NExus Letters all 50 States!
How Can a Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter Help Me?
VA Nexus Letter for Sleep Apnea
Have you been denied for sleep apnea? Did you have your sleep study several years after separating from the military? Are you looking for a medical doctor to write a sleep apnea nexus letter to get you service-connected? If so, you've come to the right place.
How to get service connected for sleep Apnea-Nexus Letters
1) Receive a Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
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.
2) Cause or Aggravation
Next you must determine if you will claim sleep apnea as a primary or secondary condition. In some cases, if you had documented signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in-service, even if you didn't have an in-service sleep study, you can claim sleep apnea as a primary condition.
Most veterans claim sleep apnea secondary to a condition for which they are already service-connected. The most common secondary connection is sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. You can also claim sleep apnea secondary to other mental health conditions such as:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Other Trauma Stressor Related Disorder
- Adjustment Disorder
Sleep apnea can also be claimed secondary to several physiological conditions such as:
- Sinusitis
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Asthma
- Other lung conditions
- Weight gain associated with multiple musculoskeletal injuries (I.e. back, knee, hip, shoulder, etc.)
We will look through your records to help determine the best strategy for you to claim sleep apnea. Next, pursue a sleep apnea nexus letter.
3) Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter
After you've figured out whether you will claim sleep apnea secondary to PTSD or to another condition, you must demonstrate the nexus or connection to the VA. The easiest way to do this is by obtaining a nexus letter. We provide nexus letters that are:
- personalized to each veteran
- inclusive of citations to peer-reviewed medical literature
- written only by physicians (M.D.)
VA Disability Sleep Apnea Nexus Letters
What rating will I get for Sleep Apnea?
After receiving a sleep apnea nexus letter from us, most veterans receive a rating of 50% for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Even if you are not prescribed a CPAP machine there are other treatment devices that qualify for a 50% rating.
“Qualifying” breathing assistance devices are now defined as:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
- Automatic airway pressure device (APAP)
- Bilevel positive airway pressure device (BiPAP, also known as NIPPV or NIV)
- Nasopharyngeal appliances (Nasal dilators; nasopharyngeal stents)
- Oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices (MAD); tongue-retaining mouthpieces)
- Implanted genioglossal nerve stimulation devices
How do you prove your sleep apnea is secondary to your PTSD (or another service connected mental health condition like depression or anxiety)?
The easiest way to do this is by obtaining a personalized, thorough sleep apnea nexus letter that is written by a physician that includes references to your medical records and to peer-reviewed journal articles. Our practice is special because each of our doctors are former C&P examiners who are also well-versed in the legal language that must also be present in a winning sleep apnea nexus letter.
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 PTSD (and other mental health conditions) and/or musculoskeletal injuries. Obstructive sleep apnea may be service connected on a secondary basis under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a).”[1] 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.
Sleep Apnea DBQs?
The VA has provided links to several Disability Benefits Questionnaire forms (DBQ). Use this link to access: Sleep Apnea DBQ Link. We are able to complete this form for you in addition to providing you with a sleep apnea nexus letter.
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)
Can I Have Sleep Apnea and Insomnia? Can I be service-connected for both conditions?
Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are the two most common sleep disorders, which both include nocturnal sleep disturbances, impairments to daytime functioning, mood, and quality of life, and high healthcare utilization. Patients who suffer from both sleep apnea and insomnia suffer from co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA). Veterans with COMISA can get service-connected for each condition separately. We provide sleep apnea nexus letters for insomnia secondary to sleep apnea.