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Veterans Administration and sleep apnea

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by RickG, Jun 25, 2013.

  1. Jun 25, 2013 #1
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    I have been reading about growing numbers of claims being made to the VA by veterans for sleep apnea .
    I'm not really going to get into that here but it does give an option for veterans regarding sleep studies . Anyone that thinks they might be recommended for a sleep study should be examined BEFORE applying for a driving job . The disorder doesn't have to be service related for a veteran to go to the VA for treatment . If a veteran goes to the VA doctor and gets a written statement there is no evidence of sleep apnea the driver should get a 2 year medical card unless there are other issues like high blood pressure . If the VA does a sleep study and the driver is given documented effective treatment the physician should give him a 1 year card with no problem .
    Drivers with any condition a doctor could use to recommend a sleep study should never have a DOT physical without documentation of a previous diagnosis .
     
    RickG, Jun 25, 2013
    RickG, Jun 25, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jun 25, 2013 #2
    CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    I've been going to the VA for two years now and they could care less about my sleep apnea. In my VA medical records it lists one of my conditions as "sleep apnea, unverified". I had a doctors appt yesterday and asked him if he wanted my independent sleep study results after I read that. He said no he didn't need it. If he didn't want them results you'd think they would give me their own sleep study. Duh! I'm a severe case and it's an underlying condition of all my other problems.

    I can't wait until I get my insurance and able to go back to my regular doctor. If you haven't stepped on a landmine or shot in the back VA care is substandard to other medical care. I could tell you stories of other health care issues different from a private doctor but we won't go there. :)

    Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the bare minimum medical care and medicine until I'm able to return to my private physician. There is a big difference how things are done in the civilian world from the VA.

    One could try to get a sleep study ordered through the VA. Unless you are falling asleep in the waiting room they probably won't give you one. It's like a cattle sale there and they are very budget conscious.
     
    CondoCruiser, Jun 25, 2013
    CondoCruiser, Jun 25, 2013
    #2
  4. Jun 25, 2013 #3
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    I wonder what would happen if you asked for a written documentation stating you were refused a sleep study then after you got it told them they could be liable if you fell asleep driving .
    I understand the problem with the VA . Their costs are rapidly rising . Up until last year they used to let me see the doctor every six months and get blood work quarterly to check PSA levels after prostate cancer treatment . Now they only allow once a year for each .
    I found something interesting on the prostate cancer though . If a veteran elects to choose watchful waiting he will be paid 100% disability until he chooses further treatment . I wish I had known that . I thought having surgery ASAP was the best policy but I probably could have delayed it a year .
     
    RickG, Jun 25, 2013
    RickG, Jun 25, 2013
    #3
  5. Jun 25, 2013 #4
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    95 % of our group tested positive for sleep apnea, at the VA.

    An independent sleep study found that most of us did NOT have sleep apnea.

    your mileage may vary......
     
    123456, Jun 25, 2013
    123456, Jun 25, 2013
    #4
  7. Jun 25, 2013 #5
    rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

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    Some drivers are qualifying for full federal disability because of this career ending disease. Maybe I'll get fat and jump on the band wagon. They let the fat women do the fibromaliligia thing. Supposed to work both ways. That's what the era thing was all about.
     
    rodknocker, Jun 25, 2013
    rodknocker, Jun 25, 2013
    #5
  8. Jun 25, 2013 #6
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    They also collect disability for E.D............:biggrin_25515:
     
    123456, Jun 25, 2013
    123456, Jun 25, 2013
    #6
  9. Jun 25, 2013 #7
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Sleep apnea is not career ending . All you need to qualify is effective treatment . A CPAP reduces benefit to 50%.

    http://www.stripes.com/news/veteran...ress-to-end-sleep-apnea-claims-abuse-1.223588
     
    RickG, Jun 25, 2013
    RickG, Jun 25, 2013
    #7
    truckerdad57 Thanks this.
  10. Jun 25, 2013 #8
    CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Ah he has an attitude everyone gets sick from sitting on the couch and eating potato chips.
     
    CondoCruiser, Jun 25, 2013
    CondoCruiser, Jun 25, 2013
    #8
  11. Jun 25, 2013 #9
    rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

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    My neighbor has been doing it for 20 years. Don't hear him complaining
     
    rodknocker, Jun 25, 2013
    rodknocker, Jun 25, 2013
    #9
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