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New Member |
Well, here's the latest update on my case...
I WON! Yep, got the OSA rating of 50% just the other day! Found out when I went to balance my checkbook and checked my account online. There was a HUGE deposit in my account from the VA section of the U.S. Treasury. Had an idea that is what it was, but didn't know for sure until I called my VA rep. Talked to her and asked her if the money was really mine, and she told me that they made the decision on Jan 26 to approve my disability of OSA for 50%. Now, coupled with my original disability at 10%, I have been reclassed as 60%. She also told me that the huge deposit was backpay since they dated my OSA disability back to the day I retired, and they've already sent the concurrent receipt paperwork to DFAS! And I didn't even have to get another appointment with the VA doc's! So, thanks to all the posters in this thread for the advice 'cause it definitely helped. And in what seems to be record time too! See ya'll in other threads sometime! |
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Experienced Member |
RetMar, how long was your claim for OSA in the VA's hands, and which office approved it?
Still waiting after 25 months. |
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New Member |
WOW! I'm sorry to hear you've been waiting that long. I sent my paperwork in at the end of October last year, they received it on Oct. 29th (sent it with a return receipt). Then in November I received a letter stating they had LOST the stuff I sent them, so had to go to the VA rep to resend. Did that just after Thanksgiving, around Nov. 27th of 2007. They approved my appeal Jan. 26 of 2008. I don't think the whole process took 3 months... Of course, it took me almost 11 months to get my appeal together, so I am kicking myself for that. (So, I guess in answer to your question, the original claim has been in the VA's hands for 16 months, but was denied rather quickly and had to be appealed.) But I am STILL in shock that it has happened this quickly. Also, I received the notice from the VA yesterday in the mail about the approval and why and such. My claim was handled by VARO St. Petersburg, FL. |
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Experienced Member |
I just got another letter from VA in St. Pete (Bay Pines), they lost part of my civilian medical records. Last year they sent me a form letter saying they were requesting the records again, I filled out the form and told them that the doctor no longer works there and the sleep clinic is under new ownership with new name. Now I get another letter from VA that said they sent a second request to the doctor (who longer works there) at the clinic (which no longer exists), and for some unexplained reason they did not get a reply! So I sent a form to the hospital requesting that the medical records be sent to the VA, since the VA won't accept medical records directly from me.
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New Member |
Greetings all,
I am a retiree, and have not gotten any replacement parts (Durable medical supplies) for my CPAP machine yet. I spoke with the TRICARE Prime rep, and they said that I am responsible for 20% of the TRICARE allowable cost for durable medical supplies. I was told somewhere that the VA would be picking up the cost of supplies. Does anyone know of any other way of getting supplies? |
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Experienced Member |
If you have a VA disability rating for sleep apnea, you should request your replacement parts through VA. I don't know if they will give you the parts or a whole new machine, I don't know if the VA and TRICARE contractors are the same. VA and TRICARE don't work well together, and the VA contractor for durable medical equipment has major billing problems. |
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New Member |
Just b/c the VA tells you that certain information isn't in your service medical records (SMR), does not means it is true. How do you know they even looked? Assume that they did at your own peril.
You need to request a true and complete copy of your ENTIRE SMR. When you receive it, review it and make sure it is all there. You should request it today. A fillable form can be found here: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-5345-fill.pdf The reason I know this to be true, is b/c they did it to me. I submitted a claim that I had received medical care for on numerous occasions and it was denied b/c it wasn't service connected. After I sent in an NOD with apx 20 pages of medical documentation, they granted the claim in three months (a record?). The disability rating was low, requiring the mandatory appeal, but at least I'm receiving a partial while I wait. For the gentleman who says to look forward to a Retro check: The hungrier you get the more you can look forward to it, I suppose. It is ridiculous that the VA thinks it is saving any money. Withholding or delaying veterans benefits increases the demands for other social support programs: food stamps, psyche services, police, homeless, etc. A recent study revealed that since the majority of appeals eventually prevail, it would be cheaper to disperse the benefits and recover overpayments from future benefits. That, of course, would make too much sense--or is it cents.
