Is Sleep Apnea A Secondary Condition To Ptsd

Is Sleep Apnea A Secondary Condition To Ptsd

The basic idea is to show that your disability was incurred or aggravated during service. For a records review and possible nexus letter.


Sleep Apnea Va Disability Ratings And Benefits Cck Law

As such it may be helpful to have a doctor submit a letter stating that there is a causal relationship between your sleep apnea and your PTSD.

Is sleep apnea a secondary condition to ptsd. If you think your sleep apnea is secondary to your PTSD see our previous post Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD. Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD. If youre wondering if youre sleep apnea may be secondary to your service-connected PTSD feel free to reach out to Todd Finnerty PsyD.

Meaning the more severe a veterans PTSD is the more severe their sleep apnea will be. Typically one of the biggest risk factors for sleep apnea is excessive weight but research is needed to determine exactly why PTSD is linked with sleep apnea. This requires that the secondary disability be proximately caused by or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability.

For sleep apnea GERD or erectile dysfunction you must have a diagnosis and provide evidence that your condition stems from PTSD or from medication you take for PTSD. How to Prove Your Sleep Apnea is Secondary to Your PTSD As mentioned above secondary service connection is dependent upon establishing a nexus between the two conditions. The most common condition that sleep apnea is connected to is PTSD.

Warning signs of sleep apnea include snoring and choking gasping or silent breathing pauses during sleep The Veterans Administration also offers benefits for those veterans who do suffer from sleep apnea. However the studys authors say that disrupted sleep and sleep deprivation while in combat paired with veterans physical and psychological stress may play a role. If so you may be able to establish sleep apnea VA disability by your sleep apnea is a secondary disability.

Lack of sleep generates a need for deeper stages of sleep less REM sleep and often generates a path to sleep apnea. If you are looking to prove a service-connection on a secondary basis you will have to prove causation. If you have both PTSD and sleep apnea you may be entitled to disability benefits for your sleep apnea.

Posted on June 10 2019. The most common primary condition linked to sleep apnea as a secondary condition is PTSD. PTSD does NOT cause Sleep Apnea however PTSD and side effects of medications taken to manage PTSD symptoms can aggravate obesity weight gain leading to the development of Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA in Veterans hence Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD can be granted.

To examine the correlations between obstructive sleep apnea OSA and psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder MDD posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD or bipolar disorder BD and whether comorbid psychiatric diagnosis increases the risk of OSA. Studies show that people with post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea may also cause other mental health conditions such as depression anxiety and worsening PTSD.

In my last article I talked about how to prove that your sleep apnea should be service connected on a direct basis. One study compared the records of 4 million Veterans suffering from PTSD and those not suffering from PTSD to find a connection between PTSD and sleep apnea. Heres one of many decisions.

There are several BVA decisions granting sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The strongest evidence in secondary service connection cases comes in the form of medical opinions. Additionally there is a direct correlation regarding the severity of the two conditions.

Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD An increasing number of scientific studies show that sleep apnea and PTSD are co-morbid conditions. A shorter route to sleep apnea may be to say Primary Insomnia Secondary Insomnia or Transient Insomnia as secondary to PTSD. They found an incredible statistical difference.

Va Disability For Secondary Apnea

Va Disability For Secondary Apnea

Active duty military members have been shown to be more susceptible to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. If you have been previously diagnosed with sleep apnea but have not undergone a sleep study VA will not consider that sole diagnosis enough evidence to verify eligibility for compensation.


Can A Veteran Receive Both Va And Social Security Benefits Cck Law

Many veterans obtain spinal problems from their time in the service from accidents.

Va disability for secondary apnea. 2 central sleep apnea. Depending on the exact circumstances of your case the first diagnosis of sleep apnea etc it is possible that your conditions are connected and will also qualify for disability. The causes of sleep apnea in military members and Veterans can be related to toxin exposure such as smoke from burn pits trauma both physical and mental weight gain secondary to disabilities that prevent exercise among other things.

