service connection for sleep apnea is granted service connection for sleep apnea is granted

I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. protected, calm and informed FromApril 2013 to April 2014, the BVA denied 76% of Veterans Sleep Apnea appeals. Its one thing to give you the ingredients for a chocolate cake. How is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed? 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. It is common to have a range of motion (ROM) exercises, stretching a few minutes each day and steadily increase to build a tolerance. I haven't met anybody, who's been in the military, who's worked with the VA who couldn't benefit from this service. (The Insiders Guide), Insider Tips: How to Schedule a Sleep Study with the VA. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Translation: 3 out of every 4 of youwill see your sleep apnea claims and appeals deniedunless you learn how to prove your Sleep Apnea Claim the right way. If you need assistance in appealing your claim for CFS,let us know here! <>stream What the doctor may do is multiple laboratorytests to rule out some other underlying cause. Sleep Apnea in Gulf War Veterans - Public Health I was diagnosed with OSA 10 years after separation. 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. <>/Parent 3 0 R/Type/Page/Contents 4 0 R/Tabs/S/Resources<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/Font<>>>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Rotate 0>> 2020 Strategic Veteran All Rights Reserved. The VA uses two options for rating most sleep apnea claims. In September 1978, she was granted service connection for bilateral chondromalacia, a breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint that causes pain when bones . Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 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. Closely followed by PTSD, Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and TDIU. This is because the fact is that many veterans suffer from PTSDand sleep problems are a common symptom of PTSD. All Rights Reserved. There is no cure for Chronic Fatigue syndrome but medications can be prescribed to help with depression along with physical therapy. Sleep studies can be done to rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or other sleep disorders preventing restful sleep. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Make sure to have your sleep study done. <>/Parent 3 0 R/Type/Page/Contents 8 0 R/Tabs/S/Resources<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/Font<>>>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Rotate 0>> The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. You only need to establish that your sleep apnea is at least as likely as not: A nexus letter is an evidence-based document prepared by a medical professional that helps to establish a connection between the veterans current disability and either military service (for direct service connection) or another rated disability (for secondary service connection). If you have symptoms of OSA, consider obtaining a sleep study, also known as polysomnography. Jessica Rodriguez has a degree in Health Information Management and has 15+ years of experience in patient care as a Nurses Assistant. I disagree. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 aggravated beyond its natural progression by another service-connected condition (for secondary service connection). 4 Common Scenariosfor Proving Sleep Apnea is Service Connected. For a true diagnosis of CFS the patient must also have one of the two following symptoms: There are other symptoms that some but not all experience: Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be a bit tricky and understandably so because there is no set test to make the determination. Instead, the leading cause of sleep apnea is weight gain. Translation: 3 out of every 4 of youwill see your sleep apnea claims and appeals deniedunless you learn, how to prove your Sleep Apnea Claim the right way. The Veteran was granted entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder in a May 2016 rating decision. Either way, Veterans have an uphill fight to get their sleep apnea service-connected. * How the VA willrate your sleep apnea condition after granting Service Connection. A sleep study is critical to confirming whether you meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for sleep apnea. For instance, often sleep apnea presents itself in those who have been suffering from PTSD. VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. This disorder can also lead to more complications like depression, social isolation, lifestyle restrictions, and an increase in absences from work/school. See our tips on how to obtain a credible nexus letter. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. No current sleep study within the last 12 months, #2. about the threat of COVID-19 * Can Agent Orange cause Sleep Apnea? One of the most straightforward ways to achieve service connection of a particular disease or disability is to show that you had that disease or disability while in service. Since many things can cause sleep apnea (like diabetes, insulin resistance, sinus problems, deviated septum, acid reflux, PTSD, heart problems, stroke, prior injuries to the head and spine, anything that deviates the diaphragm like degenerative changes of the spine, and ascites from liver disease, cirrhosis or hepatitis c), if the veteran has service connection for any of those conditions then you can add the sleep apnea as being caused by those conditions. 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. The third part can be satisfied with a nexus Letter from a qualified medical professional, as noted above. Secondary Service Connection And then in three months, I got a response back, and it was a favorable response, and that just, that just blew me away. Jason and his paralegal Lisa were on point and on top of their game when it came to handling my worker's comp. Has camp Lejeune exposures been linked to sleep apnea? She has always had a passion for helping others and found inspiration from those she cared for. One of the most common service-connected sleep disorders is sleep apnea, which is a sleep-related breathing disorder. Most Veterans are not proving sleep apnea is service connected. If so, you may be eligible for VA disability for sleep apnea if you can show a nexus to your military service. Local Wounded Veterans Gifted with Opportunities to Go Fishing. 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. Newonset of debilitating fatigue severe enough to reduce daily activity to less than 50% of the usual level for at least six months. The blockage is believed to occur when the muscles in the back of the throat become overly relaxed. They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. 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. 