Wayne TX

EODCMC......I was told to bring my CPAP to VAMC in on my first anniversary date.......doesn't make a lot of sense to me either if all there going to do is extract a chip and replace with a new one. I assume the chip is not easy to locate or retrieve and that they need to insert a new one anyway to insure functionality.  I am assuming you just walk in with the CPAP, they extract what they need and then add a new chip, and you return home with it same day for that night.  Has anyone actually experienced bringing in their CPAP to a VAMC Sleep Study Lab and exactly what takes place there? I doubt they're able to monitor from my home, which is a great advantage for you EODCMC, since they said bring the hardware with me.  

Wayne, Buck has been intimating that the VA is cracking down on the SA compensations. Perhaps they feel that folks aren't using the machines and/or tampering with the results. They are ever looking for ways to reduce fraud. 
That said, it's about my health. The machine literally reduces my apneas to normal levels. I sleep better, I feel better and many symptoms are improving. My doctor tells me that I will return to very severe OSA without using it. Oh and by the way, my wife will sleep in the same room again.
I suppose a yearly visit to the VA with the machine is worth the peace of mind and the compensation.

Thanks Flores97.......I may give the Congressman approach if not delivered within 6 months. I seriously doubt I will get screwed out of a DRO HEARING for lack of not submitting new evidence up front as I have obtained the services of an attorney who does know VA Benefits Law.  I got fedup dealing with VSO and Veteran's Commission Reps who are nothing more than Clerks submitting paper to RO. I've done all the work!  I believe all this BS comes down to the VA knowing that the average Joe has no clue about VA Benefits Law, and realize many won't fight back and give up trying. As for Dr. Ellis.....he's one of the good guys in a system full of denials and low balling of legit claims.
 

I have an additional question......I have several NOD's in play (4)......one is for a disability increase that was low balled.  This is a slam dunk as it meets the full criteria required to be increased from 10 to 30%.  The others (3) I am getting additional IME/IMO done to submit as N&M to show that service connection is secondary to existing SC disability.  My question......can I go ahead right now and ask that the NOD for an increase be done sooner or independent of the other 3, and then I send in the other 3 when the IME/IMO is done.  That is the reason I did not send anything to RO initially because I knew I would have still need a little time to get another IMO done and submitted but still well before any DRO Hearing.  I hope I have made sense, and if so, just wondering if DRO can address one NOD any sooner than the others if requested.  All 4 NOD's were all submitted at the same time a month ago just on the Form.  Thanks for all your answers to date, and I hope to get more feedback on the Q just asked.
BTW.....Flores97......got a Q for you......why would I not get a DRO Hearing, which has already been acknowledged I requested a Hearing, whether I sent new evidence now or waited until the Hearing. Just curious why you say I might not even get a Hearing.  Thanks.
WayneTX

I requested through TX Veterans Commission my C-File  5 months ago and I got the same BS back of see ya in late 2017 or early 2018.........well, that did it for me.....lawyered up to make the same exact request again......not only was a time frame not even issued.....four weeks after it was received eBenefits now saying  "gathering evidence".  I believe we all get the same BS run around when we use a VSO or Veterans Commission rep.  Been at this now since 2009.......if a 20% give up on retro can get their attention and speed the process up then I see it as money well spent.  I don't want to be dead before my claims ever see the light of day.  At the rate I'm moving through the process (40%) I don't want to be messing with this 8-10 years from now. For me, I'm paying the man.

A call is all you should need to do to get your machine..  The last thing any VAMC wants to do is have someone die by lagging behind on getting out the equipment immediately. Terrible PR.  If the call does not work favorably in a few days then call your Patient Advocate and let them know what you need.  They will jump on it and find out what is holding up the request and resolve.  I have found being in the VA system since 2001 that you have to take charge and demand that your needs get fast and prompt attention.  The last thing any VA employee wants is the VAMC Director Head Honcho on their case.
 

John Royal......it took me no time at all to,get a CPAP issued.  My sleep study was completed on Dec. 1st.  I called Neurology on Dec. 2nd and asked when I could get my CPAP......they said come in the next morning and get it!  You have to take the bull by the horns to make it turn faster......if you wait on them good luck it could easily take 30-45 days.  I have learned that to make things happen with the VAMC you have to stay right on top of them otherwise you fall into the system of waiting until they come around for you.

I was wondering if a NOD claim goes back to the same rater who denied the initial claim or does it go to a completely different Rater unknown to the initial Rater?   How does this actually work within the system when you file a NOD?  Do you file it with all the new evidence right then attached or is it best to wait on sending New Evidence until after Statement of Claim (SOC) is received to counter it better?  What is the SOC all about and any different than the decision denial reasons????? Working on it this weekend to file with Rep on Monday so would appreciate a quick reply. Thanks for any help out there.

Would like some opinions.......I have sleep apnea and restless legs....two sleep studies done at VAMC.......been on a CPAP since early December.......I am already SC for both allergic rhinitis w/Polyps and Sinus......would either of these or both be strong enough secondaries to get Sleep Apnea SC approved?  I have nothing in my service records for sleep disorder or sleep complaints.  I was told I was a loud snorer but I didn't think much of that.  I do have a history of allergies and sinus surgery all during my military service and a lot in VA File.  I got denied on Sleep Apneaa claim in January.  I got an IMO done but Dr. went with Obesity (which I qualified as well, 40 pound weight gain) opinion instead...........he did not use allergy and sinus SC as secondaries. He could of gone with the rhinitis but he didn't...........sinus did not get approved until January 2016. Also, I was not on a CPAP when I filed the initial claim....just sleep studies results showing moderate apnea.  I was not issued a CPAP until December of 2015, and got my denial in January 2016.  I need to file a NOD now so looking for some advice in going this route. Thanks