Many veterans attempt to service-connect sleep apnea as a primary disability condition and cant seem to figure our why the VA keeps denying your sleep apnea claim. A veterans final VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea depends upon the frequency severity and duration of symptoms meaning the more severe your symptoms the higher the VA rating for Sleep Apnea. Well talk more in-depth about each of these conditions in a moment.

Sleep Apnea Secondary to Tinnitus Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a persons breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the course of the night. Veterans are assigned a 0 30 50 or 100 VA rating for Sleep Apnea depending on the severity of their sleep disorder. A medical diagnosis recorded in medical records of sleep apnea confirmed by a sleep study Evidence of PTSD as a service-connected primary disability.

Importantly service connection for sleep disorders can be awarded on a direct secondary or presumptive basis. The rating criteria for Sleep Apnea in 2020 is as follows. Sleep apnea is considered a VA disability under the Federal Schedule for Rating Disabilities 38 CFR 497 Code 6847.

In this post we will be exploring how to get a VA Rating for Sleep Apnea. VA Rating for Sleep Apnea Explained The Experts Guide. Sleep Disorders the VA Covers There are three basic classes of sleep disorders the VA covers for disability compensation.

VA Disability Ratings for Sleep Disturbances November 8 2018 VA offers service-connected compensation for multiple sleep disturbances including sleep apnea insomnia and narcolepsy. How can a disorder for sleep and restricted airways be considered service-connected. However veterans may also be eligible for VA disability benefits for depression on a secondary basis.

Sleep apnea insomnia and narcolepsy. Remember that the at least as likely as not standard required under VA law means that a claimant must only persuade a decision-maker that the Veterans Sleep Apnea is 5050 due to military service or another disability condition rated at 0 or higher for secondary service connection. But it is important to note that a wide variety of more specific conditions can fall under these three categories.

Some of the most common secondary service-connected disabilities from sleep apnea are high blood pressure heart disease type 2 diabetes weight gain asthma and even acid reflux disease. Specifically if a veteran is already service-connected for sleep apnea and later developed depression they could argue that their depression developed as a result. Veterans in this post I list more than 50 possible sleep apnea secondary conditions so veterans can win service-connect and rate your sleep apnea VA claim in less time.

According to the VA law there are three evidentiary elements that must be satisfied for sleep apnea conditions to prove secondary service connection. In 2020 Sleep Apnea VA ratings range from 0 to 100 with breaks at 30 and 50. 1 obstructive sleep apnea.

There are three main types of sleep apnea including the following. Sleep Apnea Secondary Conditions. Sleep Apnea secondary to Tinnitus is rated under 38 CFR 497 Diagnostic Code 6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes Obstructive Central and Mixed.

As previously stated injuries sustained during active duty can cause other problems. Military Disability Made EasyJanuary 30 2018 at 1030 AM Yes both ED and stroke have been significantly tied to sleep apnea. We know that sleep apnea can be caused or related to other conditions common to Veterans but what about the conditions sleep apnea causes.

In order to confirm a sleep apnea diagnosis for VA disability compensation purposes VA requires that a sleep study be conducted. And 3 complex mixed sleep apnea syndrome.

Va Secondary Claims To Sleep Apnea

Va Secondary Claims To Sleep Apnea

Studies by the VA San Diego Healthcare System and the National Center for PTSD show that over 69 of veterans with PTSD are at high risk for sleep apnea and the risk of sleep apnea increases with PTSD symptom severity. In fact veterans are a shocking four times 4x as likely to have Sleep Apnea compared to the general population.


Va Disability For Hypertension And Sleep Apnea Cck Law

No current medical diagnosis of Sleep Apnea 3.

Va secondary claims to sleep apnea. That may be your situation. Depending on the exact circumstances of your case the first diagnosis of sleep apnea etc it is possible that your conditions are connected and will also qualify for disability. Active duty military members have been shown to be more susceptible to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

Among the most common claims for which we help veterans in their fight for disability benefits are sleep apnea VA claims. To begin we must get inside the VA claim process to understand WHY the VA keeps denying your claim for Sleep Apnea. A medical diagnosis recorded in medical records of sleep apnea confirmed by a sleep study Evidence of PTSD as a service-connected primary disability.

