By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. The General Rating Formula for heart conditions ranges from 10% to 100% with breaks at 10%, 30%, 60% and 100%. Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), Medical Nexus Letter, aka, Independent Medical Opinion (IMO). An ischemic heart exam, commonly called a stress test, can provide your doctor with important information about your heart health. 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. It is intended that the DBQs will be completed by the Veteran's health care provider. These secondary conditions can significantly impact a patients quality of life and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. #1: Air is pulled in through the nasal passages. Over time, hypertension can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. a showing of causation. 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. When I was on active duty, I had a ton of sleep issues, but I never realized those symptoms might have been due to an underlying sleep apnea condition. These sleep disturbances can occur from tens to hundreds of times per night. 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. 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. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. According to the Mayo Clinic, Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.. Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects about22 million people nationwide. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Finally, a 100% rating is available when sleep apnea is so severe that it involves organ damage. The disability compensation depends on the disability rating. Veterans, do you think you might have Sleep Apnea? Contact Us You provide evidence of an in-service event, injury, disease, or aggravation. How do I prove VA disability for sleep apnea? at-home test kit if you dont want to wait for the VA or private doctor. 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. But, maybe theres a better way to Need an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) to help service-connect your sleep apnea VA claim? 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. Click the button below to start for FREE. Your medical records should include all treatment received for your condition before and after your discharge from the military. They can also occur due to other conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is also sometimes known as deep sleep. 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. You have a medical diagnosis of a disability condition. The more severe the obstructive sleep apnea, the greater the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure and strokes. Bringing someone with you to the appointment may also be useful. The severity of the sleep disorder directly impacts diabetes symptoms, they say. This process may be repeated over and over again during the night. Congestive heart failure is a common complication of ischemic heart disease. 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. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. Why would a VA claim be denied Sleep Apnea? Examples of chronic disease include: arthritis, diabetes or hypertension. Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. A current diagnosis of sleep apnea, as confirmed by a sleep study; An in-service event, injury, or illness; and. 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. How Does Chronic Congestive Heart Failure Affect Ischemic Heart Disease? The link between sleep apnea and PTSD is likely due to the fact that many factors which aggravate PTSD also aggravate sleep apnea. 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. This could be because both asthma and sleep apnea affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts. of hypertrophy or dilatation. This means that a veteran has an already service-connected disability that caused the veteran to have sleep apnea. G.C. 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. The exact mechanism by which the chemical causes this condition is not yet known, but it is thought that it may interfere with the normal functioning of the heart muscle or the arteries. post, most veterans didnt realize they had sleep apnea while on active duty. I have diagnoses post-service for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is called a split-night sleep study. There are risk factors that overlap in both disorders affecting sleep apnea and symptoms of PTSD, oftentimes aggravating the conditions. (The Insiders Guide). 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. The second part can be satisfied with a 1 Adults with OSA not only have an increased risk of developing comorbid CVD but also have worse outcomes related to CVD. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Heart disease is a general term used to describe various heart conditions. 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. Do you currently smoke, or have you smoked in the past? 2018 Jun;15 (6):4771-4776. doi: 10.3892/etm.2018.6070. 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. If your obstructive sleep apnea VA claim, or other sleep apnea claim, was originally denied, you may be able to appeal the rating and receive VA disability compensation. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Chronic sinusitis has also been linked to military burn pit exposure and is a presumptive condition for veterans who served in qualifying locations and time periods. The second part can be satisfied with a veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Several conditions may qualify for disability compensation, including heart disease. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. Since sleep apnea can correlate with conditions like heart disease and obesity, its important to seek treatment options. A 100% rating is given if an MET test causes symptoms (like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, arrhythmia, or fainting) at 3.0 METs or less. As such, the two conditions have been linked and veterans can receive secondary service connection for sinusitis linked to sleep apnea. There are two types of congestive heart failure: Right-sided CHF: Right-sided CHF develops when the right ventricle struggles to deliver blood to the lungs. Trisha attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Webster University. Does Sleep Apnea Cause Coronary Artery Disease? Additionally, sleep apnea may worsen existing coronary artery disease. 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. denied? WebObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a more common disorder than currently diagnosed in the clinic. Because you didnt go to the doctor enough while Why? However, there has been a growing controversy over the amount of money the VA pays veterans afflicted with this condition, and an increasing lobby to get rid of compensation for it. Once your condition has been approved, you will be able to receive compensation based on the severity of your disability. You would need a diagnosis and a medical nexus letter that will link your condition to your service or service-connected disability. 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. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? Many people with obstructive sleep apnea develop high blood pressure (hypertension), which can increase the risk of heart disease. 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. Its estimated that patients with sleep apnea are 2-4 times more likely to develop heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) than people without this condition. 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. Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve! 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. 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. Trying to service-connect sleep apnea secondary to PTSD? 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). If the VA grants service connection for both conditions, they will only assign whichever condition has the higher rating. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a persons breathing is interrupted during sleep. Sleep apnea is rated under 38 CFR 4.97, diagnostic code 6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central Mixed). study from a VA doctor or a private doctor. A 50% rating would be given if treatment was ineffective or you were unable to use therapies due to another condition. If your VA rating is higher (30 - 100%), consider filing a claim. 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. These machines create airway pressure to help the individual breathe throughout the night. This machine then allows the upper airway passages to remain open, preventing sleep apnea and snoring. Op. click HERE now and complete our FREE 3-step intake. Sometimes, certain lifestyle changes can help to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. 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. 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. 