A ton According to medical research, military veterans are FOUR TIMES (4x) more likely to have sleep apnea than the normal civilian population, a truly staggering number. Click HERE to read now. Treatment for arrhythmias usually focuses on addressing the underlying condition and may include medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery. I am service connected for severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Generally, there are three types of sleep apnea: Oftentimes, the symptoms of the three types of sleep apnea can overlap, making diagnosis more difficult. A polysomnogram is a sleep study in which medical devices are used to monitor a persons breathing, heart rate, and the electrical activity of their brain waves while they sleep. Trisha Penrod is a former active-duty Air Force officer. Well help you gather the evidence and documentation you need to have the best chance of winning your claim. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Sleep apnea occurs when a persons breathing is interrupted during sleep, often causing them to wake up gasping for air. Sleep Apnea Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 aggravated by another service-connected disability. denied? So the brain tells the body to wake up just enough to tighten the muscles and unblock the air passage. Generally, to establish service connection, the veteran needs to submit three things to VA: Veterans can submit a claim for service connection on VA From 21-526EZ. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Since sleep apnea can correlate with conditions like heart disease and obesity, its important to seek treatment options. The General Rating Formula for heart conditions ranges from 10% to 100% with breaks at 10%, 30%, 60% and 100%. 5 Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. It can cause blood to leak back into the heart or flow in the wrong direction. Were seeing veterans coming back from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the southwest Asia theater of war with severe sleep issues, which can oftentimesbe linked to PTSD. Research has found that veterans who have chronic tinnitus also prevalently experience sleep apnea. If you have been exposed to Agent Orange, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Secret hack: You can also order a sleep study In fact, did you know U.S. military veterans are nearly four times (4x) as likely to have or develop sleep apnea when compared to those who didnt serve in the military? 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]. How do I prove VA disability for sleep apnea? Why? Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. A Secondary Analysis of the RICCADSA Trial. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. >> Click HERE now to get your FREE copy of my eBook: The Insiders Guide to VA Claims for Sleep Apnea. <<. veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0 percent or higher. 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). 26,27 More recent studies have found an even higher prevalence of both CSA and OSA in heart failure patients. 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.. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Sleep Apnea in Cardiovascular Patients 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. Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) - Compensation There is growing evidence that sleep apnea may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease. A medical nexus (i.e., link) between their sleep apnea and the in-service event, injury, or illness. Sleep apnea is sleep disorder that affects a persons breathing during the course of the night. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. VA Disability Ratings for Hypertension and Sleep Apnea at-home test kit if you dont want to wait for the VA or private doctor. Sleep apnea is associated with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, coronary artery disease and cardiovascular mortality. These machines create airway pressure to help the individual breathe throughout the night. 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. Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), or coronary heart disease, is a condition that occurs when an artery supplying blood to the heart muscle becomes blocked or narrowed. 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. Presumptive In this blog post, we will discuss how. 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. Call Us for a Free Evaluation (888) 573-7838. . Symptoms can include: Hypothyroidism can cause changes to the upper airway, which can lead to or aggravate sleep apnea. The highest possible scheduler VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea is 100%, which includes symptoms such as, chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or; requires tracheostomy. If your VA rating is higher (30 - 100%), consider filing a claim. If a doctor thinks its highly likely you have sleep apnea, the sleep study may also involve a positive air pressure (PAP) device. Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), Medical Nexus Letter, aka, Independent Medical Opinion (IMO). Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. Heart disease is a general term used to describe various heart conditions. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with many different forms of CVD including hypertension, stroke, HF, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with sleep apnea? She was a former US Airforce civilian employee, who worked at Hill Air Force Base, in Layton, UT as a flight testing administrator. Exploring the Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing cardiomyopathies. 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. Bad Secret Change to VA 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. 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. For a 50% rating, the diagnostic criteria still Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure ( CPAP) machine.. In this case, there must be a medical nexus to link the sleep apnea to their already service-connected disability. To confirm a sleep apnea diagnosis for VA disability compensation purposes, VA requires that a sleep study be conducted. To receive benefits, you must first prove that there is a service connection. Many people with obstructive sleep apnea develop high blood pressure (hypertension), which can increase the risk of heart disease. Secondary 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. sleep apnea was during you service. 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). An MET test causes symptoms (like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, arrhythmia, or fainting) at 7.1 to 10.0 METs. Trisha attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Webster University. Why would a VA claim be denied Sleep Apnea? Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices 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. 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. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. 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. For instance, which pages you go to most. Sinusitis is a condition where a persons sinuses become swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. Because the medical research is slim to You might also like the following Sleep Apnea Blog posts: Top 3 Most Common VA Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions, List of 40+ Possible Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid flows back up from the stomach into the esophagus. Epub 2018 Apr 13. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately caused by or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. 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. This guide will provide an overview of the most common conditions secondary to ischemic heart disease. Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of death among veterans. Symptoms of GERD include: Veterans who suffer fromsleep apneamay find that the condition aggravates or causes GERD. Veterans who develop heart conditions due to military service may be entitled to disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, both anxiety and depression can be linked to sleep apnea. study. One of the main risk factors for sleep apnea is obesity, which other conditions like ischemic heart disease can also cause. This is called a split-night sleep study. Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Cardiovascular System 203, San Jose, CA 95134 How hard is it to get VA disability for sleep apnea? 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.. Agent Orange is a herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Another type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea, in which the brain fails to properly control breathing during sleep. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, causing a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other tissues. VA Claims Insider ELITE is our premier program, which utilizes our proprietary medical process to identify gaps in your record to ensure (1) service-connection of your current disabilities, and (2) the highest rating possible under the law. Many veterans have or develop Sleep Apnea and common signs and symptoms include: If you suffer from any of these symptoms, its highly recommended to see a doctor right away. To be able to provide a nexus linking their sleep apnea to the secondary condition. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. for Rating Disabilities: The Cardiovascular System Common examples of PTSD symptoms include the following: Researchshows that veterans with PTSD have a higher risk of developing 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. 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. People with sleep apnea are more likely to have irregular results on liver function tests, and their livers are more likely to show signs of scarring, known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. 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. WebVA regional office denied the claims and she appealed. 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. What made the difference was that the veteran inVA sleep apnea claim #1 lacked ANY lay evidence of sleep apnea symptomatology from service to diagnosis. Need an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) to help service-connect your sleep apnea VA claim? Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. The second part can be satisfied with a 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. If a veteran does not attend the exam, their claim can be denied. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. VA 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. 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. A C&P exam for Sleep Apnea might involve a physical examination and review of your medical history and severity of symptoms over time. you were on active duty, and furthermore, you probably didnt even know what What happens during a C&P exam for sleep apnea? Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. The inability to get the kind of restful sleep necessary for optimal health can affect a veterans ability to effectively secure and maintain gainful employment, which is often the case with sleep apnea. Loud Snoring. This machine then allows the upper airway passages to remain open, preventing sleep apnea and snoring. VA Form 21-686c: A Quick 8-Step Guide For Veterans. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! This can often interfere with daily life. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. 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. If treatment for sleep apnea provides only limited alleviation, you will only receive ten percent of your maximum compensation, even if a CPAP machine is required. UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS service-connect your sleep apnea claim even if youve already filed or been WebA magnifying glass. WebIn the recent years intensive research has revealed numerous negative consequences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for the cardiovascular system. G.C. you viewed to avoid repetition. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. The following are the different ratings that can be assigned to heart conditions: All heart conditions are rated on the General Rating Formula unless otherwise noted. 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. While some individuals with breathing disorders may show improvement from lifestyle changes, breathing assistance devices such as CPAP machines (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), BiPap machines, etc. Treatment options include lifestyle modification, medications, implantable devices, and surgery. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Current evidence has shown that OSA initiates and exacerbates coronary atherosclerosis and is closely related to poor outcomes in patients Study Impact: Our findings reveal a close relationship between the atherosclerosis-related burden measured by the coronary artery calcium score and the severity of sleep apnea that persisted after adjusting for confounding variables related to the risk of coronary artery disease. Sleep Apnea It can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. Headache. Ischemic heart disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become blocked. 2019 Additionally, sleep apnea may worsen existing coronary artery disease. A showing of causation requires that the Epidemiological research indicates that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increases in the incidence and progression of coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. 2 3 The main known risk factors for OSA are obesity, male gender, high age, increased neck 1-2017, at 2-7 (Jan. 6, hypertension and sleep apnea on a secondary basis. 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. While the symptoms of heart failure can seem to come out of nowhere, the condition is often the result of another underlying cardiovascular problem. High Blood Pressure Secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What Veterans Should Know Are you suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and hypertension? Like my comments toward the beginning of this The third part can be satisfied with aMedical Nexus Letter, aka, Independent Medical Opinion (IMO)from a qualified medical professional. Similar to other heart conditions secondary to ischemic heart disease, the VA wont assign separate ratings. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 The medical examination may seem like extra hard work but could qualify that veteran for additional monthly compensation. 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. A person must have a polysomnogram, either in a sleep lab or at home, in order to be diagnosed with sleep apnea. 1 Adults with OSA not only have an increased risk of developing comorbid CVD but also have worse outcomes related to CVD. There are many different symptoms that go, Sleep apnea is a common medical condition that can be caused by many different factors, including conditions like Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Does Sleep Apnea Cause Coronary Artery Disease? Id. 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. 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. 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). People with sleep apnea are more likely to have coronary artery disease than those without sleep apnea. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. Hypersomnolence (i.e., excessive daytime sleepiness), Mental anxiety and/or depression related to combat, Use of alcohol, sedatives, certain medications or tranquilizers. 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. Two disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and diabetes would seem to have no connection at all however the data can be surprising. for active duty military members. This could be because both asthma and sleep apnea affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts. 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. In some cases, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators may be recommended to help prevent sudden cardiac death. VA rates hypertension the same whether service connection is established directly, presumptively, or secondarily due to sleep apnea. She enjoys working with the Veteran population and keeping them up to date with information they need the most. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Check out our Philips CPAP Recall page here! I chalked it up to long work hours, stress from the job, a deployment, and various mental health issues. Tinnitus is known as the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. we represent clients nationwide. These secondary conditions can significantly impact a patients quality of life and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. #2: It crosses the uvula that dangling thing in the back of your throat. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim 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. post, most veterans didnt realize they had sleep apnea while on active duty. 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. 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. 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