The Board finds that the evidence supports the Veterans claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected GERD with history of esophagitis and hematemesis. Top 3 Reasons Why VA Claims for Sleep Apnea Get Denied. A medical diagnosis of Sleep Apnea confirmed by a sleep study in VA medical records or private records unless you did this already on active duty and its in your service treatment records.

The evidence shows a current diagnosis of very severe obstructive sleep apnea. VA recognizes three types of sleep apnea including the following. In our experience it comes down to 3 factors.

They may not have evidence of an in-service diagnosis or in-service symptoms that a doctor says were probably sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can both cause hypertension and aggravate your pre-existing hypertension. As reported by the Veterans Benefits Administration VBA in the 2017 Annual Benefits Report the three forms of sleep apnea SAobstructive central and mixedlead the way in service-connected respiratory disabilities.

Obstructive causes the muscles in a persons throat to close up from time to time and prevent breathing during sleep Central impacts the brains ability to transmit signals to the throat muscles causing individuals to be unable to breathe within a normal frequency. A showing of causation requires that the secondary disability be shown to be proximately caused by or proximately aggravated by another service-connected disability. Yes both ED and stroke have been significantly tied to sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea as a Secondary Claim Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. Sleep apnea causes your blood oxygen levels to drop increasing your blood pressure causing hypertension. While insomnia doesnt necessary mean you have Sleep Apnea it is possible and I recommend veterans get a sleep study to confirm.

Sleep Apnea can be rated secondary to Tinnitus at 0 30 50 or 100. Moreover hypertension can both cause sleep apnea and worsen it. No Sleep Study 2.

Sleep Apnea VA Disability on a Secondary Basis Sometimes veterans cannot show that they had sleep apnea in service. No way to prove service connection under the law. By law there are three elements that must be satisfied for Sleep Apnea Secondary VA Claims.

Demonstrating Sleep Apnea Related Health Conditions Is Crucial. The causes of sleep apnea in military members and Veterans can be related to toxin exposure such as smoke from burn pits trauma both physical and mental weight gain secondary to disabilities that prevent exercise among other things. According to the VA law there are three evidentiary elements that must be satisfied for sleep apnea conditions to prove secondary service connection.

Va Claim Sleep Apnea Secondary To Migraines

Va Claim Sleep Apnea Secondary To Migraines

Sleep apnea has been identified as a risk factor for daily chronic headaches particularly those that occur in the morning. Filing a VA Claim for Migraines A veteran first must have a diagnosis of migraines in order to file for VA disability compensation.


Increase In Sleep Apnea Claims By Veterans Cuddigan Law

1 obstructive sleep apnea.

Va claim sleep apnea secondary to migraines. Your headaches can be service-connected as secondary to a service connected disability like sleep apnea and depending on their severity can garner up to a 50 rating. And 3 complex mixed sleep apnea syndrome. Instead the leading cause of sleep apnea is weight gain.

Veterans in this post I list more than 50 possible sleep apnea secondary conditions so veterans can win service-connect and rate your sleep apnea VA claim in less time. Second it must be determined if the migraines are the primary disability caused by an in-service injury or event or if they are secondary to another injury or illness. I am surprised your migraines were not a seperate condition.

The rating criteria for Sleep Apnea in 2020 is as follows. Diabetes Secondary to Sleep Apnea. Migraines secondary to Sleep Apnea.

But I am not an expert in that area. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a persons breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the course of the night. See my 2015 CP exam for migraines below.

2015 Migraine CP Exam Review of avai. Many veterans attempt to service-connect sleep apnea as a primary disability condition and cant seem to figure our why the VA keeps denying your sleep apnea claim. Veterans with insomnia and sleep apnea can move to claim secondary disability if their sleep disturbances are caused or aggravated by their Tinnitus.

In fact a Veteran with a 50 rating for Sleep Apnea and a 50 rating for headaches would have a total rating of 80 and be eligible for TDIU. Its FREE to get started and youll hear from one of our Veteran Coaches VC within minutes of signing up for VA Claims Insider ELITE. To get to 100 you will need 50 in new ratings using VA Math.

