In a news release posted today, VA proposed changes to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) specifically pertaining to the respiratory, auditory, and mental disorders body systems. The changes would incorporate medical advancements for treating certain disabilities and modern medical knowledge to more accurately compensate Veterans.
VASRD is used to determine the appropriate level of compensation for each service-connected disability based on the severity of the condition as documented by supporting medical evidence. VA is in the process of updating all the body systems in the VASRD to reflect modern evaluative criteria based on advancements in medical terminology, diagnostics and treatment.
On Feb. 15, the Veterans Benefits Administration will publish proposed rules in the Federal Register regarding changes to the regulations for the two body systems: respiratory system; ear, nose and throat conditions, and auditory disorders; and mental disorders. Veterans and the public will have 60 days to comment on these proposed rules.
Since these are proposed changes, they will not affect evaluations of any Veteran currently receiving compensation for an impacted disability. Instead, this is an opportunity for Veterans and the public to comment on these proposed changes over the next 60 days. VA will consider the comments received and address them in a subsequent final rule which may make these changes effective.
Some of the proposed changes include modernizing the evaluation criteria for sleep apnea by evaluating it based on the symptoms’ responsiveness to treatment. If symptoms are fully treated by a CPAP machine or other treatment, a Veteran would be rated at 0% and not receive compensation; VA will award progressively higher percentage evaluations based upon how symptomatic the condition remains after treatment. This will bring the rating criteria for sleep apnea more closely in line with the stated purpose of the rating schedule, which is to provide evaluations based upon average impairment of earning capacity.
For respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the proposed rules would slightly lower the requirements for a 100% rating. For tinnitus, the proposed changes would recognize that symptom within the Veteran’s broader ailment and provide service-connected compensation for tinnitus through the disease to which it is attributed.
The proposed rules for mental health conditions would increase the minimum disability rating from 0% to 10%. The rule would get rid of a dated part of VASRD that prevents a Veteran from getting a 100% rating for a mental health condition if they are able to work.
VA will ensure Veterans get the compensation they need and deserve, especially when it comes to mental disorders. Under the proposed changes, VA plans to use new evaluation criteria to more accurately capture the different domains of impairment caused by mental disabilities and provide more adequate compensation for financial losses experienced by Veterans with service-connected mental disorders.
Rather than assigning an evaluation based on the number and type of symptoms present, these changes would evaluate mental disorders based on how impactful the disability is across five domains of impairment: Cognition, interpersonal interactions and relationships, task completion, life activities and navigating environments, and self-care.
Veterans, their caregivers and other partners can read the proposed rules for themselves on the Federal Register and are welcome to provide feedback.
- 87 FR 8474 – Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Ear, Nose, Throat, and Audiology Disabilities; Special Provisions Regarding Evaluation of Respiratory Conditions; Schedule for Rating Disabilities-Respiratory System – Content Details – 2022-02049.
- 87 FR 8498 – Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Mental Disorders – Content Details – 2022-02051.
Once again, there will be no change to any Veteran’s current rating based on these proposed changes. When the proposed changes are finalized, Veterans who currently receive compensation for a service-connected condition can apply for increased compensation. And even if a Veteran’s symptoms no longer warrant the current evaluation they have based on the finalized changes, no reductions shall be made unless an improvement in the Veteran’s disability is shown to have occurred based on the last schedule used to assign their evaluation.
Since September 2017, VA has updated the rating schedule for the following body systems:
- Dental and oral conditions.
- Endocrine system.
- Gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast.
- Organs of special sense (eye conditions).
- Skin.
- Hematologic and lymphatic systems.
- Infectious diseases, immune disorders, and nutritional deficiencies.
- Musculoskeletal system and muscle injuries.
- Genitourinary and cardiovascular systems.
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Here we go again stick it to the vet to save money, or so they can give themselves a pay raise. I think there should be term limits, and caps on what they can be paid and all pay raises should have to be voted on by us. Also anyone on a board that decides anything for the military should have to be a honorably discharged vet. The dead wood is found in our politician’s.
And I think ever president should be required to have served.
My disability is total hearing loss in my right ear, but also severe tinnitus which is a loud ringing in the deaf ear. I have received new hearing aids, but the noise
in the ear is not compensated nor treated. I also have minor tinnitus in my left ear, so I believe increased compensation is due, now currently at 20%. My case
was contested at the highest level in Washington by a Judge.
To sit there and just grandfather vets in for disability changes and take those same benefits away from others suffering from the same things is garbage. It should be all on none. Same across the board. I know there are a lot out there that served behind a desk that are collecting 100% for ptsd or migraines or whatever or some other bum disability. It is sad the VA has to do this to weed out the imposters. In the end, people that really rate a disability are now going to be denied or given less benefits. People are simply out to get what they can where they can. Disability benefits should go to those that are in need. It blows my mind.
Plenty of folks served behind a desk but were sexually assaulted, raped, injured in training, or during routine work with heavy loads or mishaps. But hey, I guess you know it all bud. Congrats on that. I hope your high horse serves you well in judging those you don’t know. I get that it’s a travesty that folks leech off the system but there are plenty that you’d mistake for it that truly are dealing with things you’ll never know or understand. That’s between them and God, not some guy on the internet spouting off in the comment section. God bless ya. <3
By reading this article, my interpretation is if you are receiving VA compensation already for Sleep Apnea, they will not take it away. What is scary, is if you go in for a reevaluation (or try to upgrade) your compensation, it looks like they will do a complete reevaluation on your disabilities, which may lower your compensation. My belief is if your happy with your current percentage, don’t try to fight the system for more, which is unjust. There are a couple of 0 percents, I have currently which could get upgraded, but I’m surely not going to fight the system over it, for the chance of a reduced rating.
I am a soon to retire service member. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 2 years ago and I have to say that I love my CPAP, it is awesome to embrace the feeling of your skull being crushed while you attempt to sleep for four hours… if I’m lucky! Who comes up with these crazy ideas? Do what you do VA, regardless of any comments on this matter we all know that the decision has already been made!
The welfare system is alive and strong but the VA is trying to undercut veterans who worked to serve their country. Changing ratings of those already evaluated is criminal, these issues are still being treated every day, and if better treatment comes along, veterans should be first in line, not punished because of them. How long have veterans waited for the VA to better treat them?
Travel pay is another thing pulled out from us. I have a local clinic that can perform small tasks but anything beyond that is treated at a remote hospital. On the basis that there is a closer clinic means funds are denied; the VA doesn’t even look into the availability of certain doctors’ ability to treat, they are not all at the same office!!!
Maybe I should apply for welfare, that system always doles out money to the least deserving.
This is extremely Sad. It does not effect my rating of 100. But living with tinnitus has been far worse than living with my hearing loss. It causes a lot of sleepless night as the ringing in my ears I feel sometimes is driving me crazy. The whole point of the VA is to take care of veterans. Not minimize there issues. As far as sleep apnea is concerned, i to suffer from sleep apnea. I do not have it listed as service connected but could easily of piled out as being secondary to gerd associated with a hiatal hernia that developed in while serving in Alaska in the late 80s. I wear a cpap. between brokes seals and air escaping at night to a sore nose from the nasal form of the devise my nights are not filled with lots of rest. I understand the Veterans are not the only individuals that suffer from these conditions but when they are service connected the are both real struggles. Shame on you VA.
ANY recommendations that effectively says that ANY condition is “cured” either because of a medical device or medication is…in a word… Bunk!
If one has any medical condition, it is NOT ‘cured’ by a device or medication, it is merely TREATED. The fact that any condition, be it Sleep Apnea or PTSD, Depression ie; mental, is treated shouldn’t be a qualification as a zero (0)% rating.
For the VA to suggest that, implies that they are abdicating their responsibility to compensate and very likely treat, the people who have given parts of themselves in Service to this Nation.
In fact, that a person is even evaluated for said conditions, should automatically qualify them as suffering from the condition, even if they are “rated” at the lowest level.
As many comments have noted, there are good and bad facilities that we veterans have to avail ourselves. Other areas don’t even have a local one, but have to either travel a distance or use what’s available to the general public.
Which brings me to this. For those of us who have to use public treatment for any condition, we quickly find our choices limited, if even at all. Why? Because of lack of payment by the VA for said services. If anything needs fixing, that does. I have neurological problems that the local facility isn’t able to treat (no one on staff qualified). I’ve had a number of outside, very highly rated doctors who start in the VA network but quickly quit it again for, as I said, lack of payment or overly long wait times to get payment.
Instead of offering considerations to make changes that in effect, will change a veterans rating to zero, why don’t you offer something that will actually FIX what is already working to some extent.
Anything that suggests that a veterans current rating be lowered, is as they say, a non-starter. There needs to be a “grand-father” clause for those already rated, noting that an evaluation can only go UP, not down.
I hope mine and other comments are actually taken into consideration, with changes made appropriately (sadly, I and many others fear that we will be ignored/pushed aside, for what are seen as ‘cost cutting’ measures instead of actual measures for veteran treatment)
Thank you for your time.
Sounds like it’s time to start posting this to the social sites where they can’t just remove them, we can post on here all day but who all will actually see these comments besides vets. Everyone needs to copy and past there comments on all the social media sites, not just the veteran facebook pages etc. create stories, blogs/vlogs whatever to all other social media sites, heck even send this out to your local news media outlets, they love to run stories on vets getting the shaft or mistreated, that will lite a match for all to see and add even more voices. I like the VA and don’t want to necessarily just blame them, this stuff comes from the top, and those are the people we need to go after. I have had a CPAP for years and still don’t have or receive benefits for sleep apnea, wonder why that is. There are some real crooked people somewhere still trying to line there own pockets with more money just by stiff arming us at the bottom, Greed is the real disease.
Your right! We ALL must spread the word of this ludicrous proposal.
I have been posting and sharing as much as possible too.
This is so sad!!, I know the struggle of sleeping with a CPAP, there are times to where I wake in the middle of my sleep scratching at my face thinking someone is trying to suffocate me..lol. those of part of my nightmares, but this is not right, they are really bending over veterans and making us take it with no lube, this is the country whom we sacrifice ourselves and families for. I just don’t understand, we veterans have to jump through all kind of hoops just to try and get what is owe to us, while they hand out all kind of free money to the freeloaders. Just wait until you try and file for your SSDI, they are just as worst. I don’t know about the rest of the veterans, but I am sick and tired of this s*%t. Like someone said in their comment, its easy for these Politicians, because I don’t think any of them ever served or even got family that served for that matter. Maybe all of us veterans need to come together somehow.
Sleep apnea…Ditto what just about everyone said regarding the lunacy of the proposal. You just know they’ll be hunting for current recipients to re-evaluate and take away disability benefits.
If they’re going to come for disability benefits currently being paid to people with ailments they claim get “better,” I expect to be allowed to be re-evaluated for the ruptured disc in my back that was determined to be service related, but got me 0% because I didn’t have a history of chronic pain, i.e. going to the doctor every time I had a twinge. Well, decades later, it’s really starting to cause issues – Pain and nerve.
The fact that someone has to wear something the rest of their lives should be compensated not rated 0%. There are people dying with sleep apnea, yes the cpap helps but still veteran has to wear it everytime they sleep.
Dozens of fellow veterans died in hospitals waiting for appointments. Director of those VA hospitals were cooking their books to make a lot more money in bonuses., those are the people that needs to have their pay cut. Politicians want to take everything from the Veteran.
I have been using a CPAP machine for many years. Right now I have a Phillips CPAP machine that have a recall but the VA are telling me that it might take a year before I can get my new CPAP machine. Instead of messing with our compensation they should be making sure that we get the equipment that we need in order to help our health in a timely matter. Leave our pensions alone. Like someone mention these people with this proposals probably never served.
How about they let us know WHO has presented these changes instead of that person hiding behind a door. Let’s get into their background and find out if they have ever served. I bet you they have nothing but a political background. I bet they were appointed to a position so voting them out would not happen. Please give their name and position so they can be contacted directly. I bet you this goes unanswered.
I have been dealing with tinnitus for many years since my service though I don’t have any hearing loss, my life is miserable since I have to deal with this noise every day, It is shame if this proposal goes into effect and tinnitus would be considered as a zero
same here,,, let the person making these changes deal with what we have all day long and night.
No changes for hearing loss. I have pointed out the biases in the hearing charts which favor the Maryland verbalization vs. the pure tone test. It skews the numbers to the right and down away from the best point estimate. I have proposed an updated chart which equalizes both tests having equal value. I suggested that if a veteran has a hearing disability (3.385) but does not meet the current charts values which means a 0% rating and has to wear hearing aids to function then a 10% rating for hearing loss to be granted (functional impairment & functional loss). Saying there is no “noise notch” is a bunch of pooh. There are studies showing it is related to exposure, showing that normal hearing loss from aging (Presbycusis) normally starts around 65-years of age does not jive with the VA is proposing. I have pulled all of my hearing tests for the past 44-years and the graph does not look like the normal hearing loss graphs from aging that I have found. The 2000Hz, 3000Hz, and 4000Hz range all dropped faster in the 20+ years of service then the next 18-years after retirement. I think that the VA is blowing more smoke up veteran’s butts with these proposals. They are looking at ways to shut down benefits to vets! This is our price we pay.
