Sleep Apnea Nexus Letters
Sleep Apnea Service Connection
Do you get a full night of sleep but still wake up feeling tired and unrested? If so, you may have sleep apnea, disorder that affects approximately 18 million Americans. The only way to reliably diagnose sleep apnea is to have a sleep test or study (aka polysomnography study) performed in order to evaluate the symptoms that you’re experiencing at night, such as irregular breathing, an elevated heart rate, and other telltale vital signs that could be affected by a sleep disorder. This test can be completed in a sleep lab or even in the comfort of your home. A sleep apnea nexus letter is useful after you receive a formal diagnosis.
Sleep Apnea Nexus Letters
Sleep apnea can also be claimed secondary to several medical conditions such as:
- Sinusitis
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Asthma
- Other lung conditions
- Weight gain associated with multiple musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., back, knee, hip, shoulder, etc.)
- Mental Health Conditions (i.e. PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc.)
Can I Claim Sleep Apnea Secondary To Obesity?
The simple answer is yes. Obesity can be an “intermediate step” between the service-connected disabilities, (such as musculoskeletal injuries). Obstructive sleep apnea may be service connected on a secondary basis under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a).”[1] If you are service-connected for conditions that limit your ability to exercise or that have resulted in emotional eating, a nexus letter from Dr. Allen explaining the connection may be helpful.
Find out if you are obese using this health calculator. Within our sleep apnea nexus letters we provide a thorough discussion about the veteran's weight and how it is related to other service-connected injuries if it applies.
What Conditions Can I Claim Secondary to Sleep Apnea?
If you are already service-connected for Obstructive Sleep Apnea you may be able to claim other conditions as secondary to sleep apnea with a sleep apnea nexus letter. Although sleep apnea patients might be completely unaware of what's happening, the repeated interruptions of sleep make it impossible for them to get the rest they need. As a result, sleep apnea can lead to other health issues that affect you in ways that can be annoying or even life-threatening. Some potential conditions may include:
- Insomnia Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Neurocognitive Impairment
- Migraine Headaches
- Hypertension
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Atrial Fibrillation and other Arrythmias
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)