If you have sleep apnea and any of the following conditions there may be a link between your service-connected condition and the other condition. I believe I did not have sleep apnea prior to going to Vietnam. In 2011 my same Doctor sent me for a second Sleep Study and again I had OSA and they prescribed a new CPAP.

Veterans are assigned a 0 30 50 or 100 VA rating for Sleep Apnea depending on the severity of their sleep disorder. Over the years my migraines headaches have gotten worse and I recently submitted a claim for migraines secondary to PTSD since Im rated at 70 SC for PTSD and 50 SC for sleep apnea. She had me complete a Sleep Study which resulted in my first CPAP machine.

However most of the time sleep apnea is a secondary claim. VA Secondary Claims for Sleep Apnea Do You Need Help with Your VA Claim for Sleep Apnea. 2 central sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea causes air to be trapped in the lungs and this de-oxygenated air is the waste product carbon dioxide. Additionally irregular sleep is a common trigger for migraines meaning that those people susceptible to migraines will experience them far more often if they suffer from sleep apnea. You state your back has gotten worse again I dont know that rating either.

The most common condition that sleep apnea is connected to is PTSD. I guess my question is can I file a VA Claim for sleep apnea as result of me being in country. Im a Gulf War Veteran.

Your at 90 now. Sleep Apnea Secondary to Tinnitus. There are three main types of sleep apnea including the following.

Sleep Apnea is a 50 rating with a CPAP machine. If you think your sleep apnea is secondary to your PTSD see our previous post Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD. At VA Claims Insider we can help you win service connect and get the highest rating possible for your Sleep Apnea disability claim.

Veterans with deviated septums can have clear cases for a secondary sleep apnea claim. Headaches have been medically linked to patients who suffer from moderate to severe sleep apnea especially when oxygen levels drop due to the intermittent breathing from Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA. I did not see your Sleep Apnea rating.

But most veterans are not service-connected for this sinus condition. Clinical journal concluded that patients with chronic Tinnitus had increased brain attention. Chronic Tinnitus taps the brains precuneus region more during episodes.

Sleep Apnea secondary to Tinnitus is rated under 38 CFR 497 Diagnostic Code 6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes Obstructive Central and Mixed.

Va Rating Schedule Sleep Apnea

Va Rating Schedule Sleep Apnea

A 30 percent rating is awarded when a veteran experiences chronic daytime sleepiness ie. And with sleep apnea increasingly becoming one of the largest payouts in the VA Title 38 VA Disability Catalog the belt tightening is going to predictably start here.


4 Things Veterans Should Know About Va Sleep Apnea Disability Claims Hadit Com For Veterans Who Ve Had It With The Va In 2020 Sleep Apnea Disability Apnea

VA Disability Ratings For Other Sleep Disturbances Keep in mind that insomnia isnt the only sleep disorder that can qualify you for VA benefits.

Va rating schedule sleep apnea. The rating criteria is as follows. The key is to understand how the VA defines sleep apnea and under what conditions it may justify a VA disability percentage rating. The highest possible scheduler VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea is 100 which includes symptoms such as chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale or.

Sleep apnea is rated under 38 CFR 497 Diagnostic Code 6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes Obstructive Central Mixed. Exposing both nasal passages 30. The VA assigns the following ratings for veterans based on the severity of their sleep apnea.

The appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Nose loss of part of or scars. Diseases of the nose and throat.

The VA disability ratings for sleep apnea are based on the severity of the veterans Obstructive Sleep Apnea. VA Sleep Apnea Claim 50 Rating Change 1. The VA also offers benefits for sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and hypersomnolence which can include narcolepsy and insufficient sleep syndrome.

A non-compensable 0 percent rating indicates the veteran has a diagnosis of sleep apnea but the condition is asymptomatic. Or complete obstruction on one side 10. Sleep apnea is rated under 38 CFR 497 Diagnostic Code 6847.

Many veterans attempt to service-connect sleep apnea as a primary disability condition and cant seem to figure our why the VA keeps denying your sleep apnea claim. Veterans are assigned either a 0 30 50 or 100 percent rating depending on the severity of their condition. Treatment for individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea depends on the severity of the condition and can include positive airway pressure therapy weight loss or surgery.

