Jump to content

Ask Your VA Claims Questions | Read Current Posts 
Read VA Disability Claims Articles
Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules 

  • tbirds-va-claims-struggle (1).png

  • 01-2024-stay-online-donate-banner.png

     

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Osa) Info Requested?

Rate this topic


Recommended Posts

  • HadIt.com Elder

I'm looking for others to post their experience with the VA's handling of their OSA care. I was diagnosed 2 yrs ago. The VA gave me a CPAP. I was eventually able to adapt to a nose pillow type facial apparatus. Took about a yr. Since then they've given me a new machine but I'm still having problems w/it. Last wk I had a private OSA specialist order me a new sleep study. I believe I will be switched to a BPAP shortly, which should help. Part of my problem is that the VA never set my new machine to my specs but just left the factory specs set for me. Needless to say I'm still having problems. My private Dr reset the CPAP for me, which helped, but will probably need the BPAP. Part of my problem is getting the VA to replace my nasal pillows?? My VA does absolutely no follow-up. Anyone caring to add their experience, it would be appreciated, so please do. Thanks!

pr

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 25
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

The Va provided me with a CPAP.The first year I was seen by the specialty clinic at the OKC Veterans Hospital about every 3 months.After that I haven't seen or talked to a live person about my Apnea in almost 18 months.About 6 months ago they sent an envelope for me to download my chip from the CPAP and a questionaire.I had not used the CPAP for over 6 months as I CANNOT go to sleep with it on.I put this in the questionaire.Never recieved any feedback until about 3 months later when my Psychiatrist saw a note in my medical treatment records.Still not using CPAP as I currently have enough issues going to sleep as it is.I am taking Trazadone at night to help me sleep and as 1 of my antidepressants.I am really not pleased with the VA's treatment of this issue..Good luck with the new machine...............Grid

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder

I can share my experiences with the VA and private medical. The VA did a sleep study a few years back that didn't find anything significant. Over the past year, I was seen by a non-VA rheumatologist who went over everything and requested a second study. A few months ago I had the study. It was positive for OSA and also had neurological readings consistent with fibromyalgia. I came in for a second study the very next night and they got me on a BIPAP. They had to get my numbers well above 20 for it to make a difference with the fibro, which is a problem in itself (will explain in a bit).

My private insurance did provide me with a really nice BIPAP machine, complete with remote monitoring so the sleep clinic can make adjustments without me having to bring in the unit. Not sure what the VA would have provided.

Having pressure numbers above 20 means the mask almost has to be bolted to my head to prevent air leaks that make fart-like noises all night long. The tension from the straps sends my TMJ pain through the roof, even penetrating any sleep or pain medicine I may have taken. Waking up in the morning is now a mixed bag, never knowing if I will feel even partially refreshed or in horrible pain. It's better than before though, because it was just all pain.

My insurance only provides replacement parts roughly about every 10 months, but I had to get a replacement mask because the thin silicone/plastic film got torn while I was hospitalized recently. Luckily, the vendor had a spare and swapped it out no problem. If it happens again before the 10 month window, it will cost me like $75 for a replacement.

I actually have a VA primary care visit coming up soon and was going to inquire about having the VA sleep clinic supply replacement hoses and mask/cusions. I didn't have high hopes for them to say yes, but after reading about your experiences I at least expect them to be less cooperative.

"If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid."
- From Murphy's Laws of Combat

Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, so use at own risk and/or consult a qualified professional representative. Please refer to existing VA laws, regulations, and policies for the most up to date information.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I received a CPAP from the VA in 04. Once I received the machine I went several years without being seen by the VA. I had other health issues going on so I didn't think about it. Finally they sent me an appointment which I went to. I was told I should be seen yearly. I don't know who dropped the ball. Anyhow I go yearly now. They furnish me with whatever supplies I need.

vet12

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I must be one of the lucky ones. Just DX'd with OSA in Aug. of this year. The first week in Sept. I was given a BiPAP by my VAMC. (Priced it on the net. Just under 6 grand.) They set it at 8/4 and made me an appt with a pulmonologist.

After the appt, went back and they reset the machine to 10/6. They made me an appt for 6 months out and said if I needed parts in the interim, to walk in and they would supply them. As for the BiPAP, it's totally silent. And I can now stay awake instead of falling asleep in the middle of my first cup of coffee. Just can't find anything bad to say about the treatment I've received from my VAMC.

