Sleep Apnea Claim

[EODCMC]

Hi, I am a 30 year retired vet. I retired 13 years ago. I as recently diagnosed with "very severe" obstructive sleep apnea. The machine they gave me is preset on the highest output flow. My episode exceed 35 times an hour with some lasting more than 30 seconds. 

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a couple of years prior to retirement and the study and diagnosis is documented in my record. In fact, they wanted to operate on my uvula. There lies the rub. The operation could have ended my career so I didn't persue. Additionally, while on active duty I developed severe chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis and this also is documented in my service health record. I have been living with this and chalking it down to getting old.

Fast forward...I recently got a machine that they say I have to wear for the remainder of my life. I just learned that Tricare Prime does not pay for it all. So, I researched online and submitted a claim the E-benefits and it has been received and was under review until today when they changed this to "gathering of evidence" Development Letter Sent.

Does anyone know what this means? What do I have to look forward to concerning the process. I watch the news. It doesn't look good, right?

thanks in advance.

[Marine1342]

I've always had to wait for the letter to come in the mail.  The service reps didn't want to communicate that information to me over the phone or email. Understandable.

I've also had it where the money hit my account with direct deposit before I got any letter in the mail.  I think that both the funds (if applicable) and the letter are sent out at the same time, but clearly electronic stuff passes faster than a physical letter in the mail.  May not always hold true though.  It is also hard (for me at least) to calculate the percentage based on what is deposited due to back-pay and any partial pay, which is why for that % number I look online (eBenefits and MyHealtheVet).  Fairly new system, the whole electronic thing, but when I first started with claims (2007) I didn't have access to those sites so it was just sit on your hands and wait.
Can't even begin to imagine what it was like 20+ years ago...

[Gastone]

Frack the Award/Denial Letter, good news if you won, pisses you off if your Denied. Why ruin a trip thinking about it. Getting a Txt from your Bank regarding A Retro Deposit, now that would make your day, right.

Just be sure your Direct Deposit Account is set up to Txt-Email you real-time regarding ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS. Retro DEPOSITS, at lease for me and just about every other Vet I Know, always hit your Bank Account well in advance of the VA Award/Denial Letter arriving.

Semper Fi

[EODCMC]

Official today: 50% for OSA and 10% for Rhinitis.

[Marine1342]

Well hot dog! Congrats on finally being recognized by the VA!  Now you can fully enjoy your vacation and take a mental break!

[EODCMC]

Thanks! Yep...I'd like to read the decision though. It will have to wait until my lreturn.

[Gastone]

Did the RETRO HIT Your Account Yet?

Semper Fi