I just had a test paid for by the VA but done at the local hospital as apparently the VA hospital I use doesn't have testing facilities.

The clinic said the VA paid them for a "split test". Apparently this means they test you all night or until they recognize you need a mask at which point they put a mask on you and test the remainder of the night with a mask. That happened to me.

Any others have split testing? any disadvantages?

Anyone know what the VA supplies in the way of equipment? (I'm waiting to hear from them but it apparently will be many weeks.)

Gee, and I stayed up all night the night before studying for the test but still failed. I guess cramming really doesn't work!

Hi jpezz. Yup, I know what all the VA does. They can be really slow, as they can be with everything, so I'm not surprised about your wait time. I use a Florida VA and we have a sleep clinic, which I guess is lucky. They provide ALL the equipment that you will need as long as you are eligible to get non-service connected medications from them. In other words, if you get to use the VA docs and they give you your medications, then you will be covered. I know some vets have co-pays and that will apply. Here they give you a new mask every 4-6 months and you have to take your machine in to be checked out every 12 months so they can determine that it still meets their standards and works right. My VA is pretty good about the masks as they have a lot of choices and the guy who issues them is pretty nice. That, of course, varies with the VA. Prosthetics is the department that will be issuing the equipment to you if it comes directly from the VA, but pulmonary is usually where the "sleep doc" is, if you have one. If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a PM if you decide to register.

Hi Jpezz,

All of my tests have been split tests which I am grateful for because I was able to be diagnosed and "titered" (my pressure determined) all in the same night rather than having to wiat to do the titration later.

Vicki

Thanks for the replies. I have 20% disability so there are no copays for anything but medicine. I had searched the forum before posting for "Veterans Administration" and was surprised that there were no postings.

John

jpezz,
I think you and I probably represent the majority of the vets on this forum, but with new people registering everyday, perhaps we won't be so alone for long. As much as I hate to say it, the best way to get the VA moving is to keep pushing at them. Since you had the test and they determined that you had apnea, you should probably talk with your primary care doc and see if he/she can push them a little faster. If you let yourself go with the flow with the VA, you most likely will end up drowning in the system, or at least that's my experience with them. You might also want to check into getting your primary care to refer you to an eye clinic for glaucoma screening while you have them on the phone since apnea can contribute to non-age related glaucoma according to a small Mayo Clinic study done at the Jacksonville, FL clinic. Sometimes it takes weeks to get an eye clinic appointment, at least at my clinic. Also, you might want to contact prosthetics, if you have that department at yours, and see if you can gently move them along faster, if you are getting your equipment directly from the VA. If it is going to be Fee Basis-ed out to a local DME, then you need to contact Fee Basis (yup, that's what they call the department that deals with outside the system payments) and see if they can move things along. Good luck with the VA and I hope they get your cpap treatment going before much longer.

I am eight months from retiring. I am getting a CPAP this week. I haven't filled out my VA claim (I will in December).

I was told at my transition class that sleep apnea is 50 percent disability. Is this true? If so will I be getting my supplies from the VA?

Hi innervision. Congratulations on your pending retirement. Regardless of whether or not they consider it at 50% disablility, you will get your cpap supplies from the VA. I don't know what the actual disability rating is for apnea and part of it just depends on your rating board, from what I can tell. Honestly, 50% seems excessive for it given some of the ratings I have seen in the past for other problems, but I really don't know. However, if you have a condition that appeared or was aggravated during your service time, this is considered a service connected disability and the VA covers anything to do with your service connnected stuff, whether it is medications, equipment, or whatever. Now, having said that, there are sometimes policy changes and I don't keep up with them as I am rated 100% and get all care through the VA (nothing in my rating is apnea related). I believe there is a co-pay if you don't meet a certain eligibility level, but it is pretty low from what I've heard. On the subject of the VA and ratings though, you need to get your paperwork in as soon as they will let you file since it takes months for your rating to come through. However, while you wait for your rating, the VA will still take care of you, so it isn't like they just leave you to figure things out on your own. Good luck and feel free to PM me with any VA questions and I will try to answer them. (Make note of the word "TRY" )

Innervision22 wrote:I am eight months from retiring. I am getting a CPAP this week. I haven't filled out my VA claim (I will in December).

I was told at my transition class that sleep apnea is 50 percent disability. Is this true? If so will I be getting my supplies from the VA?

I received my CPAP a few months back. I was told by my Medical Equipment Provider that OSA does draw 50% disability. He also mentioned that TRIc* rents the machine for the first several months...while it is determined that this therapy will work for you (ensure that you use the machine). If you do use it and it works, the insurance company will convert the rental to a purchase and buys it for you. Congrats on your upcoming retirement!

I am retired from the Miltary and am rated at 60% disabled. I am going to see about doing tests for Sleep Apnea, is there a chance the Va would increase my benefits from the 60%?

rpfritz wrote:I am retired from the Miltary and am rated at 60% disabled. I am going to see about doing tests for Sleep Apnea, is there a chance the Va would increase my benefits from the 60%?

YES - i hear that SA can draw UP TO 50% disability...much probably depends on the severity and i wont know for a few more years myself

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2002 and recently retired with 80%. Along with other diabilities, VA gave me a 50% for sleep apnea. Hope this helps. Also, I got my machine from the hospital that diagnosed me. Now I am trying to get the VA to replace my mask/machine for another one. Freddie

The rating for Sleep Apnea can very from 0 to 100%. If your condition is rated by the VA and you are using a CPAP, then you should receive a rating of 50% based on the rating schedule for use of a CPAP. It is also possible to receive a 100% rating for Sleep Apnea as well. In my experience I have found that it is easier to work with non-VA providers for treatment of OSA. The cost is higher but I would say it is easier to obtain treatment and equipment outside the VA.

"I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2002 and recently retired with 80%. Along with other diabilities, VA gave me a 50% for sleep apnea. Hope this helps. Also, I got my machine from the hospital that diagnosed me. Now I am trying to get the VA to replace my mask/machine for another one. Freddie"

Freddie, I retired in Feb of this year. I need to get a new mask as well. How long has it taken you to get the new mask and machine. Mine was given to me while on active duty and they (AF) wont service it for me. How did you get the wheels in motion for them (VA) to consider replacing the units?

The VA would not take me on as a new case...rules changed about who is eligible...BOOOO.
Fortunately I dfo have medical insurance.

Regarding hiking: I want to be able to hike long distances and sleep outside with a CPAP. Can any of you offer suggestions on CPAPS that would allow alternate power sources and/or are lighter than the norm?

Any hikers out there?