service connection for sleep apnea is granted

medical expert report or opinion may be crucial, rate your sleep apnea condition after granting Service Connection, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). This will confirm a medical diagnosis and current symptoms, especially if theyve become more severe over time. Below is the schedule for rating . put your Sleep Apnea Claim together right. 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! * WHERE to get the Lay Evidence that will give REAL POWER to your Sleep Apnea Claim. My next stop is going to be BVA, hopefully I dont have to go there without taking another bite at the DRO processes. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 The resulting reduction in sleep quality and in the bodys supply of oxygen can have serious consequences on health and quality of life. Perhaps theyll have to spenda night with someone that suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, hear the suffocating snoring, experience the fear that the person will stop breathing altogether, they will continue to not take seriously claims for sleep apnea. The third part can be satisfied with a nexus Letter from a qualified medical professional, as noted above. Just had C& P exam for 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. Check out the Sleep Apnea Field Manual. Most of the time, a person just deals with it for many years until they eventually go to a doctor and undergo testing. 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. Both sinusitis and rhinitis are linked to sleep apnea. This is described as being foggy by patients. Thanks to additions to the VA presumptive list, you may be able to presumptively service-connect rhinitis, sinusitis, rhinosinusitis or asthma if you served in particular theaters during specified time periods. Keep us posted Im eager to hear how it turns out! This is where I come in. Many Veterans suffering from emotional distress overeat and lack the motivation to work out. In a study of veterans, PTSD symptom severity increased the risk of screening positive for OSA. I talked to hundreds of Veterans and read their C-Files to see where they went wrong. lh20EnM.svSI}][PFkaq-h;qm,=4b~7d #XEBJkb8_]3VL ,zYvA "FJh=2b6`E\ouXj/'|fg * Can Agent Orange cause Sleep Apnea? If you or a loved one suffers from CFS do not be afraid to report symptoms to your doctor. Need help claiming this crucial part of your claim? There is no cure for Chronic Fatigue syndrome but medications can be prescribed to help with depression along with physical therapy. Were Veterans, just like you, whove learned how to navigate within the VA system. Were here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Your VA Sleep Apnea Claim, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). 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). Theres so much information, so many Veterans, and so much delay that it sometimes feels like this battle will never end. I believe the two are connected. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Broadly, it's defined as the occurrence of five or more breathing-related "events" per hour, measured by polysomnography (sleep study). Even if yours is obstructive sleep apnea like we discussed here, there are still other ways to service connection other than proving you had sleep apnea in service. If so, you may be eligible for VA disability for sleep apnea if you can show a nexus to your military service. A sleep study is critical to confirming whether you meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for sleep apnea. IN THE APPEAL OF . Service Connection for Sleep Apnea and Sinusitis To file any claim for VA disability benefits, veterans will generally first need to become service connected. 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. Digestion issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). 2020 Strategic Veteran All Rights Reserved. Regulation Update: VA Ratings for Kidney Disease and Renal Dysfunction. 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. VA denied it again (2nd) in late 2016 No treatment in service, VA totally ignoring evidence submitted. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Proving Service-Connection for Sleep Apnea. 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 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. What about PTSD? Chills and night sweats as well as low-grade fevers. Winning a VA claim to service connect sleep apnea is hard. Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation theyre due. Tender lymph nodes usually in the neck and underarms. 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? 38 0 obj <> endobj 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. In our opinion, the only time a veteran should pursue direct service connection for sleep apnea is if you had a sleep study performed while on active duty, which confirmed the presence of a sleep apnea condition (medically diagnosed) during active-duty service. (In many cases, amedical expert report or opinion may be crucial to success). You're not alone. I recd another denial (3rd) Jun 30, 2017. The independent opinion of a private medical professional can also influence the C&P examiners medical opinion, as well as the VA rating officials final disability decision. Your airway narrows and closes, leading to pauses in the breathing cycle. See our article Burn Pit Presumptive Conditions. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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. VA claim for sleep apnea denied? Hence, the weight gain. yet assertive representation for our clients. Scenario 4: The Veteran has one or more conditions service-connected, and is claiming that those conditions CAUSED the sleep apnea. I was diagnosed with OSA 10 years after separation. * 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. It's almost as much work - and it can often take as much dedication. I can teach you how to do that. Do You Owe Your Severance Pay Back to the VA? Whats the VAs Problem with Sleep Apnea? This means they make their claim without providing much proof. My claim was approved first time submitting. 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. YEP!!! The information contained on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Those are the ingredients. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. Once you are clear on the type of apnea, you should talk with your doctor further about what he or she thinks is the primary cause for it. I have a diagnosis and a CPAPwhy arent they granting my claim?. 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, Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect between 2-9% of adults (about 15 million Americans) but is believed to be frequently undiagnosed. hbbd```b``"A$,^&d4dZ0;LI`2A`6H9!