ptsd Sleep Apnea &VA Dr's

[Buck52]

Most of us know that OSA or Sleep Apnea  can be caused from PTSD

and could be a secondary claim.

Why is it so hard for the VA Dr's to opine this for the Veteran?

I ask my M.H. Phyistrist about it...when she ask me if I had any questions  I ask her about

My VA Sleep Apnea Diagnose/and prescribe a C-PAP to use

    I ask her if my Sleep Apnea d/x from VA SLEEP CLINIC could cause or could it be a secondary effect from my PTSD & The PTSD Meds I take?

her response was  '' I'm not at liberty to comment on that statement''  I thought.....WTF?

She is a licenses Phyistrist  With a PHD Degree hanging in her office. she is the one that prescribes my PTSD Meds  she is the one I count on to help me with my PTSD &of course the weekly therapy I receive from a VA Therapist L.V.A.S.W.

Anyway then she proceeded to say if your referring to a compensation claim  you need to get with the DAV Downstaris...

Anybody ever had this problem  getting an opinion from your VA MH Doc?

What is it with these Dr's?

..............Buck

[Palma114]

I'm glad you brought this up.

I went to the VAMC for 10 yrs, complaining of sleep problems, disorder, with at least 5-6 sleep apnea symptoms every appointment and every year I complained, and they would send me over to mental health. Finally in 2013 the BVA Judge ordered them to give me a sleep study, the judge went through my records and ordered it, because the judge seen sleep apnea symptoms in my medical records. The sleep study was done and I was diagnosed with OSA.

There clearly appear to be a underlining serious fight against Veterans with sleep apnea becoming sc.

Edited June 1, 2016 by Palma114

[fastestinthewest]

All the time. The only time I ever saw a doctor write something like that at the V.A., the doc was a rookie. Or doc might fill out a state disability form for a temporary job leave of absence. Then one might take that form and submit to V.A. as claim. Then it's all on the claim rater having a good or bad day. 

[Tbird]

i'm not at liberty to say - WTF, over. i would think your doctor should be able to tell you if sa was a side effect of any of your medications.

[Vync]

4 hours ago, Buck52 said:

'' I'm not at liberty to comment on that statement''

Sounds like another case of a "not my job" doctor. If your doc did this, the VBA C&P docs and the AFGE would complain about your doc overstepping their role.

 

22 minutes ago, Tbird said:

i'm not at liberty to say - WTF, over. i would think your doctor should be able to tell you if sa was a side effect of any of your medications.

It would be worth looking at the paperwork sent along with medications. Things like opiates may list depressed respiration as a side effect. I wonder if any medication actually says "may cause sleep apnea"...

 

[Buck52]

I'm not finished with this Doc

I have other questions for her tomorrow 6-2-16   for 3 month check-up appointment.

at 3:00 pm.

I will ask her again what are most symptom's   that can be cause by or aggravated from PTSD & the meds taken to control or help with the PTSD.?

Although she may not be familiar with the CFR's  but I hope she puts something  down on her report about this after I leave.

I read in CFR 3.303

3.310 (a) That a secondary condition aggravated  or otherwise by the  Original Disorder becomes part of the service connected original  Disorder 

Edited June 1, 2016 by Buck52

[Buck52]

Vync

She never put that in the Notes...she only mention ''Veteran was concerned about a CLAIM which (I never mention a claim to her)

and ''I requested he see the DVA about getting help with his claim...so see how they cover there  you know what. eh!

I'll sure try again tomorrow.