VA says they can't offer me treatment for my Tinnitus but want to test for sleep apnea???

[1454th Solider]

Due to my tinnitus being very bad, I was awarded a 70% rating from the VA for anxiety and depression secondary to my tinnitus due to it keeping me from sleeping. I have started my counseling with VA social workers and psych doctors from the VA. I ask my VA primary care doctor does the VA offer any treatment for tinnitus and the answer was, "There is no treatment the VA offers for tinnitus, just wear ear plugs and stay away from loud noises". My question is why would a PA want to test me for sleep apnea to see if that is causing my sleep problems but I can't get treatment for what I know keeps me up at night. I'm just curious if the VA doc is trying create a scenario that if I do have sleep apnea, then that is what is causing my anxiety and depression not my service connected tinnitus. I know sleep apnea is serious and I'm going to get the test but can the VA reduce or take my compensation if the PA opinions that she thinks my depression is due to sleep apnea? 

Can she override two PHD Psychiatric doctors opinions? One IMO and the other a VA psychiatrist?

Thanks for your responses in advance. Elders please chime in.

[ShrekTheTank]

Also I posted a good article about how to SC sleep apnea 

[ShrekTheTank]

Your doctor would have nothing to do with a claim with the VA. Unless they ware writing an opinion for you about your claim.  If you have sleep apnea then you need to get it checked and get what you need for it.

The VA doc is there to make sure the patient has any medical issues taken care of.

As for the hearing issues, the VA does have things to help you with the ringing in the ears.  They have ear plugs that when tuned properly can reduce or eliminate the ringing.  Are you talking to the Audiology department about this?  If not I sure would.

here are a some things which could help.

https://www.nuheara.com/how-it-helps/tinnitus-relief/?av=6&gclid=CjwKCAjwiaX8BRBZEiwAQQxGx7YV_q7Q6VsBquEkIo3mutiXrHiBSSuj8gO7Jv2AKdkLkEQbMtIhmhoC3KYQAvD_BwE

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/best-hearing-aids-for-tinnitus.html

I do believe the VA has some of these options.  Someone please correct me if I am wrong.  

[broncovet]

My doctor prescribed a vitamin for my tinnitus.  (Zinc).  

It seemed to help some.  

Excess ear wax can exacerbate tinnitus.  A few drops of Olive Oil in your ear may help that.  Source:

https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/7-home-remedies-for-ringing-in-the-ears

I would advise trying "non pharmaceutal" treatments FIRST, such as nutrition therapy, ear wax reduction, noise reduction, etc.  But there are meds to treat it:

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-tinnitus-treatment#1

Vitamins:

https://www.miracle-ear.com/blog-news/vitamins-for-ear-health

There are even multiple vitamins JUST for tinnitus, that often have multi's plus sometimes proteins you may be be lacking.  

https://www.google.com/search?q=nutritional+supplements+for+tinnitus&oq=nutritional+suppments+for+tin&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i13i457j0i22i30l2.19498j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

     While I have not evaluated any of these, at least one is sold by Walmart.  You could try them until you got one that worked for you.  

[ShuMan]

Ya, I think there might be some confusion on the two different pillars of the VA (VHA + VBA). The Veterans health administration just wants to treat you, they are like your primary care doctors. The VBA Veteran benefits administration has to do with benefits like disability , GI Bill ect.  To be honest they don't talk really well.  

[Tbird]

8 hours ago, ShuMan said:

Ya, I think there might be some confusion on the two different pillars of the VA (VHA + VBA). The Veterans health administration just wants to treat you, they are like your primary care doctors. The VBA Veteran benefits administration has to do with benefits like disability , GI Bill ect.  To be honest they don't talk really well.  

thats an understatement