Sleep Apnea caused by PTSD

Well not here for an award for highest sleep apnea award. Doctor said it was serve, I forget all the columns and numbers. But I thought she said an average of a normal person is 15%, first night I was at 86% which she said is very high.  There where other numbers, but I was more in a daze.  The second night was better but still well above the normal. Plus quality sleep was zero, and she said I had hardly any REM sleep which was a concern for her.  Basically if I qualify, then so be it. I am tired with VAC.  I will have to get Doctor to confirm drugs if they are the ones that relax your neck mussels.  

I just view this as another hoop to jump thru.

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, and from what the OP says, his is very mild...

On Mine I got told I Qualified, which is a bad was of describing it, but I have Serve Sleep Apnea

As in I had stopped breathing according to their recognition of a incident of over 10 seconds

anyhow, getting back to how many time for me was 80 times in an hour period.

My CPAC by the sounds of things wasn't gonna be covered thru VAC cause I don't according

to them of having PTSD, but I have Chronic Major Depression, and it's interfering with my Medical
Rehab, and in the end VAC did cover it.

From my CM and the District nurse, suggested that I file a Application for OSD (Obstructed Sleep Disorder)

but I have just gotten med forms. So Will be awhile before I know if I get approved for it or not.

C. Common Medical Conditions Which May Result in Whole or in Part from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and/or its Treatment

Section C medical conditions may result in whole or in part as a direct result of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, from the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or the combined effects of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and its treatment.

Conditions listed in Section C of the Entitlement Considerations are only granted entitlement if the individual merits and medical evidence of the case determines a consequential relationship exists. Consultation with Medical Advisory is strongly recommended.

If it is claimed a medication required to treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder resulted in whole, or in part, in the clinical onset or aggravation of a medical condition the following must be established:

1. The individual was receiving the medication at the time of the clinical onset or aggravation of the medical condition.

2. The medication was used for the treatment of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

3. The medication is unlikely to be discontinued or the medication is known to have enduring effects after discontinuation.

4. The individual’s medical information and the current medical literature support the medication can result in the clinical onset or aggravation of the medical condition.

5. Note: Individual medications may belong to a class, or grouping, of medications. The effects of a specific medication may vary from the grouping. The effects of the specific medication should be considered and not the effects of the group.

The list of Section C conditions is not all inclusive. Conditions, other than those listed in Section C, may be claimed to have a consequential relationship to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and / or its treatment. Other conditions may be considered for entitlement based on the individual merits and medical evidence provided for each case. Consultation with Medical Advisory is strongly recommended.

• Sexual Dysfunction (e.g., Erectile Dysfunction)

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Bruxism

• Xerostomia

• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

• Restless Leg Syndrome

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/after-injury/disability-benefits/benefits-determined/entitlement-eligibility-guidelines/ptsd

Newf thanks that's a great link and read. Well, I see your point about medication in relaxing the neck muscles and seems to be the key. Thanks for the ammo.

prawnstar I wasn't implying that the csat member was not going to get a favorable decision for their sleep apnea from VRAB.

Of course there have been denials but it doesn't mean you won't get it. It's all in the way it is articulated in the QOL form and all forms submitted to VAC. If you ain't talking their language they don't get it.

Newf, I checked out the link you provided and it was an eye opener read  and also seeing how many appeals for sleep apnea were denied. I did not realize that VRAB published their findings. It brings back the negative memories of the time  I went up in front of the VRAB. Just reading the tone of these written appeals is stark and reflects the whole process in a nutshell.

Steelgunner, I submitted an application for sleep apnea consequential to PTSD a few years ago. It was initally denied at by VAC. I appealed the decision, attended a hearing and with the help of the Advocate I was partially successful in my claim with 1/5 or 2/5th service relationship. A couple of members gave me some good advice in this forum. I suggest getting a printout of all your PTSD medications from your pharmacy for the past few years. Some of these medications (e.g. ativan and anti-depressants) relax the muscles in your neck area contributing to sleep apnea.

Check out some VRAB decisions at the below website to give you an idea of the decision making process by VAC with respect to sleep apnea.

Good luck

https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/cavrab/#search/type=decision&ccId=vrab&text=sleep%20apnea&origType=decision&origCcId=vrab

prawnstar wrote:My CPAP service provider told me VAC has told her that anyone with PTSD who is diagnosed with sleep apnea is covered by VAC. They bill directly and no claim required.

Thanks that's good to know. Anyone know what award % they rate sleep apnea at?

My CPAP service provider told me VAC has told her that anyone with PTSD who is diagnosed with sleep apnea is covered by VAC. They bill directly and no claim required.

I was sent in for a sleep apnea test and like you have sleep apnea as well, as well i have three other side affects related to ptsd back in mid May 2016.  My  claims got registered in mid June 2016.  VAC covered the cost of the test and machine under my vac health card under oxogen.  Still waiting on my claims which they say they working on Aprils files and will take a little longer before they work on June.  For anyone not sure don't be afraid to ask your cm what kind of side affects there are and if you need to be tested for them.  All the ones i was tested for were confirmed by a dentist or nurse prac but needed a doc to co sign off.

SaCurrent date/time is Sat 28 Jan 2017, 23:07
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I was wondering if any one has gone through this and can relate or offer advice.

This week I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.  I have a sleeping disorder brought upon by my anexity, mood disorder and PTSD.  My sleep was so bad my medication was hardly helping anymore, I was sent to a two night study at UBC Hospital.  I was quickly diagnosed with sleep apne, I bring this up to others if they are having a sleep disorder and sleep apnea can be caused by my above systems.  I never knew this, and learned it on my own.  I looked in  VAC's web site and under PTSD part C it gives a list of other problems that are recognized by VAC and one of them is sleep apnea.

Has anyone else put in a claim on this yet?  I will be starting a claim this week. This will be my first claim outside of my military records and will be backed up by my civilian doctors, I hope it goes smoothly and I actually thought all my claims where done.

I don't get my mask and machine to help keep my airways open till next week.   Now I know why I feel like totally shit in the morning.  Choking, and getting to the point of stop breathing 5 to 6 times a night does get to you. I am at the point I hate my sleep and scared to go to sleep.  The pain of fighting to wake up, being paralyzed, vivid dreams , seeing  things, sleep walking and even eating walking..  I was a shit show at night  and still am, I only started to know about this when my daughter visited me.  I live alone so I had no idea I was doing those things.  

So get check out fellow sleep disorder people if you have a sleep disorder that causes other problems like sleep apnea. GL