0% for SA?? What a joke. It’s not cured by a CPAP, possibly dead with out it. Too me it is bothersome, awkward, cumbersome and annoying trying to sleep with that mask pressing in your face, not to mention the hose that limits mobility. I have a hard time getting a mask to fit my face proper. Tried 5 before I could get a good seal. So me would cut my nose and still wouldn’t get a good seal. Nose pillows were very painful because of my rhinitis. Being an older vet, I can’t sleep the whole night with out a toilet break. Mask on/off cycle in a drowsy state is definitely fun. I don’t sleep nearly enough, because I’ll wake up and my face hurts to much from the CPAP, I just get up. That make me tired most of the day. So the VA figures the CPAP eliminates compensation as well as any other ailment that medications are used to effect. Have they forgot or choose to forget the time and effort along with the expense of cleaning and maintaining and purchasing filters, water compartments, masks, hoses and distilled water the CPAP machine requires. The masks and hoses also need cleaning apparatus and cleaning/ disinfectant solutions. In regards to medications controlling a condition, have you ever read the side effects of most of them.
The VA pays for scars that are covered by clothes. I embarrassed to go out in public with the permanent intentions on my face.
I am very disappointed with the VA trying to make the proposed changes. Not just SA, medications that control a condition will warrant a 0% decision. Very, very dissatisfied.
Do not make the proposed changes. This only hurts Veterans. The VA is trying to saving money by taking it away from Veterans. These changes are shameful. The VA should be a shame of themselves by trying to change the disability rating schedule for Tinnitus, Sleep apnea, and Mental Health. All they are trying to do is hurt Veterans and take away their benefits! If it wasn’t already hard enough to get a fair treatment for a claim. Don’t do this to your veterans! Everyone should call and write your Senator and Congressman to get them to stop these changes! And to instead change out the people running the VA!
Wow this is crazy concerning Sleep Apnea!! You mean to tell me the CPAP machine will correct all your issues!! Someone for be ashamed to even propose such a resolution!! Sounds like another way to cut back on giving benefits, it’s hard enough to get ratings for service connected issues and when you look at the scale for pay that’s another issue how can a person survive. Our government has all kinds of programs giving out free money but when it comes to veterans it’s a fight for everything!! I can see why so many now are getting lawyers to help with filling claims.
Anybody with sleep Apnea knows the pain of having to use a CPAP machine, which it is only good if you sleep on your back, never move, and have the perfect face in order to ensure a perfect seal and their is no air seeping out of the mask (full mask or under the nose cannula). The rest of us spend the entire night being waken up whenever we move and yank on the hose, mask moves to the side air starts leaking waking you and your wife up. Or, sometimes the great dry throat sensation in the morning because your mouth was open and the air that went through your nose all night was just traveling through your sinuses, throat, and right back out the mouth. CPAP in not a cure,
I will always have sleep Apnea, and despite me trying to exercise in order to maintain a weight to help control it, every year that passes my muscle-skeletal injuries make this harder and more painful. Soon, I know that despite my best efforts, I will gain weight, which will make my Apnea worst and will start affecting my cardiovascular system.
Whoever is proposing this change, most likely have not enjoyed the great pleasure of living with a CPAP. This “cure” not only is an inconvenient life keeping device but it adds stress in other aspects of your every day life. Ask any spouse that has to sleep next to a person with a CPAP every night.
Its bad enough that for me to get seen at a VA facility I have to wait 6-9 months, and God forbid that for some reason they cancel on you, there goes another 3 months for your next appointment. The only thing I have gotten from the VA, besides long wait times, are CPAP consumables, a pair of glasses, and two dental cleanings.
I am lucky to have the ability to pay for health care so that I can get all my VA disabilities, and anything else on the private sector. I dont have to wait months, they work with my schedule, I get the needed medical referrals and the provider will give options versus a no, we cant pay for that.
I truly am sorry for those Veterans, and their families, who sacrificed and unfortunately have to rely solely on the VA for their medical care. It should not be this way.
There are good people that work in the VA facilities, with great intentions, and who only would like to proudly care for our veterans but are road blocked by a broken system and leadership that is looking to cut cost by squeezing our veterans out of there deserved VA entitlement.
Not all of us are retired Generals drawing a 10K retirement check and many things are not as cut and dry. Like many other mentioned before on their comments, so with that logic, a Veteran who lack kidney functions as a result of his/fer service doesn’t need to be compensated because they can get dialysis 2 times a week. Are the people actually hearing themselves?
Mor you have said a mouth full. The workers are not all bad there are a few great men and women who works for the V.A. Regional Offices. I remember when my dad was living and I use to take him to his appointments. The doctors where the ones who was rating the patients, they were the ones who closely watched and treated the patients. Therefore they knew the abilities each on had or the needs of the patients. The VA did away with that rating because they felt the doctors were getting to close to the patient. Well they don’t think the Regional worker find was to get close to the vet. As the older folks would say there more than one way to skin a cat. The bottom line is the government is trying to not pay out to veterans who have sacrificed the life time and energy to stand by our country. I truly feel no vet should have to fight their government to get paid. My belief is that any man or woman who was drafted, signed up or was ordered by a judge should get full benefits from the VA that would include dental, mental, and anything else that falls under A-Z. Because when you went in th basic training was hard enough that alone gave you mental issues, going through all the up and downs, moving from one place to another because your rank changed is mental some have not been stable for as long as four years at a time that’s mental all by itself you have to continue to up root your family or yourself if your single. I just wanted to say Moe everything you said I cold heartedly agree
I’m still fighting after 35 plus years after getting injured on the aircraft carrier during a drill, and I was shoved down the flight of steel steps, tearing up my knees and hitting my head. So, when I was discharged with all the medical records from the aircraft carrier, the physical therapy at the airforce base, and the base hospital, James Haley refused to do a head check and barely did anything within the hour exam back in ’86. But the result was a denial and then they refused me medical for the next 23 years because the VA sent the documents that I would had have the opportunity to appeal within a year to a address where I lived when I went to High School, not where I was living because I was receiving documents from the VA for all those years around the same dates they se t out the other documents, so they knew where I lived but the injury became permanent, I went through and still am going through bought of depression and if it wasn’t for my wife I would have been dead 3 times over due to the severe pain I am induring and dealing with the VA. They don’t give a damn about us and I know that first hand. Because 2 people told me I should either give up it would be just 1 less number in the system or that I would be better off dead and she hung upon me. I mailed my Honorable Discharge Document to the White House and not 1 response as if I was expecting any. So they don’t care, they just want toscrew as many people as possible. And they wonde why the suicide rate is so high with the Vets. It’s because there are not being taking care of, listen too or just belived even with physical proof.
This is for all, my husband is a disabled Vietnam vet and had been treated very well by the VA. Maybe the complaining needs to end and thankfulness needs to start. We all have many many things to be thankful for in America.
This comment is for all , my husband is disabled Vietnam vet and had been treated well by th VA. I would suggest thankfulness or constantly complaining . We all have many many reasons to be thankful in America!
Jani maybe your husband didn’t have to go through what others are going through. Let him speak to the vets who are going through hard times trying to get their benefits. May you and your hi could be a platform to help and not criticize it who are voicing their concerns and opinions, it’s people like you who makes a difference in the life of others. You don’t know the next man/woman struggle. Like I said maybe your husband didn’t have a hard time getting his benefits like some os. My dad went to his grave getting ONLY 50% he was bitten by a rattle snake while in the woods, he was shot while in the desert by the enemy never gotten a Purple Heart they thought it to be friendly fire oh well he gotten shot that’s the point not just him but a few others. Sometimes you have to wonder was it the color of their skin that played a part on the fact they were not grant any justice. I’m going to stop with that and just maybe if your pleased with what your husband is getting you have no need to be on this site. And for the record my dad may have not gotten all he deserved but I’m surely getting mine.
Time for less complaining and more thankfulness! Good grief people!!!
The complaint is that they are trying to take away compensation for a life changing illness stating it is “treated” and give a 0% rating for it, while the vet has to wear a machine which if comes off or doesnt seal can lead to death, brain damage, and other health conditions. I am grateful for some treatment but i was told someone wearing a machine shouldn’t be compensated more than someone who lost a limb. Well dealing with a loss of a limb doesnt kill you, it doesnt make it hard for you to function throughout the day if you dont get a good seal or have the risk of dying in your sleep. You dont have to sleep in one way or the other, if anything they should be equal due to having to use an external device to function normally.
Wow you’re really out of your mind. My father is a vietnam veteran and is treated well……70 percent of the time. I’m an Iraq veteran and I’ve been treated well 80% of the time I’d say. I guess because your husband is treated well you choose to be blind to the suffering of others. You’re assuming people complaining aren’t thankful but I’d say they’re just speaking on a broken system that a lot of veterans fall through the cracks in. But hey, keep your blinders on and keep on judging. Tell others to be thankful but passing judgement on the good ol interwebs. Leave it to god hon, it’s not your business. ;)
This is shameful!
Obviously a cost cutting measure.
Also, has anyone else noticed that comments posted on Federal Register website opposing this are screened and sometimes not even posted?
I have posted twice strongly opposing this proposal, and nothing was posted.
Not a conspiracy theorist, but something is not right here…
Yes! You are correct I posted 3 days ago regarding the Sleep apnea and it removed.
Shameful
To propose that a CPAP machine “corrects” the disability and the vet should no longer receive compensation is as illogical as saying that an artificial limb corrects the lost limb and the vet shy not be compensated for losing his/her leg. Just ridiculous.
I was thinking the exact same thing. CPAP might help with the condition but doesnt fix it.
It would be nice to get rerated without a hassle. 50% was the standard Mental Disorders rating. I was denied Cancer Claim and Unemployability but looks like I would get 100% under the new system for mental impairment. How about an Easy Revaluation?
Be prepared if you complain about a VA Clinic. I offer my letter of complaint to the patient advocate. You will be treated in an identical manner if you complain.
Today, March 10, 2022, VA Clearlake Clinic, is attempting to set me up again. The strategy is the same. A person who introduced herself as Trina, an employee of Clearlake Clinic for over a year, as she told me, tried to set up an appointment with Westphal at the Clearlake Clinic. Can you believe it? The exact same thing happened. It took Trina three phone calls to set up the appointment.
The first phone call Trina and I agreed that we would communicate through VA Message. She agreed. I agreed.
Then a second phone call that contradicted our agreement. Trina ignored my request.
Then a third phone call. The same thing. Trina ignored our agreement.
In each phone call I explained to Trina the why.
Three phone calls to set up an appointment.
Guess who Trina wanted to set up an appointment with? Westphal.
I explained that Westphal attempted to criminalized me rather than offer me medical care.
Then Trina tried to set the appointment with a Nurse Practitioner or whatever the term is. Initially I said no because this Nurse is not trained for PTSD combat veterans. Then I said ok to one or two appointments and if all goes well then I will reconsider. No promises though. Trina agreed. Of course Trina already has exhausted her credibility with me.
Naturally a Nurse merely goes to Westphal, the MD, for confirmation and approval. I know Westphal fails to understand PTSD because she invented a strategy to criminalize me.
Now, the overriding guiding principle here is the fact that Westphal is trying to bait me again. Westphal has a strategy to criminalize me. Westphal is using Trina to bait me again.
I know already what Westphal intends to do. I will report for my appointment. The members of Westphal’s “consensus”, Westphal’s descriptive term for her minions at Clearlake Clinic, will be ready to bait me in the most severe manners of abuse. I will reply of course in a self-defense mode.
Of course I will not report to Clearlake Clinic for any reason until I feel secure, safe, and protected from Westphal’s abuse and the abuse from her disciples in the Clearlake Clinic. I have some ideas about how to tell the VA employees at the Clearlake Clinic to act toward me to assure me that I am not being baited in order to criminalize. The employees of Clearlake Clinic are a severe threat to me. Each of the members of Westphal’s “consensus” are my enemies. I would be a fool to walk in the Clearlake Clinic among my enemies without a patient advocate there with me. I would prefer a VA detective. Westphal and her minions are prepared to criminalize me. Certainly, the VA has a Program of doing so, since I have recognized this pattern now with Trina’s three phones calls to me today. Trina denied knowing about this incident.
Now, I did not call Trina a liar. However, I pointed out to Trina that the Clearlake Clinic is a one-room Clinic. It is impossible for Trina not to know of this incident, since everything is in the open at this Clinic.
Clearlake Clinic is very small. In fact, the employees there have a boondoggle job. Very few patients. So, Westphal and her minions want to protect this boondoggle job. Thus, their animosity toward me is to destroy me. The Clearlake Clinic, actually, should be closed. I am writing both my State Congressional people and my federal Congressional people to report this fact.
Further, I am researching methods within VA to get Westphal removed and fired. She is unfit to be a VA doctor.
Summary: I will post this Message to my Clearlake Clinic Team. I understand that Trina then will try to phone me again to set up an appointment. I will repeat my request: When I am assured that I am not being set up to be criminalize, then I will report for my appointment. Trina was professional, and respectful. She even said “yes, sir” to me. I explained that she was the only VA employee at the Clearlake Clinic who has treated me with respect. All others cold-shouldered me, were abrupt, and spoke in clipped responses that told me in no uncertain terms that I was filth to be discarded and silenced.
Thank you. I hope you are doing well and are happy. I think Spring has sprung, as the older generation liked to say. Uh, wait, I am the older generation now. To add a bit of humor here.