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Experienced Member |
See my response about CPAP equipment in the other thread. |
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New Member |
My experience was about the same as retmarinepilot's. I submitted my claim (OSA and an arthritic knee) via the Houston DAV office who in turn submitted it to the Houston VA people. I woke up one morning three months later and my checking account had a big deposit in it. That evening's mail had my rating and benefits explanation package in it. I was anticipating a wait of a year at least, so needless to say, I was shocked. I stress this in every post, but here it goes again; Show patience and appreciation to the DAV people, they are working very hard right now, but they WILL help you.
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New Member |
I am using a CPAP now, as I was in need of one for many years a apparently. When I retire in 2 -3 years, what will have to be done to get VA benefits? And what benefits do I get?
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CG Forums Moderator |
I've been putting this off for a while, but after almost 10 months on mids, I'm about to go back to a day shift for the rest of a year. Wife says I've been or seem to be getting worse with my snoring so today, my doctor (there for a bang/cut on the head from work) referred me out to a sleep clinic. VA stated I had "mild" sleep apnea when I did my post-retirement phys. But I never went after any kind of rating as they wanted me to come back for more study and being 37 at the time.. I blew it off.
Question is before I waist my time, has anyone ended up going to a civilan doctor for this and supplied said info to the VA to get it entered into your records (for a rating or not)? If I warrant a rating, will they do it upon asking or will I have to go through "thier" testing again/too? I'm getting this all done while I'm still on nights. Going to the sleep clinic during the day and sleeping wouldn't be a problem but I don't want to piddle around for months dealing with the VA if it's not going to change anything. |
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Experienced Member |
All my testing was done in a civilan hospital about 6 months after I retired and submitted to the VA. They fought me on the service connection aspect, but I had a request from my cardiologist for a Sleep Study 6 months before I was medically retired. I was told the Coast Guard would not set me up for the study since I was being medboarded and already on my way out. You will have some appointments with the VA, but they should accept your study from the hospital. Submit it when you send in your claim. Also keep a copy for your records, just in case! Remember even if you are not rated by the VA, but require the use of a CPAP machine, they will supply your equipment, as long as you have any rating and are in their system. If you need any other help e-mail or post. Good Luck! |
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I intend to live forever. So far, so good. |
Dennis, Didn't you retire about the time I did? (98-99)? Did you have this documented in your health record? That will be the key..... I'd think.
Wray...  |
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CG Forums Moderator |
MC and EMC.. Yes, Yes and Yes.
I made my own copies of my med records before leaving my last unit. I also sent away for anything that was in my records so I have 2 copies. I just didn’t know if I was in for some up hill battle once all the results are in. It looks like they are going to start out with the hose in the nose treatment, then move to the mask. We discussed surgery and laser but they wanted to have me do the sleep study first before moving forward. Based on what I showed the doctor, though it was 10 years old, they said at a minimum, I’m getting the O2 supply to the nose first. Mask if that doesn’t help… I’ll get with my sister-in-law when she gets back from vacation to go through the filing needs (she works in the VA claims dept) Till then…  ..Thanks fellas for the replies. |
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New Member |
So let me clear this up: I was given an overnight sleep study and diagnosed with sleep apnea. I was also told that I require a CPAP. This was all done while I was on active duty, just a few months before I separated. I separated on 1 Oct 07. So does this mean I get the mandated 50% disability rating? Will the VA fight me on this? Considering that all the tests, etc were done before I got out, I'm hoping they should grant me the 50% without any fuss.