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. 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. Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). Microsoft Word 2010; modified using iText 2.1.7 by 1T3XT If you are hurt at work, this is the firm you want on YOUR side. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. At VA Claims Insider, we help you understand and take control of the claims process, so you can get the rating and compensation youre owed by law. without his BI-PAP MACHINE,one up from CPAP,which i have. I read his information, submitted medical documents, receiveda Letter of Nexus or comments from a VA contractor doctor. I recd another denial (3rd) Jun 30, 2017. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. 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. That is how I suggest you handle this situation. If you use a CPAP machine, then this should warrant a 50% rating. Problems with sleep which include not being rested after sleep or difficulty staying and/or falling asleep. It's almost as much work - and it can often take as much dedication. The VA is also wary of the fact that sleep apnea may well have been a condition suffered by the veteran before their time in the military. VA denied it again (2nd) in late 2016 No treatment in service, VA totally ignoring evidence submitted. I spent nearly a yearresearching Veterans and their Sleep Apnea claims. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. FREE tips for veterans to stay protected, calm and informed Veterans Benefits Network-Sleep Apnea secondary to Service Connected Getting Veterans (VA) Disability for Sleep Apnea | CCK Law I think that far too many raters and BVA judges think of sleep apnea as made up medicine. If you get that, then you should be able to establish direct service connection and receive VA disability for sleep apnea. And that means you are going to have to think through your sleep apnea claim. Keep us posted Im eager to hear how it turns out! Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder, are not met. 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). As this represents a total grant . * The importance ofamedical expert opinion in your Sleep Apnea claim. Veterans Court reminds the VA: the BVA must adjudicate the logically related informal claim. Honestly, they are just saying it. hTOo0| <>stream How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! % Therefore, because the VA is particularly strict with claims regarding sleep apnea, it is highly recommended that you file your claim with as much evidence as you can obtain. Department of Veterans Affairs He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. I dont want you to think about the EASY path to proving Sleep Apnea is service connected. 1 0 obj I can teach you: * HOW toproveyour Sleep Apnea Claim for any ofthe 3 types of Sleep Apnea you have. New Rule allows Presumptive Service Connection for Veterans particulate matter (burn pit) claims. How to Hire an Attorney For Your VA Claim or Appeal. In this article, well help you understand the top 5 reasons OSA claims are deniedand even better, what to do about it if youve received a denial for your OSA claim. How to Service Connect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Broadly, its defined as the occurrence of five or more breathing-related events per hour, measured by polysomnography (sleep study). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Viet Nam Vet. . Not only does the VA provide compensation, but once you receive a service-connection for it, it provides a way to get other disabilities to service-connected. Many Veterans suffering from emotional distress overeat and lack the motivation to work out. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. OY&/Ov{"3 tz0{r F~2AhtAMR|ED8l .~h7564Ri;:4UY)')dXxrDWm 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. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This is described as being foggy by patients. =XG\b?pjbAp{SB~,L8G2*`'x;7i2uPC=Lo:ITXwKVm /! We can helpreach out so we can show you how. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! PDF UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS No. 18-0495 I am also service connected for chronic bronchitis with a rating of 0 %. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. injury case. Your airway narrows and closes, leading to pauses in the breathing cycle. The resulting reduction in sleep quality and in the bodys supply of oxygen can have serious consequences on health and quality of life. Sleep apnea comes in different forms, but the most common type with veterans is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Also see our post What is a Service-Connected Disability? 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. Scenario 2: The Veteran has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The VA has also given me a 0% disability for service connected IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis . These pauses can happen several times an hour when the apnea is severe. This is a great group of people who really care about your well being. If you have this condition, it causes the throat muscles to relax while sleeping. 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. Regulation Update: VA Ratings for Kidney Disease and Renal Dysfunction. Hot Dogs for Heroes 4th of July Event This Thursday! Your VA Sleep Apnea Claim, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). medical expert report or opinion may be crucial, rate your sleep apnea condition after granting Service Connection, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Worsening of symptoms while sitting upright or standing, known as Orthostatic Intolerance. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Finally, please remember that email may not be secure and may be subject to review by unwanted intruders. * WHERE to get the Lay Evidence that will give REAL POWER to your Sleep Apnea Claim. Once diagnosed the more difficult step is required, which is proving the service-connection for sleep apnea. Im 50% connected with PTSD and currently have an appeal in for 100% on PTSD. FREE tips for Veterans to stay Did the VA Benefit of the Doubt Rule just disappear? See R. at 8-9. Is Sleep Apnea a Disability? A Guide for Veterans *A good medical understanding of the unique CAUSE/ORIGIN (what doctors call etiology) of YOUR sleep apnea. Whats the VAs Problem with Sleep Apnea? Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Making the Sausage: Heres what you need to know about new VA Claims regulations. Veterans are assigned a 0, 30, 50, or 100 percent rating depending on the severity . 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. We share our top tips and a step-by-step guide to a successful claim for obstructive sleep apnea! See id. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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.