE a HIGHER VA rating.WE CAN HELP. Sounds easy enough, right? lh20EnM.svSI}][PFkaq-h;qm,=4b~7d #XEBJkb8_]3VL ,zYvA "FJh=2b6`E\ouXj/'|fg Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. You may eventually get there on your own, but it may be after a series of decisions by the Regional Office and Board of Veterans Appeals. Your email address will not be published. Lesson #4: More VeteransShould be Able toService ConnectSleep Apnea.
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