Mild OSA ( AHI and/or RDI < 15/hr) with or without CPAP treatment is deployable. No waiver required.

What medical conditions prevent you from deploying?

Any medical condition that could result in sudden incapacitation including a history of stroke within the last 24 months, seizure disorders, and diabetes mellitus type I or II, treated with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.

Will the military discharge you for sleep apnea?

How Veterans Can Receive VA Disability Benefits for Sleep Apnea. while serving in the military;(2) if you were diagnosed with sleep apnea within one year of your discharge; or (3)If your sleep apnea causes or aggravates or is caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

What qualifies as non-deployable?

a.

Service members with a medical condition that permanently prevents deployment are non-deployable. This includes Service members processed through the DES who are not deployable and were retained in the Military Service.

Why is sleep apnea so common in military?

The authors noted that many factors may have contributed to the larger number of Army personnel receiving diagnoses, including that the service has higher rates of personnel who are overweight -- a contributing factor to sleep apnea -- and soldiers may have better access to medical centers with sleep disorder clinics.

Sleep apnea - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

Is sleep apnea combat related?

Increased risk of sleep apnea was associated with deployment but not combat exposure. A number of comorbid medical conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury mediated a portion of these associations.

Is sleep apnea hereditary?

Research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea is about 40 percent attributable to genetics, which means it can be hereditary. The other 60 percent of underlying causes for obstructive sleep apnea are environmental or lifestyle-related.

Does sleep apnea make me non-deployable?

a. OSA of any severity, if symptomatic despite treatment, is non-deployable.

Are you deployable with high blood pressure?

Once a Soldier is diagnosed with hypertension, our goal is to get it under control and manageable so he can deploy,” said Maj. (Dr.) Alcario Serros, chief of Internal Medicine at Darnall. “The majority of the time, cases can be controlled through intervention, either with medication and/or lifestyle changes.”

Can you choose not to get deployed?

Yes it is a choice. You do not get to choose where to deploy. Not usually. You may request a duty assignment that will actively place you in rotation for combat theater but it is not possible to join specifically for the purpose of deploying to war.

How much disability do you get for sleep apnea?

Disability ratings for sleep apnea are assigned at 0, 30, 50, or 100 percent. If sleep apnea causes disordered breathing but no other symptoms, the veteran will be assigned a 0 percent rating, meaning the veteran will not receive any monthly payment amount for sleep apnea.

What are the main causes of sleep apnea?

• Excess weight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of sleep apnea. ...
• Neck circumference. People with thicker necks might have narrower airways.
• A narrowed airway. You might have inherited a narrow throat. ...
• Being male. ...
• Being older. ...
• Family history. ...
• Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. ...
• Smoking.

Is there a link between sleep apnea and depression?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also linked to depression. A 2003 study of nearly 19,000 participants found that depression increased the risk of developing a sleep disorder with breathing symptoms by five times.

Can you take medication on deployment?

Individuals with psychiatric illnesses and treated with psychotropic medications can deploy if they meet criteria outlined in DoD and theater policies. Deploying typically requires a waiver requested by the individual's commander.

What happens if MEPS disqualifies you?

If your 2807-2 is declined or you fail your physical at MEPS, you will receive either a Temporary Disqualification (TDQ) or a Permanent Disqualification (PDQ). Don't let those terms scare you away.

What happens if you lie at MEPS?

How about this: Lying to join the military is a fraudulent enlistment and can result in a felony conviction. Yes, you need to be caught in the lie, but that isn't as difficult as you might think.

What is coat syndrome?

What is white coat syndrome? Some people find that their blood pressure is normal at home, but rises slightly when they're at the doctor. This is known as white coat syndrome, or the white coat effect. The syndrome gets its name from doctors and medical staff who sometimes wear white coats in a professional setting.

Will the army kick you out for high blood pressure?

Fortunately, hypertension is a condition that benefits from a presumption of being service related. In other words, if you develop hypertension at the 10 percent rating level or higher within one year of your discharge, the VA will conclude that the condition was caused by your military service.

Do they check your blood pressure at MEPS?

Yes, they do. Yes, they check all vitals at MEPS. Heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. They will check your blood pressure, as well as a medical evaluation once you get to the in-processing station before going to start basic training.

Can you be deployed with braces?

You cannot be deployed if you are still in braces treatment, so you cannot be formally sworn into the military until your braces are removed. To enlist with braces on you'll have to join the Delayed Entry Program, which allows you to begin your enlistment while you finish your treatment.

Can you deploy with PTSD?

Although Department of Defense medical standards for enlistment into the armed forces disqualify those who have suffered from PTSD or acute reactions to stress, including combat fatigue, military officials acknowledge that they are not exempting service members who meet those criteria from going to war.

Is sleep apnea curable?

CPAP and oral appliances work well, but they're not cures for sleep apnea. The only sure way to rid yourself of the condition for good is to either lose weight or have surgery to remove excess tissue from the palate or throat.

What age does sleep apnea occur?

The cessation of breathing usually occurs because there is a blockage (obstruction) in the airway. Obstructive sleep apnea affects many children and is most commonly found in children between 2 and 6 years of age, but can occur at any age.

What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that happens when your breathing stops and starts while you slumber. If it goes untreated, it can cause loud snoring, daytime tiredness, or more serious problems like heart trouble or high blood pressure.

Is sleep apnea considered a permanent VA disability?

Can the VA Take Away My Sleep Apnea Rating? Since the condition is not considered a permanent VA disability, you can have your rating taken away by the VA. If the condition resolves over time, and you are reevaluated to not have sleep apnea any more, you will no longer be able to claim that rating for compensation.