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. Some of the following conditions can be secondary to sleep apnea, while others may be the primary condition to which sleep apnea is secondary. Valvular heart disease is often a secondary condition to another form of heart disease, such as ischemic heart disease. VA Form 21-686c: A Quick 8-Step Guide For Veterans. While appellate litigation proceeded, the connection on direct or secondary bases because it did not qualify as a disease or injury. The best way to do this is by providing a complete medical history and linking it to your military service records. Disability terminology chart. Claire Szewczyk is a Digital Content Coordinator for Hill & Ponton, PA in Florida. It can be due to plaque buildup, which is made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 >> Click HERE now to get your FREE copy of my eBook: The Insiders Guide to VA Claims for Sleep Apnea. <<. All Rights Reserved. Nexus Letters for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease, & 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. prove that there is a service connection. While there is no cure for the condition, you can manage it through lifestyle changes and medical treatment. Call Us for a Free Evaluation (888) 573-7838. . a medical nexus or link that shows the veterans sleep apnea is related to their in-service event, injury/illness. 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. Claire Szewczyk Updated: November 7, 2022. 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. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. 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. By law, there are three elements that must be satisfied for Sleep Apnea Secondary VA Claims: The first part can be satisfied with any existing medical evidence in service treatment records, VA medical records, or any private medical records. Do I Need a Spousal Letter to Support My Sleep Apnea VA Claim? As such, a veteran with anxiety and depression faces a higher risk of sleep apnea. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. To confirm a sleep apnea diagnosis for VA disability compensation purposes, VA requires that a sleep study be conducted. Specifically, VA uses 38 CFR 4.104 Schedule of Ratings, Cardiovascular System, Diagnostic Code 7101. For secondary service connection to sleep apnea, veterans will need: When filing a claim for secondary service connection, veterans can use the same form as primary service connection (VA Form 21-526EZ). Epub 2018 Apr 13. Secret hack: You can also order a sleep study I have diagnoses post-service for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices During the exam, the examiner may evaluate both the primary and secondary condition. The relationship can also work in the reverse, with sleep apnea being the primary service-connected condition. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately caused by or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. If your heart is healthy, it can pump enough blood to meet the increased demand. WebA study of data on hypertension patients in the VA healthcare system indicates that blood pressure control has improved significantly and substantially over time, but that many patients have less than optimal blood pressure control (Borzecki et al. I am service connected for severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). She enjoys working with the Veteran population and keeping them up to date with information they need the most. Additionally, GERD may contribute to sleep apnea, as acid in the esophagus can cause spasms in the vocal cords which may prompt sleep apnea. Treatment options include lifestyle modification, medications, implantable devices, and surgery. 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. Another type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea, in which the brain fails to properly control breathing during sleep. I can literally read the VAs denial letter now: WebIn the recent years intensive research has revealed numerous negative consequences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for the cardiovascular system. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent complete and partial upper airway obstructive events, resulting in intermittent hypoxemia, autonomic fluctuation, and sleep fragmentation. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. interim link to secondary service connection due to weight gain (obesity). Knowing what to look for and how to manage these conditions can help you stay healthy and live a full life. Symptoms of sinusitis often include: Chronic sinusitis can also cause nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, and recurring respiratory tract infections. As blood backs up into the blood vessels, the body starts to retain fluid in the abdomen and lower body. A CPAP machine delivers air pressure, which is greater than the surrounding air, through a mask while the veteran is sleeping. Okay veterans lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and level of impairment required to warrant a VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea. The VA will usually order a sleep study to be performed in order to confirm a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. Several studies have shown an increased risk of ischemic heart disease among veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. Like my comments toward the beginning of this These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. 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. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! Further compounding the issue is there seems to VA Form 21-686c, also known as the VA form to add dependents or the Declaration of Status of Dependents, is a form for you to provide information to the VA about your dependents. Continuous medication is required for control. The major problem for your sleep apnea VA claim, however, is that you probably were NOT diagnosed with sleep apnea on active duty. Brian Reeseis a VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, andfounder of VA Claims InsiderThe Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.. service-connect your sleep apnea claim even if youve already filed or been 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. Under the current rating schedule, VA issues ratings at 0, 30, 50, 100 percent for sleep apnea even if treatments are somewhat effective in dealing with the condition. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. 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. VA rates hypertension the same whether service connection is established directly, presumptively, or secondarily due to sleep apnea. The most common symptoms include: There are a multitude of potential causes of sleep apnea in adults, but in veterans specifically, the causes could include: To confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea, a sleep study must be given to show that you are experiencing breathing problems, and other sleep disorders and health problems have been ruled out. There is no evidence in the veterans service treatment records of any sleep Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain either does not send signals to the muscles that control breathing or those signals are interrupted. High Blood Pressure Secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What Veterans Should Know Are you suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and hypertension? Yes, Sleep Apnea is a VA disability and its rated under diagnostic code 6847, Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed). Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. By understanding the VA secondary conditions associated with ischemic heart disease, veterans can take steps to prevent further complications and improve their overall health. 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). This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. So, heres the opinion of VA Claims Insider: If you did NOT have a sleep study while on active duty and you did NOT get a diagnosis of sleep apnea on active duty, you should attempt to service connect your sleep apnea VA claim secondary to another service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. While arrhythmias can be serious, most people with the condition can manage their symptoms and live long, healthy lives. 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. Or, if you served continuously for at least 90 days and are diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. You're not alone. Its important to have your condition documented by a medical professional. If your VA claim was denied, we may be able to assist you. So the brain tells the body to wake up just enough to tighten the muscles and unblock the air passage. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. A Secondary Analysis of the RICCADSA Trial. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Because the chamber must relax in order to fill with blood between contractions, this stiffness means that an inadequate amount of blood is available to pump to the rest of the body.