Sleep Apnea / Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Caused by Military Service

Sleep apnea is a common condition, with millions of Americans living with it each year. However, studies have shown an increased risk of developing this condition for those who served in the armed forces. A number of factors including difficult sleeping environments and high levels of stress contribute to the increased rate of diagnosis.

If you are living with obstructive sleep apnea and believe it is related to you military serve, you could be entitled to benefits through the VA. Disability benefits for this condition can be challenging to obtain, especially on your own. If your claim has been denied, the sleep apnea VA disability attorneys of Gang & Associates are here to help you with your appeal.

Sleep Apnea and Military Service

There are direct links between military service and the likelihood of developing sleep apnea. According to research by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, there is a high level of sleep disorders and short sleep duration among active-duty military personnel. The study found that a majority of those on active duty have some type of sleep disorder, with close to 85 percent being deprived of sleep.

One of the most common causes of sleep apnea is sleep deprivation. You can find yourself missing out on restful sleep while on active duty for a number of reasons. Some include the following:

Stress

Even military members who have enough time in their schedule for a full night of sleep do not always get it. The stress of combat or training can be enough to make it impossible for someone to get the sleep they need. This is especially common with someone facing PTSD symptoms.

Disturbed Combat Sleep

Insomnia is common on the battlefield. When someone is in active combat, getting even an hour or two of sleep might be impossible. These long periods without rest can increase the risks of sleep apnea or other conditions.

Prolonged Sleep Deprivation

The lack of a typical sleep schedule is almost a rite of passage in the military. This job involves long hours under the best of circumstances. It is not uncommon to go unnaturally long periods without sleep, particularly in combat situations. This can occur due to unusual work schedules, rapidly changing orders,

Chronic Pain

A person suffering from chronic pain is at an increased risk of many sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. Pain can make it impossible for a person to fall asleep despite their best efforts. Those who rely on pain medication to get to sleep are still at an increased risk for apnea as well.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that interrupts a person’s breathing while they are asleep. It can come in different levels of severity, but the consequences of leaving it untreated can be serious.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when relaxed muscles at the back of a person’s throat blocks their breathing after they fall asleep. The relaxing of the muscles leads to a narrowed airway, which makes it difficult for the human body to get enough oxygen. In some cases, this reduction in the amount of oxygen that gets to your brain can cause a person to wake between five and 30 times in one night.

There are three different types of sleep apnea, and understanding each of them is helpful. They include:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when muscles within the throat relax when you fall asleep, causing a narrowing of your airways.
• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – Unlike OSA, this condition is not related to a physical blockage of your throat. Instead, this type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send appropriate signals to control your breathing.
• Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnea – This condition begins as OSA, but converts to CSA after being treated for the original form of apnea.

Signs of Sleep Apnea Among Veterans

Understanding the signs of this condition is important if you hope for a sleep apnea VA rating. One of the challenging aspects of this condition is that each type of sleep apnea shares the same symptoms. Without sleep testing, it can be impossible to know which of three types you might have developed.

Another complication that comes with identifying this condition is that many symptoms are only present when you are asleep. Unless someone else is able to make note of them, you could go years without being aware they are happening. This involves loud snoring and going unusually long periods at night without breathing. Although others can identify these symptoms, it is important to confirm them through a formal sleep study.

You could be keenly aware of other signs of sleep apnea. For example, waking up with a dry mouth or a headache are symptoms that should not be ignored. Irritability and difficulty paying attention during the day are also common signs.

Two of the most important examples are sleep disruptions. Most people with sleep apnea find themselves having a hard time staying asleep at night. Likewise, these same individuals frequently struggle with hypersomnia, which involves excessive sleepiness throughout the day. Together, these signs could point to a potential sleep apnea diagnosis.

Get Help with Your Claim – Talk to Gang & Associates About Sleep Apnea VA Disability

If you believe your sleep apnea is related to your service, you may have a viable case for disability benefits through the VA. This process is not easy, and many people find their claims denied in the beginning. The good news is that you have the right to appeal, and an attorney from our firm is here to help.

At Gang & Associates, we are focused on helping you get the best possible result for your disability claim. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options.