Apologies in advance for replying without being able to provide any words of wisdom, but I can sympathize to some degree because I am in somewhat of a similar predicament regarding when to apply for jobs based on a medical issue. Decided last month I wanted to transition to the airlines, but inadvertently discovered on my own that I should have disclosed VA disability benefits to the FAA in the past which I did not do. I have never received a letter from the FAA about this so on the advice of a couple of lawyers I spoke with I self reported last week when it was time for me to re-up my medical with my AME. My VA disability was for a 10 year old mild sleep apnea diagnosis so as soon as I found out what it was for last month I found an old CPAP in the attic along with all my old VA records, dusted it off and immediately started using it. By the time I had my consult with the AME I already had 17 days of compliance at 6hrs per night per the FAA requirement so the AME issued my 1st class on the spot because I was already able to show current compliance with treatment for my previous diagnosis, BUT he also sent me to a pulmonologist in anticipation the FAA will want an updated sleep study and if still diagnosed will required 30 days of CPAP compliance along with the recent sleep study report for review. Based on my previous results and current health the pulmonologist my AME referred me to thinks my case is so mild based on my previous sleep study scores that he will probably be able to un-diagnose me with the new results IF they come out the same. Worst case scenario if my scores come out high enough for a re-diagnosis I will just have to show CPAP compliance from now on which the AME is not concerned about since I have already demonstrated I am capable of doing so. I'm ready to start applying to the airlines, but I'm not sure if I should wait until the sleep study is done, results are back, AME has sent all info to the FAA and I am cleared under an SI waiver OR apply now since I have my 1st class in hand, and my AME and Pulmonologist have no concerns about me being able to keep my medical and continue flying with this diagnosis in the future. Again, not deferred like in the original post, but at some point in the future I will receive an FAA letter requesting updated documentation on this issue for review and nobody can tell me what my status will be once I receive the letter or how long the FAA may take to review my case. I feel like everyday I sit around waiting to apply is another day I am losing seniority wherever I end up, but I also don't know how long the hiring process and on-boarding will take...how long it will take to get an interview, get a class date, complete initial training, etc. and if and when this could become an issue along the way. In the meantime I have updated my resume, reviewed my logbooks and I'm researching interview consulting companies this week so I can start an interview preparation program as soon as next week. Anyone out there with experience in this arena please chime in and thank you.