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I intend to live forever. So far, so good. |
Joe,
Don't they discuss this on the USAF boards? The VA doesn't "fight".. they require documentation.. Do you have any idea what the "50%" means? Wray... |
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Member |
A lot depends on what you have for documentation and how your condition(s) is/are documented. The only way you will know what you will be awarded is to put in a claim. Claims are paid retroactive to the first day of the month following the date of submission. If you have been out since Oct 07 and haven't put in a claim yet, you could be losing out on some $ and benefits. If you provide copies of all the required documentation (for all your claimed ailments) when you submit your claim, the claims process will go fairly smooth and quick. If you just submit the claim along with a signed release so the VA can track down all your documentation for you, then that takes time. Now if one office decides not to provide the information, that could screw things up, which would cause a lot of fuss on your part. Do it right the first time and you will have fewer worries. --Jim Life is good! |
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Member |
This is from the VA Rating Guide for Sleep Apnea that is used to assign a disability rating. Although someone may have multiple ratings that total more then 100% the VA has a very complicated formula to figure the actual percentage of overall disability.
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CG Forums Moderator |
Ok.. so try this one guys.. (sorry for the length)
Went to sleep clinic. Once it was all over, the tech said, yes, I have what appears to be a mild case of SA and yes I snore. However, the results will be sent to the "sleep disorders doctor" (the guy who sent me to the clinic). BUT.. what she said is a CONCERN is that once I went into REM, my O2 intake went way way down and thinks thats why when they were at the lowest level, I woke up (but was able to go back to sleep). This could be why when I do wake up for the day, I feel so crappy, have minor headaches and just feel like I didn't get much sleep at all. She didn't give it a name but just said the doctor will review the tests and discuss treatment. I might have to go back and test one of the methods that the doctor mentioned. Guess first, they will put a "tube" under my noise providing O2. If that didn't help, we would move to a CPAP machine (god I hope not). We touched on surgery but he didn't feel it would be needed in my case. Guess I'll find out next week when I go for my follow-up. So, half baked scenario . Lets say I need forced air (rather via nose or the CPAP machine). The process is to send a letter to the VA requesting a review/reconsideration/upgrade to my disability rating (I checked, I have a 0 because I never went back for treatment, they never gave me a "final" rating) by just providing copies of my medical reports from my MD? Does that sound right? Not that I’m drawing any conclusions or trying to tie the 2 together, when I was at Group Ohio River in Owensboro Ky , the group was across the street from Southern States fuel depot. They had a gas tank rupture a year before I got there and it saturated the ground with gas. Guess all the dirt was dug up to a foot or two and plastic sheeting was installed to keep the fumes at bay. I remember on rainy days, the office would smell like being inside a gas can. Headaches, burning eyes. The day pukes would complain. Us watchstanders were in a more closed up room so we REALLY got it good. On dry days or couple days after the rain, things went back to “normal”. However, in the 90’s, KY’s EPA condemned the building due to the “hazardous fumes” and that was one of the MAIN reasons the CG move the group up to Louisville Ky(so we go from being gassed to death to the bottom of an old post office building that flooded all the time, so they could drown us). I was told also that the CG was instructed to contact anyone who was stationed there to get “tested”. The tests were noted as a “concern by member” from being exposed to possible hazardous fumes and the end result was my lungs did not have the “normal” capacity. Va did the same tests and said my lungs only had 80% of what they should be for my age/wt group. Never really put the 2 together and still it’s a just a theory on my part. I’m sure I could get more info under the FOIA but not sure if it will lead to anything other then the VA saying “ok, your rating is now 30% or ZERO. Not looking for a sea lawyer answer, just a gut feeling since you guys seem to have been through this kind of stuff before. Thanks TC1 p.s., if I’m not mistaken, the Chippewa was moved to another location in the city (river front) and the group building was torn down. But the CG still stores Nav stuff there (201 Coast Guard lane) and the Obion ties up there now. |
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Experienced Member |
I got my letter from the VA denying my claim because they couldn't prove service connection because they lost my health record. Not only did they lose the original, but they won't use my copy because it's not certified.
Next step is to visit the DAV in Daytona and file a Notice of Disagreement and an appeal and ask for an exception so they can use my copy of the medical record. I submitted a request to NARA to look for it and if they don't have it to tell me who checked it out last. More delays, and it looks like I won't be retiring [in the real meaning, not the military meaning] this year. |
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