![]() ![]() Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition affecting a large number of veterans due to service-connected disabilities such as PTSD and tinnitus, which are conditions that are far more prevalent in veterans than in the general population.Īs noted supra, the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea in obese men (BMI >30) is 12.1%, while the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea in all veterans is 27.3%, and reported to be as high as 70% in veterans suffering from PTSD, while veterans are usually leaner than the general population. Obesity is one of the major causes of obstructive sleep apnea in the general population however, it is not the only one. The VA examiner noted multiple risk factors, to include the Veteran’s elevated BMI that result in obstructive sleep apnea. To prevail, the VA examiner must show that the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea in obese veterans is higher than that in veterans suffering from PTSD. The examiner relied on studies of the general public, where obesity was associated with an incidence of 12.1% obstructive sleep apnea, but ignored the vast medical literature coming from the veteran community, where the incidence of 70% obstructive sleep apnea among veterans suffering from PTSD was reported. The VA examiner almost always opine the the veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea is caused by obesity and as obesity is not considered a disability his claim is denied. Obesity is not the ONLY cause of obstructive sleep apnea. ![]()
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