`qF' 0 I haven't met anybody, who's been in the military, who's worked with the VA who couldn't benefit from this service. If I accomplish one thing in this post, it is to change the way thatyouthink about yourVA Disability Claim for sleep apnea. The second part can be satisfied with your existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. Lesson #2: Sleep Apnea is affectinga LOTof Veterans. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the course of sleep. We see that quite often with sleep apnea claims. 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. This is because sleep apnea is abnormally difficult to prove as a disability that is service-connected. The rate was a staggering 22%. Symptoms of CFS include thinking and memory issues, orthostatic intolerance such as dizziness, weakness, fainting when upright, and much more. In fact, winning your VA sleep apnea claim can feel like you just led your team to victory in the World Cup. 7 0 obj Your VA rating for chronic fatigue syndrome will be higher the worse, or more severe, your symptoms are. If you need a lawyer, fill out a contact form at the law firm of Attig Steel: https://www.attigsteel.com/contact-us/. My emphysema is connected. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. ZB{hp!=Uds~$?4Af%E)L:va4Hc_?qaH }q?OFI>4 7Q3 Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Proving Sleep Apnea is Service Connected its the one thing I hear more about from Veterans than any other topic. Elizabeth M. Walsh appeals the Board's denial of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. Dear Mr Attig: 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. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! =XG\b?pjbAp{SB~,L8G2*`'x;7i2uPC=Lo:ITXwKVm /! ,144x{,}T=7#|lk0s @0\0N Z,;QkH|L[, Template for processing Decision or Remand. b4RmeCF$ZelpKT+ise$._DSah#Yxm CPGtef%gMvHPMO_'QXfk3xk9R-bxUqJ4rzWhixgi7-]ng)T2i:P z"/oCw.8{N A\c\FOl>jlh@7p How to Connect Sleep Apnea to Military Service. Sounds easy enough, right? I dont want you to think about the EASY path to proving Sleep Apnea is service connected. See you on the inside! 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. To prove that sleep apnea is service connected,the smart Veteran isgoing to have to connect the dots for them. As youve seen, claims for obstructive sleep apnea can be trickyyet important to pursue if youre suffering from this disability, so you can get the benefits you deserve and care you need. With lay evidence AND medical evidence. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Give us a call at 800-477-9027 to see if we can help you. Perkins Studdard LLC makes no representation that it can obtain the same results as reported in cases on this web site in other legal matters. UNFORTUNATELY HE DIED.! * How the VA willrate your sleep apnea condition after granting Service Connection. Its no secret, I have written THE book onhow to file a VAdisability claim for sleep apnea. You can lose your arms and legs and still survive. Favorable BVA Case Law Precedent Example #2: 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. Chris, thank you for the posts and training videos you are providing to veterans. Regulation Update: VA Ratings for Kidney Disease and Renal Dysfunction. Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can have a huge impact on a persons life and those around them. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Your email address will not be published. Viet Nam Vet. Since there is no cure for CFS the treatment focuses on relief of the symptoms. Many conditions that are service related can cause obesity, like diabetes (and diabetes medications), depression, and injuries that result in lack of mobility. (6.[,P)BLd?8e:}]eS8Sx| XvKdEP,Zbl65k8 x!KSToHjbrC. The VA uses two options for rating most sleep apnea claims. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Sometimes claims are appealed and remanded several times, which can cause a claim to drag on for years. VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. Service connection on a secondary basis requires evidence of aggravation or causation.This requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately due to or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. Once diagnosed the more difficult step is required, which is proving the service-connection for sleep apnea. FREE tips for Veterans to stay Therefore you should be well prepared before submitting your claim. 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. OSA is a common denial veterans receive when pursuing a VA claim, but it doesnt have to beif you understand the condition and what your claim must include in order to be successful. This may be 20 or 30 years after the problems started. *To prove your Sleep Apnea is service connected without a sleep study in the military? Jessica Rodriguez, Claims Advocate Updated: June 27, 2020. You will need strong lay evidence that establishes what symptoms you were having in service loud snoring, apneas (stopped breathing) followed by gasps for oxygen, dry mouth upon waking, daytime fatigue, etc. Without a CPAP machine, the VA assigns a 30% rating. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. I got a 50% rating. And I found that MOST Veterans with Sleep Apnea claims and appealsfit into 1 of 4 common scenarios. This type of sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. To find the definitive guide for service-connection for sleep apnea, check it out here. I absolutely agree I think that Mr. Harris was way out of line, and was not educated about the issue he was commenting on. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. The first requirement which must be met to satisfy the VA is a sleep study. about the threat of COVID-19 There are 3 ways to get it: Chris, document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In September 1978, she was granted service connection for bilateral chondromalacia, a breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint that causes pain when bones . You do not have to be prescribed a CPAP machine to be service-connected for sleep apnea. I can teach you: * HOW toproveyour Sleep Apnea Claim for any ofthe 3 types of Sleep Apnea you have. I am also service connected for chronic bronchitis with a rating of 0 %. 4 Common Scenariosfor Proving Sleep Apnea is Service Connected. 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. I talked to several doctors and sleep experts. I want you to think about the BEST path to proving that sleep apnea is service connected, and the BESTway to get the VA sleep apnea disability rating you are entitled to. What Is The Least Dangerous Animal On The Planet, Showit Templates For Consultants, Articles S