I think a good idea for a video would be to talk about how to vet a doctor to determine whether or not they are willing and/or capable of writing a nexus letter using this format. I say this because many doctors do not want to “get in the weeds“ of a situation like that which is what makes it harder to find a doctor who can write a proper nexus.
I suffer from migraines due to TBI. And have been tested by VA and given a CPAP machine because of sleep apnea. And I've been looking for information that can explain the relationship between these two conditions but have only seen videos of sleep apnea due to PTSD. So thanks for this video. It gives me hope.
I have a diagnosis of OSA through the VA and also have a C-PAP through the VA. I am Diagnosed with Rhinitis and Sinusitis which prevents me from using my C-PAP. Should I file OSA secondary to Service connected Rhinitis?
Good luck! Im on the same boat as you, I have sinusitis and rhinitis disability and a CPAP machine that was gave to me by the VA because they diagnosed me with OSA and my sleep apnea claim was denied by the C&P practitioner. I submitted a sleep apnea as secondary disability due to sinusitis and rhinitis with a very strong NEXUS letter that read how OSA can cost sleep apnea issues and both are related and the word “at least as likely as not” was on it. Long story short, my claim was denied bc the C&P nurse felt that sleep apnea is a throat muscle issue and not a nasal issue so my claim was denied. Im 30% to get my 100%, I felt like she just didn’t want it to approve it bc she knew I would get my 100%. I might be reading too much between the lines but I think she just didn’t want it approved it bc Im Hispanic. As son I read the letter of the nurse that was going to do my C&P I was like…. Oh man!!!
I was directly exposed to toxins while in service, but my injuries did not manifest until after a significant amount of time of my discharge. I have diagnoses for nasal polyps and cysts, and severe OSA (prescribed CPAP). Should the nasal polyps be a primary claim and the OSA as the secondary?
@@zackiinu7194 I have rhinitis and sinusitis disability, a CPAP machine gave to me by the VA bc they discover that I have OSA on a sleep study that the VA did. I submitted a sleep apnea claim and it got denied by the C&P nurse base on her believe that OSA is due to throat muscle not nasal issues and rhinitis. It is facts these conditions can cause sleep apnea but she claim on her report that it has nothing to do with my sinusitis. I even have a strong nexus letter from a sleep apnea clinic with language like “at least most likely.”
@@zackiinu7194 I want to give you an update on my sleep apnea secondary to my sinusitis/rhinitis higher level review. The HLR granted me 50 percent on Monday this week. My first claim was denied so I sent it to a HLR. Finally after 4 months of waiting since the first time it was denied I got an informal conference with the lady that was reviewing my case at the HLR. Apparently, the C&P practitioner that review my sleep apnea claim missed or didn’t review 10 other evidence, including my sleep apnea NEXUS letter. The second lady at the HLR reviewed 16 documented evidence, and on her decision letter she stated that the nexus letter was more persuasive that the first C&P nurse practitioner opinion, granting me a 50 percent on sleep apnea. I recommend you to go to a sleep clinic and explain them that you need a sleep apnea nexus letter with rationale, and language like “Most like than not” and explaining how your sinusitis/rhinitis allergies (nasal congestion) is a risk factor for sleep apnea. Good luck.
I had to use private insurance with a referral from a primary doctor or cardiologist. VA medical system was useless for helping until I got diagnosed on my own. VA doctors usually minimized my concerns.
I asked my VA doctor for a sleep study and shows that I have sleep apnea, I also have a CPAP machine from the VA bc the sleep apnea exam came back positive with OSA but that doesn’t mean that the VA would give you a sleep apnea disability. Im trying for a second time through my rhinitis and sinusitis disability. I said second time bc my sleep apnea claim was denied by my C&P nurse so I sent it claim for a higher review.
Check the description for more resources about VA benefits for sleep apnea!
I think a good idea for a video would be to talk about how to vet a doctor to determine whether or not they are willing and/or capable of writing a nexus letter using this format. I say this because many doctors do not want to “get in the weeds“ of a situation like that which is what makes it harder to find a doctor who can write a proper nexus.
I have sleep apnea and have provided all the necessary tests and records from the VA? How can I obtain the letter from the VA doctor?
