Nexus Letter for Sleep Apnea Secondary to Asthma
By Telemedica
4/9/2024
Do you need a nexus letter for sleep apnea secondary to asthma? A nexus letter is frequently the missing link to receiving a winning VA disability claim.
It’s common for veterans to develop asthma due to toxin, smoke, or burn pit exposure causing an inflammation of the airways which may increase the chances of developing sleep apnea.
This guide will cover the importance of a nexus letter for sleep apnea secondary to asthma, how to get service-connected and how the team at Telemedica can help.
Nexus Letter for Sleep Apnea Secondary to Asthma
A Nexus Letter is crucial evidence when submitting a VA claim for sleep apnea secondary to asthma, linking your service-connected asthma and the development or worsening of sleep apnea.
A nexus letter with a high probative value for sleep apnea secondary asthma should include the following four things:
- The physician’s credentials, particularly ones that make them a trustworthy source for the following opinion (i.e. a cardiologist talking about a heart condition, etc.)
- A reference indicating that the physician composing the letter has thoroughly reviewed the veteran’s medical records and military records that pertain to the claim
- The physician’s opinion regarding the cause of the current diagnosed condition and its relation to the veteran’s military service
- Medical rationale that fully supports the physician’s opinion
It’s important to note that the VA only accepts nexus letters written from licensed providers.
How Sleep Apnea and Asthma are Connected
Many research studies show a connection between sleep apnea and asthma, where one condition negatively affects the other. According to the National Institutes of Health, an increased vagal tone during sleep apnea episodes could be a trigger for nocturnal asthma attacks in sleep apnea patients.
While neither sleep apnea nor asthma causes the other condition, there are shared risk factors, and each condition may worsen the other.
How to Get Service-Connected for Sleep Apnea Secondary to Asthma
To win a VA disability claim for sleep apnea secondary to asthma, you must be able to prove service connection. Service connection requires:
- A current medical diagnosis (documented in a medical record) of the secondary VA disability you’re attempting to link (sleep Apnea) to the current service-connected disability (asthma) AND
- A current service-connected primary disability (asthma) AND
- Medical nexus evidence establishing a connection between the service-connected primary condition (asthma) AND the current disability you’re trying to connect secondary (sleep Apnea)
You must attend a sleep study to receive an accurate sleep apnea diagnosis. A sleep study is critical in finding evidence of irregular breathing, gasping, and other obvious signs of sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Secondary to Asthma VA Ratings
The VA rates sleep apnea secondary to asthma at 0%, 30%, 50%, and 100%, depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you require a breathing device.
You can find the VA rating for sleep apnea under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847 Schedule of Ratings – Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed).
If you receive a 50% or greater VA rating for sleep apnea, you’ll require one of the following qualifying breathing assistance devices:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
- Automatic airway pressure device (APAP)
- Bilevel-positive airway pressure device (BiPAP, also known as NIPPV or NIV)
- Nasopharyngeal appliances (Nasal dilators; nasopharyngeal stents)
- Oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices (MAD); tongue-retaining mouthpieces)
- Implanted genioglossal nerve stimulation devices
It’s important to understand that, in most cases, the VA will NOT give you two separate ratings for sleep apnea AND asthma; and instead, you’ll receive a combined rating.
Do I Need a DBQ for Sleep Apnea Secondary to Asthma?
No, a VA disability benefits questionnaire (DBQ) isn’t required when filing a VA claim for sleep apnea secondary to asthma; however, it may strengthen your case.
A VA DBQ is another way to collect crucial medical evidence to help support your VA disability claim. You can go to a civilian provider to complete your DBQ; however, it’s highly recommended you visit a VA or VA-contracted physician.
How Telemedica Can Help You Win Your VA Disability Claim
Understanding the need for a nexus letter for sleep apnea secondary to asthma may help secure a winning VA claim. The licensed, trusted professionals at Telemedica can help with your nexus letter, paving the way for the VA benefits you deserve.
We specialize in nexus letters for:
- Direct Service Connections
- Secondary Service Conditions
- Presumptive Service Conditions
You can contact us with any questions; we will gladly assist you.