Ronnie
Get prepared combat veterans of any war. When you enter a VA Outpatient Clinic, when you complain about this mess, you will be set up and baited to defend yourself. When you defend yourself, you will be criminalized. You will be reported to the Disciplinary Committee. The Committee then will rule you “threatening”, which means that you will be escorted everywhere when in a Clinic. And all you did was to complain about being abused. I know because my primary care doctor, Westphal, criminalized me. I said that I would be contacting the patient advocate. Westphal then ended the consultation without giving me medical care. Westphal angrily told me that since I contacted the patient advocate, she would not treat me. Leave the Clinic. Of course I left. So, if a combat veteran takes just one of these posts and reads it to anyone in a VA Clinic, be prepared to be criminalized. The VA has a model in place to criminalize any veteran who complains. First, report it to the local police and tell them the combat veteran is “mentally sick”. The Clearlake officer told me this as a fact of his report. Then you will be ostracized from simple human decency in the way the employees will treat you. Then the Disciplinary Committee will rule you as “threatening”. The Clearlake CA Clinic did this to me. So, be prepared.
So vets after serving in combat zones for 20 years cannot even claim Tinnitus for exposure to noise? Are you kidding!? The Sleep Apnea BS looks like a way to set precedent in the future on other health issues where medicines and devices are used for treatments. Someone who requires a external machine to breathe at night should be kept right where it is. To try and minimize this is unbelievable. The damage apnea causes to the heart is catastrophic. Also if you watched the news during Covid it was a big deal when a Covid patient had to get put on a Cpap. So don’t try and minimize it. Feels like wiping out tinnitus will deny a lot of vets from getting access to any benefits as veterans from a lot of MOS are working in very loud conditions. From those who work flight lines, engineers to the infantry men. I know a good handful that the only thing they are rated for is tinnitus. Is the govt trying to save money on the back of Vets? Because it feels like they are trying to make up for over spending elsewhere by cutting vets comp. Ya don’t wanna cover us then quit sticking our noses in crap around the world. Especially when we all know the political will to see anything through to victory does not exist. After seeing this proposal there is no way I will ever let my kids serve. I will hate to see what kind of VA they would face.
I went to Australia, during Covid last year. Did work for their Border Defense, and during quarantine, they took my cpap away. 2 weeks of embracing the suck.
The way I read this they are trying to lower the cost of compensation.
They wont touch the ones already receiving the compensation, unless normal rules apply, ie fraud, you got better etc.
Its frustrating and very stressful dealing with the VA bureaucracy. We have to be strong.. Don’t let it get the best of you..
I served 21 years in the Air Force, and later Army. In the Army, I was an Infantry Officer who had several close calls: my main parachute not opening on my third jump,\; got blown by high winds onto an ambulance parked next to the drop zone, to having been clobbered in the back of the head by tree branches after a helicopter crashed during an air assault exercise. Also, while training in the jungles of Panama in preparation for Viet Nam, I also got stung by hundreds of bees, which caused me to slip and fall off a small cliff, and hit my head on the way down. I got compensation for my back and neck problems but was denied compensation for sleep apnea, which I believe I developed while sleeping on the damp ground during months of jungle training. I also retired with tinnitus problems (I was once a range officer where I had to supervise the line where automatic weapons fire was a daily occurrence) but never sought compensation for them. When I tried to apply for sleep apnea compensation, VA told me I should have applied for sleep apnea compensation when I retired. I retired in 1984, and sleep apnea wasn’t even a term used by the VA medical staff at that time! The VA is adamant that I not be further compensated. I wonder who the desk jockey was who made that decision? And I wonder who the desk jockeys are who are proposing the changes that further degrade the treatment and compensation that
they so rightly deserve.
Just another Politician making things harder for Vets. When I finally got out in 1997 there was nothing for us. I walked out of that office and stood by my truck lost and confused. There was no PTSD. There was no help. I went to the Veterans hospital to enroll. They finally agreed to a Desert War Syndrome. It never happened. Just a plastic sheet over a doorway to show it was being worked on. It never was. I put myself in for Mental Issues. Couldn’t sleep. Always pissed off. Started drinking. All that happened was I became a person being interviewed by students. Then they would pay you $10 for each student you agreed to let interview you. I got out of there. Once again zero help. What more can the VA take from us who served. Today isn’t much different. I went to Tomah for help. They put me in a room and forgot about me. Sat in that room for 4 1/2 hours waiting on a Covid test. Then tried to get admitted and they didn’t have a bed for me. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive one way. I had to call my wife at 8:30 pm to come get me. They offered no transportation or any kind of lodging. And to top it off there was no working Kiosk to submit any kind of travel pay. Never go to Tomah VA unless you are ready to die. Even then they will put you on the the street.
I thank all for your service. I would like to say that the change may be good as far as sleep apnea is concerned. I have been treated with a CPAP and dental device which neither worked based on my Parasomnia. Both devises are pulled out while I sleep and the only option for me would be surgery or live with it. Don’t agree with the rating of 0 as sleep apnea is no joke….good luck vets
Wow. And every VA phone number that a veteran calls starts with “If you are having thoughts of suicide……..”
I want Trump back he took care of us and held everyone in the VA accountable for their jobs. They no longer have to worry about being fired for not doing what they’re payed to. Patient advocacy runs amuck and this discussion of ratings was fixed under his watch. Thanks for not supporting those who served VA.
trump is a traitor to this country.
In regards to CPAP/sleep Apnea: I’m 19 years in and I have suffered from sleep apnea half my career. I was diagnosed with a mild case in 2010/2014, but only given sleep aids. As I’m older and naturally gained more weight I finally had enough and received treatment a few months ago for severe obstruction.
I am still waiting for my CPAP delivery. I’m decently fit, but have a natural small airway and large neck that causes me to gasp for air every night.
Long story short, I believe a possible 0 % for this legit condition is a slap in the face. I cannot get back the the years I’ve had to “shut up and color” and deal with this. It’s a proven fact that over time the lack of oxygen and a good night’s rest mixed in with the anxiety and stress of military life degrades all aspects of health. My sleep study results helped my breathing but I still woke up multiple times and did not get 100% proper rest.
In conclusion, I’ve aged and have sacrificed my best years of life for my country that I’ll never get back. For new or soon to be claiming veterans to worry about this SHOULD NOT be a topic, but here we are.
Before being diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea and using a CPAP machine I would stop breathing roughly 39 times a night and for approximately 45 seconds during some periods. I would wake up gasping for air. My wife lived with the loud snoring for 20 years before I finally got evaluated. She would wake me up sometimes for the snoring or because I was choking. I would fall a sleep driving, watching TV, working at a computer etc…. There are numerous other health issues that arise from sleep apnea. I still snore and gasp for air if I fall asleep with out a CPAP. I have to take it everywhere I go that I will be sleeping overnight. That machine has improved my sleep but I still get drowsy during the day. Using a CPAP has not cured my severe obstructive sleep apnea it has managed it. The CPAP is required for me to. live a healthier life. Without it my health would deteriorate much faster. I didn’t have sleep apnea when I joined the Navy or bad knees, feet, shoulder, and back. This is all happening by doing my job for 29 years running the steel decks and up and down vertical ladders on carriers for 21 years and counting. The VA should not exist to save money but to take care of all the veterans that have faithfully and honorably served this country. With all the wasteful spending in our government I am sure the right thing to do is find the funds to compensate the men and women who have sacrificed so much in defense of our country and all of her citizens.
Bill, couldn’t be more correct with your response, I also spent years on a carrier and was denied any help with sleep apnea while serving, as a result went without sleep for days suffered physical pain on top of mental trauma and now they want to save money by saying this cpap fixes everything, it doesn’t. THAT IS,…. I T D O E S N O T. It barely makes it tolerable as I write this, I have not slept through the night in weeks; I have not been able to work for years due to my disabilities and I am NOT rated at 100%. Falling asleep while driving is one of the biggest problems but make no mistake it is not even the start of how this effects the everyday things people who dont have this disease take for granted, fine motorskills, cognitive response just to name a few, do they even think about how that might affect
a mechanic, my ability to shine as a contributing member of society has been reduced to nothing more than a bumbling idoit. This proposal threateans my entire rating, as a repayment having done nothing more than faithfully executing my duteis with honor, they want to reduce my rating; mark my words they are going to put more honorable vets on the street.
This is wrong, and a way of cheating vets out of their compensation. All it’s doing is taking monetary benefits away from vets.
Most veterans loose time and money by going to their appointments. Compensations help veterans undergo through their treatments without loosing money…
Where do I start? When VA finally granted compensation for tinnitus – after many years of ‘battle’ – I was so relieved and thankful. Receiving an email from VA regarding changes to the regs and reading about ‘proposed’ changes (Federal Register) probably made my blood pressure increase. My heart goes out to all the good people, V-E-T-E-R-A-N-S, who are struggling and will likely receive a new VA rating of 0%.
Definitely! I’ve had to deal with this CPAP for decades. My event triggered from sleep deprivation in boot camp. I struggled to wake up and function normally after basic.
Decades of waking up with the face mask shoved sideways on my face and tangled in the hose.
Decades of having a stuffy nose and rendering the CPAP useless.
Decades of waking up with a dry throat or a bloody nose.
Decades of lugging a machine while traveling which costs as extra baggage at the airport now.
Decades of the lack of snuggling with the Mrs because the air is blowing in her face or the hose is too short.
Decades of pure agony having to wear a machine to sleep. Nobody likes wearing the machine!
These proposals are ridiculous. If it passes, nobody will want to wear the mask anymore. They’ll end up dying prematurely from high blood pressure, heart attach, or stroke due to no REM.
I gotta get off this machine. It sounds like it’s time for surgery.
every time they change the system for veterans they’re taking stuff away under their new criteria that they say will help you. The American people are very generous to politicians are thieves they take the people’s money you put it in their pockets don’t look at that man behind the curtain.
Speaking as someone who has a mental health disorder, if you look at the proposed evaluation form this will greatly benefit those of us with these mental health disorders. Ratings criteria seem like they should be much easier to evaluate and result in less appeals. I would like to see implementation of a program for people who have these disorders when they are discharged. I personally did not find out about these programs until I was in my 50’s even though my discharge paperwork said I should have been referred at that time.
79 years old, In VA system since 01/0501964. Not aging well. Depend completely on care by VA. Not able to subsides income. In process of having present rated reviewed. Long process. VA works on their own schedule. I have no answers.
Using a CPAP manages sleep apnea. It does not cure it. Taking medications manages my Type 2 diabetes and my cornary artery disease. It does not cure them.
The CPAP and taking medications fulfill the same purpose. They both manage a condition and must be used daily. Neither deserve a 0% rating
Totally agree.
I have a CPAP and I have use it daily. If I fail to use my CPAP, I go back to having 4-5 hours of broken sleep and it also affects my mental health as well my personal relationship don’t think this should have a 0% rating.
Terry, I was about to comment on this issue as well. CPAP is a treatment for the issue not a permanent fix. VA is always looking for ways to save money.
If anything Sleep anea with use of CPAP should be rated higher. Plenty of studies show that sleep apnea declines health significantly. CPAP is medication which helps, what’s next VA going to take prosthesis away from veterans and give them a 0% rating for those who lost there limbs. VA don’t care.
I can’t believe that the VA would even think about making changes to sleep apnea. I didn’t have it now I have to wear this mask every night because I could stop breathing in my sleep! I been in combat for 30 months in Iraq sleeping in some of the worse places you could imagine. It’s sickening how I may get treated when I get out in less than 6 months once I retire after 21 years of service. I was 17 when I joined and now that I’m 38 I have hard time getting out of bed or just going to work because of this mask hugging my face all night. Absolute and borderline insanity for even proposing this change!
I can’t begin to even fathom this. I have struggled with sleep issues for years especially after being on a ship and the inability to have good sleep ever put to sea. My wife would always wake me up because I would be choking in my sleep or snoring so obnoxiously, and in the mornings and throughout the days would just be debilitating with always being tired, out of it, memory issues and more. I can only imagine how many more issues are going to arise from my sleep apnea. This is very disheartening and disappointing. It doesn’t seem as if the VA cares about veterans.
It said that the veterans are out to protect the veterans and help them and their families. From what I’ve read this is not going to help the vets. I myself am a widow of 100% disabled vet in the compensation I received after he passed is not even a third of what he was getting and I don’t see how they expect families where the vet has passed to be able to support themselves. I feel the compensation for the widows of the vets or the widowers of the vets should be compensated more than what they have in the past they should at least be compensated at least half of what their disability is if it’s 100% or even if it’s not 100%. With the way inflation is nowadays there’s no way anybody could live by themselves or even support a widow and children on what the compensation is. This is something that seriously needs to be looked at. Especially when the statements made that the veterans take care of their own and they’re not.
I read the previous email with the proposal. There are things being people that are design to lower or take away a vets compensation. I myself have three separate permanent conditions in my back alone that are debilitating me (and will get much worse in time). I don’t know who made these proposals, but it clearly shows that they don’t have the best interest of the vets. This is the worst part of being in the military. They get you, break you and then poorly make you whole again.
So what happens if my sleep apnea claim is still in process and hasn’t been decided by the time these obscene changes go into effect? Will I be rated on current standards since my packet has been submitted??
