Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD VA Rating Explained
Over 1.3 million veterans are recognized for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) through their service connection. PTSD has been linked to a higher risk of sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that produces pauses in breathing while you sleep.
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing pauses are caused by an obstruction of the airways. This disorder can be managed once diagnosed, but a diagnostic sleep study and treatment can be costly.
However, VA benefits for sleep apnea may cover these costs with a sleep apnea secondary to PTSD VA rating. This proves that sleep apnea is linked to PTSD from military service.
Why Veterans Are at an Increased Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There is a close association between PTSD and sleep apnea, which could lead to a sleep apnea secondary to PTSD VA rating. More than half of veterans test positive for sleep apnea, and those with PTSD appear at increased risk.
Increasing age is usually a contributing risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, and since there are many aging veterans, it’s unsurprising that their risk increases. However, younger veterans are also at more risk due to the likelihood that they will experience PTSD. Studies indicate that 69% of young veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan were deemed as high risk from obstructive sleep apnea.
PTSD can increase the risk of sleep apnea through sleep disturbances caused by flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. PTSD can also reduce the amount of time in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, causing further sleep disturbance.
Lifestyle changes resulting from depression and anxiety related to PTSD can also increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, and produce a sleep apnea secondary to PTSD VA rating. This can see poorer lifestyle choices concerning diet and exercise that lead to weight gain. Weight and excess tissues in the throat are major contributing risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea.
Injuries sustained in military service can also lead to weight gain that increases your risk of sleep apnea. Injuries that impact the respiratory system can also be a factor, as can depression resulting from injury.
Just as PTSD can increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea or worsen existing symptoms, obstructive sleep apnea can worsen PTSD symptoms. Both conditions can cause disrupted sleep, and patients with PTSD and sleep apnea are shown to be at an increased risk of substance abuse, depression, and suicide. Acquiring a sleep apnea secondary to PTSD VA rating may help you manage your symptoms more affordably.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Sleep apnea can be managed once diagnosed. CPAP is the leading treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and involves a device that delivers a continuous stream of pressurized air through a mask worn while you sleep. The air keeps the airways clear of obstruction to prevent the breathing pauses that cause you to frequently wake up gasping for air.
Other treatment options include lifestyle changes aimed at weight loss, if this is a factor. Oral appliances similar to mouth guards that move the tongue forward or hold the jaw open to ensure the airways remain clear as you sleep may be used instead of CPAP.
However, treatments like CPAP can be costly, with parts such as filters, masks, and tubing all requiring regular replacement.
It is therefore important for veterans experiencing obstructive sleep apnea to understand what a sleep apnea secondary to PTSD VA rating means for them, as well as how it works.
VA Ratings Explained
VA ratings indicate the extent to which a military service-related condition affects the quality of daily life. The rating assigns a percentage, with a higher percentage indicating a larger impact on daily life.
PTSD and sleep apnea are also rated in percentage terms, and these ratings are taken into consideration for a VA rating. This is used to determine the level of VA benefits due to you.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed using a sleep study. The more breathing pauses per hour, the more severe the disorder. This is represented in the VA rating with sleep apnea rated either 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100%. The higher the percentage, the more severe your sleep apnea symptoms.
If your claim is for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD VA rating, then your PTSD rating and sleep apnea rating will be combined to produce a VA rating.
The workings of a VA rating are intricate, but VA disability calculators are available online to help you assess your rating and the possibility of receiving compensation or disability benefits.
However, before any ratings are calculated, you will first need to prove that your obstructive sleep apnea is connected to your military service and linked to PTSD.
Evidence to Show Sleep Apnea is Secondary to PTSD
Gathering as much detail as possible will help show the VA that your sleep apnea is directly linked to PTSD and your military service. This information could include:
- Sleep Study Results
A sleep study is the basis of an obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. The key here is that it displays the severity of your disorder – information that can help you receive an appropriate VA rating.
- Medical Records
Retain all your health records since these will detail your PTSD and sleep apnea history. This information can also help you receive the right VA rating for your conditions.
- Health Professional Statement
A statement from your doctor detailing your PTSD and sleep apnea history and how they are linked to your military service would also be beneficial.
- Buddy Statements
Statements from loved ones and people you served with can also detail how PTSD and sleep apnea have impacted your life.
Veterans with PTSD are at increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea compared to people who have not served in the military. Without treatment, sleep apnea can be fatal, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
However, treatments like CPAP can be expensive, but proving your sleep apnea is directly linked to PTSD from military service can see you entitled to compensation or benefits through the VA rating system.