In general sleep apnea is medically defined as a sleep disorder where breathing stops and starts which can result in feeling tired even after a full nights sleep. How Did the VA Sleep Apnea Claims 50 Rating Criteria Change. This diagnostic code falls under the Sleep Apnea Syndromes.

If untreated sleep apnea can increase an individuals risk of high blood pressure heart disease Type 2 diabetes stroke and depression. Veterans in this post I list more than 50 possible sleep apnea secondary conditions so veterans can win service-connect and rate your sleep apnea VA claim in less time. 417 - Total Disability Ratings for Pension Based on Unemployability and Age of the Individual 417a - 418 - Misconduct EtiologyUnemployability 419 - 421 - Age in Service-Connected ClaimsAnalogous RatingsApplication of Rating Schedule 422 - 423 - Rating of Disabilities Aggravated by Active ServiceAttitude of Rating Officers 424.

Veterans are assigned a 0 30 50 or 100 percent rating depending on the severity of their condition. In 2020 Sleep Apnea VA ratings range from 0 to 100 with breaks at 30 and 50. Septum nasal deviation of.

6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes Obstructive Central Mixed. 497 Schedule of ratings - respiratory system. Traumatic only With 50-percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides.

Rating DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT. At higher risk than females. Because essentially theres no functional impairment related to that 50-percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea under the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities VASRD.

497 Schedule of ratingsrespiratory system.

Can I File A Va Claim For Sleep Apnea

Can I File A Va Claim For Sleep Apnea

Veterans in this post I list more than 50 possible sleep apnea secondary conditions so veterans can win service-connect and rate your sleep apnea VA claim in less time. Veterans and Sleep Apnea.


1 How Do I Get A 100 Percent Va Disability Rating Youtube Disabled Veterans Benefits Va Disability Veterans Benefits

The most common VA rating for Sleep Apnea is 50 which requires the use of a breathing assistance device such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure CPAP machine.

Can i file a va claim for sleep apnea. Veterans that are diagnosed with chronic respiratory failure from carbon dioxide retention or veterans that require a tracheostomy can obtain a 100 VA sleep apnea rating. This is the most common form. Once you connect the service for sleep apnea the VA will rate your condition move along to filing your claim.

A great VA buddy letter is short simple and factual to the best of the knowledge and belief of the writer. If that happens to you file an appeal with new and material medical evidence for SLEEP APNEA and challenge the VAs decision. Importantly service connection for sleep disorders can be awarded on a direct secondary or presumptive basis.

VA Rating for Sleep Apnea. If you have an ongoing VA claim for sleep apnea you need to make sure you can prove all three elements to VA. Although sleep apnea claims have spiked considerably in recent years especially with veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan the VA does not consider sleep apnea presumptive to a service connection.

Sleep Apnea Is Associated With Cardiovascular Disease A typical scenario we see in our veterans disability law firm is a veteran who starts gaining weight during service. Obstructive sleep apnea OSA throat muscles relax during sleep causing partial or complete blockage of the airways. Unfortunately sometimes the VA will lower a veterans SLEEP APNEA rating.

To prove your service connection to sleep apnea all veterans must prove the diagnosis of the condition in-service. How can I get 100 VA disability for SLEEP APNEA. The answer is no.

VA offers service-connected compensation for multiple sleep disturbances including sleep apnea insomnia and narcolepsy. The VA had already conceded the rape occurred as part of another part of this Veterans claim. VA recognizes the three types of sleep apnea all of which may seriously damage a veterans ability to maintain gainful employment and disrupt normal everyday functions.

How do I file a VA claim for sleep apnea. If you do not have an ongoing claim you will need to file a claim for your sleep apnea. A statement from the doctor and some additional medical evidence regarding those facts was enough to win the case for sleep apnea and it is now at least for this veteran a service connected condition.

Keep all your medical expert reports for your claim. Veterans can get a 100 VA disability rating for sleep apnea. You may then file a claim for type 2 diabetes as secondary to the sleep apnea.

