Has VA denied your Sleep Apnea claim although you have service connected PTSD?

SFC Gary Fox — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:04:10 -0400

Many veterans have been denied their sleep apnea claims as not being service connected, although they have been granted disability for PTSD. I found an appeals case for such a claim where a court in Waco, TX used statistics from studies at Walter Reed that show Sleep Apnea is a result of PTSD. I hope this helps with your claim. http://www.va.gov/vetapp13/Files2/1316035.txt

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 9:45 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:45:25 -0400

I said it before... VA Claims are going to become more difficult to prove. You really have to ensure everything's well documented and ensure your ducks are in a row. I hope that Veterans can get taken care of it when the deserve the assistance!

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made May 29 at 2015 12:45 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:45:04 -0400

Not to be funny, I wouldn't even know if I have sleep apnea. My flight/fight center is permanently flipped to on in 1982 with other PTSD components. When I was working many days I would work 3 shifts a day; if I couldn't sleep, might as well work. They started me on Halcion at the age of 22. We have gone through all the standard approaches and every med combo all the doctors combined could think of. I have atypical responses to just about all meds. I recently discovered the joy of a nap! Who knew? And possibly sleep apnea could be a problem that complicates the other symptoms. My dad (32 year WWII vet) had terrible sleep apnea and there weren't many machines. I'm going to follow I finally got into a pulmonologist.

Response by SGM Frederic Smith made Apr 19 at 2016 11:33 PM

SGM Frederic Smith — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 23:33:24 -0400

Hey, Gary; I was Denied because they said the same thing about my claim. They forwarded me about 6 articles in their defense. Thanks for that bit of info!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2018 2:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 14:33:00 -0400

They denied my claim and I'm in the appeals process even though I have a permanent profile for the CPAP. Thanks for info I'll pass on to my attorney

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 28 at 2019 12:54 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:54:49 -0500

The slam dunk unfortunately is getting a sleep study before you ETS.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2019 1:25 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 01:25:06 -0500

Great find, and an interesting read.
I'd be interested in comparing the results of the VA study to the Water Reed study.

...Walter Reed Medical Center and published in 2010...documented increased sleep apnea in combat veterans with PTSD (54 percent of those who underwent sleep studies were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, whereas in the general population the rate for obstructive sleep apnea was 20 percent).

Response by Sgt Chris Cornejo made Feb 10 at 2020 12:28 AM

Sgt Chris Cornejo — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 00:28:25 -0500

I have had friends and relatives tell me I couldn’t sleep because it could be sleep apnea. I went to the VA and got the equipment. Took my normal meds for sleep and activated the equipment. I already had an approved PTSD case. I did not take the test for any compensation. I was just looking for a good nights rest. There was no sleep apnea detected. This is the first time I have ever heard it could be related to PTSD. I have family and friends who have it and have never been in harms way. I don’t believe PTSD and sleep apnea are related. You can be an alter boy and have sleep apnea. No war experience required. Tinnitus would be more viable for most military unless you were a Remington Raider ( old typewriter) for younger servicemen and women.