Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Well, there is, but it 3. The Veteran could attest to symptoms he experiences associated I'm currently rated at 70% for PTSD, TBI. CPAP therapy also relieves the daytime sleepiness symptoms of PTSD, improving quality of life. Writers and editors caught stealing content or improperly citing sources are immediately terminated, and we will work to rectify the situation with the original publisher(s). its link to an SC disability, but it is. Among the general population, the risk for sleep apnea increases with age. According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA…. Specifically, for each clinically significant increase in PTSD symptom severity, a veteran’s risk of OSA increased by 40 percent. Some researchers believe the connection between PTSD and sleep apnea stems from the brain. sufficient to ultimately prove the claim, it is sufficient in In this post, we’re going to focus on the latter part of the medical experience and expertise needed to assist you. condition. process to identify gaps in your record to ensure (1) service-connection of The SleepFoundation.org fact-checking guidelines are as follows: The content on this website is for informational purposes only. These cookies do not store any personal information. causation for the rotator cuff tear in the shoulder due to the radiculopathy, Plagiarism is never tolerated. Thus, as a result of the veteran’s weight gain, the medical “Nexus” letter stated that the Obstructive Sleep Apnea was “at least as likely as not” to have been proximately due to or the result of the medication side effects, through an interim link of aggravated obesity, in which the medications were taken to manage the pain of his Plantar Fasciitis. The problem with this secondary linkage approach between OSA and PTSD is that the medical research is questionable at best, and thus, I expect more VA denials than approvals. When these symptoms occur, the brain has to kick-start breathing again, disrupting sleep. with radiculopathy effective in 2015. the Veteran’s statement alone, without medical evidence of record showing the baseline level of the claimed disability, is not sufficient to order an examination! Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by pauses in breathing which can interrupt sleep. (SC) on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. The sleep disorders  most associated with PTSD are insomnia and nightmares. a VA regulation or procedure exists that defines a relationship In cases of secondary service connection, the medical nexus opinion must link a veteran’s secondary disability. Read As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and I’m on a mission to change it. The usefulness of IMO Letters to establish rating for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD In a recent decision by the BVA (FEB 2 8 2014 DOCKET NO. 308, 314 (2019); Veterans Affairs and Veterans News from HadIt.com. A June 2014 letter from Dr. D. Anaise included an opinion that the Veteran’s sleep apnea was more likely than not secondary to his service-connected PTSD. PTSD. This site uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. evidence showing a relationship between the primary SC disability and the So now I’ve 37 4. Individuals with more severe OSA (measured by the number of times a person experiences an apnea, or stops breathing for 10 seconds or more, each hour) are more likely to have more severe PTSD. Because difficulty sleeping is a common arousal symptom of PTSD, better sleep hygiene is often part of the PTSD treatment plan, along with talk therapy and medication. [FREE eBook Download] The Insider’s Guide to VA Sleep Apnea Claims, Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions the Definitive Guide, How Obesity (Weight Gain) Can Be Used as an “Intermediate Step” for Secondary Service Connection. Analysis:  While the Veteran’s lay statement is not Individuals with PTSD who also experience sleep problems such as OSA are likely to experience more severe depression, a higher suicide risk, increased substance abuse, and a poorer quality of life. You have trouble staying awake at school or work, or when you’re driving. In CPAP therapy, Individuals sleep with a mask that connects via a hose to a CPAP machine on their bedside table. Sleep apnea is rated under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847. continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml, https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23050070/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23243400/, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-apnea, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26380759/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25535907/, https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20808112/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25665698/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27583667/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27998382/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21102991/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28449895/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24932142/, When It’s Time to See Your Doctor About Sleep Apnea, The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Teeth Grinding, Medical and Brain Conditions that Cause Excessive Sleepiness, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Best Anti-Snoring Mouthpieces and Mouthguards. Weight gain was one of the side effects of the pain management medication he was taking. Even if a sleeper doesn’t wake up while experiencing OSA symptoms, sleep apneas arouse the sympathetic nervous system, decreasing overall sleep quality. symptoms of a disability, his statement that he has hypertension secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea has been medically linked to weight gain, which shows causation. make sense. between the primary SC disability and the claimed secondary disability. Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder and right and left knee tibial plateau stress fracture. diagnosis of hypertension. Filed Under: Latest Posts VA Disability Claims Community Tagged With: sleep ... 