Rhinitis and equipment (air purifier, A/C, etc)

[roadkill]

Greetings, I'm not sure if this is where to post my question or not (mod's feel free to move).

I recently (Oct 2017) was awarded 30% combined for a long list of items (quite a few zero's, and 3x 10%'s). The effective date was May of 2017. I filed a NOD for a couple of the 0%'s and for secondary conditions along with a detailed list of items evaluated during the C&P exam but were not put into my final report. My Allergic rhinitis and Sinusitis w/ Eustation Tube dysfunction are both 0% connected. Which is great for me. 

Within 30 days, I had filled out the required paperwork for 15x appointments at the VA and at Choices referred providers from May to Oct 2017 for travel reimbursement. They were all accepted (after proof of the community care appointments were kept and proof of authorization for the care were submitted). I also received retroactive reimbursement to the effective date for Rx co-pay's for all medications related to all of my SC conditions (Zyrtec, Flonase, Naproxen, and etc). It was a challenge to get the VBA to talk to the Eligibility department to update from 0% Not Service Connected to 30% service connected. You do have to call several phone #'s. But the Travel office and Billing office will not even consider it if your not in their system correctly after you have a rating/new rating. And BTW, get this done in 30 days or less.

But on to my question, I had allergy testing done yesterday at a community care provider (referred by my VA team). I have always been allergic to cats, dogs, and seafood. But new to me are dust mites, severe reaction to cats, trees, grass, and weeds. The doctor conducting the tests has recommended that I run A/C during pollen seasons for the above items (April through October for the pollen peaks for each series of plants). They also recommend a dehumidifier, an air purifier, and a high quality vacuum with HEPA filters. These are not recommendations that have come through my VA care team (yet).

However, if my VA care team recommends / prescribes the use of these devices/equipment, will the VA provide the equipment as it is to treat the allergic rhinitis? And is there any provision for reimbursement for the increased electrical cost (the AC and Dehumidifier)? I live in Vermont and I only run a window mount AC unit in my bedroom for a few hours on the hottest nights of July and August.

 

The VA has provided me with quite a few items to help manage my health, such as the blood pressure cuff, light therapy box, quality cork inserts for my shoes and boots, and etc. So I wasn't sure about equipment to treat/manage allergic rhinitis as various prescriptions have little benefit as shown with CT scans and MRI's, the congestion / blockage is still there and I do not have pets in my home.

Any ideas/thoughts?

 

~roadkill

[Gastone]

Do a "Face to Face" with the Head of your VMC Prosthetics Dept at your earliest convince.  The VMC Prosthetics Dept handles all equipment requests received as referrals from your PCP or VA Specialists.  What you're looking for, probably isn't available from the Prosth Dept. When you're talking to the Person in Charge, also ask about a HISSA Grant ($6500.00) application.

Another route to try is the "IL" (Independent Living) Program which is part of the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program located at your VARO. You can apply via your eBen Site, under Vocational Rehabilitation. I think you have to be 30 or 40% SC, but check it out.

[broncovet]

I seriously doubt it.  I tried VA  to get a prosthetic chair, to help me with knee issues (I fractured a leg in service), and it was no dice.  The prosthetic chair I needed is a "o" gravity chair which raises your legs above the heart which does releive the pain.   (I tried a zero gravity chair at a friends house and it works, releiving the knee pain).  

The VA is not "all inclusive".   They have lots of programs, but its pretty much impractical to cover stuff like additional electricity for medical devices.  

Many/most states have programs to help with utiliity bills for low income, so, if this applies to you, you can try that.  

This said, if a doctor "prescribes" these things for you, it makes a difference.  

Edited March 8, 2018 by broncovet

[roadkill]

Thank you for the information!

It appears that I may be eligible for a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant. One of the eligibility items is: "Certain severe respiratory injuries". As to what severe is defined as, I do not know if my conditions qualify. But it is worth the time/effort to investigate and knock on some doors at Prosthetics and with the SHA folks. But the amount of help/forward progress will really depend on my NOD/Appeals and current claims that are all in works. I do have an active 30% rate, but respiratory issues presently are all at 0% and no secondary connection yet for sleep apena (which is not bad enough for a CPAP to be essential for sleep).

I'll have to weigh the options carefully, as I do not plan to stay in my current house forever. Maybe 5 more years. But then again, it might take that long for a grant to come through? The SHA allows up to 3 grants in a lifetime for a Veteran, and I don't want to waste time or grant money if I'll have to do it again after a few short years, let alone the potential issues of sale of an adapted home and paying grant money back.

 

Thanks,

 

~roadkill

[Gastone]

Bronc, just got my VA provided Cadilac heat-Massage lift chair Delivery confirmed last Tuesday.

I went thru the VA "IL" (Independent Living Program) administered out of the VA Voc Rehab Dept at the VARO.  The Chair was a (3) step Deal, 1st the ILC sends a Referal to your VMC Prosthetics Dept, knowing full well that it will be denied. Upon return of the Prosthetics Dept Chair Denial (about 2 weeks) the ILC called and set up a meeting at a local Medical Supply Business. Within a Week of our meeting, she had a PO cut to the Co for the Chair I had chosen. The one I chose wasn't in stock with the Heat & Massage so it had to be ordered. That took about 2 weeks or less. One of the determining factors in my choice was the chair's ability upon full recline to get the feet above the heart.

[Buck52]

I can see them approving for a Veteran like Gastone for his IHD Or coronary heart diseases, or CAD, To Improve Circulation, Heart Bypass Surgery I'm glad for Gastone  he certainly deserves that chair.

 Us Vets with Arthritic pain in the knees  were lucky to get a cane to use. ...sometimes my knees hurt so bad I wish I could get them cut off above my knees, but like most every veteran that has to endure the pain  suck it up and move on

I have a lazy boy heat recliner here at home and it does help when I recline in it...I got to beat my spouse to it or I am out of luck again  but she needs it as bad as I do.

  We can't afford to buy another recliner.  and I'm through messing with the VA.

I get PAIN meds and I did get my PCP  To refer me to postithics for a cane I had to walk around the room twice  and the girl got me a cane..my knees give out on me at times  and I take boo-coo medications for it.

[broncovet]

Great post, Gastone.  I really had not thought of ILP, its a great idea.  Was the chair the only item for ILP.  Many Vets used to get computers in fact Alex got a computer for his ILP.