If you are among the former military service members living with sleep apnea, you may be eligible for veterans disability compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Although all of these symptoms contribute to the interaction betweensleep apnea and PTSD, the main culprits seem to be sleep deprivation and chronic stress. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. click HERE now and complete our FREE 3-step intake. Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects about22 million people nationwide. Sleep apnea treatment may help reduce the risk of developing or worsening coronary artery disease. 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. Trisha attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Webster University. You have a nexus (or link) between #1 and #2 via competent medical evidence, such as a Nexus Letter. aggravated by another service-connected disability. existing medical evidence in service treatment records, VA medical records, or As such, veterans can establish secondary service connection for hypothyroidism relating to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that can be caused by several factors, including ischemic heart disease. Loud Snoring. Heres a quick litmus test: If you snore during sleep, are tired during the day (maybe you take frequent naps), and stop/start breathing while sleeping (gasping for air), chances are you might have Sleep Apnea. Presumptive Sleep apnea is sleep disorder that affects a persons breathing during the course of the night. In 2020, Sleep Apnea VA ratings range from 0% to 100% with breaks at 30% and 50%. 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. Sometimes, certain lifestyle changes can help to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. As such, a veteran with anxiety and depression faces a higher risk of sleep apnea. You're not alone. Click the button below to start for FREE. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. If a doctor thinks its highly likely you have sleep apnea, the sleep study may also involve a positive air pressure (PAP) device. 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. How does sleep apnea affect the heart It can be due to plaque buildup, which is made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. WebIf you are diagnosed with a chronic disease within one year of active -duty release, you should apply for disability compensation. All Rights Reserved. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Symptoms of GERD include: Veterans who suffer fromsleep apneamay find that the condition aggravates or causes GERD. Sleep Apnea Why would a VA claim be denied Sleep Apnea? WebObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a more common disorder than currently diagnosed in the clinic. CPAP treatment may reduce the risk of cardiac events, indicate some data. If the VA grants service connection for both conditions, they will only assign whichever has the higher rating. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Sinusitis is a condition where a persons sinuses become swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. 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. 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. A Secondary Analysis of the RICCADSA Trial. Sleep Apnea in Cardiovascular Patients 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. coronary artery disease 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. 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. If you are the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who has passed away, youre eligible Average Disability Payment Agent Orange Ischemic Heart Disease, VA Secondary Conditions to Ischemic Heart Disease, Sleep Apnea Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease, Heart Failure Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease, Arrhythmias Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease, Cardiomyopathies Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease, Valvular Heart Disease Secondary to Ischemic Heart 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). Being honest and thorough is important so everything can be properly documented. A CPAP machine delivers air pressure, which is greater than the surrounding air, through a mask while the veteran is sleeping. What happens during a C&P exam for sleep apnea? OSA largely results from a disruption in the normal breathing process. Veterans who develop heart conditions due to military service may be entitled to disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 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. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. You have a medical diagnosis of a disability condition. If your VA rating is higher (30 - 100%), consider filing a claim. The disability compensation depends on the disability rating. 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. The VA will usually order a sleep study to be performed in order to confirm a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. There is no evidence in the veterans service treatment records of any sleep Bringing someone with you to the appointment may also be useful. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. at 4, 906. persona 5 character models. If you have been exposed to Agent Orange, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with many different forms of CVD including hypertension, stroke, HF, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Sleep Apnea Tinnitus is known as the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. After veterans file a claim for secondary service connection, VA may request that the veteran undergo a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. The test is usually performed while you are exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Allergic Rhinitis. Need an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) to help service-connect your sleep apnea VA claim? 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. Valvular heart disease is often a secondary condition to another form of heart disease, such as ischemic heart disease. WebVA regional office denied the claims and she appealed. Service connection links your present disability and your active military service. See 67 FR 54394. Veterans with Ischemic Heart Disease are nearly three times as likely to develop congestive heart failure as those without. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. There is growing evidence that sleep apnea may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Is Hypertension Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease? It will also look at any treatment received to determine the appropriate rating. 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! Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Once your condition has been approved, you will be able to receive compensation based on the severity of your disability. 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. To receive benefits, you will need to file a claim and get service-connected for it. 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.