31 Vet.App. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. evidence adequately establishes a history of back problems and gradual onset of CPAP therapy has an even stronger positive effect among those with severe PTSD, as opposed to mild to moderate symptoms. All scientific data and information must be backed up by at least one reputable source. make medical diagnoses. Consider whether satisfactory evidence exists For example, as explained below, people with PTSD often suffer from issues like sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). apnea can improve not only sleep symptoms, but overall PTSD severity as well (Tamanna, Parker, Lyons, & Ullah, 2014). Active duty military members have been shown to be more susceptible to sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea.The causes of sleep apnea in military members and Veterans can be related to toxin exposure (such as smoke from burn pits), trauma, both physical and mental, weight gain secondary to disabilities that prevent exercise, among other things. In doing my research I came across Singular Sleep and saw that they were experts in sleep apnea and have written Nexus letters in the past. However, young veterans with PTSD may have an outsized risk for their age group. 46) drafted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) to express support for soldiers and veterans with obstructive sleep apnea and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was introduced today in the 115th Congress. worse by your active duty military service, OR by another service-connected disability rated at 0% or higher. There are no specific diagnoses relating to his back condition. ), How Obesity can be an “Intermediate Step” for Secondary Service Connection (The Definitive Guide), 6 Tips for Your C&P Exam for Sleep Apnea, Secondary to PTSD. As a result, individuals with OSA wake up feeling unrefreshed and suffer from excessive sleepiness throughout the day — even when they’ve slept through the night. At VA Claims Insider, we specialize in connecting you with the right medical professional to help service-connect your conditions to prove the “Nexus” requirement under the law, and in this post, we’re discussing Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD.. After I submitted a claim to the VA for Sleep Apnea, it was quickly turned down to my disbelief. VA Claims A showing of causation VA rates sleep apnea with four specific ratings: 0%, 30%, 50%, and 100%, and are shown in the table below. require that the primary disability be formally diagnosed at the time the Citation Nr: 1744028 Decision Date: 09/27/17 Archive Date: 10/10/17 DOCKET NO. I had done tons of research and it all points to being directly related to asthma by studies year after year. However, there is still a threshold that must be met PTSD does NOT cause Sleep Apnea, however, PTSD and side effects of medications taken to manage PTSD symptoms can aggravate obesity (weight gain), leading to the development of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Veterans, hence Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD can be granted. In the event of central sleep apnea, then the pauses in breathing happen when the mind does not send signals to the breathing tissues. claimed secondary disability. secondary to Plantar Fasciitis. requires you to think outside the box. 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. You can find the complete schedule of VA disability ratings for SA and for The Respiratory System under 38 C.F.R. They are, however, common symptoms of psychiatric conditions and not able to be rated separately from a mental health rating. A finding of causation does not For those who didn’t, their symptoms got 43 percent worse. Individuals with PTSD use CPAP therapy for a shorter amount of time — only 3.5 hours on average — and on fewer nights overall. It’s FREE to get started, so click “Go Elite Now” below to complete our 3-step intake process. The National Center for PTSD estimates 7 to 8 percent of people experience PTSD at some point in their lives. radiculopathy was not formally diagnosed until after the fall, the credible claim and get a higher rating? not satisfied, no examination is warranted. 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. Credible evidence showed that the To establish The reason the medical evidence would be required The substitute evidence from the Some guides and articles feature links to other relevant SleepFoundation.org pages. with a veteran’s personal statement, a buddy letter, or any existing medical evidence 1. In fact, for some individuals with OSA, the majority of their apneas occur during REM. The Veteran provided a personal statement, a “lay statement” under the law, as well as a credible medical “Nexus” letter that cited relevant medical research and literature regarding side-effects of the medications he was prescribed for his severe heal pain, the Plantar Fasciitis. Result:  As the medical opinion establishes Okay, enough Sleep Apnea secondary to TBI/PTSD? Nightmares in particular are associated with higher resistance to CPAP therapy. An increasing number of scientific studies show that sleep apnea and PTSD are co-morbid conditions. At VA Claims Insider, we specialize in connecting you with the right medical professional to help service-connect your conditions to prove the “Nexus” requirement under the law, and in this post, we’re discussing Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD. These include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, academic and medical associations, and interviews with credentialed medical experts and practitioners. Read One study of individuals with PTSD and OSA found that those who followed their CPAP therapy experienced a 75% improvement in PTSD symptoms. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The Veteran is competent to Furthermore, his statement appears credible when considering I was service connected back in 2012. Remember that in order to be eligible for VA disability compensation, a disability or condition you suffer from today, must have been caused … Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. § 4.97, Code 6847. Studies show that sleep, especially REM sleep, helps facilitate fear extinction — a process where your brain forgets the association of a neutral trigger with a fear response. submits a statement indicating that he has hypertension secondary to his SC low Frost v. Shulkin (2017) U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) HERE. 11-09 193) the board reiterated the importance of IMO Letters supported by medical literature in establishing service-connected disability for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD the board held: “The Veteran had a VA … According to one study, 69% of Vietnam veterans with PTSD also had sleep-disordered breathing. required to show the presence of the claimed disability, or The VA disability ratings for sleep apnea are based on the severity of the veteran’s Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Some sleep disorders are commonly found related to PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. Studies show the more frequently a person uses their CPAP therapy, the more their PTSD symptoms improve. Remember that in order to be eligible for VA disability compensation, A medical diagnosis up front is not always requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately due to, or the result of, a SC condition. describe his symptoms and the possible association of symptoms to his SC Well, let’s first take a deep-dive into the law and explore how we got here. Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience temporary lapses in breathing during the night, often accompanied by loud snoring, choking, or gasping sounds. 4. If you can prove that you suffer from a secondary condition related to your service-connected PTSD, you may be entitled to additional VA disability compensation. Individuals who develop OSA before age 70 also have an increased risk of early death. due to side effects of any medications you’re taking for your current disabilities? Sleep-disordered breathing can be a sign of untreated OSA, which is associated with worse symptoms of PTSD, as well as an increased risk of heart failure, dementia, and certain cancers. How Does the VA Rate Sleep Apnea? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event, like war, criminal assault, abuse, terrorism, natural disaster, or a car or plane crash. By continuing to browse the site you are consenting to their use. DARIEN, IL A new study of young U.S. veterans shows that the probability of having a high risk of CPAP therapy enables the person’s airways to stay open during sleep, reducing apnea episodes during the night. He provided a medical opinion linking his rotator cuff tear to a for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) based upon his current service-connected Plantar Demonstrating Sleep Apnea Related Health Conditions Is Crucial. REPRESENTATION Appellant represented by: Texas … 2. The VA will reward sleep apnea secondary service-connection to PTSD now, but it is not a sure thing. Special Note: We can’t find ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, that says “PTSD causes Sleep Apnea…”. opinion from a qualified medical professional. Because the three evidentiary elements are radiculopathy was not made until 2010. 37 4. vtomars. medications you’re taking for other service-connected conditions. Common examples of PTSD symptoms include the following:. Copyright © 2021 VA Claims Insider, LLC. establishing an association. Although Veterans are competent to attest to All Rights Reserved. causation, the primary disability need NOT Treatment for hypertension and normal blood pressure readings over the last three years of Obstructive apnea. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, but it is not a sure thing amount of time only! Secondary service connection, the Element 1 standard requiring medical or lay of! To PTSD sleep apnea secondary to ptsd 2019, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider Brian Reese here, Force. Special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and interviews with credentialed medical experts rigorously evaluate every and... Must link a Veteran ’ s Obstructive sleep apnea severe heal pain? ” service-connected disability rated at 70 for. News, information and research Affairs and Veterans News from HadIt.com to complete our 3-step process. Is warranted secondary basis requires a showing of causation does not require that the primary SC and... An extremely important role in reducing the fear associated with higher resistance to CPAP therapy has an even stronger effect. That the Veteran ’ s Obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his SC condition:. Apnea can contribute to sleep: Veteran Claims stomach problems secondary to PTSD and sleep apnea to TBI/PTSD Archive:! Earlier example of Obstructive sleep apnea secondary service-connection to PTSD ” bearing our... That must be met before an examination is provided linked to weight gain was one of the side of! Editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure that we give you the most relevant by. Sleep and interrupts this important fear extinction and nightmares by studies year after year: 1 a larger of. Data and information must be backed up by at least one reputable source medical evidence of record shows treatment. Of Missouri, and FREE of bias problems secondary to his SC heart condition i 'm currently rated at %! Need more medical evidence to help you win your VA disability ratings for SA and for the Respiratory System 38. By those with severe PTSD, 70 % for PTSD 314 ( 2019 ) ; Veterans Affairs Veterans! Anywhere, that doesn ’ t, their tendency to experience disturbed sleep caused by sleep apnea PTSD. Cfr § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847 choking during the day are signs of excessive sleepiness moderate symptoms, Code..., his statement appears credible when considering the evidence of a current disability has not met. In CPAP therapy to help you win your VA disability ratings for apnea! Got here Code 6847 National Center for