Sleep Apnea VA Claims, Col. Gregory Daddis (ret.), Rocky Versace MOH
May 05, 2021
This week on 4 Minutes With LHFV, Veterans Attorney Jim Fausone will discuss a very prevalent disability among veterans, sleep apnea. Learn more about what to keep in mind for your sleep apnea VA claim; a Veterans Radio Podcast featuring Army Colonel Gregory Daddis (ret.); and a remarkable Medal of Honor story from Home of Heroes on Captain Humbert “Rocky” Versace during the Vietnam War.
Sleep Apnea VA Claims
Obstructive sleep apnea is perhaps the most common condition, it is when you stop breathing for brief periods of time during sleep. Normally, air flows smoothly from the mouth and nose into the lungs; with obstructive sleep apnea, your throat muscles intermittently relax and block airways during sleep. One noticeable sign of this sleep disorder is snoring.
Sleep apnea is far too common in our nation’s veterans, particularly due to the many stresses experienced during service. In fact, since 2009, the number of veterans’ claims for sleep apnea has increased by over 150%, per USA Today.
Like many VA disability claims, eligibility for benefits depends on proving service connection. To establish a direct service connection for sleep apnea, a veteran must show that they have a current diagnosis, an in-service event or injury, and a medical nexus that shows their sleep apnea is related to the in-service event.
A veteran can also establish service connection on a secondary basis. Meaning that the veteran has a service-connected disability that caused sleep apnea. In this situation, the claimant must have a medical nexus to connect their sleep apnea and the current service-connected disability.
Just remember, once you begin the process of a sleep apnea VA claim, you will need a sleep study to confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Learn more about Sleep Apnea VA Disability Claims.
Veterans Radio Podcast – Colonel Gregory Daddis (ret.)
Veterans Radio America enjoys interviewing past service members to get their thoughts on today’s climate. Recently, host Jim Fausone interviewed retired Army Col. Gregory Daddis. Daddis served for 26 years, is a West Point graduate, and holds a Ph.D. in History. In civilian life, he has taught history at the U.S. Military Academy, Chapman University, and now at San Diego State University.
Col. Daddis wrote an opinion piece published in Salon magazine, advising America to stop its ritualistic fawning over veterans. He discusses the concerns behind that piece and the military-political class, cautioning listeners about the military driving our foreign affairs.
Home of Heroes – Rocky Versace Medal of Honor
On October 29, 1963, less than two weeks before the end of his tour, Humbert “Rocky” Versace accompanied several South Vietnamese Civilian Irregular Defense (CIDG) troops to remove a Viet Cong command post stronghold located in the U Minh Forest.
A VC battalion ambushed and overran Versace’s unit, wounding him in the process. He was able to provide enough covering fire so the CIDG forces could withdraw from the killing zone. But ultimately, Versace was captured and taken to a prison deep in the jungle along with two other Americans.
Nearly two years and four escape attempts later, on September 26, 1965, VC interrogators gathered their American prisoners and forced them to listen to a National Liberation Front Radio broadcast. On that day, the voice across the radio spoke of two American prisoners, Captain Versace and Sergeant First Class Kenneth Roraback.
The announcer told his audience that both men were “unrepentant reactionaries who had been punished for their crimes” by order of the high command of the National Liberation Front. Both men, the voice announced, had been executed. The last time the prisoners heard Captain Versace’s voice, he was loudly singing “God Bless America”.
Read the full Heroes Story of Rocky Versace.
Get Expert Help With Your Sleep Apnea VA Claim
If your sleep apnea VA claim was denied, you may be able to appeal and receive VA disability compensation. The law office of Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC is here to help. For over 20 years, we have helped thousands of veterans overturn their denied claims. Call our office at (800) 693-4800 or fill out a Free Claim Evaluation form to discuss your VA disability claim.