VA 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%. This sleep-disordered breathing leads to poor sleep quality and is a risk factor for the poor quality of life. Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder, whereby breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Sleep Apnea One in five adults suffers from at least mild sleep apnea; it afflicts more men than women. In this case, there must be a medical nexus to link the sleep apnea to their already service-connected disability. I have diagnoses post-service for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. apnea condition or subjective complaints of sleep apnea.. Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve! Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. 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. The VA rates IHD between 10-100%. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Examples of chronic disease include: arthritis, diabetes or hypertension. The relationship can also work in the reverse, with sleep apnea being the primary service-connected condition. She enjoys working with the Veteran population and keeping them up to date with information they need the most. 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. Ischemic heart disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become blocked. Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of death among veterans. A C&P exam and a sleep apnea diagnosis are crucial to qualifying for the upper tiers of compensation. You provide evidence of an in-service event, injury, disease, or aggravation. 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. 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. study from a VA doctor or a private doctor. 26,27 More recent studies have found an even higher prevalence of both CSA and OSA in heart failure patients. sleep apnea and that must be confirmed by a sleep study (its okay if this If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. (The Insiders Guide). These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. These exams are usually performed by a VA examiner or a VA-contracted third-party medical professional. Do you currently smoke, or have you smoked in the past? 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. In addition, the stress test can also help your doctor determine how well your heart is pumping and how much reserve capacity it has. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a complex and heterogeneous common chronic disease characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway collapse, affecting 40%60% of patients with ACS [1, 2]. Coronary Artery Disease 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). Service connection on a secondary basis requires Knowing what to look for and how to manage these conditions can help you stay healthy and live a full life. WebThis is called hypopnea (decreased breathing) or apnea (meaning no breathing). Common examples of PTSD symptoms include the following: Researchshows that veterans with PTSD have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Hypersomnolence (i.e., excessive daytime sleepiness), Mental anxiety and/or depression related to combat, Use of alcohol, sedatives, certain medications or tranquilizers. How to Get a VA Rating for Sleep Apnea Secondary to Anxiety (The Insiders Guide), Can I Get a VA Rating for Sleep Apnea Secondary to Depression? 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. Since this Recognizing and Addressing An Underrated Veteran Disability Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is sexual harassment and or sexual assault experienced by a military service member. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Additionally, there are some cases that the VA cannot schedule re-examinations: If you are interested in learning more about C&P examinations, check out our guide! WebIf you are diagnosed with a chronic disease within one year of active -duty release, you should apply for disability compensation. Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. Some of the following conditions can be secondary to sleep apnea, while others may be the primary condition to which sleep apnea is secondary. WebNexus Letters for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease, & Fatty Liver Disease. Coronary Artery Disease Why? 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. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disability. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. VA sleep apnea claims have such different 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. Third, on August 22, 2002, VA published proposed changes to 4.100 that, while providing a basis to include consideration of LVEF and CHF in the cardiac disability evaluation, also clarified that VA does not require all three tests ( i.e., METs, CHF, and LVEF) in order to evaluate a cardiac disability. 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). 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. Research has shown that combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, also known asPTSD, may be at higher risk for sleep apnea than the general population. This blockage is caused when the back throat muscles relax, impairing the airflow. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. 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. you were on active duty, and furthermore, you probably didnt even know what By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. 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. 1 Adults with OSA not only have an increased risk of developing comorbid CVD but also have worse outcomes related to CVD. 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). The major problem for your sleep apnea VA claim, however, is that you probably were NOT diagnosed with sleep apnea on active duty. Loud Snoring. Finally, a 100% rating is available when sleep apnea is so severe that it involves organ damage. Dry Mouth. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. 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). 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. 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. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 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. One of the most common causes of heart failure is ischemic heart disease, which occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become blocked or narrowed. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 By law, there are three evidentiary elements that The most common symptom of cardiomyopathy is shortness of breath, but patients may also experience fatigue, chest pain, and lightheadedness. service connection: The first part can be satisfied with any This is because, while asleep, the body may not clear the veterans esophagus as it would when the veteran is awake, thereby exacerbating the veterans GERD. 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 Sleep apnea is sleep disorder that affects a persons breathing during the course of the night. 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. There are many conditions that have been linked to sleep apnea that veterans can receive benefits for through secondary service connection. secondary As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help. 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. This means that a veteran has an already service-connected disability that caused the veteran to have sleep apnea. Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), Medical Nexus Letter, aka, Independent Medical Opinion (IMO). be resistance among military clinics worldwide from ordering-up sleep studies Click the button below to get more information. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. These secondary conditions can significantly impact a patients quality of life and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. 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. prove that there is a service connection. Veterans may also receive secondary service connection for anxiety and depression if they are already service-connected for sleep apnea. All Rights Reserved. You might also like the following Blog posts about Sleep Apnea: #2. A person must have a polysomnogram, either in a sleep lab or at home, in order to be diagnosed with sleep apnea. If so, how often and how long are your naps? study. Ann Am Thorac Soc. The disability compensation ranges from $152.64- 3,332.06 (rates based on veteran alone). Some of the most common secondary conditions include sleep apnea, heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, and valvular heart disease. Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions: How to Service Authors Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. High Blood Pressure. To receive benefits, you must first prove that there is a service connection. post, most veterans didnt realize they had sleep apnea while on active duty. This type of exam is meant to assess the cause and the severity of the veterans condition, as well as the connection to the primary service-connected disability. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Several conditions may qualify for disability compensation, including heart disease. Sometimes, certain lifestyle changes can help to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. 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! The VA rates ischemic heart disease under the General Rating Formula for Heart Conditions with a range from 10% to 100%. Sleep Apnea Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. 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. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but many who have sleep apnea do snore regularly and loudly. 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. Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and Coronary Artery Left-sided CHF: Left-sided CHF is the most common form of CHF and begins when the left ventricle cant effectively deliver blood throughout the body. Sleep Apnea Call Us for a Free Evaluation (888) 573-7838. . You would need a diagnosis and a medical nexus letter that will link your condition to your service or service-connected disability. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is also sometimes known as deep sleep. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Additionally, GERD may contribute to sleep apnea, as acid in the esophagus can cause spasms in the vocal cords which may prompt sleep apnea. 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 American Academy of Sleep Medicine puts it simply. In some cases, arrhythmias can lead to cardiac arrest. Did you know there are more than 50 conditions that can be medically linked to cause or aggravate sleep apnea? sleep apnea secondary Therefore, veterans who are service connected for sleep apnea can become secondary service-connected for their GERD, and vice versa. Like my comments toward the beginning of this Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Cardiovascular System The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. 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. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Heres the deal 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. Did you know there are more than 40+ conditions that can be medically linked to cause or aggravate sleep apnea? Bringing someone with you to the appointment may also be useful. When a VA examination is scheduled, the claimant must cooperate by reporting for the examination. Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and Coronary Artery WebIn the recent years intensive research has revealed numerous negative consequences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for the cardiovascular system. If you have been exposed to Agent Orange, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk factors for ischemic heart disease. 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. Sleep apnea treatment may help reduce the risk of developing or worsening coronary artery disease. Need an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) to help service-connect your sleep apnea VA claim? You may also be asked to fill out what is called a Disability Benefits Questionnaire or a DBQ. 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.