For many veterans sleep apnea is a direct result of our service. While this proposal appears to shield downgrades to existing VA ratings it does nothing for those of us still currently serving. After 30 years in the military and few years still left to go, the VA finds a way to push me closer to the door. I have been on a CPAP for 4+ years as a direct result of the locations in which I have served and other factors. The fact that I have to carry around a CPAP even when on vacation means it is a disability. If I have to use something every night, then it is treating symptoms, not resolving the problem. The use of this machine comes at a cost to myself and my wife who has to put up with the noise and discomfort. It is not a nice to have device, it is a must have device. To use the machine correctly I have to sleep on my back which causes additional discomfort, but it is a tradeoff. Not to mention the sinus infections and more.
CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS. POST TO SOCIAL MEDIA. TALK TO OTHER VETERANS. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
I strongly agree, I have been living with sleep apnea for 5 years. I have to carry that damn machine with me everywhere I go. I have some good nights and some bad nights. I have to go buy gallons of distilled water constantly. I am always spilling a little bit of it and ruining my furniture from the everyday refills. My wife moved to the other side the bed because the damn mask blows out cold air in her face. After a year of that and me sleeping like Darth Vader, our sex life went out the window. She said she still loves me but just can’t find me attractive when I am wearing that thing. Granted the mask helps and I don’t walk around in a daze anymore, but many nights, it just doesn’t work well, I roll over and break the seal or something, but I get enough sleep to make it work. The worst is in the winter when the hvac is heating the house and the air is very dry. I have tried the humidity on auto and on 8, the highest number, but I still wake up in the middle of the night because my throat and sinuses are completely dry and of course that gives me a sinus headache. Yes, the machine shows that it ran all night, and I got a good score that time, but I still woke up with dry air being blown down my throat. the machine doesn’t show that I wake up with a sinus headache from all the dryness. Not to mention the embarrassment of having to pull that thing out whenever I visit friends and family, they look at me with pity. Living with a machine is a disability, having to drag the machine around with you every time you take an overnight trip is a disability, and 3 days of the week when the mask seal breaks or something else goes wrong and you wake up feeling like crap is a disability. Imagine dating again guys, you have a nice night with the girl and then you drag out you CPAP machine and start setting it up, yah, she will think she found a winner.
Forgot to mention, I don’t get to go camping for days anymore, no electricity for my CPAP. I you find yourself in a natural disaster and the power goes out, yah, you are at a disadvantage immediately. Forget going anywhere that don’t have electricity. I have to travel to Asia to attend a wedding. I didn’t realize that it was held at one of these wildlife resorts in the jungle, no electricity. I felt like crap for 3 days. not to mention the one time I found myself sprinting through the airport because I forgot my damn CPAP at the check-in counter.
Instead of trying to take away, they should be offering everyone 2 machines, a Fullsize for the house and a travel size for overnight trips. currently, they only offer the big one. I recently bought myself a travel size and it doubles as my backup.
I totally agree with the mental changes. Veterans will be fairly rated. And l thank the group that came with the proposal
I contacted everyone but Santa Clause. If this proposal passes I will not be giving one more dime to a vet organization. If they can’t stop this they can’t stop anything.
Veterans:
Please remember to Post comments on the Federal Register websites as well from the link in article
Its the only way our voices will be heard and recorded.
Also, Contact your congressman, the VFW action Corps, DAV, etc…
Truly shameful, that the VA would propose this.
I live with a CPAP. With other disabilities. If you didn’t see this coming your blind. Our President hates the Military. Look at his record. He was the only senator that stop money for the withdrawal from Vietnam. His withdrawal we just had. Then I got to look at all the stuff in between. LOL. I haven’t claimed anything for PTSD or my CPAP. Don’t plan to until another administration come in.
Apparently you missed the part where it says this overhaul began in 2018, you know, during the last administration. Many of you will never know what evil was heading the VBA in that time period and what the last USB’s “fiscal” plans were. You better file now. Another administration like the last one will wipe away compensation entirely.
Began in 2018, that does not mean this was added then and not recently♂️. If that was added then believe me we would have heard about it. They were working on dental, gynecology and other things back then. How’s Biden leadership doing these days? Things better on the world stage? Things more affordable for the poor now? Just for the hell of it let’s say this proposal was introduced in 2018 by Trump, why does Biden not reverse it like he did everything else Trump did? What a time to reduce some bennies and take others off the list all together. Vets retiring after 20 year of service fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Coming back to civilian life in a chaos with high inflation and housing prices. Also what signal does it send to those thinking about joining in these turbulent times? Or those who may eventually have to go fight Bidens war because he could not project strength to stop it?
Am I reading this wrong or did I get confused. It seems that a lot of us are upset and these proposals, though I dont see the issue. It seems that the idea is to protect our disabilities and get rid of old rules that hurt us. Am I reading it wrong? I get 100 percent for MDD, Chronic Anxiety, PTSD, Physical trama, etc and Im getting reevaluated this year (its been since 2019 I think when they did it last). I dont feel attacked, I feel like Im getting help. Am I just confused about something?
It seems if you’re able to work and function in society, the compensation or rating you receive will go to 0%. Depending on the disability. That’s the way I read it. So the example given is the CPAP. If the CPAP helps with your sleep apnea, your sleep apnea rating goes to 0%.
Having to use a machine to be normal should be compensable above 0%. It’s no different than medicine. Taking a person down to 0% is not right. You lost the use of being able to have a normal sleep pattern without the use of a machine on your face.
Strongly concur with you. The mask and tubes are a nuissance.
Having to wear a CPAP is not a walk in the park. It manages my service connected sleep apnea for which I am grateful. It is life changing for a number of reasons that may not be evident to those who do not need it. It affects my wife’s sleep from the noise it makes. It must be connected and disconnected numerous times a night. It must be available EVERY night no matter where you are. It is no different than the multiple medications I must take every day and night as a 80% disabled vet. It should never deserve a 0% rating. My service and the exposure to Agent Orange forever change my life. The proposal to reduce the mandatory use of a CPAP to 0% is a stab in the back to vets like me who went over 50 years with NO compensation at all.
Gods day to you all I have all can happen to us we all stap up wean the good call and we did it.thay don’t know what we did.so tak care of us all
From my own experience fighting for compensation for service-connected disabilities was like a war with the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs. I spent 6.5 long years fighting for the compensation and care that I needed, deserved and earned. Most veterans don’t have the time, money and resources to fight these ongoing lengthy battles for disability compensation. VA is not your friend. They will fight hook, tooth and nail to prevent you from receiving your hard-earned disability benefits, that were paid for with your blood, sweat and tears. I suspect that most disabled veterans will give up the fight after receiving their first or second formal denial decision in the mail. Many veterans die while waiting for these decisions and lengthy appeals. My own father, a WWII and Korean War combat veteran was one of them. He lived with severe PTSD throughout his life. This condition destroyed his marriages, family life and careers. He was finally awarded a service-connected disability rating for PTSD a few months after he died at age 79. Does anyone still wonder why so many veterans take their own lives? I am very suspicious of these new changes to the VA disability rating schedule or anything else this administration has to offer veterans. You should be, too!
I failed to mention that my father died from injuries sustained during a routine surgery at a VA medical center, because he was given some form of anti-clotting agent made by Bayer Pharmaceuticals that had been killing patients for many years. He spent nearly a year in this same VA medical center trying to recover from this surgery and required kidney dialysis for the remainder of his life, due to the staph infection antibiotic drugs he was given immediately following this procedure that permanently destroyed both of his kidneys. He suffered a long and painful death at the hands of the VA. I neglected to include this closing statement in my previous post.
I think that any compensation a veteran is receiving for any of the purposed changes to disability ratings should be grandfathered.
It will be, that is how the VA has generally handled all rating changes, the only time would be if it results in an increase to your rating so then you will recieve more, but you 99% of the time ( I cant say for the 1% cause who knows regulations have changes all the time) you will not be lowered because of a propsed rating change, and thats also what the VA appeal hearings are for as far as if you ever disagree with a rating, they tend to go off of the ratings for when you put in your initial claim. So if thats higher than current propsed regulations are than you can likely get the higher.
Sleep Apnea leads to so many other health issues, such as COPD which is a killer in itself. Apparently, the VA is doing it’s best to deny Veterans compensations for fight in wars for the past 20 years; of course Veterans are going to develop sleep and mental health matters. Going to see the suicide rate go up, if these changes occurs.
you can probably bank on that unfortunately.
Since 2000 I was diagnosed for sleep apnea and received my first CPAP machine and associated supplies. In 2004 I retired from active duty and continue to receive my medical supplies from the VA. Since 2000 I have gone through 5 different CPAP machines and various other CPAP supplies. If the VA changes the VASRD I will lose my supplier for my CPAP and associated supplies. If sleep apnea disease is rendered “fixed” and my disability rating is now 0, then I essentially lose all my medical benefits via the VA and I will have to pay out of my pocket for the CPAP machine and supplies. As a 30 year veteran I find these VA changes to be ridiculous!
I just forwarded the article to my Congressman and urged him to put a stop to this cruel attempt to further defund disabled Veterans. Recall that Congress, in a bipartisan vote just approved billions of dollars to save Ukraine. What about all the active duty service women and men presently deployed in the former EASTERN EUROPEAN countries, what will happen to them when they return to civilian life? Will VA and Congress again attempt to cut their disability ratings to save a dollar? Please forward this article to your member of Congress and demand VA stop this nonsense.
This honestly makes me sick and I will be so mad if they take my compensation away. The changes for mental health is just sad.
Does the VA realize how much life insurance is with sleep apnea??? This proposal is OUTRAGEOUS!
Y’all did not read the entire article. If you’re already receiving a percentage for the disability, they are not going to take it away.
Once again, there will be no change to any Veteran’s current rating based on these proposed changes.
I believe you are incorrect. Read that section again, please.
“Since these are proposed changes, they will not affect evaluations of any Veteran currently receiving compensation for an impacted disability. Instead, this is an opportunity for Veterans and the public to comment on these proposed changes over the next 60 days. VA will consider the comments received and address them in a subsequent final rule which may make these changes effective.”
They won’t change as long as they are in the proposal stage. Once/IF they get written into the Federal Register (may make these changes effective), currently compensated veterans are open for re-evaluation and potentially reduced benefits. That’s how I read it.
Go back and read the final paragraph. “When the proposed changes are finalized, Veterans who currently receive compensation for a service-connected condition can apply for increased compensation. And even if a Veteran’s symptoms no longer warrant the current evaluation they have based on the finalized changes, no reductions shall be made unless an improvement in the Veteran’s disability is shown to have occurred based on the last schedule used to assign their evaluation.” The final sentence is the most important. Your changes will be based on the initial schedule that assigned your disability.
We are calling our members of Congress about this and this. The people responsible for the changes need to fired.
I have obstructive sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP for about two years now. I have Tinnitus as well. They said some about the disease thatcause it? I never filed for my OSA Because I heard all they do is deny deny. Now they’re just going to rate the veterans at zero percent? Now you know why so many people say bad things about the VA. This is horrible.
i have copd and have been fighting for over 30 years because of being in contact with asbestos on board my first ship and have gotten nowhere with it even with all my information given to them now i have cancer and been fighting for everything plus found out i have to get a major vascular surgery on my left hip and leg cause of no blood flow and have migraine syndrome from before and during my whole 15 years of navy service and again nothing is being done except for taking two pills every day for who knows when with no test being done i have tried everyone to get help and filed so many request and claims for my increase in disability but with everything going on nothing i keep fighting but it’s a mess for all of us trying to get back on our feet
So…you suddenly think living on a cpap machine is not worth compensation? Looking for any way possible to screw us out of our money. No wonder so many veterans committing suicide out there. But you relaxed the conditions for those with asthma? Using a cpap keeps people alive…and you wanna say that we need to take away compensation because the device is keeping us alive as intended?
So a device needs to keep me alive for you to take away my compensation?
So would that mean we take away compensation for those in a wheel chair because hey….its doing what it is supposed to do? Getting them from one location to another?
I mean this is the equivilent of what you are proposing.
Interesting, I am a service connected vet and I want see how this play out for my husband who served desert storm/desert shield he has some issues which the VA is not helping.
This is appalling and of course these decisions will be made by people who do not live with the disabilities veterans have to deal with and a daily basis. What’s more appalling is that you let us comment on this but we all know you will not only read this but you will disregard anything any veteran will have to say, just to save a buck. We did our part for our country and we shouldn’t have to fight a battle against the government for compensation we deserve. Further, why are current rating decisions in limbo, is it so you can hold off until this unfair system comes in to play? Again shame on the government on not doing anything for its veterans who sacrificed so much for this country.
Can you get nodules in your lungs from burn pits or duds explosives or a faulty sleep apnea machine?
I was going to add a comment but I can see that many of us have the same opinion and do not want to repeat the same thing. I do not know who decided that sleeping with a CPAP machine every night is not a disability. Try for a few months first and then reconsider your decision.
The Veteran’s Administration is getting sicker all the time. You wonder why us veteran’s commit suicide so much? Take a strong look at what you propose to do for us and to us. YOU make it more difficult for us to continue to live in this world after the government sends us off to war. We Veteran’s are actually still in the war. The war against the VA because we have to fight tooth and nail to get what VA decides is ok. It’s a serious battle to fight the VA for our benefits. We risked out lives to fight for this country now you make us fight once again for peanuts. VA should make it easier to file claims and the benefit should at least stay the same low rates rather than lower the rates. VA should be ashamed.
