The VA Sleep Apnea Guidebook is HERE!
Based on HUNDREDS of emails from Veterans and their spouses, here is what I think will be the Table of Contents for the eBook.
I say "I Think" because I will "tweak" this list based on feedback from y'all - tell me what you want to learn in this book, and I will do my best to work it in.
Chapter 1. Sleep Apnea - What Is It?
Chapter 2. Why is it Important to Service Connect Sleep Apnea?
Chapter 3. The 4 Pillars of a VA Claim
Chapter 4. Sleep Apnea and Pillar 1 (Eligibility)
Chapter 5. Sleep Apnea and Pillar 2 (Current Diagnosis)
Chapter 6. Sleep Apnea and Pillar 2 (In-Service Events)
Chapter 7. Sleep Apnea and Pillar 2 (Nexus).
Chapter 8. Sleep Apnea and Pillar 3 (Impairment Ratings).
Chapter 9. Sleep Apnea and Pillar 4 (Effective Dates).
Chapter 10. Lay Evidence in the Sleep Apnea Claim
Chapter 11. Medical Evidence in the Sleep Apnea Claim.
Chapter 12. Putting it All Together: the 5 Most Common Sleep Apnea Scenarios
Chapter 13. Common Errors in Sleep Apnea Claims.
"What do you do if your VSO tells you not to file a Sleep Apnea claim yet. My VSO told me not to file because it would delay the processing of my other claims?"
Apparently some VSOs are telling Veterans NOT to file a claim for service connection of sleep apnea because the VSO thinks it will delay a pending claim.
That is very frightening advice, if you ask me. Why?
While it is true that filing a new claim for service connection of sleep apnea while a claim for another condition is pending will likely delay processing of the first claim, I think it borders on negligence to advise a Veteran to NOT file a claim with the VA as soon as they have reason to be believe a condition is service connected.
Why do I say that?
Because the effective date of your claim for Sleep Apnea - and by extension the amount of past due benefits the VA will owe you - is driven by the date you file your claim.
Most Veterans qualify for a 50% rating for Sleep Apnea if they are using a CPAP machine to assist in treatment. That's a lot of money. (For example - a single Veteran without children receives about $822 per month for a 50% rating.)
If you are using a CPAP machine for treatment of your Sleep Apnea, and your VSO tells you to wait to file your claim, the VSO is essentially telling you to piss away at least $822 per month in past due benefits.
Here's my suggestion - the VERY MINUTE that you suspect that a medical condition is related to your military service, file your claim. It may delay resolution of pending claims, true.
If you're okay with throwing $822 (minimum) in the trash every month, then don't file your claim. Otherwise, tell your VSO to stop driving you off a cliff.
By the way, the National Organization for Veterans Advocates (NOVA) - the nation's premier organization that trains and guides attorneys that represents Veterans - makes a solid case for getting PROFESSIONAL legal representation in your VA Claim or Appeal.
Want to make a more informed decision when looking for an attorney to help you? Check out my eBook "8 Things Every Veteran Should Know Before Hiring an Attorney in their VA Claim".
Here's what one Veteran said about this eBook:
- Denis M. (Vietnam)
Chris Attig, an Accredited Veterans Benefits attorney and Founder of the Attig Law Firm, PLLC is responsible for the content of the site. The principal office of Attig Law Firm, PLLC, is located in Dallas, Texas. Chris Attig is NOT Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. - Please view our website disclaimer.
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Another reason to file a claim.for service connection as soon as a veteran becomes aware of a medical condition, even if it does delay his/her other claims, is that if that condition leads directly or indirectly to the veteran’s death, the spouse cannot pursue DIC. Also, the spouse or surviving children cannot take the veteran’s place in a claim that was never filed while the veteran was alive. Never, never a good idea to delay claims.
Vicki – AMEN!! I’ve been preaching this for YEARS, but there are still VSOs that are telling Vets to wait.
I just talked to a Vet yesterday whose VSO told him to “wait” to file for his heart condition, but forced him to file a tinnitus claim. I try not to curse too much on this blog, but seriously….WTF?!?!
Thanks for sharing, and welcome to the Veterans Law Blog!
–Chris A.
Mr. Attig,
I am finally headed to the BVA for my hearing and currently am receiving counsel from Jan Dils Law firm. I am both excited and nervous at the same time but I find a lot of your information very intriguing and am interested in purchasing some of your ebooks so that I have the knowledge and understanding of what is happening with my case.
Where can I purchase your ebooks? I tried clicking on one of the links and it would not let me purchase, how to get my C-File. I think this would really help with knowing how to answer any and all questions they may have and I definitely want to go in prepared so that I can finally get the benefits I deserve.
Please get back to me at your earliest, so that I can purchase your ebook before going in front of the BVA for my hearing. Your time and consideration is greatly appreciated.
Regards.
Tony Grant
Tony,
Tell Jan I said Howdy! Hope to catch up with her at the NOVA Conference next week if she’s there.
And GOOD LUCK at your BVA Hearing! If you’re up for it, come on back after the hearing and tell me 3 Things You Wished You Knew BEFORE You Went….we’ll get that info out to other Veterans.
You can get the eBooks a couple ways:
Go to Veteran’s University, and browse through the 8 Steps to find the book you want, and click on the one you want to “Read More” about or “Purchase”. For example, here is a link to purchase the eBook: “How to Get Your VA C-File”
–Chris A