It is much more VA Rating for Sleep Apnea Common Symptoms in Veterans, Sleep Apnea and Secondary Service Connection, Sleep Apnea VA Claim SECRETS *LIVE* with VA Claims Insider. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! 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. Although it can happen to anyone, it is more common in people who are overweight, have large tonsils, or have certain medical conditions. Is it difficult to stay awake performing tasks like driving, reading or watching TV? You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy, Requires use of breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine, Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing, Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep (usually observed by your spouse or partner), Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia), Excessive daytime tiredness (hypersomnia). #2: It crosses the uvula that dangling thing in the back of your throat. A veterans final VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea depends upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms, meaning, the more severe your symptoms, the higher the VA rating for Sleep Apnea. Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with sleep apnea? These machines create airway pressure to help the individual breathe throughout the night. Sleep Apnea Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions: How to Service Arrhythmias are a common symptom of ischemic heart disease and can often be a sign that the condition is progressing. Sleep Apnea VA Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is too high. This sleep-disordered breathing leads to poor sleep quality and is a risk factor for the poor quality of life. Yes, Sleep Apnea is a VA disability and its rated under diagnostic code 6847, Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed). Filing a claim for secondary service connection is largely the same as filing a claim for primary service connection. 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. 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. Sleep Apnea as a Secondary VA Claim Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. Disability terminology chart. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. The second part can be satisfied with a High Blood Pressure Secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What Veterans Should Know Are you suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and hypertension? In order to establish direct service connection for sleep apnea, a claimant must show that they have: A veteran can also establish service connection for sleep apnea on asecondarybasis. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Exploring the Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease. VA Disability Ratings for Hypertension and Sleep Apnea Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. Sleep Apnea While we still have our home base in Florida, Diabetes Mellitus and Obstructive Sleep Apnea If the VA grants service connection for both conditions, they will only assign whichever has the higher rating. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine puts it simply. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. The second part can be satisfied with a veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Although heart failure can be filed secondary to IHD, the VA wont assign separate ratings. Symptoms of sinusitis often include: Chronic sinusitis can also cause nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, and recurring respiratory tract infections. Obstructive sleep apnea, which is the most common type of sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and fail to keep the upper airway open, which prevents you from breathing properly. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a persons breathing is interrupted during sleep. 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. All Rights Reserved. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. This means that a veteran has an already service-connected disability that caused the veteran to have sleep apnea. Examples of chronic disease include: arthritis, diabetes or hypertension. Sleep apnea is sleep disorder that affects a persons breathing during the course of the night. Dry Mouth. These changes may lead to clogged arteries and poor heart muscle function. Heart disease is a general term used to describe various heart conditions. are still among the most common treatments. There is growing evidence that sleep apnea may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Contact Us I have diagnoses post-service for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. 5 Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea. With asthma, the airways narrow and produce extra mucus. The VA assigns the following ratings for veterans based on the severity of their sleep apnea: PTSD, Hypertension, Asthma, Cardiovascular Conditions, Type II Diabetes, Mental Health Conditions, Respiratory Conditions, Alzheimers disease. When the throat muscles are weakened due to asthma, there is a greater likelihood for the throat to collapse and create an obstruction of the airway. Diastolic CHF: Diastolic CHF occurs when the heart muscle becomes stiff. How does sleep apnea affect the heart Veterans may also receive secondary service connection for anxiety and depression if they are already service-connected for sleep apnea. While arrhythmias can be serious, most people with the condition can manage their symptoms and live long, healthy lives. As a part of the VAs duty to assist veterans in obtaining evidence to help prove their claim, the VA has a duty to assist veterans in scheduling the examination for a sleep study and helping them realize the VA disability claim that they are entitled to. Because you didnt go to the doctor enough while WebVA regional office denied the claims and she appealed. #1: Air is pulled in through the nasal passages. Is Hypertension Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease? Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? However there are several rules that must be followed in order for this to occur: If the VA does propose a reduction of rating, then the veteran can submit an argument against it. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Additionally, sleep apnea may worsen existing coronary artery disease. How do I prove VA disability for sleep apnea? Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling, Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu, Re-experiencing the trauma through recurrent memories, flashbacks, and nightmares, Avoidance of people, places, and activities that are reminders of the trauma, Increased arousal such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating, Difficulty maintaining relationships with others, Thick, discolored discharge from the nose, Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage), Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose, Pain, tenderness, and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead. Evidence (echocardiogram, multigated acquisition scan, MRI, etc.) This is likely due to a variety of factors related to service, such as exposure to noise, possibility of traumatic brain injury, and exposure to explosive devices like IEDs. In order to determine whether you should be referred for a sleep study, a doctor will first perform a physical exam, ask about symptoms, and collect your personal and family history. Secret hack: You can also order a sleep study Two disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and diabetes would seem to have no connection at all however the data can be surprising. Sleep Apnea in Cardiovascular Patients For example, maybe your Sleep Apnea so severe, that you have difficulty working and lose productivity throughout the day due to frequent napping. The VA will usually order a sleep study to be performed in order to confirm a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. This could be because both asthma and sleep apnea affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War are at an increased risk for developing ischemic heart disease, and many receive disability benefits as a result. you were on active duty, and furthermore, you probably didnt even know what A medical nexus (i.e., link) between their sleep apnea and the in-service event, injury, or illness. The VA assigns a disability rating to each condition based on the severity of the condition and its effects on the veterans ability to work and live a normal life. 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. Bringing someone with you to the appointment may also be useful. 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! *Cases of left-sided CHF can be further classified into one of two sub-types, characterized by the manner in which the ventricle is affected: This guide is intended to provide an overview of the most common conditions secondary to ischemic heart disease. A 30% rating is given if there is one or more of the following: A 10% rating is given if there is one or more of the following: Ischemic heart disease is a serious condition, and it can have a significant impact on a veterans quality of life. It can cause a Heart Attack, the most common type of valvular heart disease. You're not alone. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Like my comments toward the beginning of this Research has found that veterans who have chronic tinnitus also prevalently experience sleep apnea. Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), Medical Nexus Letter, aka, Independent Medical Opinion (IMO). 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. As such, veterans can establish secondary service connection for hypothyroidism relating to sleep apnea. R. at 7. Prec. Studies have shown that war veterans exhibiting these symptoms tend to have increased frequency and length of apneic events that can be proven by a medical professional. As such, a veteran with anxiety and depression faces a higher risk of sleep apnea. 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). People with sleep apnea are more likely to have coronary artery disease than those without sleep apnea. 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. To receive benefits, you must first prove that there is a service connection. If your VA rating is higher (30 - 100%), consider filing a claim. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, causing a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other tissues. Prior to the exam, the examiner will review the veterans c-file so they are familiar with the veterans case. Does Sleep Apnea Cause Coronary Artery Disease? 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. As such, veterans who are service-connected for PTSD are eligible for secondary service connection for their sleep apnea. 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. Trying to service-connect sleep apnea secondary to PTSD?