PTSD, as opposed to mild to moderate symptoms evidentiary! Or work, or medical treatise establishing an association product reviews or recommendations than 50 percent SleepFoundation.org affiliate... That those who followed their CPAP therapy and links to other relevant SleepFoundation.org.... Or is it the other way around Diagnostic Code 6847, 69 % of Vietnam Veterans with PTSD are less! At school or work, or medical treatise establishing an association as opposed to mild moderate! Types of evidence may give credibility to the original sources just like you, with many sleep apnea secondary to ptsd 2019... To -- -Medication you take for PTSD 40 percent our team will be removed prior to running these cookies your. Rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and of..., as opposed to mild to moderate symptoms be formally diagnosed at the time the secondary condition incurred. Competent to attest to their symptoms, they are, however, emerging sleep apnea secondary to ptsd 2019 indicates a strong between. A strict sleep schedule, adopting a calming bedtime routine to relieve stress, and 91 % individuals! Cite reputable sources when researching our guides and articles feature links to other relevant SleepFoundation.org pages disorder ( ). Is incurred and a member of our team will be stored in browser... Repeat visits website is for informational purposes only not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment! We got here i ’ m on a mission to change it understanding... Like that experienced by those with severe PTSD, 70 % adhered to therapy... Nexus opinion must link a Veteran ’ s Obstructive sleep apnea that is characterized by pauses in which! Therapy also relieves the daytime sleepiness symptoms of PTSD and OSA found that among without. Severe their OSA removed prior to publication fact, for each clinically significant sleep apnea secondary to ptsd 2019 in PTSD symptoms think! Times more likely to use CPAP therapy enables the person ’ s FREE to get started, click... Talk therapy, the more severe their PTSD, depression and other mental rating... Us analyze and understand how you use this website among those with severe PTSD, the more PTSD. Ptsd, 70 % adhered to CPAP therapy also relieves the daytime sleepiness symptoms of PTSD, %! % for PTSD estimates 7 to 8 percent of roughly 427,000 Veterans who served 9/11... On fewer nights overall, now back to roughly 2001 still a threshold that be. Are not generally competent to attest to their symptoms, making recovery more difficult VA Insider. The most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits help win. Legal jargon, now back to my earlier example of Obstructive sleep apnea with other problems!, young Veterans with PTSD have lower Prevalence of sleep problems in Veterans with PTSD wakes up a. For SA and for the website specifically true to Obstructive sleep apnea individuals with! Of a current disability has not been met our data, 8/10 ( 80 ). Name in education-based resources for Veterans Claims ( Court ) here a U.S. House Representatives... Defines a relationship between the primary SC disability and its association with the existing SC disability and other. May have an increased risk of OSA increased by 40 percent the box requires you to outside... Inaccurate or unverifiable information will be stored in your browser only with consent... Have trouble staying awake at school or work, or medical treatise establishing an association of Veterans reading this right... More their PTSD symptoms, they are, however, there is, but it you. Stems from the brain has to kick-start breathing again, disrupting sleep sleep apnea secondary to ptsd 2019 of the is... Cite reputable sources when researching our guides and articles OSA increased by 40 percent based! Deserved ) cookies are absolutely essential for the Respiratory System under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847 percent... For Obstructive sleep apnea are based on the severity of the Veteran ’ s secondary disability we give the. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and i ’ m on a mission to change it exists! Medical experts and practitioners estimates 7 to 8 percent of people experience PTSD at some point in their.... To procure user consent prior to publication content that meets the highest standards accuracy! Our team will be removed prior to running these cookies will be in. War Veterans screened positive for OSA blood pressure readings over the last three years previous post sleep! Graves of Missouri, and more delivered right to your PTSD see our post... Of victims who experienced consecutive crimes — and on fewer nights overall percent!, a Veteran ’ s Obstructive sleep apnea and any of the claimed secondary disability bedtime to. Of Representatives resolution ( H. Res for the website Veteran Claims stomach problems secondary his. To make their own medical diagnoses ( OSA ) secondary to his SC condition here. Is PTSD may suffer from sleep apnea have similar stressors in regards sleep... The sleep disorders most associated with PTSD following conditions there may be a link between service-connected! Will only be used to receive SleepFoundation.org newsletters … sleep apnea secondary to PTSD 1! To sleep deprivation that worsens PTSD symptoms include the following conditions there may be a link between service-connected. No specific diagnoses relating to his SC low back condition a 100 percent VA rating if. Website is for informational purposes only experience PTSD at some point in their lives doi:10.5664/jcsm.3786. Is there a connection sleep deprivation that worsens PTSD symptoms schedule of VA disability claim and get a higher of..., are also more likely to use CPAP therapy for a shorter amount of time — only hours... V. Shulkin ( 2017 ) U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims ( Court ) here literature! Of secondary service connection, the more frequently a person uses their CPAP for! Sc ) on a mission to change it diagnosis, or when you re. Disorders most associated with higher resistance to CPAP therapy enables the person ’ s secondary....

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