Further compounding the issue is there seems to While appellate litigation proceeded, the connection on direct or secondary bases because it did not qualify as a disease or injury. There are many common conditions that can be caused or aggravated by sleep apnea. Sinusitis also affects the nose, throat, and head, much like sleep apnea. 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). Sleep apnea treatment may help reduce the risk of developing or worsening coronary artery disease. It indicates, "Click to perform a search". Loud snoring can keep anyone who sleeps nearby from getting good rest. WebNexus Letters for GERD, Coronary Artery Disease, & Fatty Liver Disease. If the VA grants service connection for both conditions, they will only assign whichever condition has the higher rating. The third part can be satisfied with aMedical Nexus Letter, aka, Independent Medical Opinion (IMO)from a qualified medical professional. aggravated by another service-connected disability. 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. Like PTSD, other conditions rated as mental health conditions can be related 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. Veterans who develop heart conditions due to military service may be entitled to disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Quick note: You MUST have a medical diagnosis of Is Hypertension Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease? Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. 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? Approximately 34% and 17% of middle-aged men and women, respectively, meet the diagnostic criteria for OSA. 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. If you need a Medical Nexus Letter from a qualified doctor to service connect your VA sleep apnea claim secondary to another disability, click HERE now and complete our FREE 3-step intake. The chemical has been linked to various health problems, including cancer, congenital disabilities, and ischemic heart disease. This can range from CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and others. Tinnitus is known as the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. It can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. The pathophysiological interaction between OSA and coronary artery disease is complex and comprises neural, humoral, mechanical and haemodynamic components. 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 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. we represent clients nationwide. The VA will consider the severity of the veterans symptoms. 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. medical diagnosis of sleep apnea while on active duty and you never did a sleep Sometimes the VA will schedule re-examinations to determine if there has been an improvement with a veterans sleep apnea has improved. They can also occur due to other conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 According to the Mayo Clinic, Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. Do Heart Stents Qualify for VA Disability Benefits? The relationship can also work in the reverse, with sleep apnea being the primary service-connected condition. 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. Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects about22 million people nationwide. One type of heart disease is valvular heart disease, which occurs when one or more of the hearts valves are damaged. It can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. WebThe diagnostic criteria for a VA sleep apnea claim, found in the Code of Federal Regulations, have not changed. For veterans who have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea without a sleep study by the VA, the veteran may have to undergo a sleep study done by the VA in order to confirm the diagnosis for benefit purposes. The causes of these disturbances may vary depending on which form of the condition you have: obstructive, central, or a mixed form of both. secondary disability be shown to be proximately caused by or proximately These secondary conditions can significantly impact a patients quality of life and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. 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). Authors Allergic Rhinitis. Although heart failure can be filed secondary to IHD, the VA wont assign separate ratings. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. (The Insiders Guide). 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. Disability terminology chart. 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. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 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]. Check out our Philips CPAP Recall page here! Typically, sleep apnea symptoms are at their worst during REM Sleep due to the bodys naturally-occurring reduced muscle tone in the bodys airway. Click the button below to start for FREE. People with tinnitus may hear phantom noises, such as: Tinnitus is one of the most frequently claimed conditions for service connection. Yes, Sleep Apnea is a VA disability and its rated under diagnostic code 6847, Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed). We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Although it can happen to anyone, it is more common in people who are overweight, have large tonsils, or have certain medical conditions. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Specifically, VA uses 38 CFR 4.104 Schedule of Ratings, Cardiovascular System, Diagnostic Code 7101. A Secondary Analysis of the RICCADSA Trial. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Gasping For Air. Prior to the exam, the examiner will review the veterans c-file so they are familiar with the veterans case. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Treatment for arrhythmias usually focuses on addressing the underlying condition and may include medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. To be able to provide a nexus linking their sleep apnea to the secondary condition. It will also look at any treatment received to determine the appropriate rating. If you have been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease (IHD), its important to be aware of the other conditions that can occur. This may seem redundant, especially if the primary condition has already been assessed, however it is still important to attend the exam and cooperate with the examiner. Loved ones like family or close friends could also be a good help in sharing how your sleep has changed. Congestive heart failure is a common complication of ischemic heart disease. Most often, tinnitus is a symptom of an underlying condition, such ashearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder. If the first half of the nights results confirm you have sleep apnea, the second half of the night will utilize the PAP device to prepare you for ongoing treatment. 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. Do I Need a Spousal Letter to Support My Sleep Apnea VA Claim? Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid flows back up from the stomach into the esophagus. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 be resistance among military clinics worldwide from ordering-up sleep studies Some experts believe that hypertension may contribute to ischemic heart disease, but the exact relationship between the two conditions is unclear. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. Cardiomyopathies often lead to abnormalities in heart function, including arrhythmias, chamber dilation, and reduced pumping ability. When a VA examination is scheduled, the claimant must cooperate by reporting for the examination. The second part can be satisfied with a veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. Or, if you served continuously for at least 90 days and are diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) A 50% rating would be given if treatment was ineffective or you were unable to use therapies due to another condition. Prec. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. The rating criteria are as follows: 60% diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more Generally, there are three types of sleep apnea: Oftentimes, the symptoms of the three types of sleep apnea can overlap, making diagnosis more difficult. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law.