Thats what Veteran Lee G. did Lees VA claim changed when he read my Sleep Apnea book: Chris gave me the knowledge to file a claim for Sleep Apnea. Jason Perkins, was my lawyer in a workers comp. They are ALL experiencing a Perfect Storm of Sleep Apnea problems: breathing disorders, mental health conditions, heart conditions and diabetes are all causing an epidemic of Sleep Apnea in our Vietnam Veterans. The resulting reduction in sleep quality and in the bodys supply of oxygen can have serious consequences on health and quality of life. 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. A/8un$zjHNSPU%=8HF Z*v@l(?6Nx/ You cut off oxygen to the brain and blood, and other body systems break down. I am service connected for chronic sinusitis with a 30% rating. A nexus letter is often the missing link in a VA claim. Have sleep apnea, AO esposed, 65 in VN; being treated for mild PTSD for one & 1/2yrs. Most people with CFS seem to have an impaired immune system which is thought to possibly be the cause of having CFS. 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. * Many Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange suffer from sleep apnea. 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. You do not have to be prescribed a CPAP machine to be service-connected for sleep apnea. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! However, if you use one, it does provide you with a higher rating. 2017-05-30T18:09:36-04:00 Andmy sleep study was not done in the military.. Take a look at my VA Sleep Apneabook learn all you can about PROVING and IMPROVING your VA Sleep Apnea claim. We offer free resources and expertise to empower all Veterans. endobj In fact, winning your VA sleep apnea claim can feel like you just led your team to victory in the World Cup. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. I have had cardiomegly X-rays while on active duty. Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Veterans ask me more questions about sleep apnea than almost any other question about VA Benefits Law. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 uuid:7e8f97fd-fbb3-41de-a1ee-403277269d1a Want More Information about VA Sleep Apnea? How is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed? Many conditions that are service related can cause obesity, like diabetes (and diabetes medications), depression, and injuries that result in lack of mobility. The examiner noted that a major cause of sleep apnea was weight gain and that the veteran weighed 155 pounds in service and 255 pounds in March 2013. Below is the schedule for rating . In our experience, OSA denials are almost always due to one or more of these five gaps: Fortunately, there are simple strategies you can employ to address these factorseven if the VA has already denied your VA claim for sleep apnea. High blood pressure or hypertension can be easily developed due to stress acquired in active duty. That said, the key here is making the connection from service to diagnosis. UNFORTUNATELY HE DIED.! By doing this your claim will have the best chance possible. YEP!!! Without a CPAP machine, the VA assigns a 30% rating. I disagree. Here are some common symptoms of sleep apnea: Contrary to the myth, sleep apnea does not need to be diagnosed while on active duty. Not presumptively. Regardless of whether you are dealing with OSA, its important to pursue all the benefits available to you as a veteran. if our guys/gals have SLEEP APNEA in the field THAT COULD KILL THEM.!! In April 2013, the RO reopened the sleep apnea claim, but denied service connection, and found no new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the tinnitus claim. Youre arent alone. The third part can be satisfied with a nexus Letter from a qualified medical professional, as noted above. 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. Viet Nam Vet. But most veterans are not service-connected for this sinus condition. Even if youve been denied before, its not too late! Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation theyre due. In September 1978, she was granted service connection for bilateral chondromalacia, a breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint that causes pain when bones . If youve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low ratingor youre unsure how to get startedreach out to us! Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Learn how your comment data is processed. It is the only thing that kept in the fight and especially it keeps sane and focus. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. HV6+jsl1q$=Yn3 N>% YQUVUOICzR4'By!-v'QZI`+2c.T\`~]Klovk*\3x9$vx%C _FjOBFECxm]WoZ>H*:zR/yuY(r( Your VA Sleep Apnea Claim, Ill give you the recipe for each of those 4 scenarios. 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. %PDF-1.4 % * A 5-Star medical opinion, resting on 5-Star Lay and Medical Evidence, that demonstrates HOW your Sleep Apnea is related to military service. THANK YOU AGAIN. Will be some time before answer but getting all the info I can. I read hundreds of cases. * A good Lay and Medical presentation and assessment of the sleep apnea symptoms you have had from service, or service-discharge, to the present day. The VA disability ratings for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100% all dependent on the severity and other factors of your symptoms. In our experience, if you did NOT have a sleep study while on active duty and you did not get a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea in the military, you should only attempt to service-connect your sleep apnea VA claim SECONDARY to another service-connected disability. First of all, lets explore a little about this common disability in veterans, so you understand the condition and why its important you pursue your claim and get the benefits you deserve. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. %PDF-1.4 FREE tips for veterans to stay protected, calm and informed 2023-03-04T21:20:56-05:00 See id. Discuss your sleep issues with your primary care VA doctor and ask for a referral to a sleep specialist at the VA. Also sinusitis, rhinitis, hypertension. People with sleep apnea are four times more likely to have depression than people without a sleeping disorder. We would be happy to talk to you. Youre welcome, Sam! Elizabeth M. Walsh appeals the Board's denial of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. 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. case, my case has settled now, and I am very happy for all Jason and his office hard work on my case, he was always there to help me out with any questions that I had or help I needed. Instead, the leading cause of sleep apnea is weight gain. Secondary Service Connection New Rule allows Presumptive Service Connection for Veterans particulate matter (burn pit) claims. Strategic Veteran would like to help you sort out what you may be able to claim and the best way to go about it. While youmay have been a loud snorer or had other sleep difficulties in service that are normally associated with sleep apnea, if you are like most service members you probablydid not undergo a sleep study and get a formal diagnosis before your discharge from service. solid foundation of Lay and Medical Evidence, read hundreds, if not thousands, of Veterans C-Files, Put it to Rest! It's almost as much work - and it can often take as much dedication. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. This will confirm a medical diagnosis and current symptoms, especially if theyve become more severe over time. Or perhaps when they realize that Sleep Apnea is going to be as big an issue for our current generation of Veterans asAgent Orange related conditions are to Vietnam Veterans, they will take it seriously. Sleep studies can be done to rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or other sleep disorders preventing restful sleep. Physical therapy can be given to help maintain and improve mobility. FREE tips for Veterans to stay 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. So, if you developed sleep apnea while in service and still carry that diagnosis, you should be granted service connection. 1) Direct Service Connection for Sleep Apnea For direct service connection you must show either of the following: You were diagnosed with sleep apnea during your military service; -or- You must prove the onset of sleep apnea occurred while you were in service. Learn how your comment data is processed. What about PTSD? SvKve5.YmPE}=;vpb -GW2RN Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 My next stop is going to be BVA, hopefully I dont have to go there without taking another bite at the DRO processes. caused or made worse by your active duty military service OR. You are going to have to think through your case as objectively as you possibly can. 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. ,144x{,}T=7#|lk0s @0\0N Z,;QkH|L[, Template for processing Decision or Remand. I believe the two are connected. One of the most common service-connected sleep disorders is sleep apnea, which is a sleep-related breathing disorder. yet assertive representation for our clients. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. 3. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the course of sleep. Tender lymph nodes usually in the neck and underarms. 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). It is common to have a range of motion (ROM) exercises, stretching a few minutes each day and steadily increase to build a tolerance. Some Veterans are taking it a little further and going to the VA with this: I have had problems breathing and sleeping since I was stationed near burn-pits in Iraq and now I have sleep apnea. Medications can be prescribed that help with depression caused by living with CFS, also low dose antidepressants have been shown to improve sleep patterns. 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. Do You Owe Your Severance Pay Back to the VA? We cant possibly cover each of those and the ways to service connect all of them in this one article. For instance, if you complain of being tired all the time your doctor may order blood tests to check for anemia, diabetes, and hypothyroidism all of which cause fatigue. Weight gain can be tied to several different conditions. In September 1978, she was granted service connection for bilateral chondromalacia, a breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint that causes pain when bones . Simple tasks that we take for granted every day may cause great exhaustion for those with CFS. endstream endobj 39 0 obj <> endobj 40 0 obj <> endobj 41 0 obj <>stream and Coronavirus. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2016 - VeteransLawBlog.org - All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Legal Disclaimer, The Veterans Law Blog is NOT a law firm. Sleep studies can be done to rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or other sleep disorders preventing restful sleep. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They then tell the VA that they have sleep apnea and a CPAP and hope that service connection for sleep apnea is granted. 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. Complimentary therapies such as meditation, gentle massage, deep breathing, or relaxation therapies may be beneficial to help reduce symptoms. Heck, I get an email or more a day from a Veteran that says this: My Sleep Apnea claimwas not granted. NOT GOING TO GIVE UP, I filed a FOIA for a copy VA experts opinion in preparation for another NOD, this time Im requesting a formal face to face meeting with DRO. Otherwise, I would properly ended up in mental health facility or going insane!!! 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. I also have central and obstructive sleep apnea which has been denied service connection. If you have central sleep apnea or complex sleep apnea, the approach will be a little different since the science is different as well. These temporary breathing disruptions or lapses can occur from dozens to hundreds of times per night. Even with that little bit of extra information, almost allVeterans are still being denied service connection for sleep apnea. When seeking service connection, veterans will generally need to submit the following to VA: A current diagnosis of a condition; An in-service event, illness, or injury; and, See our tips on how to obtain a credible nexus letter, Both sinusitis and rhinitis are linked to sleep apnea, Emerging research indicates a strong association between PTSD and sleep apnea, You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Disrupted breathing in which a persons respiration can become labored or even stop for up to a minute at a time, Limited attention span or difficulty thinking clearly, Snoring, including snoring that is especially loud and involves gasping, choking, or snorting that may cause a person to briefly wake up, #1. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 You DESERVE a HIGHER VA rating.WE CAN HELP. Heres what I mean in BVA decision after BVA decision, I saw examples ofVeterans that take a look at the VA Ratings Tables, see that they can get a 50%VArating for sleep apnea with CPAP. 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. Its one thing to give you the ingredients for a chocolate cake. Like researchers that have been searching for the Holy Grail the harder they look, the less they find. * How do I appeal the VAs denial of my Sleep Apnea? about the threat of COVID-19 and Coronavirus. The VA uses two options for rating most sleep apnea claims. Scenario 2: The Veteran has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. When filing a VAdisability Claim for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome there are specific things the VA has to see before service connection can be considered and disability compensation granted.
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