Very informative and thanks for posting.
I suffer from migraines due to TBI. And have been tested by VA and given a CPAP machine because of sleep apnea. And I've been looking for information that can explain the relationship between these two conditions but have only seen videos of sleep apnea due to PTSD. So thanks for this video. It gives me hope.
Short and sweet video. Great information and great delivery. Thank You!
Thank you for watching, your feedback is greatly appreciated! Have a great day!
I have a diagnosis of OSA through the VA and also have a C-PAP through the VA. I am Diagnosed with Rhinitis and Sinusitis which prevents me from using my C-PAP. Should I file OSA secondary to Service connected Rhinitis?
Yes
Good luck! Im on the same boat as you, I have sinusitis and rhinitis disability and a CPAP machine that was gave to me by the VA because they diagnosed me with OSA and my sleep apnea claim was denied by the C&P practitioner. I submitted a sleep apnea as secondary disability due to sinusitis and rhinitis with a very strong NEXUS letter that read how OSA can cost sleep apnea issues and both are related and the word “at least as likely as not” was on it. Long story short, my claim was denied bc the C&P nurse felt that sleep apnea is a throat muscle issue and not a nasal issue so my claim was denied. Im 30% to get my 100%, I felt like she just didn’t want it to approve it bc she knew I would get my 100%. I might be reading too much between the lines but I think she just didn’t want it approved it bc Im Hispanic. As son I read the letter of the nurse that was going to do my C&P I was like…. Oh man!!!
I was directly exposed to toxins while in service, but my injuries did not manifest until after a significant amount of time of my discharge. I have diagnoses for nasal polyps and cysts, and severe OSA (prescribed CPAP). Should the nasal polyps be a primary claim and the OSA as the secondary?
I tried that and did not work for me and I have the same as you .
@@4n6wizard Incredible. This is almost humiliating having to ask for compensation for injuries that were caused by what we did while in service.
@@zackiinu7194 I have rhinitis and sinusitis disability, a CPAP machine gave to me by the VA bc they discover that I have OSA on a sleep study that the VA did. I submitted a sleep apnea claim and it got denied by the C&P nurse base on her believe that OSA is due to throat muscle not nasal issues and rhinitis. It is facts these conditions can cause sleep apnea but she claim on her report that it has nothing to do with my sinusitis. I even have a strong nexus letter from a sleep apnea clinic with language like “at least most likely.”
@@zackiinu7194 I want to give you an update on my sleep apnea secondary to my sinusitis/rhinitis higher level review. The HLR granted me 50 percent on Monday this week. My first claim was denied so I sent it to a HLR. Finally after 4 months of waiting since the first time it was denied I got an informal conference with the lady that was reviewing my case at the HLR. Apparently, the C&P practitioner that review my sleep apnea claim missed or didn’t review 10 other evidence, including my sleep apnea NEXUS letter. The second lady at the HLR reviewed 16 documented evidence, and on her decision letter she stated that the nexus letter was more persuasive that the first C&P nurse practitioner opinion, granting me a 50 percent on sleep apnea. I recommend you to go to a sleep clinic and explain them that you need a sleep apnea nexus letter with rationale, and language like “Most like than not” and explaining how your sinusitis/rhinitis allergies (nasal congestion) is a risk factor for sleep apnea. Good luck.
Where do I start if I believe I have some form of sleep apnea? Sleep study? How do I begin the process if I believe I have this?
Diagnosed by sleep study
I had to use private insurance with a referral from a primary doctor or cardiologist. VA medical system was useless for helping until I got diagnosed on my own. VA doctors usually minimized my concerns.
I asked my VA doctor for a sleep study and shows that I have sleep apnea, I also have a CPAP machine from the VA bc the sleep apnea exam came back positive with OSA but that doesn’t mean that the VA would give you a sleep apnea disability. Im trying for a second time through my rhinitis and sinusitis disability. I said second time bc my sleep apnea claim was denied by my C&P nurse so I sent it claim for a higher review.
Get a sleep study from the VA
@@armytruth6860 @KARW37 @tonniecoleman9784 duly noted. Thank you all for the advice.