I cannot begin too tell you how disappointed I am in the negative changes. We have fought hard to have what we got. This change only benefits the people looking to save money by putting in a catch net for veterans . I fought for my hearing loss and tinnitus. The way they fiqure disability rating is what needs to change, by increase not decrease.
The whole set up of VA benefits is a big slap in the face to me! While I am appreciative of the benefits I do receive, I can’t help but feel like we as veterans aren’t protected the way we should be. There are various disabilities we have and things that are put into our lives to help us navigate the day to day of our disabilities just so we can function a little bit. Whether a CPAP, medication, ankle braces, inhalers, the list goes on and on; we depend on these things EVERYDAY! So my question is, WHY ARE WE PENALIZED FOR THESES VICES DOING THEIR JOBS IN OUR LIVES??? If we stopped talking the medicine, using the machines, etc., we would be right back at square one and having to fight through the system to regain or even make our voices heard. We put everything on the line to serve our country and yet I feel like that sacrifice goes unnoticed because someone behind a desk decides my life for me. Some of us have disabilities that make other disabilities worse and bring about new disabilities but aren’t taken seriously because they weren’t previously documented in service. WE DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS!! Thank you to all the other vets, past and present for your sacrifice and I pray we all begin to get treat fairly!
So money is more important then the health of the people who gave so much of their lives, health and mind. We sacrifice so much just to be shown that they care about money more then everyone who has served. I am very disappointed.
It is very disheartening to hear that the VA is attempting to take away or reduce benefits from Veterans who suffer from tinnitus and sleep apnea. VA needs to realize that Veterans serve this nation and have sacrificed so much at the costs of their mind, body, and soul. Sleeping with a machine is not comfortable and is needed to prevent death and or other medical conditions. This is not a treatment it is a disability, understand that. Whoever is attempting to do this should be ashamed of themselves and take a good look in the mirror.
Why our government is giving 14 billions of Americans tax dollars to another country, yet finds ways to make it difficult for us Veterans to seek and get the help we need here. Shame on whoever is digging our hole.
Fellow vets,
We have to fight these changes to Tinnitus and Sleep Apnea. Contact your local congressmen and start shining a light on the VA. They are downplaying our daily discomfort and distress to save a few bucks. It takes a few minutes and maybe we can throw a wrench in their plans.
I have to depend on the CPAP machine for life to function for a service connected condition and receive 0%….unbelievable. There is a reason for using the machine and because the treatment is working doesn’t mean the condition is gone. Is this how much we are worth to Congress and VA…0% for any acquired condition while serving, really????
It is obviously about the money. Sleep Apnea leads to other conditions as well. The fact that we need the CPAP machine to sleep better, means that we are dependent on the machine, thus making it a disability rating. So you are gonna tell me that someone on a wheelchair won’t get disability rating because they now can move around their house with said wheelchair? The wheelchair helps deal with the disability, it doesn’t fix it. Same with CPAP machine, it helps us deal with Sleep Apnea, it doesn’t cure it, we depend on the machine.
I concur with Veterans on disability benefits. Temple TX VA informed me in December 2019 that I needed to sleep under a CPAC machine because I had severe sleep apnea. I did an overnight sleep test at Temple TX VA contract facility in November 2019. I have applied for my sleep apnea benefits several times. VA keeps giving me a thumbs down. It is a crying shame.
I have sleep apnea I need it everyday my CPAP I believe it cost of my diabetes and high blood pressure we need veterans taking care of veterans
Taking away compensation for tinnitus is cruel. It’s something I suffer with every moment of every day and it can be maddening. Wrapping it up with another disease and taking away benefits as a stand alone issue is just a cruel way to save money by denying service members benefits. Just because you can’t see my pain doesn’t make my suffering any less real. Shame on you for even proposing this.
I wish they automatically increase veteran’s SC from 0 to 10 percent automaticallly without having to go through the “process” which would take a long time.
Here the truth call congress and complain this is like when they took dbqs away last year and congress reinstated them remember Here’s some facts pay attention .
Tinnitus is the number disability
And a stand alone disability
Tinnitus has been around for over 80 years
This is a scam by VA and it’s bullsht. They say they will grandfather people with Tinnitus in but what they say and do is 2 are different things wake up people.
Call congress and VA if the VA Code goes away so does the rating which means decreased check saving them.the VA money. They can legally do it if the codes out of date.
Also the VA is gonna go after all service members who file for a claim or increase and if they have Tinnitus gone. It’s about money and not.paying the vets. Plain and simple
They can change our ratings under this there gonna do it. There gonna wipe Tinnitus away.
VA is not any vets friend and don’t care about us. Again a money saving scam.
This is Not about updating medical info and medicial terminology is
Real doctors have wrote many papers about Tinnitus.
This about Saveing VA money it’s the opinion of VA employees by the way. Not one doctor has come.out in.support of this.
Again Tinnitus has been around for over.80 years .
The sleep apnea thing again more bs you can go from a 50 rating with a cpap to 0 if it controls
the symptoms come.on now the depression thing is the only good change. They should start at 20 percent though not 10.
Wake up call congress to many veterans are gonna get screwed by this.
I truly felt the need to chime in on this topic. I agree with a lot of the comments made here it seems as though money is a bigger priority then the veteran themselves. I do not wear a CPAP machine, but I feel for the people who do. It does look very uncomfortable, it does prevent a lot of other issues and for you to state that you want to reduce it to 0% because the machine is doing what it’s supposed to do is it’s crazy. It’s still an impairment. It’s something that the veteran will still deal with the rest of their life, its service connected and they should be compensated for that. I’m quite sure there are other things that will be changing that are not attached in this storyline that will not benefit the veteran. And I’m truly not sure why asking for all of our comments is important because it seems as though these decisions have already been made.
This is an effort to cut compensation and care for disabled vets. Sleep apnea is serious and wearing a machine doesn’t cure nor make it better over time. I could see going from 50% down to 30% but definitely not 0 — that would be disheartening. Obviously, based on the evaluation occurring while a member is in the Service it’s “service connected” — so what’s the problem. And for someone to say the “treatment” is working; therefore, you’re essentially good to go, they are absolutely crazy.
The changes to the mental health rating criteria is good and bad — meaning, 0% will no longer be an option; however, they will put you through heavy scrutiny — many times over even before they rate you.
I really hope and pray that if these ridiculous changes go into effect, that there’s no changes to the millions of veterans who has already received their ratings and compensation. The VA is already behind and re-looking and reevaluating millions of claims is a waste of taxpayers dollars. We need to fight to ensure we (retirees) and those who are soon to be retired, are taken care of — fairly!
My husband, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, died of Mesothelioma in 2018. Thankfully VFW assisted him and he finally was given a 100% Disability designation and a pittance payout due to his exposure to asbestos while in the Navy and many surgeries due to mesothelioma. The VA denied his Agent Orange claim submitted because he had flight line duty while stationed at Union Thailand during the Vietnam War and was exposed for the year he spent there. He suffered from petuitary gland issues requiring surgery, he had Type 2 Diabetes, he had prostrate cancer requiring surgery, and other medical issues defined in issues related to Agent Orange. After he passed away on January 28,2018, the VA took his January pay and left me with a pittance as a widow’s allowance. I believe there should be compensation for the Agent Orange exposure. I am sure many other wives have had the same experience. These men (and women) defend and love this country and are treated unfair by their own government.
This is completely ridiculous. I will be retiring in a few years and now will likely not be compensated at all for sleep apnea. Since when did we start worrying more about money than a member’s health? I was diagnosed with asthma and prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler that I use twice a day. This is a 30% disability rating-if I use the inhaler I’m okay but if I don’t my throat closes up and I wheeze really bad. I was also diagnosed with GERD – when I take my medicine I’m okay, but when I don’t I feel like someone dumped battery acid down my throat and have severe pain in my upper chest. Finally, I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep and have been using an APAP machine for the past year. If I don’t use the machine I’m extremely tired during the day-if I use it I’m typically okay. How is this any different from the aforementioned diagnosis’ that are controlled by medicines? You might as well just stop compensating members all together. This is a disgrace to our members and basically shows that it is only about one thing “money” and not the health and well being of those that sacrifice for this country. Please consider our health our saving money!
Correction: Please consider our health over saving money!
Life Insurance company increased my health risk rating due to Sleep Apnea. They don’t care if I am using a CPAP machine. I am still at higher risk so explain to me how it should be 0%?
This is absurd and ridiculous! I will live with the CPAP machine for the rest of my life which means if I don’t use it there’s a 90% chance of me dieing in my sleep one night and now this jokers that never served think they know better. Whoever that’s proposing this is a disgrace to this great nation.
There are other Wealthy & not so Wealthy, Sovereign Nations in this World that pay 100% of Healthcare for all of their Citizens, and yet here, living Veterans make up such a small percentage of the tax paying population…Wake Up!…The Enemy is not a Combat Experienced Veteran or any Honorable Veteran for that matter, wether healthy or not. The Enemy is the unwillingness to evolve our Reality to a more Celestial Plane of existence. Homo-Sapiens, (once deemed HUMANITARIAN Beings), took thousands of years to evolve from Bartering to conducting Monetarism. Now we have been doing that for thousands of years. Today Life on our Planet is on the brink of extinction, and here we are arguing, (not blogging), over CLAIMS of CARE?!
Yall need to click on that federal registry link and comment. Leaving the comments here do no hood. Click on the federal registry link and let your voices be heard.
If I had a dollar every time a FOBBIT claimed to experienced a tour mostly outside the wire I wouldn’t bother to file a VA claim…I’ve been on the “frontlines” as trucker, the last 14 years after I served as a Convoy Team member for 273 days of my 365 days during “ the Surge,” only to see all those who are awarded for their claims all while many “She’ll-Shocked!!” , (PTSD…please), Combat Experienced. eternal are still homeless, beggars, sharing their stories with me after I buy them a cup of coffee and simply listen. Some could be and are likely not honest, but some are forthright, and only share with because we were true brothers of “FUBAR” in Combat…As for those who set limits to help any Natural Bron US citizen or not, I will be more than happy to stand before you, or gladly meet you in the back for some wall to wall counseling later. Which ever you prefer.
I agree. This is total BS! How the heck do you tell someone that is suffering from a service connected disability that since we’ve given you this machine, we feel we don’t need to be on the hook for anything else? That’s like hitting someone with your car and having your insurance company tell them that since they paid for the cast to be put on their leg it should be the extent of the care provided. Total BS! EVERYONE NEEDS TO CONTACT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES! This idiots making the decisions in the VA have probably never served in the military! Fire those morons!!!
Seems one’s Oath ends between the black and red of the fiduciary spreadsheet, instead of any CLAIM to Humanitarianism. Appears Lady Liberty still scales Justice of the VIPs spells out to be Tyranny & Poverty for the People, rather than Liberty from it.
I am to file a claim for care. The VA claims Care. How can anyone claim care, if they don’t receive or provide such a claim?
How can anyone ever claim care if they don’t?
So you’re telling me that I’m order to do
My
Job in the Navy I have to wear a CPAP daily and send compliance reports every 90days or I can’t fly. Yet this warrants a ZERO % rating??? If I don’t wear it my O2 dips below 65% with over 100 episodes a night. And I am not overweight. And due to 22 years of flying and living by a ridiculous flight schedule has murdered my circadian rhythm. Therefore a CPAP IS required for daily function. Absolutely ridiculous.
The rule would get rid of a dated part of VASRD that prevents a Veteran from getting a 100% rating for a mental health condition if they are able to work.
This is everything
Please act immediately
Thank You for the help in preventing Suicide amongst our great Veterans.
Everyone should have the dignity of work.
