Sinusitis also affects the nose, throat, and head, much like sleep apnea. The severity of the sleep disorder directly impacts diabetes symptoms, they say. Therefore, veterans who are service connected for sleep apnea can become secondary service-connected for their GERD, and vice versa. The proposed changes incorporate medical advances that have occurred since the last review, update medical terminology, and clarify evaluation criteria Its vital the physician performing your exam gets a MET (metabolic equivalent of task) test done for ANY heart condition. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. All Rights Reserved. The most common symptom of cardiomyopathy is shortness of breath, but patients may also experience fatigue, chest pain, and lightheadedness. BUT, you must act now, and you must get a sleep The medical examination may seem like extra hard work but could qualify that veteran for additional monthly compensation. When a VA examination is scheduled, the claimant must cooperate by reporting for the examination. 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. If a veteran is service-connected for anxiety or depression, they may be able to receive secondary service connection for their sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the more common types of sleep apnea, which occurs when the upper airway repeatedly becomes blocked throughout the night. Asymptomatic sleep apnea would not be compensated under the tentative regulation. Trials such as SAVE (Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints), RICCADSA (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure [CPAP] Treatment in Coronary Artery Disease and Sleep Apnea), and CERCAS (Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on the Incidence of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Events in Nonsleepy Patients With These sleep disturbances can occur from tens to hundreds of times per night. Research from 2018 estimates that obstructive sleep apnea affects 34% of men and 17% of women in the general population but 40% of men and 60% of women with cardiovascular disease. Trisha Penrod is a former active-duty Air Force officer. In fact, did you know U.S. military veterans are nearly four times (4x) as likely to have or develop sleep apnea when compared to those who didnt serve in the military? This causes discomfort and inflammation. Like PTSD, other conditions rated as mental health conditions can be related to sleep apnea. If the veteran has previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but has not undergone a sleep study, VAwill notconsider that diagnosis enough evidence to verify eligibility for compensation. VA may deny a sleep apnea claim based on different aspects, whether theres not enough medical evidence of sleep apnea or perhaps no logical connection between your military service and your current sleep apnea. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. The apnea also called apneic episodes in sleep apnea refers to a breathing pause that lasts approximatley 10 seconds or more. You're not alone. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. If the VA grants service connection for both conditions, they will only assign whichever has the higher rating. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! You provide evidence of an in-service event, injury, disease, or aggravation. Your Sleep Apnea VA Rating A Guide to Getting a VA Disability Rating for Sleep Apnea, Top 10 Questions About Military Sexual Trauma (MST), A post shared by VA Claims Insider (@vaclaimsinsider). While it is often possible to control hypertension through lifestyle changes and medication, some people with hypertension also develop ischemic heart disease, which occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become blocked or narrowed. Veterans, in this post I list more than 40+ possible sleep apnea secondary conditions so veterans can win, service-connect, and rate your sleep apnea VA claim in less time. There are many conditions that have been linked to sleep apnea that veterans can receive benefits for through secondary service connection. Epub 2018 Apr 13. Additionally, GERD may contribute to sleep apnea, as acid in the esophagus can cause spasms in the vocal cords which may prompt sleep apnea. Current evidence has shown that OSA initiates and exacerbates coronary atherosclerosis and is closely related to poor outcomes in patients Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure by 140% and the risk of coronary heart disease by 30%. Prior to the exam, the examiner will review the veterans c-file so they are familiar with the veterans case. service connection: The first part can be satisfied with any Learn more about how VA Claims Insider can help you get the rating you DESERVE!Speak with a VA Disability expert and start for FREE! Recently, it has been widely accepted by the, According to theNational Sleep Foundation, insomnia is a chronic sleep disorder, characterized by complaints of unsatisfactory sleep, despite having ample opportunity to sleep. In this blog post, we will discuss how. Filing a claim for secondary service connection is largely the same as filing a claim for primary service connection. of hypertrophy or dilatation. If your VA rating is higher (30 - 100%), consider filing a claim. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Some of the following conditions can be secondary to sleep apnea, while others may be the primary condition to which sleep apnea is secondary. For instance, which pages you go to most. Similar to other heart conditions secondary to ischemic heart disease, the VA wont assign separate ratings. Medical evidence and documented medical records from a VAC&P exam will be necessary for the process of filing your claim and could even reveal other secondary conditions. After veterans file a claim for secondary service connection, VA may request that the veteran undergo a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. As such, veterans who are service connected for tinnitus may be eligible for secondary service connection for sleep apnea, and vice-versa. In addition to primary service connection for sleep apnea, veterans can receive secondary service connection for any conditions that were caused or aggravated by their already service-connected sleep apnea. Positive Airway Pressure Treatment and Depression in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease and Nonsleepy Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. The link between sleep apnea and PTSD is likely due to the fact that many factors which aggravate PTSD also aggravate sleep apnea. you viewed to avoid repetition. Physicians will treat sleep apnea depending on the type and severity of the condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing cardiomyopathies. Since that time, we have provided compassionate A polysomnogram at a sleep center might be preferred if you have heart or lung disease, risk factors for central sleep apnea or a history of other sleep disorders. Sleep Apnea as a Secondary VA Claim Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. The most common VA rating for Sleep Apnea is 50%, which requires the use of a breathing assistance device such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a persons breathing repeatedly starts and stops during sleep. Medical Nexus Letter from a qualified doctor. Sleep Apnea, Obesity, and Heart Disease Arrhythmias occur when the heart muscle cannot pump blood effectively, which can cause the heart to beat too fast or too slow. 5 Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea. The more severe the obstructive sleep apnea, the greater the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure and strokes. The rating criteria are as follows: 60% diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more During a C&P exam for sleep apnea, you will be asked questions about your condition and how it affects your day-to-day life. Gasping For Air. In addition to being a secondary condition to ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias can also be caused by other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. 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. 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. They are a leading cause of heart failure and death worldwide and are one of the common secondary conditions in veterans with ischemic heart disease. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 2 3 The main known risk factors for OSA are obesity, male gender, high age, increased neck The inability to get the kind of restful sleep necessary for optimal health can affect a veterans ability to effectively secure and maintain gainful employment, which is often the case with sleep apnea. Youll want to explain to the C&P examiner HOW your Sleep Apnea condition is limiting or affecting your work, life, and social functioning. Many veterans suffer from various sleep conditions due to their military service, to include Sleep Apneaa sleep disorder whereby breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep (apneic episodes). The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Since sleep apnea can correlate with conditions like heart disease and obesity, its important to seek treatment options. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. R. at 7. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including heart rhythm disorders, lung damage, and kidney failure. A 50% rating would be given if treatment was ineffective or you were unable to use therapies due to another condition. As such, veterans can establish secondary service connection for hypothyroidism relating to sleep apnea. Many veterans attempt to service-connect sleep apnea as a primary disability condition and cant seem to figure our why the VA keeps denying your sleep apnea claim. The lungs arent getting fresh air. Note: Millions of Philips CPAP Machines have been recalled due to toxic chemical seeping into mask and unknowingly being inhaled by sleep apnea patients. I am service connected for severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is called a split-night sleep study. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help. Earlier studies estimated the prevalence of OSA in heart failure with reduced EF to be 12-15%, while the prevalence of central sleep apnea (CSA) was between 37-38%. You might also like the following Blog posts about Sleep Apnea: #2. A medical nexus (i.e., link) between their sleep apnea and the in-service event, injury, or illness. But, maybe theres a better way to We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! During an evaluation for sleep apnea, a doctor may ask some of the following questions: During the exam, the doctor may also take into consideration your weight, neck circumference, or blood pressure (all which could put you at higher risk for sleep apnea). Some experts believe that hypertension may contribute to ischemic heart disease, but the exact relationship between the two conditions is unclear. Asymptomatic sleep apnea would not be compensated under the tentative regulation. Finally, a 100% rating is available when sleep apnea is so severe that it involves organ damage. There is no evidence in the veterans service treatment records of any sleep When the heart doesnt get enough oxygen-rich blood, it can cause the muscles in the airway to relax, leading to obstruction and sleep apnea. WebAccording to Jeremy Tietjens, MD, a clinical fellow at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, sleep apnea is associated with a variety of cardiovascular conditions and outcomes, but the strongest associations are with high blood pressure, arrhythmias (especially atrial fibrillation), and heart failure. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Loud Snoring. These machines create airway pressure to help the individual breathe throughout the night. If the VA grants service connection for both conditions, they will only assign whichever condition has the higher rating. Because of this close relationship between ischemic heart disease and heart failure, its important for anyone diagnosed with one of these conditions to be closely monitored by a cardiologist. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. High Blood Pressure Secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What Veterans Should Know Are you suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and hypertension? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Symptoms of GERD include: Veterans who suffer fromsleep apneamay find that the condition aggravates or causes GERD. WebAfter first reading these examples, the obvious answer is that the private examiners opinion in VA sleep apnea claim #2 was what made the difference. When someone has sleep apnea, their body doesnt get the oxygen it needs. The obvious answer is the wrong answer. Cardiomyopathies can be caused by various factors, including genetic predisposition, viruses, toxins, and medications. Believe it or not, buddy statements can be helpful in proving sleep apnea claims if you can find vets who you served with and heard you snoring, or can talk about the issues that led to the sleep apnea. However, in February 2022, VA proposed changes that would reclassify sleep apnea ratings to 0 percent, 10 percent, 30 percent, or 50 percent, with 100 percent for sleep apnea seeming even harder to qualify for. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. study. 2018 Jun;15 (6):4771-4776. doi: 10.3892/etm.2018.6070. Do Heart Stents Qualify for VA Disability Benefits? These exams are usually performed by a VA examiner or a VA-contracted third-party medical professional. 26,27 More recent studies have found an even higher prevalence of both CSA and OSA in heart failure patients. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Do I Need a Spousal Letter to Support My Sleep Apnea VA Claim? This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. These cookies do not store any personal information. Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. I've read that these can be rated secondary to OSA. The second part can be satisfied with a Get a Free Case Evaluation, The Link between Sleep Apnea and Hypertension, VA Disability Ratings for Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances, Sleep Apnea Secondary Connection to PTSD VA Disability, Other Medical Conditions Sleep Apnea is Connected With, VA Proposes Changes to Sleep Apnea Ratings, Common Sleep Apnea and Sleep Problems Symptoms in Veterans, VA CPAP Machines for Sleep Apnea Treatment, Establishing Service Connection For Sleep Apnea, C&P Exam for Sleep Apnea and Sleep Studies. Good news, there is a better way and theres a laundry list of possible sleep apnea secondary conditions. Well help you gather the evidence and documentation you need to have the best chance of winning your claim. diagnosis and sleep study occurred years AFTER leaving active duty). A CPAP machine delivers air pressure, which is greater than the surrounding air, through a mask while the veteran is sleeping. By understanding the VA secondary conditions associated with ischemic heart disease, veterans can take steps to prevent further complications and improve their overall health. This VA dependents Today, Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider reveals the Top 8 VA Benefits for Surviving Spouse this year. However, sometimes a VA C&P examiner (such as a Nurse Practitioner) will call you on the telephone and conduct an Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) exam review of your Sleep Apnea claim. #3. #2: It crosses the uvula that dangling thing in the back of your throat. A 60% rating is given if an MET test causes symptoms (like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, arrhythmia, or fainting) at 3.1 to 5.0 METs. I am service connected for severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Several studies have shown an increased risk of ischemic heart disease among veterans exposed to Agent Orange. It can cause a Heart Attack, the most common type of valvular heart disease. There is growing evidence that sleep apnea may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Call Us for a Free Evaluation (888) 573-7838. . Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. CPAP treatment may reduce the risk of cardiac events, indicate some data. This study will serve as medical evidence for the veterans case and can help to prove the medical condition or medical conditions that go into a total rating. A C&P exam and a sleep apnea diagnosis are crucial to qualifying for the upper tiers of compensation. Because the medical research is slim to You might also like the following Sleep Apnea Blog posts: Top 3 Most Common VA Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions, List of 40+ Possible Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions. The DBQ allows an examiner at a C&P exam to check boxes next to descriptions that best express how your sleep apnea is affecting you. In this post we'll explore how to get a service connected VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea secondary to Anxiety, even if you've already filed, been denied, or gave up. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Specifically, VA uses 38 CFR 4.104 Schedule of Ratings, Cardiovascular System, Diagnostic Code 7101. Need an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) to help service-connect your sleep apnea VA claim? Epidemiological research indicates that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increases in the incidence and progression of coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. Sometimes, certain lifestyle changes can help to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. prove that there is a service connection. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. Below is a non-exhaustive list of common conditions linked to sleep apnea: Asthma is a condition that affects a persons airways and makes it difficult for them to breathe. Once your condition has been approved, you will be able to receive compensation based on the severity of your disability. Maybe youve gained a significant amount of weight due to your other service connected disabilities, which has limited your ability to walk, run, or workout, and this is the interim link to secondary service connection due to weight gain (obesity). A stress test is important in diagnosing and managing ischemic heart disease. A polysomnogram is a sleep study in which medical devices are used to monitor a persons breathing, heart rate, and the electrical activity of their brain waves while they sleep. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? VA rates hypertension the same whether service connection is established directly, presumptively, or secondarily due to sleep apnea. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. If a veteran does not attend the exam, their claim can be denied. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. You have a nexus (or link) between #1 and #2 via competent medical evidence, such as a Nexus Letter. I have diagnoses post-service for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 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. The apparent variation in susceptibility to sleepiness, cognitive deficits, and cardiovascular disease for any given apnea-hypopnea index level suggests a need to develop improved measurements of disease and to To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. This can range from CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and others. Repeated surges in blood pressure levels can damage the lining of the blood vessels, and sleep disturbances can also raise levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and other blood fats. Service connection links your present disability and your active military service. Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine, Compensation and Pension Exams for Secondary Service Connection, Common Secondary Conditions to Sleep Apnea, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Secondary to Sleep Apnea, Mental Health Conditions Secondary to Sleep Apnea, Secondary Service Connection & Aggravation, VA Disability Benefits for Secondary Conditions to Depression, VA Disability Ratings for Sleep Disorders, How to WIN Your Sleep Apnea VA Disability Claim, Hypersomnolence, or excessive daytime sleepiness. What Are the Different VA Heart Condition Ratings? The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Over time, hypertension can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. 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). medical diagnosis of sleep apnea while on active duty and you never did a sleep Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is too high. 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. To receive benefits, you will need to file a claim and get service-connected for it. Arrhythmias are a common symptom of ischemic heart disease and can often be a sign that the condition is progressing. If youre a veteran with ischemic heart disease and struggling to get the rating you deserve, the expert coaches at VA Claims Insider can help you file for a VA rating. are still among the most common treatments. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Join our premier education-based membership program, VA Claims Insider Elite, connect with an expert-level Veteran Coach (VC) within minutes, and finally get the rating you deserve. People with ischemic heart disease are at an increased risk for developing valvular heart disease, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms and get regular checkups.As mentioned previously with other heart conditions; although valvular heart disease can be filed secondary to IHD, the VA will not assign separate ratings. Approximately 34% and 17% of middle-aged men and women, respectively, meet the diagnostic criteria for OSA. The second part can be satisfied with a veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. While some individuals with breathing disorders may show improvement from lifestyle changes, breathing assistance devices such as CPAP machines (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), BiPap machines, etc. It can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Why? Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim You would need a diagnosis and a medical nexus letter that will link your condition to your service or service-connected disability. Systolic CHF: Systolic CHF occurs when the left ventricle is unable to contract with enough force to circulate blood properly. As such, a veteran with anxiety and depression faces a higher risk of sleep apnea. 1 Adults with OSA not only have an increased risk of developing comorbid CVD but also have worse outcomes related to CVD. In some cases, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators may be recommended to help prevent sudden cardiac death. For now, these ratings are merely a proposal so stay tuned to this page while we update. Some conditions that can be secondary to sleep apnea may include but are not limited to: If you have a service-connected condition that you believe is causing your sleep apnea, it may be a good idea to start to talk to your doctors about it. To have a diagnosis for a secondary condition to sleep apnea; and. Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects about22 million people nationwide. Headache. You're not alone. People with untreated sleep apnea are twice as likely to have a heart attack compared Continuous medication is required for control. Common examples of PTSD symptoms include the following: Researchshows that veterans with PTSD have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. It can lead to a heart attack; over time, it can weaken the heart muscle and cause it to pump less efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other body parts, resulting in heart failures characteristic symptoms. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Sleep apnea is associated with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, coronary artery disease and cardiovascular mortality.
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