I am currently rated by the VA at 70%. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and was issued a CPAP machine. Does this change my VA rating?
i'm not an expert, i'm just a roller skater. the only thing i suggest is to make an appointment with a veteran service officer (vso). you can get one from the vfw, american legion, dav etc. they will be able to help you out
The question is can it be linked to your active duty? That is how the VA works, Just because you get diagnosed with somthing it must be service connected.
Let's see - I did not have obstructive sleep apnea when I enlisted but did when I retired. I am 80% of which OSA is part of. If you added all the ratings up I am at 140% but it doesn't work that way.
Each VA ratable disability has a rating chart that goes with it; go visit the VA's website (www.va.gov) and search for them; but the best advice is to contact the DAV, or some other organization to "champion your cause" and file a claim for it. The worst that can happen is they wait 1 year and say no!
That statement means nothing unless you expand on it...What were your problems with the VA...And if it "sucks the worse in the USA", you must be well traveled...If you are, then you should know someone who can help if you are in fact having probems...
Personally, I lived in Reno for 8 years...I have nothing but praise for the VA there...
I am now in the Palo Alto VA area...They have also been very fair to deal with...
If you are having problems, get you a good Rep and find out why...
That statement means nothing unless you expand on it...What were your problems with the VA...And if it "sucks the worse in the USA", you must be well traveled...If you are, then you should know someone who can help if you are in fact having probems...
I agree... we need a little more to help you out.. if we can.
Originally posted by aviatorcoastie: I do remember hearing that sleep apnea is a guaranteed 50%. Hope this helps.
Mild SA gets you 0%. Been down that road. It was a dead end so my experience is, I would would get more use out of a teet on a boar hog then running down to my local VA. Don't ask how I REALLY feel.
Are you service connected at 0 percent? If that is the case you should be thankful for 2 reasons. 1 you are service connected should your condition get worse. 2 You only have mild sleep apnea that doesn't require a CPAP machine.
NOTE TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!
I was at a CPAP clinic with the VA last week. The ladies checking our machines told us that even if you are not service connected for Sleep Apnea, the VA will still provide you with a machine and supplies. They said it fell under durable supplies section of the regs. That could save a lot of bucks over a years time.
EMC.. yes to your question. Long story short. I went in for my POST retirement eval. They were checking my o2 capacity of my lungs when the doctor asked me a few questions about breathing, exposure to chemicals, snoring. My inital concern was not being able to hold my breath very long. Cold dry air makes me feel like I'm smothering and I started snoring really bad on the Resolute. Exposure to chemicals. Only during my stint at Group Ohio River when it was in Owensboro Ky. Seems a year or so before I reported, there was a VERY large fuel tank rupture next door at a fuel depot. Flooded the whole area with gas. Ground was dug up, plastic laied, new dirt brought in. But on a rainy day, being in the building was like being inside a gas can. You were not allowed to smoke till the 2nd year I was there. Word has it, Kentucky EPA condemded the place so they shut it down. The building is gone now. Think the Chippewa still has a depot there for sinkers and bouys but the group was moved up to Louisville. The doctor noted all this and scheduled me for a sleep study. I went like 3 times then told them I had enough. The doc said they seen enough to say I had mild SA so it's recorded. Everything I had wrong with me has been noted and were concerns when I got out. I'm not too worried.
For all, don't know if this helps, just something that was passed on to me as I get ready to go throught the VA system.
38 CFR.REASONABLE DOUBT
It is the defined and consistently applied policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs to administer the law under a broad interpretation, consistent, however, with the facts shown in every case. When, after careful consideration of all procurable and assembled data, a reasonable doubt arises regarding service origin, the degree of disability, or any other point, such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant. By reasonable doubt is meant one which exists because of a approximate balance of positive and negative evidence which does not satisfactorily prove or disprove the claim. It is a substantial doubt and one within the range of probability as distinguished from pure speculation or remote possiblity. It is not a means of reconciling actual conflict or a contradiction in the evidence. Mere suspicion or doubt as to the truth of any statements submitted, as distinguished from impeachment or contradiction by evidence or known fact s, is not justifiable basis for denying the application of the reasonable doubt doctrine if the entire, complete record otherwise warrants invoking this doctrine. The reasonable doubt doctrine is also applicable even in the absence of official records, particularly if the basic incident allegedly arose under combat, or similarly strenuous conditions, and is consistent with the probable results of such known hardships.
I just got diagnosed with Apnea, mild. They did give me a machine. I was talking to them and the benefits outweigh anything, and that is better health. If the VA gives me a disability, fine, so be it. But, I think the years of 3 section duty underway on submarines helped get me in this condition.
I was at a CPAP clinic with the VA last week. The ladies checking our machines told us that even if you are not service connected for Sleep Apnea, the VA will still provide you with a machine and supplies. They said it fell under durable supplies section of the regs. That could save a lot of bucks over a years time.[/QUOTE]
Do you have a reg cite for the VA providing durable medical supplies? I am under the assumption that I have to cost-share 20% with Tricare Prime for those. Please pass on any contact info for the VA regarding this. Thanks!@!
I just got off the phone with VAMC in Providence, RI.
Here are the steps to get your CPAP equipment from the VA with no service connection. Gather all your sleep study paperwork from all your private sources. Set up an appointment with a VA Primary Care Doctor. When you go in for your check up/appointment inform them that you have Sleep Apnea and have them setup an appointment with the Pulminary Medicine people. You submit all your sleep study stuff to them and they will arrange for the VA to supply you with all your CPAP equipment. I waited 3 years for my rating and paid for all my supplies under Tricare. Wish I had this info before. Good Luck and if you have any more questions, feel free to post or contact me.
That is if the VA allows you to register. They turned me down, saying that since I did not have a VA disability rating, did not have a combat-related problem, and was eligible for retiree Tricare, and made too much money, I was not allowed to register. I'm going to try again at the local clinic.
Meanwhile, I got a letter from the VA saying they would make a decision in 30 days. I filed that letter with the letter I got last year saying they would make a decision in 30 days. Apparantly that decision was to wait a year, then send me another letter.
