Hi,

Okay, I've been on a CPAP for four years. The study says I have moderate Sleep Apnea and I'm guilty that I use my CPAP only 2-3 per week. Upon being deployed to Iraq I didn't bring my machine initially. I know now that was stupid but I didn't think there would be a difference, I mean, I lived 37 years without it. After a couple of months in I noticed my atitude has changed, irritable, depressed, and very, very forgetful. I sent home for my cpap and went to the TMC here. I got my CPAP and a week after I got it, it broke during a power outage (I jerked it off the stand on accident).

This is what the Doc at the TMC wrote to me;

After several phone calls, I have finally figured out what the correct process is.

 On your current CPAP machine or on the packaging it came in, there should be a company name and phone number. You will need to contact the company and explain that the CPAP machine broke and that you are deployed. The company should keep records of who originally prescribed it to you. The original provider who prescribed the CPAP will then have to write you another prescription and submit it to the company. Then the company will have to send you another machine. Apparently, they can bill Tricare.

 Per the pulmonologist in Kuwait, this is the process. He states this doesn't warrent a trip to Landstuhl. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you run into any problems.


HELP! I don't know what is the correct action here

Hello everyone. I am an E7 active duty in the U.S. Army. I have other disability ratings for other conditions. However, I just was diagnosed with "Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea" and "Moderate Upper Airways Resistance". At this time my doctor is trying other methods to help my conditions than the CPAP machine. These methods so far have not worked. Does anyone know at what disability rating I might be at WITHOUT the use of a CPAP machine? The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was rated 3 out of a possible 24 and sleep efficiency was at 95%. One mixed apnea and 46 obstructive hypopneas were observed during my sleep study. My apnea/hyponea index that was at 5.8. The snore index was recorded at 6.1 and the arousal-awakening index was recorded at 12.8. I spent 24.5% of my total sleep time with oxegen saturations levels below 90% with the lowest oxegen saturation level at 84%. Would this information significantly lower my disability rating? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Dcunn,
1st always use your CPAP! I know it can be cumbersome but its necessary!

The doctor is right (unfortunately)  The military has essentially out sourced all CPAP equipment, thus you will be required to contact the supplier even down range. Yes, I know its rediculous but until the military medical community decides to champion this fight its not going to change.  Unfortunately they wont touch it until something drastic happends.  Typical mil medicine...reactive not proactive.  That being said, I would do everything that I could to try to explain to your supervisor how this can effect you and hope that he/she is sympathetic.  Ask the doc at the TMC put you on a temp. profile for reduced duty until your new machine arrives.  


*Fair warning* Your leadership isn't going to like this (mission first right?).  Right wrong on indifferent, you are affecting their bottom line.  That is why it is important for you to be upfront about the effects with the leadership before they start looking at you as sand bagging.  Most leaders do not understand what it is and think this is just glorifide snoring, so print some literature and hope they read and give a !@#!.

Good Luck and hope you come home soon!

Dcunn,
1st always use your CPAP! I know it can be cumbersome but its necessary!

The doctor is right (unfortunately)  The military has essentially out sourced all CPAP equipment, thus you will be required to contact the supplier even down range. Yes, I know its rediculous but until the military medical community decides to champion this fight its not going to change.  Unfortunately they wont touch it until something drastic happends.  Typical mil medicine...reactive not proactive.  That being said, I would do everything that I could to try to explain to your supervisor how this can effect you and hope that he/she is sympathetic.  Ask the doc at the TMC put you on a temp. profile for reduced duty until your new machine arrives.  


*Fair warning* Your leadership isn't going to like this (mission first right?).  Right wrong on indifferent, you are affecting their bottom line.  That is why it is important for you to be upfront about the effects with the leadership before they start looking at you as sand bagging.  Most leaders do not understand what it is and think this is just glorifide snoring, so print some literature and hope they read and give a !@#!.

Good Luck and hope you come home soon!

meat rocket wrote:

Dcunn,
 


*Fair warning* Your leadership isn't going to like this (mission first right?).  Right wrong on indifferent, you are affecting their bottom line.  That is why it is important for you to be upfront about the effects with the leadership before they start looking at you as sand bagging.  Most leaders do not understand what it is and think this is just glorifide snoring, so print some literature and hope they read and give a !@#!.

