Sleep Apnea Question

[Navyguy2013]

 

I have a question about a pending Sleep apnea VA disability Claim. It has been pending since FEB2013.

A year prior to retiring from the military, I went to medical complaining of loud snoring, being tired all day, head feeling like it was in a fog, and having decreased memory. I was eventually diagnosed with hypothyroid and was put on medication.  After being put on medication I was still having the above issues and told medical about them and I was sent in for a sleep test and was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. Specifically with Sleep Apnea ICD-9 code 327.20. The Sleep apnea was not severe enough for a CPAP to be prescribed to me. NOTE: During this sleep study I was only allowed to be asleep for about 5 hours. The sleep facility had a power outage and I had to leave in the middle of the night.

After I retired, I continued to have the above issues, I went to a civilian doctor and had another sleep test. 1 year and 1 month after retiring, I was diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea (ICD-9 code 327.23) and was prescribed a CPAP machine. Years later I am still on the CPAP machine. I still have the above issues, but they are not as bad.

My question is, is my diagnoses of sleep apnea prior to retiring sufficient for a service connection nexus from my active duty diagnoses to my current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and having to use a CPAP machine?

Is this sufficient for a 50% disability rating?

Will the VA require another sleep test. (My last sleep test was MARCH2014)

Does the VA pay for CPAP supplies?

Thanks!

[Gastone]

Yes & Yes.  WTF is this SA Claim "pending since Feb 2013?" Please explain, something AIN'T Right. Do you have an SA Claim filed (Date?) or a SA SC Denial?

If I'm reading the above correctly, you Retired (Lifer!) form the USN, on or about 02/13, right? You didn't get a Separation from active duty, in-depth discussion of VA Benefits and requirements? Did you get a copy of your complete SMR, including the SA DX?

When I got cut loose from the Corps in 11/69 after Nam, I don't recall any discussion of the VA or a 1 yr presumptive SC period for DX's or injury's. Then again, I was 21 and just wanted back to the world and the Round Eye PT. No Dents or Dings, I was good to go.

Semper Fi

[Navyguy2013]

Gastone,

Thanks for the feedback.

I filed my claim FEB2013. (Yep, 24+ years in USN) This Claim was denied in 2014. The VA denied my claim for failure to show up for my C&P. But they never contacted me about my C&P, go figure. So I submitted my NOD. Then 30DEC2016 the VA contacted me about a new C&P.

I did get a complete copy of my SMR. I did get a brief about VA benefits and how to go about some of the VA processes.

This Sleep apnea is just one of my medical issues in my VA Claim. I am just trying to get my ducks in a row as confidence in the VA’s ability is low. So I figure its best to try and help them out…

[Gastone]

I'd like to see the redacted Denial letter from 2014. Were you filing your own SA Claim or did you use a VSO?

I may be one of the few Vets that aren't negative about the VA Comp Dept and service from the Det VMC. In my opinion, most Vet's fingerprints are all over their SC Denials, mine included.

VA is certainly capable of making mistakes, sometimes Big A$$ mistakes. In the past 8+ yrs I've been active in the SC Comp Program, I can't say I've seen any evidence of a VA Rating Dept conspiracy towards Vets.

You filed a NOD, what type of Appeal did you request, DRO Review, Hearing or straight to the BVA?

Semper Fi