Criteria the VA uses to assign a 50% rating to VA Sleep Apnea Claims has just changed

[Tbird]

The Veterans Law Blog just got word today that the criteria the VA uses to assign a 50% rating to VA Sleep Apnea Claims has just changed, effective April 18, 2016. http://www.veteranslawblog.org/va-sleep-apnea-ratings-rules-changing/

[Fat]

Great information.............

[Buck52]

I am no Dr

but common sense would tell me if you have Sleep Apnea or OSA   a cpap machine would be a necessity.

I have and use a cpap machine every night  since I got one from the VA after they sent me to a sleep study diagnosed me with S.A.

[Andyman73]

No doubt, Buck! I use mine every night.

[Gastone]

I'm too lazy to read the new VA SA Reg.

I do have a working knowledge of VA SC SA Ratings, prior to the recent change. I was SA SC 50% 09/10 thru 07/15, bumped to SA SC 100%. I never had a VA Sleep study, my DX was from a Private Sleep Specialist. However, each year, I am required to have my VA provided BiPap SD card downloaded and the results entered into my VMC Med Records. The VA also issued an 02 Concentrator, based on the Non VA Dr's RX.

As difficult as it has always been for Vets to get an SC for SA, Direct or Secondary, it's unbelievable that any Vet, ever got the SC without an Actual DX of SA with or without a requirement for CPAP Treatment. The last SA DBQ I looked at, when filing for my 14 & 15 SA Increase, didn't require the Dr to opine as to the Vet's compliance with CPAP usage.

The SA DBQ did have a section for discussing the need for supplemental 02.

Prior to my SA being SC'd, I got my BiPap and 02 Concentrator thru a Private Ins program. Periodic SD Card downloads were required to show compliance. Non use would have resulted in the loss of coverage and the return of the equipment.

Semper Fi

[Andyman73]

Same here, Gastone, my provider gave me a unit that had a built-in wireless modem, and after tracking me for 6 months, requested I send the modem back.  They could see that I was using it religiously and no longer felt the need to monitor me.

I'm so anxious to see what transpires at my upcoming Sleep specialist appointment.

Semper Fi

[Gastone]

Andy, that's 2 of us.

Semper Fi