Sleep Apnea Claims 'abuse' Another Scam To Stop Payments

[CaravanDan]

http://m.military.com/benefits/2013/05/30/attorney-urges-an-end-to-sleep-apnea-claims-abuse.html

[free_spirit_etc]

That is interesting. I never did quite understand the sleep apnea issue on my husband's claim. He complained of fatigue and trouble sleeping on his initial claim (on discharge - 1998). The VA finally did a sleep study in 2003 and prescribed a CPAP machine. My husband said they did not SC the condition, but the VA provided him with the machine and supplies. I didn't know the VA provided care for non SC conditions. (My husband was retired and had Tri-Care).

Edited September 20, 2013 by free_spirit_etc

[free_spirit_etc]

Interesting to see the lawyer writing the letter seems to think that the only disabilities people should receive benefits for are missing limbs, and even then, they should really try to keep working with missing body parts and not rely on the VA for help.

[Computer Tech]

Sleep Apnea can cause all kinds of problems, anywhere from heart damage to death. Sure we're not disabled if we use our CPAPs but if we stop we're back in trouble. I snored in servise, I was tired all the time and when I complained to the doctor he told me to sleep on my side. Back in the 60's and 70's we didn't kow what sleep apnea was.

As to the VA giving the vet the machine and supplies I'm glad that they do because there was no way that I could have paid the $1000 that the machine cost that my health insurance wouldn't cover, not to mention the $200 mask that you have to replace every six months.

Rick

[CaravanDan]

Is this a NEW TREND to reduce $$Compensation$$,, If a machine keep your condition in CHECK an they claim your Good now and stop Compensation what's to say the next thing will be lets say High blood pressure,But hey your on Med's and its in CHECK,,stop those payments,,diabetes hey med's have it under control,, stop that comp,, Missing Leg,, hey here's a Prosthetic one,,they say is as good as the real thing,,Your cured,,Stop that $$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Philip Rogers]

I agree Dan! When they need fodder, for their cannons, they promise the world but after all is done, they forget. How any people really care about 9/11 now, honestly? They've already forgotten. I wonder if the lawyers a vet?? I kinda doubt it. VA Comp is supposed to supplement the vets income and help make up for what s/he'll lose, during his/her life due to his/her disability(s).

Many feel the same way about PTSD. Judge Judy often shows her disdain for those on disability, thru SSDI, as though it's a type of welfare. SSDI is an insurance plan that's run by the Gov't. They set up the terms and conditions for receiving it. I'm sure there are a small percentage of scammers on it but most would rather be working and could probably be earning more, if not for their disability.

Anyone who'd consider joining the service, these days, must be a few eggs short of a dozen. I don't know that I'd enlist again, in the Army, these days, based on their broken promises. Just sayin'

pr

[free_spirit_etc]

Rick,

Did you get your sleep apnea SCed? My husband complained of constant fatigue from the time he got out of the service. It was on his initial claim. He reported he never felt rested after sleep. After a few years of telling the VA that, they finally tested him for sleep apnea. He only had a 39% sleep efficiency on the test. But with the CPAP, he had 80% efficiency. So they gave him one. But they didn't give him SC for the sleep apnea. They decided his fatigue was caused by depression. It just seems crazy. He complained of constant fatigue. So they scheduled him for a mental exam. He marked all the things on the depression inventory that related to his tiredness. (i.e. I am tired all the time. I have to push to get things done...etc) So they decided he was depressed. Is that circular reasoning or what? Then the C&P examiner diagnosed him with chronic fatigue secondary to depression. He even noted on the record that my husband had a sleep study scheduled the next day. Doesn't it seem like they would wait for the results of the sleep study before they decided what made you tired?

But unfortunately, I do partly see the point of people not being happy with the 50% sleep apnea for CPAP use. Most of the other conditions seem to rate your level of impairment after treatment; not before.

Edited September 21, 2013 by free_spirit_etc