Please act immediately
In less than a Century this culture has moved from Shell Shock, to Battle Fatigue, to PTSD, which is being misused all the time & often intermingled with Caring Fatigue! So when it comes to the scale of Liberty, Fiduciary outweighs the Hippocrates Oath? If that’s the case, then why bother reviewing any case at all? Many soldiers in the stress of Combat wouldn’t, even couldn’t approach their chain-of-command while deployed, due to the Leader’s lack of Empathy, when standing before the Ranks of Formation. When I went to enlist in 1994, my Recruiter told me not to bring up my childhood Sports Injuries! For 10 straight Years as a Minuteman no less, (for those of you who even understand it’s true Historical Ramifications), I can present LES statements that reflect more manual Labor in 14 years than many conducted in 20 years wearing the uniform. I say this for one reason! Every single time the small gatherings of the lower enlisted commented on “Sick Call,” as a way to avoid work, I was standing there! I was a fool to trust that the “Right of the Working Man” would outweigh the “Right of the College Paycheck Collectors!” There so many days as a so called “Dual-Status” technician that I was working to prep, clean, recover, repair, and maintain military vehicles or equipment before sunrise to beyond sunset, that most of the Armory forgot I was even there, and most, including the Command, would show up after me and go home before me, and I was working in uniform without their knowledge. Now! All my bad knees, ankles, feet, neck, & back issues that began to lead to my failing the same PT standards that Active Duty had to adhere, (& believe it I jogged, did sit-ups, push-ups, 3-5 days per week for 14 years), aren’t being cared for or recognized by the VA. I crawled all over every military vehicle from WW2 to 9/11, and submitted medical letters, labs, treatment, you name it, to my Readiness NCO, and even hand delivered them to Headquarters staff. Yet, they would sit in some bin, or on some desk, until the deadlines had passed, and I would start over. But with the same results…Now the VA once again, wants to set limits. 23 Medals & Awards I was given in the first 14 years of service, at which point, the 3rd Army said my next medal would be an MSM, and I was just given a CAB the prior year, and I credit that to the actions of my Gun Truck Crew & my Gun Truck Team to this day. No one will ever have all the facts to what happened to each soldier or sailor, but that doesn’t make their testimonies any less true when they have been recognized for their Army Values as many times as I have. Yet one Battalion Member sitting in the FOB, while I’m out on a mission, loses one DOD laptop in Iraq/Kuwait, and I loose my security clearance while I stay in theater for an additional year during the surge, to investigate others for Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, after I did a year as a Convoy Commander, neither of which fits my MOS. Yet, here I am 14 years later, 2 Major Federal Data-breaches later with my family and I being victims, I myself, being stuck over the road with my hands glued to a semi truck steering wheel often times for more than 70 hours per week trying to fight to keep the house for my wife and two kids, for all of those 14 years, with no chance in hell of ever being able to make to many of my BA appointments. Not to mention the VA denying me since 2008, calling me a liar. Not to mention the State processing me out without the opportunity to go before a MEB or a PEB probably because my notifications were forged just like one or two of my performance evaluations within my 15th or 16th year enlisted. All I got to say is there has been, is, and always will be Rats in the Cellar effecting the Foundation of this Sovereignty. In a fair and just society I would be able to call them out to the floor, (& I once was on the board for Audie Murphy Contestants I might add), but in the end, life is shorter for some verses others, and can be a blur when looking back. My Dad got denied by the VA for 35 years after earning 3 flying medals as a crew member during the Tet, and my Grandpa never saw a dime after dying from Mesothelioma and he served the heart of the campaigns in WW2. He was an Orphan after the previous Pandemic, and fibbed about his age in order to fight…So much for Humanitarianism…So much for “ Leaving.. No One Behind.”
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It is well over due to eliminate the no work rule!
This is welcomed great progress in recognizing worth in a Veteran no matter what circumstances they may be living with.
Thank You
Dennis
What about what the disability has done to your life over the years before it was considered a disability and we had a name for it. Mine goes back 4 decades.
Sleep apnea affects me everyday and I’m still active duty. I use the machine everyday. This affects everything I do.
Short version of this? How about the decision makers talk with us face to face instead of making choices in a vacuum away from the troops and sailors.
Reducing Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea to 0% just because you are using a CPAP should not be considered. When attending a C&P exam for other conditions, the doctors are to consider the veterans’ uncontrolled symptoms, not the symptoms as controlled on medication. Without the CPAP, we die, plain and simple. With the CPAP we are still not receiving great sleep but it keeps OSA from killing us in our sleep. This is clearly a decision based on $$$ and not scientific evidence. This rule change needs to be dropped from consideration as it makes no scientific or logical sense.
Utterly ridiculous. What other 0% disability causes you to haul a medical device anytime you leave your house on a trip? What other 0% disability could cause you to die if the power goes out? What other 0% disability blocks entire career fields like aviation, due to daytime sleepiness?
Ridiculous what they want to do after we served our country. I was in the Navy 1974
the only female at my duty station and was accosted sexually. I was conveinently moved
to another duty station 5 miles away and once again the only female. Sexually harassed
while there. To this day I suffer, don’t take what little we have. I am 66 and single,
I mentally cannot be in a relationship because of my past abuse.
I think what the VA bean counters are missing is a CPAP machine is not cheap. A good CPAP machine costs at least $800 and the monthly costs of a mask, hoses and replacement filters can run an easy $40-$80 a monthly. SO great a CPAP machine helps elevate the condition but it is not a cure. Should the rating be 50%, I guess that depends, but Zero?!?! The minimum should be 20% to make sure the Vet can afford the CPAP machine and ensure its proper maintenance.
Does this have to be approved by just the VA? If it has to go to congress or senate we will get totally screwed they proved that with the automatic VA Healthcare enrollment. Two cents
I have been in the military for 20 years, it has taken a major toll on my body and mind just like thousands of other. We have severed our country all over the world at the cost of family relationships and our health. The military and VA say they want to make sure veterans are taken care of once we are our of the military but they really don’t care becasue our time has past and these rule changes show this in full affect. If you really care about our veterans you would be doing everything to make sure they are taken care of not taking benefits away. I think its great you want to make sure people with mental illness are treated better and help them get the treatment needed. However, you should take away the things that are helping thousands of other vets at the same time.
I mean you have to use a CPAP for rest of your life due to service. Interrupted sleep schedule is the driving factor. So why is it gonna he rated 0%. If they want to lower it okay, but 50% down to zero? So I have to say it is a mental problem with sleep to get 10% versus the machine that says I have a problem?
Please leave our veterans alone. Look within your own ranks to save money there is so much waist to capture. Some VA medical centers have more employees on the roles than veterans coming in for treatment and care. Especially during the last couple of years with the pandemic crisis most treatment is being given by teleconference and virtual. Some VA medical center are like ghost towns. Why are there no veterans present.
VA will ensure Veterans get the compensation they need and deserve,… REALLY? VA does everything in its power including outright lying to prevent veterans from receiving disability compensation. Lie, delay, deny, then ignore.
Its funny because they’re trying to revamp the adjustment disorder rating. I was diagnosed with adjustment disorder as a service connection but I was also diagnosed by VHA and every provider as PTSD. I was never treated for adjustment disorder nor given a plan of care for it. Will this new rating system ensure the service member is treated for their service connection. I find it extremely unethical to diagnose someone because it makes their claim easier to adjust in the future. You cant have VA diagnosing one thing having a VHA who also does the CP exams treat for a different problem without and then not automatically add that service connection to the veteran.
No we do not agree with the Tinnitus changes. Tinnitus should stay as it is. The only reason the VA would want to do this is in because less veterans would be diagnosed with Tinnitus in the future, and not many veterans get diagnosed with hearing loss!
I have suffered with chronic sleep issues for years while on active duty while suffering from untreated PTSD. In fact the Army tried hard to call it everything except PTSD for a while. I had a bogus sleep study done on active duty (2017) bc I was always tired, severe headaches, irritable, dry mouth, and never felt rested even if I thought I sleep a bit . That first sleep study was taken months before a deployment and they said I just had chronic sleep insomnia and did not sleep long or deep enough to determine if I had apnea. I should have had a second study done once I was prescribed sleep medications so that I would have been evaluated while actually sleeping. Of course AD military medicine /practices are not that throughout and they simple check the box to send you back out in the fight. Lack of proper rest coupled with debilitating mental health issues caused my performance, quality of life, and mood to drop during my last 1-2 of years on AD bc I was not giving the proper care and attention I really needed at the time. Since medically retiring in NOV 2019, I still struggled with sleep and mood despite being on sleep medication, so my mental health provider cared enough to order a sleep study to get to the bottom of the issue bc again if I in fact had sleep apnea (aggravated by PTSD) no amount of sleep meds would help. Jan 2021, I took a study with the VA and what do you know I was diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea requiring a CPAP that is now on national recall and back order. There’s no doubt in my mind I had apnea the whole time for no telling how many years of my total 18 years of service and it took me getting out to be properly diagnosed. Now just when I submit a new claim the VA decides to change its criteria to save money. My claim has been unnecessarily sitting in a pending status and my guess is so they can turn around and give me 0% vs 50% for this condition once the changes go into effect. Moreover, the old ratings will definitely put me at a 100% combined rating since I’m already at 90% which anything over 70% the VA makes it difficult to obtain higher ratings thereafter. It just seems shady on so many levels to me. I’ve suffered unnecessarily for years and this is what happens. It just seems a little too convenient. I don’t think that vets who can prove service connected should be subjected to such a biased proposal especially when the only motive for changes is to save money from payouts to vets.
Any claim that is submitted when rules change will be considered under both sets of rules, and the rules which are more advantageous to the veteran will be used.
Where does it say the more advantageous of the two? For how long will the old rating system be used with the new? Where does it say that? This is important for me to know.
Thank you!
This is immoral and should not be even considered. No ONE signed up to defend their country with the hopes of getting sleep apnea. We got it from serving our country and to come back and take away benefits to Veterans is very wrong. Compensation helps take the sting out of the ailments we obtained from stepping up to join the military.
I have moderate sleep apnea and need a machince to even be able to sleep at night. Even with the machine, I still wake up throughout the night. I never had issues with sleeping until I joined the military. Changing this rating seems like a crappy way to take care of service men and women who have this issue. Hopefully, the VA will not change this rating as intended as many of us who are going to retire are going to be out of luck if it does.
The ENTIRE system needs to be re-thought (and, yes, I am volunteering to help). Partial work arounds will have many unintended consequences and ultimately fail.
In reviewing some of these changes I see both good and bad. The mental health side of things looks like it is a great change. However, for sleep apnea, the VA is basically stating they will now only grant 0% or 10% for most Veterans. This is clearly where all of your savings are being generated. This is unexceptable, as this is a clear move to just remove needed benefits for our disabled veterans, so the VA can cut cost.
Poisoned Camp Lejeune Veteran~All of the VA Politics should be clearly identified at the recruiters office. A BIG POSTER SAYING, IF YOU GET HURT, MAMED, POISONED, EARS BLOW OUT, OR CANT BREATH FROM GOVERNMENT ACTIONS…….ITS ALL YOUR OWN FAULT.
Since my first deployment to IRQ in ‘05, I’ve struggled with normal sleep. For many years, I tried self-medication and prescription techniques to no avail. After 15 years, I finally asked for a sleep study only to discover I have sleep apnea. For 6-7 months now, my situation hasn’t improved much and live with the fear of the long term effects that Sleep Specialists preach to me about in the unintentional way that I’m doing something wrong. I don’t know how anyone could consider the CPAP/APAP to be the cure, and if I have been told correctly, sleep apnea can’t be cured. Why do we have Sleep Dr’s who say one thing, and VA Representatives say the opposite? What is the truth? I would ask for more information to be presented to those of us who will be affected by this change in policy that says we’re healed before making the decision; please hesitate making a decision in haste (apologies, this decision seems to be in haste). Please consider that we are left with the costs to power the system, the distilled water, routine care for the system, a potential shortening of lifespan. I am under both the care of Sleep and ENT Dr’s to include a PA and the treatment I am receiving is the best The Army can offer.
Last year Philips issued a major, world wide recall of some of its Respironics CPAP machines including the Dream Station which is what I have and they advised patients to NOT use the machines and discontinue therapy unless your doctor tells you to if your case is so severe that you shouldn’t stop. If you were lucky enough to know about the recall you could register for a replacement which is expected to take a year or longer due to supply chain issues and the Chinese chip manufacturing shortages. That was June 2021 and I have still yet to receive the replacement and have had to revert to an old 20-year old machine which is outdated, not set to the correct settings and is not suited for me and does not provide adequate therapy. Philips says it could still be as long as next year before I get the replacement. So, am I considered cured because I own a CPAP which has been recalled for safety issues and I cannot use? Oh by the way the issue is very dangerous- they recalled those CPAP and BiPAP devices because very small foam particles may break loose and travel through the air hose during use. This breakdown may also release small amounts of chemical vapors. At this time no serious adverse health events have been reported but Philips has received reports of headache, upper airway irritation, cough, chest pressure and sinus infection. I have also heard it can cause cancer. So I am right now suffering from sleep apnea despite having a device. So, what about that?0% disability. The proposed changes are absurd.
Any vet who is 70% or more needs to be 100% . It seems that the VA tries to reduce theses Vets because it saves them money. Any Vet at 70% or more and over the age of 75 should go to 100%. How long does the VA think they will live? Why should they have to fight the consent paperwork and appts and hassle and never ending battle at that age!
I absolutely agree they take strategic measures to prevent those with combined ratings from obtaining a 100% rating.
The struggle i’m sure many of us deal with when it comes to PTSD is being referred either in house (VA) or community care and constantly getting them switched out or the outside provider decides to send you somewhere else and the endless phone tag of trying to speak to someone the frustration in getting help.
This is bad for Veterans it is hard enough to get service connected for these issues and now it will be even harder. I completely disagree with this proposal. The next thing they will do is try to decrease benefits for people that are service connected for these conditions. They say right now they won’t but if this passes they will be coming after your benefits.
I don’t trust any government agencies.
We are in very tough times. Inflation in all things food, gas, automobiles, housing, the Fed doesn’t even consider these things in the CPI. It won’t be long we can use the dollar for kindaling fires. The VA is following suit.
The VA has been great this far, they take care of all of medications. I would not be alive today with out the VA. I’ve been disabled 45 years now with type 1 diabetes, only 5% are type 1.
This is utter Bs yet again. Using this same premise once you get treated you are no longer eligible for disability. So if you lose a leg but get a prosthetic your symptoms are no longer present so you are basically a healthy individual again. Slippy slope if you do this. People don’t understand the issues with some of these like using a CPAP and continued use. You have to cope in different ways …no different than any numerous of other health issues that get valued higher automatically. You will have serious retention and recruiting issues more so than exists today if you implement this where you basically say no disability for any treated condition because it has been symptoms have been reduced/managed. Take care of the vets and get heads out of proverbial back end for those that have put the uniform on and did service to this country. Trim the budget somewhere else.
