What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep-related breathing disorder. It happens when a person’s airflow stops or is greatly reduced during sleep, even though they’re still trying to breathe. This is usually caused by the airway becoming blocked or collapsing temporarily during sleep. (more…)
The VA Acknowledged a Strong Link Between Tinnitus and Sleep Apnea — But Wrongly Dismissed It
In this case, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) conceded that there’s a strong correlation between the veteran’s tinnitus and his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—but denied the claim by arguing there’s no causation. That decision fails to recognize how modern science, law, and VA precedent treat the connection between correlation and causation. (more…)
Sleep Apnea and Headaches or Migraines
Sleep problems and headaches often go hand in hand. Pain from headaches can make it hard to sleep, and poor sleep can trigger or worsen headaches. This two-way connection has been known for a long time and is now supported by growing scientific research. (more…)
Sleep Apnea and Heart Health
Sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is linked to many heart and blood vessel problems, including high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure. Because of this connection, doctors are increasingly focusing on treating sleep apnea not just to improve sleep but also to prevent or manage heart disease. (more…)
Sleep Apnea and Heart Health
Sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is linked to many heart and blood vessel problems, including high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure. Because of this connection, doctors are increasingly focusing on treating sleep apnea not just to improve sleep but also to prevent or manage heart disease. (more…)
Why the VA Should Use Veteran Data—Not Just General Population Statistics
The Veterans Affairs (VA) Board of Appeals made a critical error by relying on general population data to evaluate the causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In the civilian world, sleep apnea is most often linked to obesity and aging. But for veterans, the reality is very different. (more…)
Sleep Apnea in Veterans: Why PTSD, Mood Disorders, and Tinnitus Matter
Many veterans struggle with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. While sleep apnea is often linked to age and obesity in the general population, veterans face very different risk factors that are often overlooked. (more…)
How Tinnitus Contributes to Sleep Apnea in Veterans
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. One type—obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to narrow or close. For veterans dealing with both tinnitus (a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears) and obesity, there’s growing evidence that tinnitus plays a key role in causing or worsening OSA. (more…)
How Sleep Apnea Can Start During Military Service
Many veterans develop sleep apnea during their time in the military but aren’t officially diagnosed until years later. To prove that their sleep apnea began during service, veterans often submit personal statements to the VA explaining symptoms they experienced—like loud snoring and feeling unusually tired during the day. It’s also common for former roommates or fellow service members to back up these claims by describing what they saw or heard. (more…)
PTSD Is a Major Cause of Sleep Apnea in Obese Veterans
Many veterans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a condition where breathing stops repeatedly during sleep. While obesity is often blamed, this explanation alone overlooks a crucial factor: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mounting evidence shows that PTSD is not only linked to sleep apnea but plays a direct role in causing it, especially among veterans who are already at higher risk due to service-related conditions. (more…)