SEMPER FI

ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Tell a friend

    Love HadIt.com’s VA Disability Community Vets helping Vets since 1997? Tell a friend!
  • Recent Achievements

    • Lebro earned a badge
      First Post
    • stuart55 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • stuart55 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Lebro earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • Sparklinger earned a badge
      First Post
  • Our picks

    • Caluza Triangle defines what is necessary for service connection
      Caluza Triangle – Caluza vs Brown defined what is necessary for service connection. See COVA– CALUZA V. BROWN–TOTAL RECALL

      This has to be MEDICALLY Documented in your records:

      Current Diagnosis.   (No diagnosis, no Service Connection.)

      In-Service Event or Aggravation.
      Nexus (link- cause and effect- connection) or Doctor’s Statement close to: “The Veteran’s (current diagnosis) is at least as likely due to x Event in military service”
      • 0 replies
    • Do the sct codes help or hurt my disability rating 
    • VA has gotten away with (mis) interpreting their  ambigious, , vague regulations, then enforcing them willy nilly never in Veterans favor.  

      They justify all this to congress by calling themselves a "pro claimant Veteran friendly organization" who grants the benefit of the doubt to Veterans.  

      This is not true, 

      Proof:  

          About 80-90 percent of Veterans are initially denied by VA, pushing us into a massive backlog of appeals, or worse, sending impoverished Veterans "to the homeless streets" because  when they cant work, they can not keep their home.  I was one of those Veterans who they denied for a bogus reason:  "Its been too long since military service".  This is bogus because its not one of the criteria for service connection, but simply made up by VA.  And, I was a homeless Vet, albeit a short time,  mostly due to the kindness of strangers and friends. 

          Hadit would not be necessary if, indeed, VA gave Veterans the benefit of the doubt, and processed our claims efficiently and paid us promptly.  The VA is broken. 

          A huge percentage (nearly 100 percent) of Veterans who do get 100 percent, do so only after lengthy appeals.  I have answered questions for thousands of Veterans, and can only name ONE person who got their benefits correct on the first Regional Office decision.  All of the rest of us pretty much had lengthy frustrating appeals, mostly having to appeal multiple multiple times like I did. 

          I wish I know how VA gets away with lying to congress about how "VA is a claimant friendly system, where the Veteran is given the benefit of the doubt".   Then how come so many Veterans are homeless, and how come 22 Veterans take their life each day?  Va likes to blame the Veterans, not their system.   
    • Welcome to hadit!  

          There are certain rules about community care reimbursement, and I have no idea if you met them or not.  Try reading this:

      https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-emergency-care-at-non-va-facilities/

         However, (and I have no idea of knowing whether or not you would likely succeed) Im unsure of why you seem to be so adamant against getting an increase in disability compensation.  

         When I buy stuff, say at Kroger, or pay bills, I have never had anyone say, "Wait!  Is this money from disability compensation, or did you earn it working at a regular job?"  Not once.  Thus, if you did get an increase, likely you would have no trouble paying this with the increase compensation.  

          However, there are many false rumors out there that suggest if you apply for an increase, the VA will reduce your benefits instead.  

      That rumor is false but I do hear people tell Veterans that a lot.  There are strict rules VA has to reduce you and, NOT ONE of those rules have anything to do with applying for an increase.  

      Yes, the VA can reduce your benefits, but generally only when your condition has "actually improved" under ordinary conditions of life.  

          Unless you contacted the VA within 72 hours of your medical treatment, you may not be eligible for reimbursement, or at least that is how I read the link, I posted above. Here are SOME of the rules the VA must comply with in order to reduce your compensation benefits:

      https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.344

       
    • Good question.   

          Maybe I can clear it up.  

          The spouse is eligible for DIC if you die of a SC condition OR any condition if you are P and T for 10 years or more.  (my paraphrase).  

      More here:

      Source:

      https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/

      NOTE:   TO PROVE CAUSE OF DEATH WILL LIKELY REQUIRE AN AUTOPSY.  This means if you die of a SC condtion, your spouse would need to do an autopsy to prove cause of death to be from a SC condtiond.    If you were P and T for 10 full years, then the cause of death may not matter so much. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use