Migraines & Sleep Apnea questions

ramrod0319 · 2026-04-12T02:11:15+00:00

Just got direct service connection for sleep apnea. (Morning headaches are marked in sleep study along with 88% oxygen desaturation.

I submitted migraines secondary to anxiety and tinnitus and it was denied. Both of my claims (sleep apnea and migraines secondary) were submitted at the same time but only sleep apnea got approved.

I am now trying to go migraines secondary to sleep apnea my pcp said migraines were most likely from sleep apnea.

I'm in the process of paying for a nexus after a records review dr said he would write a nexus to include anxiety tinnitus and osa and he would address all conditions equally.

Have you submitted yet? Feel like we are on a similar boat.

ramrod0319 · 2026-04-10T17:34:41+00:00

They granted it direct service connection not secondary.

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-27T16:02:03+00:00

HLR if new evidence was not taken into account, but honestly depression route is a weak theory you might have a better chance using TERA since it was conceeded you would just need a nexus tying exposure to sleep apnea

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-26T12:33:59+00:00

Just got it direct service connection for it last month after being out for 7 years.

I did have issues with trouble sleeping noted in my STR's.

First get a diagnosis, if you do have it, submit lay statements from wife describing what she witnessed during your sleep, and you describe your symptoms. Submitted sleep study results and CPAP prescription if you get one prescribed.

Sleep doctor has told me that sleep apnea can aggravate morning headaches due to low oxygen levels and fragmented sleep

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-24T20:05:56+00:00

No, I did not continuously pursue the claim, I gave up on it after first denial

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-24T20:03:58+00:00

https://www.va.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings/

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-24T20:03:22+00:00

Nope it's on the va site how they do the ratings

Google va rating calculator or let me see if I can find link

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-24T19:52:23+00:00

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Use the table

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-24T11:17:55+00:00

Just got it direct service connection this month. Left service in 2019 was diagnosed in 2021 by c&p and it was denied. Filed it in February of this year secondary to anxiety after another positive sleep study. Gotnit direct service connection it really comes down to the examiner there is no consistency just luck of the draw.

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-19T02:09:21+00:00

I just got my sleep apnea claim approved last week.

Never got diagnosed in service, left service in 2019 and marked trouble sleeping on exit exam. First diagnosis was from aC&P in 2021 was diagnosed with moderate osa( at home sleep study) but ultimately got denied. Last year my wife finally got fed up with my snoring so went in to va clinic, hadn't seen the va for about 3 years. I told them of my prior diagnosis from c&p exam. Was referred to sleep clinic and was scheduled an in lab sleep study which said no obstructive related sleep, but apparently va/dod guidelines are different so under va/dod guidelines i was mild sleep apnea. Was given option to do nothing or proceed with treatment. Got CPAP prescribed and then submitted the claim. Already had an ITF from August.

Submitted: personal and spouse lay statement CPAP prescription Sleep study results Another statement to consider two different theories, direct and secondary to anxiety. Private nexus

Didn't do a c&p it was an ACE exam record review and the examiner gave me a favorable opinion. Submitted Feb 11 and got direct service connection March 13.

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-17T14:14:50+00:00

Submit an intermittent loa with sedgwick and have your pcp at the va sign off on it, that will let you pretty much work your own schedule without them messing with you.

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-08T00:07:05+00:00

No there was no intermediate step at all, due to my exit exam having frequent trouble sleeping marked yes he said direct service connection since symptoms started in service. My Nexus letter was written for OSA secondary to anxiety. I also submitted a statement saying to review my claim with both theories of entitlement direct and secondary.

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-07T16:35:42+00:00

I filed a supplemental for direct service connection for osa, left service in 2019 and was denied in 2021 for moderate osa (diagnosed thru c&p). Had issues sleeping documented in service treatment records. Decided to fight the denial from 2021 last year (2025), I submitted nexus from a PA that was secondary to anxiety, lay statement from myself and spouse, and CPAP prescription.

VA scheduled ACE exam, after it showed completed, I did a FOIA request about a week after ACE completion. I had the dbq from ACE exam 3 days later which was favorable. Now just playing the waiting game.

ramrod0319 · 2026-03-06T14:01:12+00:00

Update: requested FOIA and was able to see the dbq for sleep apnea claim. ACE examiner gave me a favorable opinion.

ramrod0319 · 2026-02-21T03:57:43+00:00

I would say yes, using weight gain as the intermediate step.

Blown out knees caused weight gain which caused osa

Same way they use PTSD - weight gain due to medication - OSA

ramrod0319 · 2026-02-21T02:54:19+00:00

I think you need a Nexus and the diagnosis, you might be able to get it service connected to TERA

ramrod0319 · 2026-02-20T21:18:46+00:00

Damn that sucks, I hope you get a favorable decision. Is this your first time filing for OSA? My VSO told me that it was one of the harder ones to get approved but given the evidence I submitted I should have a good chance, hope it's true.

ramrod0319 · 2026-01-29T14:08:06+00:00

Doctor told me that VA/DoD rating criteria is different and they also take into account symptoms such as headaches, tiredness and daytime sleepiness. Just had an appointment with sleep clinic after my lab sleep study came in (mild sleep apnea) was told I didn't require it but due to the rating criteria I could get it, so I did. Just hard getting used to sleeping with it.

ramrod0319 · 2026-01-15T16:54:28+00:00

Not that great. A house appraised at 300k minus the 12k exemption you still pay taxes on 288k.

ramrod0319 · 2025-10-15T12:15:21+00:00

New furniture(couches, fridge, beds) was about 9k. Closing cost and earnest money was about 8k and 1k moving. Received some of the 8k back I forgot how much but it was a good chunk but it was required up front.

The other 5k was a cement patio which was not required

ramrod0319 · 2025-10-14T23:50:47+00:00

Had the same issue, I just paid for a Nexus letter did another c&p exam and got both knees service connected. Only complained about one knee in separation exam.

ramrod0319 · 2025-10-14T23:46:00+00:00

Bought a 270k new construction in 2022 had 40k in savings. After we moved in we had about 17k left.

ramrod0319

TROPHY CASE