service connection for sleep apnea is granted

aggravated beyond its natural progression by another service-connected condition (for secondary service connection). Tender lymph nodes usually in the neck and underarms. 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. Many civilian doctors have NO CLUE what a Nexus letter is or the importance of it! CFS is also known asSystemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID)and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is characterized by extreme fatigue without explanation from any other underlying condition. Board of Veterans Appeals Theres lots of literature available to back it up. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 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. Symptoms of CFS include thinking and memory issues, orthostatic intolerance such as dizziness, weakness, fainting when upright, and much more. Give us a call at 800-477-9027 to see if we can help you. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. Was your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) VA claim denied? I learned that to win your Sleep Apnea claim, you are going to have to put your Sleep Apnea Claim together right. Ask your private doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist in your area (a good option if you have private health insurance). * SeveralDesert Storm, OIF, and OEF Clients have hadTraumatic Brain Injuries whichinterfere with how their Nervous System works, and as a result, have a different kind of Sleep Apnea (oversimplified, where the brains signals to breathe dont make it through to the lungs). This is described as being foggy by patients. If I accomplish one thing in this post, it is to change the way thatyouthink about yourVA Disability Claim for sleep apnea. caused or made worse by your active duty military service OR. Youre welcome, Sam! If you need a lawyer, fill out a contact form at the law firm of Attig Steel: https://www.attigsteel.com/contact-us/. Do you have questions about how to service connect sleep apnea claims? * A 5-Star medical opinion, resting on 5-Star Lay and Medical Evidence, that demonstrates HOW your Sleep Apnea is related to military service. Heck, I get an email or more a day from a Veteran that says this: My Sleep Apnea claimwas not granted. With lay evidence AND medical evidence. We offer free resources and expertise to empower all Veterans. It only took three months. Youre arent alone. Then, watch this video of a former C&P examiner revealing her tips for getting your sleep apnea service-connected! Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. This is because sleep apnea is abnormally difficult to prove as a disability that is service-connected. Elizabeth M. Walsh appeals the Board's denial of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea. Hence, the weight gain. I can teach you how to do that. endobj hb```f``rb`a`} @ odoF@z&I*B{!C*!H12*0`$I +Nw`ubL6iF bICg!|F % Required fields are marked *. The problem is that many disabilities that arise in service are not actually diagnosed in service. 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. Most of the time, a person just deals with it for many years until they eventually go to a doctor and undergo testing. We share our top tips and a step-by-step guide to a successful claim for obstructive 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? Without a CPAP machine, the VA assigns a 30% rating. I recommend Perkins Law Firm. LIFETIME Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, Quarterly Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog, Annual Subscription to the Veterans Law Blog. When filing a VAclaim for CFS, the Department of Veterans Affairs has to see the onset of this fatigue is severe enough to reduce your routine daily activities to less than 50%, your medical history, and several symptoms that indicate CFS. Your email address will not be published. Digestion issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). This is where I come in. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Did the VA Benefit of the Doubt Rule just disappear? * Can I service connect sleep apnea without a sleep study in service? 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. Were Veterans helping Veterans Worldwide, and since 2016 weve helped 10,000+ Veterans just like you INCREASE their VA disability rating! Battle of DUAL-EXPERTS Chris, you called it!!! 8 0 obj 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. 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. If youre experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, and suspect your sleep apnea arose from your time on active duty (or was or aggravated by a currently service-connected disability), you should consider seeking a diagnosis and pursuing compensation for this disability. Since there is no cure for CFS the treatment focuses on relief of the symptoms. I only have 50 days to file NOD, or file a BVA appeal within 1 year. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Newonset of debilitating fatigue severe enough to reduce daily activity to less than 50% of the usual level for at least six months. This is in order to be officially diagnosed. Here are the ingredients to a properlydeveloped claim for sleep apnea: *A solid foundation of Lay and Medical Evidence showing when sleep apnea first began to present in the Veterans life. There are 3 ways to get it: Chris, In the U.S. it has been acknowledged that more education needs to be provided to doctors and nurses to give them the skills to detect CFS sooner for the well being of the patient. Your voice is important especially when it comes to your own health care. 2017-05-30T18:09:36-04:00 Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most noticeable signal for those who live alone. A credible nexus letter fulfills one of the requirements for secondary service connection for sleep apnea: medical nexus evidence establishing a connection between the service-connected disability and the current disability (sleep apnea). Its almost as much work and it can often take as much dedication. You're not alone. If you would like a free consultation with our Perkins Studdard veterans disability attorneys just click here or give us a call to begin the process. Veterans whoare looking for the easy way to get sleep apnea service-connected will not find it in my opinion, there is no such thing. See our tips on how to obtain a credible nexus letter. The third part can be satisfied with a nexus Letter from a qualified medical professional, as noted above. In the article you quoted, Mr Harrison said, Sleep apnea is not a combat injury, especially if its caused by obesity.. If you need assistance in appealing your claim for CFS,let us know here! 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. The cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is unknown; however, there are a few theories as to what may cause this condition. Service-Connected Sleep Apnea VA Claim | Strategic Veteran 38 0 obj <> endobj The same can be said about service-connected mental health conditions. If you are lucky, you start breathing again. My emphysema is connected. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Were here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. Even if youve had a sleep study before, its important to get one done within the 12 months prior to your VA claim. 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. They think of Sleep Apnea as a disease of the obese, and then they tell them one of the big Fairy Tales about VA Claims. Do I Need a CPAP Machine to be Service-Connected? Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Your airway narrows and closes, leading to pauses in the breathing cycle. 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. Even if youve been denied before, its not too late! Local Wounded Veterans Gifted with Opportunities to Go Fishing. Your VA Sleep Apnea Claim, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). 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. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. I talked to several doctors and sleep experts. This type of sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. uuid:9ecae647-b430-492b-9ebf-3254b1d19b42 Those are the ingredients. 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. 201 Bankhead Highway, Carrollton GA 30117770-285-1198. I awake countless time at night due to this. I understand you want your VA claim to be done as quickly as possible. If you are already service-connected for your knees or your back, you are likely not as active as you once were. However, there are more causes of Cardiomegaly than sleep apnea, so you will want a doctors medical opinoino as to whether your Cardiomegaly is related to a chronic sleep breathing disorder, or has some other origin. * What if it wasnt diagnosed until years after service can I service connect it then? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. How to Hire an Attorney For Your VA Claim or Appeal. Weve supported more than 15,000 veterans to win their claims and increase their ratings. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. 2023-03-04T21:20:56-05:00 Jessica Rodriguez, Claims Advocate Updated: June 27, 2020. I read hundreds, if not thousands, of Veterans C-Files, BVA Decisions and Veterans Court Decisions. Making the Sausage: Heres what you need to know about new VA Claims regulations. I talked to several doctors about the causes and limitations of sleep apnea. Check out the Sleep Apnea Field Manual. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Keep us posted Im eager to hear how it turns out! Winning a VA claim to service connect sleep apnea is hard. See you on the inside! Anxiety and depression can interfere with sleep patterns. Cardiomegaly enlargement of the heart makes me thing of a damage resulting from a chronic sleep apnea condition. After that knee replacement, he could no longer lift weights;thesudden weight gain the resulted caused his obstructive sleep apnea. I want you to think about the BEST Path to proving Sleep Apnea is Service Connected. 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. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Theres so much information, so many Veterans, and so much delay that it sometimes feels like this battle will never end. sleep apnea is not the kind of disability associated with a wounded warrior. Chris, thank you for the posts and training videos you are providing to veterans. VADisability Benefits for Chronic Fatigue, Fatigue not relieved by sleep or bed rest which was not always present throughout life. PTSD can cause insulin resistance (fasting Blood sugar results above 100 prove you have insulin resistance) and insulin resistance causes sleep apnea. Physical therapy can be given to help maintain and improve mobility. 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. 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. However, this has been thoroughly disproven. Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect between 2-9% of adults (about 15 million Americans) but is believed to be frequently undiagnosed. VA Disability for Sleep Apnea: Proving Service Connection I have had cardiomegly X-rays while on active duty. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Chills and night sweats as well as low-grade fevers. Broadly, it's defined as the occurrence of five or more breathing-related "events" per hour, measured by polysomnography (sleep study). They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. Making the Sausage: Heres what you need to know about new VA Claims regulations. If you are interested in avoiding unnecessary delay in your claim and want to do everything you can to maximize your chances of success, it is probably a good idea for you to consult with an accredited veterans disability attorney. VA Service Connected Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, & More | Berry Law . San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. 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. 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. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 Unfortunately, VA does not always apply the law correctly. 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. 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. Of those who suffer from CFS, approximately one out of four will become bedridden or housebound for periods of theirillness. Jason Perkins, was my lawyer in a workers comp. Yi-bR :z>r6iFR 4 Lessons You Need to Learn to Service Connect Sleep Apnea. VAs expert indicated the RISK-FACTORS of my SP was a results of what he had listed. All Rights Reserved. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. A Guide to VA Ratings for Sleep Apnea - Hill & Ponton, P.A. This may cause dizziness, weakness, fainting while standing or sitting, as well as vision becoming blurry or seeing spots. 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. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. 7 0 obj While its not really hard to prove service-connection of your sleep apnea, its most certainly not easy: you are going to have to put in some work. Veterans are assigned a 0, 30, 50, or 100 percent rating depending on the severity . 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. However, if you use one, it does provide you with a higher rating. .{}p/=jyWG0j#kdLl%*~ P5O1A S-<9o2xmBV1 G(7H^1rnWI\8@I8w 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. However, most of the time, sleep apnea is a secondary claim. I dont want you to think about the EASY path to proving Sleep Apnea is service connected. 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. The first requirement which must be met to satisfy the VA is a sleep study. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 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. High blood pressure or hypertension can be easily developed due to stress acquired in active duty.

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