I absolutely agree. It definitely still impacts the quality of life. The proposed changes just don’t make sense to me. It simply a matter of not wanting to pay out for this condition anymore. It’s that Simple and it’s wrong.
Nothing new under the sun. What happened to the huge build back america better bill? I guess that excludes vets? Yeah I get it. The decision for this started in 2017. Still could be turned back.
This is horrible that the VA wants take away compensation on the premise once you get treated you are no longer eligible for disability. So if the sleep apnea is still there, the machine stops working, the veteran is severely injuired or dies, the VA will be liable for saying the veteran was cured but the treatment failed causing the veteran to pay with their life!
Just another way for VA to quit paying compensation for conditions attained in service they keep making it hard to get on my healthy vet they have made it hard to get travel pay I’m under the Columbia SC va system which is joke they need to be completely reorganized
That’s all it is
The whole austen needs to be revamped. Along with the ratings chart, just by serving should get you an automatic 30% with all the stress and pain endured throughout their time in Service, and seeing how lacking Va hospitals, are veterans are the ones who are paying the cost for their medical needs outside of the Va, Medical staff can’t do their job for crap, they make them wait hours, days, weeks and months for appointments, my last visit I had to wait 5 hours before i got seen. These doctors should be ordering all the tests, Xrays, mri’s, Ct scans. Etc etc. To catch if anything else is going on while they’re at their appointments.
The VA trying it’s best not to take care of veterans. How does reducing benefits for sleep apnea from 50% to 0 help veterans?
Another way to deny us those benefits we’ve earned, a slap in the face by decision makers who never stood a watch!
To get your voices heard you should do two things.
1. Contact your member of Congress. For those in the Hampton Roads Area in Virginia I will make it easy for you:
https://luria.house.gov/contact/email-me
2. Leave a comment on the actual proposals. You can do that here for the Sleep Apnea issue:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/VA-2022-VBA-0009-0001
And here for the PTSD issue:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/VA-2022-VBA-0010-0001
Thx you
The last two links don’t work
I think they shut down the comments.
That’s crazy, I was unable to open either as well. I thought the purpose of advertising it was to receive our comments.
I must agree that 0% for a CPAP is ridiculous. Even if it does rectify the issue while you sleep, its a massive PITA to carry around, use, maintain, and honestly, I hate using it. By moving that to 0% how many people do you think will stop using it and will then have more issues such as AFIP, insomnia, day time sleepiness, mental health issues that end up costing more. I have to say, 50% for CPAP isnt that crazy, its life inhibiting for me.
I don’t feel sleep apnea should be change due to the fact the machine is for you health, whi h was caused from stressed service. So this is induced be your service and should be rated. The machine just (helps) not cures. It not improving you sleep apnea to go away our heal anything so how can you change the rating score,
The rods in my leg help me stand so does that mean my legs are good to go, not at all
So when I sleep at a rest stop do I need a CPAP, yes so my life has been altered by my service
Quilty of life
My sAme thoughts exactly. They have to know their reasoning would be dissected like this. The use a similar argument to justify increasing ptsd claims and a vets ability to work compared so a physical disability so how is this any different when you consider the quality of life argument. Let’s just taKe All ratings away then once we are given medication, devices, surgery, therapy, etc etc etc. The nonsense of it all.
I have been reading all these comments , and thought to put my two cents in. I put in 12 years in the army , I spent two tours in Vietnam, I was there when they sprayed agent orange. When I got home I entered the VA , and tried to fill for desabilty for agent orange, I do laid in a hospital for a week for tests, there wasn’t much of the tests , they just bought in a bunch of med students to stand around my bed talking , needless to say nothing happened and sent me on my way. They didn’t want to hear anything about agent orange , of course they just brushed me off, they keep giving excuses. And they still don’t. I have PTSD , half deaf, bad legs ,bad knees , shortness of breath , sleep apnea , I think they should raise the percentage for these disability , I have to wear that machine every night , it’s is the thing that I have to pack the machine up in order to take a trip.
This is just horrible. After all our veterans do to serve their country this is what they get as a thank
you for their service? Unforgivable. How about you shave a couple million off those military contracts and take care of your own for a change. My husband deserves better than this.
A CPAP machine does not cure an illness that was caused by an individual’s military service. With this logic, if an individual looses a limb but then gets outfitted with a prosthetic, then they are cured and no longer disabled correct? If you sleep without the mask, you still run the risk of dying correct? That doesn’t sound like it was cured to me. If this is the logic we are going to use, then someone in a wheel chair is cured because they are mobile again. A cancer patient is cured because they are currently in Chemo therapy. Or a heart attack patient is not a heart attack risk because they aren’t having a heart attack at the moment, therefore their heart symptoms are cured. The treatment is still on going, Permanently ! This in my opinion is the perfect definition of the word disability if I ever heard of one .
Exactly.
VA you cannot be serious to save a few bucks you screw over the very people who volunteer to fight for this country.
SO are my headaches cured because I take pain meds ?
Are soldiers in wheels chairs rated 0% because they can move around ?
Does my Ptsd from combat not exist because or the therapy I receive ?
This has to be stopped
this needs to be stopped before it is activated
Will this affect those who are already receiving compensation for sleep apnea? Are they going to be taking money away from disabled veterans? In other words, is it retroactive? It’s not clear.
They say they are not going to change current ratings unless you’re showing progress, but that’s open to interpretation. Who knows anymore.
This is how we say we love our troops and thank you for your service
Where is all that now that you want to reduce disabilities.
Where are all those people who love troops now!
Yes! I’m Interested, Into An Evaluation Of Being A **CANCER** Patient.
I Was Informed In June 2021 To Sop Using My C-PAP Machine. I Have Not Pursue Any Legalities Contacts,.., Yet??. And, I Am Currently Being Treated For-(Cancer/Sleep Apnea/Respiratory/Pulmonary/Hep-C&Mental Health.
Also, I Have An Upcoming Appointment At The “VAMC” Friday On February 18th 2022 @11:00am With **”PRIMARY CARE”** Dr. G.Weekes For Updates Evaluations
I still have sleep apnea regardless of if I use the CPAP or not. The machine is not a cure, it’s an adjunct to prevent me from stopping breathing. No machine = possible death. What else will the VA try and “update” all in the name of saving a buck. Thanks for your service, we’ll screw you over one last time.
Exactly, we have to use this machine every day to feel normal because if we don’t then we feel like crap all day, tiered all day long etc. all due to the military, yes this was caused by the military regardless if you believe it or not. This machine is not the cure and does play a big role in my life every single day. It takes a lot of effort to use. I wake up multiple times through the night with it on which is a pain but a necessary pain. If you had the cure for this I would Gladly take it and willfully declined compensation, but for now it cost a lot to use, especially electricity to use it and to have to try not to move all night is impossible. Show me Proof, we don’t need Compensated no less than 50 % for a device that we must use every single day of our life not to any fault of our own.
I think it would make more sense to make the rating based on a combination of things – severity of symptoms at baseline (no treatment), severity of diagnosis (ie severe OSA gets weighted a little more than mild), and compliance data. I don’t think compliance data should be as rigorous as required for deployments (4 hrs a night for 70% of the nights); but maybe 30 or 33% compliance at least 2 hours a night? Like you’re at least trying to help your condition/it affects you enough that you are actually using the (pain in the butt) machine.
Agreed
I have extremely severe obstructive breathing. I was snoring loudly during bootcamp and in the barracks my shipmate requested another room because he couldn’t sleep. Yet, the VA says its because I put on weight due to age and claiming my injuries aren’t militarily related.
My CDL is tied to me using my CPAP more than 80% for at least four hours nightly.
Sure, VA, relegating me back to nightly Russian roulette with my life and worrying my family after 20yrs of service is financially beneficial to the bean counters. I didn’t ask to have this condition.
I don’t think this was thought all the way through to make a decision so strong as this to have someone on a machine that they should use frequently throughout the day and say that they should be rated at a zero. The benefits that I receive are greatly appreciated as I am sure they are appreciated by my battle buddies as well who are already receiving their benefits but to those who are not who will file for this country should not be denied. They did not deny the call to duty so why should you deny them the right to be fully compensated! I pray that God touches the heart and pens of everyone involved so that a clear judgment can be made.
Lord have mercy. At last someone is listening to our vets, caregivers, spouses after years of going without. My beloved husband was a Vietnam veteran from 1967 to 1969. While serving, he was order to check one of those huge Tanks radiator as my husband explained the cap is the size of a NYC sewer upon loosening same it exploded sending him flying and hitting the ground head first. He was unconscious and suffered burns to his face, arms and torso. Yrs later he developed alzeihmers/dementia amongst other conditions. Though he was treated medically he was denied service connection. Long story short, a veteran serving our country should not have to endure so much probing to gain service connections compensation, as in his case, it took much fighting, endless paperwork while more illnesses developed such as PTSD, AGENT ORANGE, PARKINSON and 50 plus years to finally earn 100% due to u employability and some of the above instead of ALL OF THE ABOVE causing his death on 2/18/18. MAY HE RIP AND NEEDLESS TO SAY I LOST MY HUSBAND OF 30 YRS, HIS CHILDREN LOST THEIR FATHER AND I HAD TO ENDURE ALMOST DYING 2 TIMES BEFORE BEING GRANTED DIC COMPENSATION TO WHICH I BELIEVE AFTER THE VA CONSIDER HIM FOR THE NEHMER LAW the lack of good representation and my anguish n pain has left me with the desire to fight for him however I now have a bad heart and NO ONE LISTENS. SO THANK YOU ALL VETERANS AND FAMILY OF MILITARY FOR THEIR SERVICE AND THOSE THAT ARE PRESENTLY FIGHTING MORE AGRESSIVELY FOR OUR HEROES. PLEASE HELP OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
So sorry for your loss and I agree it’s shameful and discouraging what vets have to go through to get what we deserve as if we have any reason to cheat a system who now I see clearly cheats us. Thx for your continue support to veterans.
I’m sorry for your loss and I agree it’s shameful and discouraging what vets have to go through to get what we deserve as if we have any reason to cheat a system who now I see clearly cheats us. Thx for your continue support to veterans.
Keep doing stupid stuff like this, and you’re not gonna have anyone volunteering to fight for this country. The shift in our culture is already proving that anyway. You thunk the kids today care about joining the military? Nope, and people like me will make sure to tell them exactly why not too. My kids sure as hell won’t ever be in the military. I served, so that they don’t have to. This is just another example of keeping the rich ti h, and the poor poor. It’s always about money never about the prosperity of our country’s people. This country is ran by a bunch of thugs in suits.
I don’t have to use one. I certainly will give feedback. Just because there is something that may make the matter a little better doesn’t mean compensation isn’t deserved. I think what makes no sense if a lot of disabilities that are compensated by the VA have “cures” and still the veteran received compensation, how did they choose sleeping disorders to be a disability that shouldn’t be awarded?
Exactly, to pick and choose is a bias in and of itself, but simply put they are tried of see the increase in claims even with official diagnosis. Did someone roll a dice. It does not make sense. It’s bc They don’t want to automatically grant 50% anymore if a CPAP Is deemed necessary so they figure given the CPAP in the first is the fix. If this is approved this will just be the start of seeing so many other disabilities drop to 0 for the same argument. This is not a good trend to set and we should be worried. The reason is money and nothing else.
The the people who are already evaluated and compensated are the ones who should be speaking the loudest. Sure it doesn’t affect us, so we should just be quiet? How long before that changes? Remember this is the VA, they are not your friend. I’m not talking about the care once you have spent years trying to get it, I’m talking about the bureaucratic nightmares these people put veterans through. Like their caregiver program that only applied to post 911 vets, when the people needing it the most were the pre 911 vets who are aged and dying. Yes, it eventually was upgraded to vets of all wars but not without a big stink of why they were dragging their feet. I’ve been dealing with the VA since 1970, not much has changed, they are always looking for ways to cut costs in care and make truly disabled veterans jump through so many hoops of denial after denial for comp and ratings. The VA has no business treating vets like cattle with a one brand fits all attitude, because every disability is an individual and personal struggle.
This is nothing more than a continued money grab by the VA. I was once told that the only reason I came to a weekly specialized combat PTSD aftercare group at the VA Hosp in Roseburg, Or. a 1 hour drive that was very helpful and saved my life and my marriage, was because of the travel pay I got. That is the VA. It will continue and those disabled vets who don’t speak up because, “I got mine, screw yours”, attitude should be having our brothers and sisters backs. Speak up or lose out, now that the wars are pretty much over the longest war for any vet is with the VA and it’s a long hard fought war, many veterans die waiting. VA bean counters have no clue of what or how veterans in crisis struggle with only to pile on more.
Yes, it’s always how they can cut corners to save them money, America pays the people who protect and protected our freedom the least amount they can get away with.
Amen!
So, based on this logic, a cancer patient receiving treatment is, healed? How about someone taking medication for HIV? Is that person healed? The C in CPAP stands for continuous. If the body needs treatment for an illness continuously, like air to keep the air way open, it’s not healed. Due better VA! We need you on our team, we fought for yours.
