Originally Posted by
stabapch
If someone is truly diagnosed with sleep apnea, medical studies prove that it’s the equivalent of waking up every 30 seconds. That’s a fact.
Not exactly. According to WebMD the currently accepted criteria are:
Normal sleep: Fewer than 5 events per hour
Mild sleep apnea: 5 to 14 events per hour
Moderate sleep apnea: 15 to 29 events per hour
Severe sleep apnea: 30 or more events per hour
Originally Posted by
stabapch
Medical researchers have linked the effects of fatigue to the effects of hypoxia. They’re proven to be identical.
. For very severe cases, that’s true. For the vast majority of cases, that is not true. For anyone who can meet FAA criteria for a Special Issuance it is not true.
Originally Posted by
stabapch
Due to this, I would agree that sleep apnea is definitely a serious disability.
. The Social security administration disagrees. They generally do not grant disability to most people with CPAP controlled OSA unless they have another complicating issue such as a heart condition. Like the FAA, they do not consider it disabling. In fact, pretty much nobody else grants disability by the extremely loose criteria used by the VA EXCEPT the VA.
Originally Posted by
stabapch
However, if you’re constantly in a ‘drunken’ state due to sleep apnea, not so much.
If you are constantly in a ‘drunken’ state due to sleep apnea you don’t meet FAA criteria for special issuance.
Originally Posted by
stabapch
To the OP, talk to your AME. The only thing the FAA cares about is successful continued treatment.
Not exactly. They ADDITIONALLY want you to be able to document to THEM that your treatment is successful since they are the ones certifying your medical qualification to fly.