Good Luck and hope you come home soon!

Thanks Meat rocket,

You are exactly right, bottom line for them comes first. My 1st SGT loved me until this happened. Now he doesn't speak to me!

Well the medic has gotten on my side and explained the consequences of going without the CPAP so they are sending me to Germany for a new sleep study and CPAP machine. Hopefully the Army will get this figured out soon. (unlikely)

Thanks again

I agree with posted comments. Uncle Sugar doesn't like sleep apnea, it gets you non-deployable and disability rating from the VA, the Army will NOT give you a disability rating via MED board proceeding.

bertsmith wrote:

to that soldier that deployed with apnea and had to have the surgery, are they still sending soldiers with apnea over there? I saw in the new reg that now it is mandatory to have a MEB if you are put on the CPAP. Just wondered if anyone new anything in regards to this...

If that was an Army (AR) Please provide the Number.  I was mailed my CPAP to theater after being diagnose. And 15 months later about to undergo UPPP.  Trying to get all facts possible.  Thank you

bchooper wrote:

Hello everyone. I am an E7 active duty in the U.S. Army. I have other disability ratings for other conditions. However, I just was diagnosed with "Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea" and "Moderate Upper Airways Resistance". At this time my doctor is trying other methods to help my conditions than the CPAP machine. These methods so far have not worked. Does anyone know at what disability rating I might be at WITHOUT the use of a CPAP machine? The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was rated 3 out of a possible 24 and sleep efficiency was at 95%. One mixed apnea and 46 obstructive hypopneas were observed during my sleep study. My apnea/hyponea index that was at 5.8. The snore index was recorded at 6.1 and the arousal-awakening index was recorded at 12.8. I spent 24.5% of my total sleep time with oxegen saturations levels below 90% with the lowest oxegen saturation level at 84%. Would this information significantly lower my disability rating? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

bchooper,
I think you can find the most of the answers you are looking for in these forums.  I do not believe that the military gives a different rating based on the significance of the data gathered  in your study.  They essentially give you either a fit for duty or not.  The VA gives you disability based on the use of a CPAP. that would be 50%  No CPAP, but still have documented issues 30%.   There are others that can be more specific and hope they chime in.

50% with XPAP use as per title 38.  It is about impossible to get a unfit form the Army for SA ever scene Congress passed the 2008 law that said they will was title 38 to rate.


_________________
Started 22 Nov 07
AHI 129, O2 level 70%, 2 obstructive SA, 9 mixed apnea, 14 hypopneas, 607 central apnea
Currently using a ResMed VPAP Adapt SV, set at 10EEP and PS of 5 to PS of 10

Been doing a lot of research on sleep apnea and the military and I appreciate everyones input on this forum.

I have 14 yrs in Active Duty and was diagnosed with SA last year with 59 AHI and saturation down to 79.  This being said I have a P2 profile and do very well on my RESMED S8; however, I am PCSing in the next 3 months (to who knows where) and my new command may not be keen on keeping me around with this.  The command may Med Board me as it appears that this is one of their options.  I have full intentions of staying 20yrs but if it comes down to it, medical retirement may be forced on me.    

I understand how the VA and money works, but is a medical retirement and a full (20yr) retirment the same as far as family benefits go? I have a wife and son and I really don't want to lose their medical benefits.  Do they retain their brown ID's?  Just trying to prepare , and any info would be great.

Here are two web sites to take a look at, the first is people going through a MEB the other is a VA sire.

Again I would not bet on a medical retirement due to SA.  

http://www.pebforum.com/

http://vets.yuku.com/directory


_________________
Started 22 Nov 07
AHI 129, O2 level 70%, 2 obstructive SA, 9 mixed apnea, 14 hypopneas, 607 central apnea
Currently using a ResMed VPAP Adapt SV, set at 10EEP and PS of 5 to PS of 10

Anonymous wrote:

hi im stationed at ft hood tx, i was curiuos to know how long did it take for you to get your sleep study apt? its been over a month now for me and i just want to get it over with. i was also wondering has anyone had chest pains too because of your sleep apnea?

i have and blood in stools