10. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The OSA should be documented/diagnosed with in-laboratory polysomnography, with a minimum of 2 hours of total sleep time, that yields an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), or respiratory disturbance index (RDI), of greater than 5 / hour. Individuals who are treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) should deploy with a machine that has rechargeable battery back-up and sufficient supplies for the duration of the deployment. Individuals deploying to a location where their sleep environment has unfiltered air will typically not be granted waivers if a waiver is required per the guidance below. Advanced modes of airway pressure (adapt-servo ventilation, BIPAP, etc.) are not permitted in theater. The following guidelines are designed to ensure that individuals with OSA are adequately treated and that their condition is not of the severity that would pose a safety risk should they be required to go without their CPAP for a significant length of time.
a. Symptomatic OSA of any severity is non-deployable. No waivers granted. b. Mild (apnea-hypopnea index, AHI, < 15/hr) OSA with or without continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is deployable, no waiver required.
c. Untreated moderate to severe (AHI ≥ 15/hr) OSA is non-deployable. No waivers granted.
d. Treated (CPAP or otherwise) OSA with an AHI < 30/hr does NOT require a waiver to deploy, except to Afghanistan or Yemen.
e. Treated OSA with an AHI ≥ 30/hr requires a waiver for deployment to any location in the AOR.

tokyo43 wrote:Good information in this thread, but also tons of misinformation and also outdated information.

I'll post my experience for whatever it's worth.

AD USAF stationed in Japan. Was referred to an off-base sleep clinic in 2009. Completed the sleep study. 26 AHI per hr. Once my military doc received the report (mild OSA) he wrote a prescription for a CPAP - pressure setting of 5. Tricare sent the prescription to a civilian medical supply company and they shipped an Everest (preset to 5) with humidifier and nasal mask directly to my APO box. I figured out how to use the cpap and adjust the mask by reading the instructions. There was a bill in the box for a outrageous overcharge to the taxpayers (via tricare), but that's another story. That was about a year ago. Every quarter the medical company sends me an email asking if I need resupplied. When they send me these emails I use it as an opportunity to request other things I want. So far I have tried 3 different masks (including the original mask) and also had them send me a chin strap. They won't let me pick the brand/model so I may switch to another Tricare equipment provider.

A couple of tips for Active duty.

First off some of you need to man-up. It's your life. If you're a NCO or above you should know how to take charge and deal with bureaucracies.

If you're not getting the equipment you need get a copy of your prescription, email it to a tricare equipment provider, and then call the company and tell them what you need. They will send it to you and bill it to tricare. If they aren't helpful try a different company. That's how I got the backup battery for my Everest machine.

If they still won't give you the equipment you need go back to your doc and ask him to amend your prescription. i.e. requires nasal pillow mask, or backup battery, or whatever.

It's critical for your VA disability rating that your sleep apnea is diagnosed while still on active duty (if your retiring tomorrow I would go the clinic today and request medical hold until the sleep study is complete). Also critical that the paperwork isn't lost. Ask your clinic to give you copies of your sleep study and doctor prescription, preferably certified with their stamp/signature. Don't take a chance on your medical record getting lost. Much easier to get copies now.

Regarding VA disability I have a copy of the regulation and it states plain as day that sleep apnea requiring use of CPAP is 50% disabled. End of story. There is no doctor/VA discretion. Either you have a sleep study/prescription specifying CPAP or you don't. Understand that the disability pay isn't an additional 50% of your base pay. It's actually a set amount for all ranks based on the disability rating and # of dependents. Google it.

Those of you guys needing equipment in the field. Have the medical company send the equipment to your family or unit. If you can't figure out how to get it downrange from there you got issues.

Don't use this as an excuse to get out of a deployment. That's BS. Be proactive/aggressive so you don't deploy without your equipment and supplies, but don't pull any whiny I can't go BS. If day to day you're way less than 100% alert your chain that your chronic sleep depredation makes you prone to mental errors, memory loss, vehicle crashes, fratricide, etc, until it's sorted out. Proven medical fact. Follow up with a letter or email to your CC and doctor for CYA. Again time to man-up.

I have not been through the MEB process yet, but talking to several docs and numerous OSA individuals I have not heard of a single person being separated from the AF for many years. Doc says the MEB will be fast-tracked and that it's just a formality. I would guess however if you have other issues (I don't) OHA could break the camels back.

Any questions send me a PM.

Anonymous wrote:I claimed sleep apnea as a disability and was turned down, and I had my nose broken while active duty. I am wanting to appeal. I am already 50% with knees and hearing. I did not retire so I am looking for other disabled vets who did not retire that got compensation for sleep apnea. I know I had the sleep apnea while active duty, but was not tested. I got out of the Army in 1988, so discharge procedures were alot different then than now.

theprimitivemind wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I claimed sleep apnea as a disability and was turned down, and I had my nose broken while active duty. I am wanting to appeal. I am already 50% with knees and hearing. I did not retire so I am looking for other disabled vets who did not retire that got compensation for sleep apnea. I know I had the sleep apnea while active duty, but was not tested. I got out of the Army in 1988, so discharge procedures were alot different then than now.

You need a statement from a private physician stating "Joe Blow is being treated by me for OSA. I have reviewed his service medical and treatment records and I believe that it is more likely than not, that he suffered from OSA while serving on active duty in the military."

angmsgt wrote:Hi, I just got diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea a month ago. I am in the Air National Guard part time and work as a technician fulltime on the base. I must maintain my military affiliation to keep my civilian position. i was diagnosed as severe primarily because my oxygen level dropped to 79% when i sleep. I am looking for them to MEB me soon and really want them to save that i am unfit because then i will also receive my disability for my civilian position as well. i have to get another letter from my doctor this month and he says that i am not capable of deploying to an auster environment with my oxygen levels dropping. He says that i could suffer from organ damage, heart failure, stroke, or even sudden death sydrome with that low of an oxygen level. does anyone have any suggestions on what i should do.