Yes Sleep Apnea is a VA disability and its rated under diagnostic code 6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes Obstructive Central Mixed. Think LESS is MORE. Many veterans attempt to service-connect sleep apnea as a primary disability condition and cant seem to figure our why the VA keeps denying your sleep apnea claim.

How to file a VA Claim for Sleep Apnea Although sleep apnea is one of the harder conditions to get rated on unless there is a clear diagnosis in ones medical records it is not impossible. A Veterans Case for Sleep Apnea Disability Benefits. Here are the steps that are needed to filing a successful sleep apnea claim and improving your chances of getting it rated.

So the first thing you need to do is file to try to get your sleep apnea service connected. When writing or obtaining a buddy letter for Sleep Apnea you can simply use the VA Form 21-4138 Statement in Support of a Claim. Even though sleep apnea has been a difficult claim for veterans to win in the past with the right amount of evidence your sleep apnea claim could be an.

Is Sleep Apnea And Ptsd Connected

Is Sleep Apnea And Ptsd Connected

In relation to sleep apnea and PTSD there are plenty of research articles out there connecting them. The study found that about 69 of veterans with PTSD are at a high risk for sleep apnea which is a sleep disorder causing a person to repeatedly stop and start breathing.


Sleep Apnea Secondary To Ptsd Veterans Va Benefits Cck Law

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Comorbid With Mood Disorder.

Is sleep apnea and ptsd connected. Some research even suggests that consistent treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP can help ease PTSD symptoms like nightmares and anxiety among military veterans. Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and PTSD Research shows that veterans with PTSD have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. A secondary condition occurs when a service-connected condition or treatment for that condition causes or aggravates another condition.

Many factors that aggravate PTSD have been shown to aggravate sleep apnea as well such as sleep deprivation chronic stress and hyperarousal. The link between sleep apnea and PTSD in veterans is not clear. There is also a direct correlation regarding the severity of the two conditions insofar as the more severe a veterans PTSD is the more severe their sleep apnea will be.

I did a quick decision search for a phrase used in some of the prominent articles related to an arousal-based mechanism and it returned a large number of results where VBA found a favorable connection of sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. Typically one of the biggest risk factors for sleep apnea is excessive weight but research is needed to determine exactly why PTSD is linked with sleep apnea. Some research suggests that the presence of more severe sleep apnea worsens PTSD symptoms concordantly.

In retrospect a couple of years ago I submitted a DoVA claim with case studies articles linking sleep apnea and PTSD but didnt have a nexus letter via eBenefits requesting sleep apnea as a secondary condition to PTSD also. Significantly Higher Incidence Than in Either Diagnosis Alone. Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD and sleep apnea have been linked by a number of clinical studies.

As to secondary service connection regarding PTSD the examiner noted that there is association that patients with psychiatric disorders and coincident symptoms suggesting sleep-disordered breathing should be evaluated for sleep apnea but PTSD was not known to cause sleep apnea. Until recently it remained hard to explain why people with. Moreover an ongoing sleep disturbance may play a critical role in the maintenance of PTSD and sleep apnea may be one potential contribution to this persistence.

After my disability claim submission the DoVA VBA scheduled me for two C. Possible factors that may connect the two disorders include combat-related sleep disturbances chronic stress from PTSD and poor. One for sleep apnea and one for PTSD.

Research has shown that having PTSD has a higher chance of developing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea has been noted most often in PTSD both in studies on returning veterans as well as in woman who have suffered sexual trauma. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of OSA in male veterans with either BD with comorbid PTSD or MDD with comorbid PTSD.

The VA will reward sleep apnea secondary service-connection to PTSD now but it is not a sure thing. That other condition would be secondarily service-connected. PTSD and sleep apnea have similar stressors in regards to sleep.

This correlation between the two becomes even stronger when the study determined that an increase in the severity of PTSD leads to an increase in the probability of sleep apnea. The connection between the two is directly correlated. However the studys authors say that disrupted sleep and sleep deprivation while in combat paired with veterans physical and psychological stress may play a role.