Sleep Apnea VA Disability: What the VA Won't Tell You Before They Deny Your Claim

Comments · 380

• UC

  @UceMo3 · 8 months ago (edited)

  Aloha Dr B.!<br>Just wanted to say thank you for all the videos!! You and a few other Youtubers are the main reason I was successful with my claims getting a rating. This is off topic from sleep apnea, (which i will be claiming in the future), I got MH rating at 70% and migraines 50% migraines secondary to my tinnitus in about 2 months which got me to a 90% rating from only being 10%. All your videos gave me the knowledge AND the confidence to do my own claims without the help of a VSO or any other &quot;claim sharks&quot;. Your videos are very thorough and easy to understand the claims process. &nbsp;ANY OF MY FELLOW VETERANS READING THIS NEED TO KNOW: Do NOT accept the Denials!! Keep fighting! Make sure you&apos;re attending all your VA appointments and documenting all of your symptoms to get that diagnosis and medical records. Do your homework, and don&apos;t be afraid to do your own claims! YOU ARE YOUR BEST ADVOCATE!! make sure you getting that rating you deserve!! Again Big Thanks Dr. Bahr and many blessings to you and your family!!

  25

• BR

  @brucemiddleton1275 · 3 months ago

  I had a sleep study, nexus Letter, battle buddy letter and I was still denied initially. The rater said he found more compelling information that shows your obstructive sleep apnea was not related to PTSD. My nexus Letter was from a MD that specialized in sleeping disorders. Battle buddy letter explaining the difference in breathing patterns prior to deployment compared to at the end of the deployment. When you sleep in an open bay, its easy for people to observe a change in sleeping patterns. My sleep study showed definitively I have obstructive sleep apnea, and this guy says he found stuff more compelling against it. I&apos;m not sure if this guy thinks he&apos;s a doctor, but he isn&apos;t. I had to appeal the decision to the next level. I was eventually approved for sleep apnea, but that raters reasoning was severely lacking. It took me a year to finally get it taken care of. It shouldn&apos;t have been near that difficult.

  43

• BA

  @Bargar78 · 8 months ago (edited)

  Doc, VA denied my SLEEP APNEA at first, but after the HLR said different! Not only did they rate me, it was rated at 100%! Due to five respirator physicals in my military service records five years in a row! I got rated rated as direct service connected! Even after being retired from the Navy for 24 &nbsp;years. During those respirator physicals on blood tests my oxygen levels were low &amp; my carbon dioxide levels were high. Plus I was also diagnosed with chronic daytime sleepiness as well. I did not even know all of those details. That C&amp;P Dr really did a lot of research! He is a VA C&amp;P Dr that works at the VA Hospital. I am trying to get my life back in order. I still struggle with daytime sleepiness! Bottom line I WON! BTW, since my sleep apnea was rated at 100% alone - I also qualified for SMC-S as well! I did win! Trying to get my apnea symptoms under control! Stay safe!

  77

• RO

  @rogers.7247 · 6 months ago

  This has been the best video I’ve seen on Sleep Apnea and getting it serviced connected.<br>I’ve got a 70% rating for Depression and Anxiety, I’ve been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea (19 episodes per hour) and am overall rated at 90% (91 actually).<br>My claim has been denied and is in the works for an appeal right now.<br>I’m not real hopeful but we have sent a court case ruling along with my appeal.<br><br>Thanks Doc<br><br>Good luck to everyone

  31

• ST

  @stevenespinoza6573 · 2 months ago

  I was denied because the Rater said I was Old, and fat even though the VA dr said your OSA/ Central (mixed) is more likely than not due to your service connected Sinutis, Rhinitus … so when I requested a Higher Level Review, the Reviewer asked me about my weight gain and asked if my service connected Right ankle, knee and hip lead to or assisted in my weight gain and I said yes due to not being able to exercise like I could before and the TERRA memo in my file showed exposure to hazardous materials, smoke and chemicals. &nbsp;He said he would review one more time and give a decision. &nbsp;A month later I received a decision letter saying approved and back dated to the date of my initial claim of OSA 15 months of back pay!

  7

• TO

  @TODDATKINSNETWORK · 2 months ago (edited)

  The problem is the VA has a number of things they can use as excuses (not proof) to deny you. The 38 CFR says they are not supposed to do this but they do it anyway.

  3

• ST

  @StevenAllred · 8 months ago

  Minute 26 was extremely helpful as it quickly reviews what is needed in a strong nexus letter!

  6

• BR

  @bradpetty7841 · 8 months ago (edited)

  There ain’t a private doc alive that will provide the in-depth nexus letter that Dr. Bahr just provided me. Ain’t gonna happen! The letter explained the why to the why.

  43

• SE

  @semlohde1 · 1 month ago

  VA is not a vets friend. I&apos;ve been on a cpap 8 years- not even messing with them. Stay away from the VA - unless you have a lawyer. They send emails - greatly improved reviewing and reducing claims. 90% DENIED, they are disgusting.

  4

• ME

  @merld8798 · 2 months ago

  I am so glad that I came across this video. Dr. Bahr explained this very well and the Nexus letter that I have from another provider has everything he just explained! So I’m very confident that the VA will approve this one after 2 denials. Thank you Dr. Bahr, for this very informative video on Sleep Apnea claims.

  2

• CH

  @chainman34 · 3 months ago

  I had my initial tests were done at Bethesda, before I retired. Then I had another a few years after I got home. VA awarded me 50%

  3

• CH

  @ChillWill-q5x · 6 months ago (edited)

  I am rated by VA for completely blocked sinus passages and Stage 3 COPD and emphysema, VA diagnosed me with OSA and put me on CPAP which of course didn&apos;t work with those other conditions. &nbsp;VA denied my sleep apnea claim. &nbsp; SMH &nbsp; &nbsp;😞

  8