I agree. It’s not right and most ppl only want to speak up when they are personally affected. So if that is the case they should also reduce those who already have 50% and a CPAP to 0% if it’s bc of the reason they are stating. They are cured too if that’s the case. This is biased no matter how you look at it. They just need to nix the proposal altogether before opening up a can of worms that they are even ready to address. This is Not a smart move for anyone.
Yeah the current 0 to 100 percent ratings need revamping Every condtion should start with 10% regardless. Since everyone’s symptoms are different sleep apnea hearing vision loss limb loss heart kidney condtions mental illness all.need to have higher ratings. Inwotk with guys who have been fighting for years and the VA hates giving out those 100 total and.permaant disability ratings. All the 100 percent ratings for condtions should ease up a.bit everyone’s symptoms are different. Another problem is VA docs don’t usually back up there patients write nexus letters and thenVA sits on claims 4 to 5 months minimum to make descions. It’s unsure. I am thinking if this passes they ll come after tdiu next which is dangerous. I think you can use these changes and implimemt them with the current scale but we’ll see. The red tape that veterans jump through to get benefits is just as unsurd the clais.process responce.times all need to be quicker. As for sleep apnea my doctor told me.that he wouldnt.wtite a nexus later and because I lost weight that I have no use for my cpap and not.to use it there goes that claim and that’s in my notes. I know alot of skinny people that have sleep apnea to. Veterans these doctors don’t care neither does the VA and I d encourage u to check your notes after every doctors appointmentVA trying to get over on the Vets again thanks for losing your health for your country well.give 30 percent come.on
more 100 percent ratings or boost should.be happening period and if this goes through anyone that’s in range 70 80 90 percent connected should be boosted or have that opportunity at an increase do to this.
You’re right. I literally weigh 130 lbs at 5’5” and fit as a whistle and my sleep apnea diagnosis from the VA itself is absolutely service connected and possibly even combat related secondary to PTSD, is still pending unnecessarily long even though it’s from the VA records and diagnosis. LOL. Why does it tAke so long to rate their own diagnosis. I’ll tell you why, so they can give me 0% if this chaNge is approved.
It’s about time… we are our own worst enemy. The term Veteran alone is so vague… you could serve minimal time and be honorably discharged service connected from doing only basic training… or you could have handfuls of direct action combat deployments and yet both individuals have the same ratings/compensation… rarely in most cases these aren’t even disabilities. Sleep Apnea shouldn’t even be service connected in the first place, the military did nothing to produce that. The whole rating system needs completely redone, more accountability with checks and balances… if you recover and get better your rating should decrease, enough of the whole incentivized illness to get compensation… promote rehabilitation and recovery. There are far far far to many Veterans abusing the system and using this as a means to an income, if it isn’t war/combat related or a physical limitation disability from the service just be thankful for the Healthcare provided by taxpayers at an alarming increasing rate each year… work to reitergrate to society/community and go to work for a living… the military was a chapter in your life, time to move on and put forth effort continuing to support yourself and your family doing something new. More Vets should be speaking up and working to reduce what has become this social welfare program we call service connection/disability… while some is warranted… it is very limited in nature compared the numbers receiving. Please stop looking at my fellow Veterans as victims, or with pitty, we are not forever wounded or broken. Those of us that faced the enemy and have friends that paid the ultimate sacrifice should be the last ones looked at as disabled… yes I was badly injured in combat and required many surgeries that see me with limitations to this day… but I am strong willed and abled, ready to go and continue mission… I am not proud of what has become of the Veteran community nor do I fancy myself apart of it these days for the simple fact of self respect. Remember don’t ask what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country and always ask what are you still able to do for yourself. Honesty, integrity, sacrifice, selfless service are just a few things we could remember, if we did our part the VA would be a better system and there would be much more available resources to go around. The VA has gone from 90 billion in 2010 to pushing over 300 billion to cover VHA VBA and VA Cemetary, almost 70% of that is funneled to the VBA for benefits and exponentially growing by the day with more claims. What Veterans don’t seem to want to grasp is that there is plenty to cover amazing care and treatment if everyone would stop thinking they need to paid for the rest of their lives in compensation. The VA was built of the foundation of the original soldiers homes and idea to take care of American war fighters but politicians and lobbyists have morphed the idea into pushing the VA for every individual that qualifies as a Veteran simply for constituents votes and a patriotic political narrative. We would be better off privatized and managed with top notch care… wish we would take all the money for compensation out of it! Nobody ever signed a contract upon enlisting which said anything about the VA taking care of you for the ret of tour lives monetarily.
Proud Combat Vet
It was an honor and a privilege to serve my country and share the uniform with the man to my left and to my right facing the enemy.
You think privatization is a good thing? Americas healthcare is the worst in the world for a reason. No one signed up to get compensation but no one signed up to be in extreme pain on a daily basis. I did 4 tours and earned every cent that I receive
Clearly you don’t know what the definition of service connected is
Na. You sound like you really don’t need the care and help. That’s good. But some who have served and do need I can see. No they did not say they’ll pay you for rest of life, but guess what they broke it they buy it. That’s the term I use. You can’t sue the gov when you get out for injuries cause not on your behalf. But guess what, I don’t like where I sit either and for my injuries and having to be all med up the whole day doesn’t help me one bit for a functional life. How about you get off your high n mighty cause of your awesome high brain activity that helps you push through and go volunteer and try spreading that around in VA clinics. I agree about a revamped system which is good it’ll hold off the ones who don’t need it really. But to judge those who do cause you have a flag up your *ss just cause you can deal w your own sht doesn’t mean the Joe next to you can. Everyone is different. Trained the same but processed it differently. Ya I’m a combat veteran, served my term,medically discharged not on my own, medically. So I take and wear that sht proudly and those who attack the weak are the ones who are weak. And I’ll stand by my fellow soldiers regardless who needs help or doesn’t. Your rant was your own just as my response to it is. But one thing you forgot in your comments is Never Leave A Soldier Behind…….
I’m wondering how you gathered the information that sleeping problems were not caused by the military? Also, just because you are “strong” willed doesn’t mean everyone else is. I agree some abuse the system but you can’t put everyone In the same circle. If you were able to recover and live a happy and healthy life that is one thing, but to say veterans who have served and have service connected disabilities don’t deserve a small check once a month is absolutely insane. Congressmen, presidents, political leaders who destroy our country get paid for life, but the ones who go and actually do the dirty work should be thrown away once they are done doing their tours to protect the US. Everything you said was a biased opinion, that was truly incentive, based on no research or factual data. When you comment on something that is about a group of people, organization, etc that includes everyone not just you, as a solo rider you can’t just speak from your experiences or point of view, you have to think of everyone as a whole, which is leadership. (Should have learned that in whatever branch you served in,)
You speak for everybody as if you know how they are affected and understand their struggles. Throwing out accusations and such crap. Injecting your political crap upon others disabilities and ability to live a meaningful life in this society. What makes you so special? Plenty of vets are broken, many don’t understand or won’t admit it, won’t seek help, and it’s often because of self important politicized narcissist spewing crap as you have. They already are screwed, then they gotta deal with this common crap, and the years go by, and they only get more ostracized and damaged struggling to make it, as society abuses them in everyway it can justify. They never get to make it, because people like you see to it they are screwed. They and their families and society itself suffers perpetually because of egotistical, petty, politically biased judgement of tools. Even after getting help and compensation they still gotta deal with such bullsht throughout. Always having to fear having their disability and special needs used to discredit or deny, to embarrass and disenfranchise them, and that’s really only possible because people like you make it so. Whose money you so worried about?Thanks pal.
Unfortunately you are terribly misinformed and this is from a fellow AD combat retired vet. You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts. Contrary to what you may believe there are several studies that show significant links btw environmental stressors, PTSD and sleep apnea. Don’t be that proud person. Do your research before posting medically related topics so strongly. However, I do agree that there needs to be more delineation between service connected, combat related, and severity of disabilities based on individual circumstances bc you do have vets who Are fighting for rightfully deserved benefits while others seems to have had it much easier for what appears to be less severe circumstances. I don’t think time in service is an end all , be all though so let’s be careful with that. Individual circumstances matter. There are ppl who spent entire careers or nearly entirely careers without combat deployments, hardship tours or serious injuries etc. so let’s not continue to be as biased as the systems being placed on us. This proposal is biased on so many levels
“American Warfighter”
“Proud Combat Vet”
Yeah, I’ve run into plenty of vets like you.
First, I see you’ve defined who is and isn’t a “veteran.” Only those in combat, right?
Second, you’re ignorant and you display it proudly because you really don’t feel it necessary to confirm whether what you think is actually a fact, right? In fact, you have no problem making medical pronouncements like, “Sleep Apnea shouldn’t even be service connected in the first place, the military did nothing to produce that.”
Bless your heart.
Maybe the whole GW/OIF/OEF thing is a little after your time and you’ve been so busy complaining about veterans and their “alleged” service-connected conditions that you have no idea what is going on.
Burn pits, high levels of particulate matter, kerosene fraction/diesel, etc., are more than enough to cause respiratory issues. In fact, veterans were exposed to so much of that crap in SW and Central Asia that Congress/VA just passed respiratory presumptive conditions in August 2021. Respiratory issues lead to breathing problems and Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Upper Respiratory Resistance Syndrome which require CPAP therapy.
You’re a real piece of work.
Those that commented about their or others ratings getting lowered, the article stated they would not be effected.
thanks for reintegrating what i understood. in readingAnd as i see it will allow a Vet opportunity with better criteria to apply for an increase which is good.
The proposed changes don’t affect anyone’s rating for now, because they are only proposed changes. If these changes are allowed to actually go into effect, then they will absolutely change people’s ratings.
It sounds like you’re saying that you think when the new criteria go into effect, everyone who already *has* a rating will have their rating changed. That can’t happen. Congress would need to pass another law for that to happen.
The use of a CPAP does not fix the problem. I still stop breathing regularly and my wife has to wake me up, or the CPAP pressure increases to the point where I wake up, usually covered in sweat, heart pumping 120 bpm, blood pressure through the roof, so much adrenaline had been dumped into my system my wife can smell it. This isn’t getting better, it’s not going to end. The secondary need for a CPAP due to multiple TBI’s will never get better or resolve itself. It’s taken years off of my life. Now the VA wants to play games. This is a disgrace and whoever proposed it and supports it should be ashamed
Under this logic, you can have severe chronic pain that you only got by serving your country. But if the myriad of pain medication you take for it controls the pain, then you get 0%?? VA you are truly great and screwing over veterans.
As if it weren’t hard enough to navigate and understand smdh. How about we address the causes of these disabilities. Proactive change is lasting.
Amazing how the Obama administration went after these same things. Didn’t hear a peep under Trump administration. Now we’re back to screwing with VA benefits to save a nickel.
You must’ve missed how VASRD updates began in 2017 under the Trump administration.
Absolutely not true. You were just to in love with trump to notice.
I believe when a service member is already getting compensation for at least five years and or its a permanent disability like sleep apnea esp when its treatable but not any better those ratings should not be changed new ratings should only apply to future applications other wise you end up with more veterans filing bankruptcy or becoming homeless 60 days is not enough time to get opinions in. Please listen to veterans esp those with families of single family household with kids please with covd19 put and not knowing about new strands coming out possibly. New rates should only affect those with new claims or trying for increases. I have been in the hud vash program and have a car payment but turned voucher in once i got to where im at to save gov money so i could pay rent on my own my condition does affect my working and would affect me to point of possibly filing bankruptcy and become homeless
Just want to say that while sleep apnea is permanent for most, some people can reverse it. One example of this is through surgeries to the oropharynx or losing a massive amount of weight. But some people are low weight and still have OSA, so YMMV. I think more people get upset about OSA when people don’t have that bad of symptoms and don’t use an oral appliance or CPAP (just did the test for the 50%).
I don’t think you served. It is not just about getting a check many men served and died with problems from service and are living a patchup life. Didn’t receive care died without help some did get a final resting place of honor for that service.
The new changes will apply only to new claims. If you already have a rating for sleep apnea it will not be disturbed.
A CPAP machine does NOT cure sleep apnea! If someone needs the machine to prevent them from dying in their sleep then guess what? The condition still exists!!! And the treatment is on-going! 39 interruptions per hour and in my sleep study had stopped breathing at times for a minute, leaving the tech in a position to have to almost resuscitate me, but me coming out of it just as he is running in the room to resuscitate (that is what I was told at my follow up.) My machine was ordered STAT, and the doctor was surprised I was even alive, having lived w sleep apnea for so long undiagnosed! (Gotta love that shift work.) 0% ??? What kind of sht is that?!
As a retired USAF Veteran, nurse and respiratory therapist; changes may need to be made. However, to what end? We all loved serving our country, and yes, most of us also volunteered to do so with no regret. Nevertheless, there is no doubt, veterans have been and will continue to be placed in harm’s way and be exposed to environments, conditions, and situations that the “Joe Public” has not nor ever will. Compensation is only fair. No different than Workmans Compensation in the civilian workforce. Military members are not covered by public human resources or workmans comp. Each individual should also be treated on an individual basis. Men are different than women. For example, mental health disorders’ such as PTSD. Research studies have shown that Male veterans can compartmentalize however, Female veterans cannot. To refer to VA compensation as ” soldier welfare” disgusts me! Yes, there are some that may take advantage. It should not ever effect those that are not and would never. One individual that has a chronic condition may not be able to work at all. Another individual may have more than one chronic condition however may work full-time. Let us not forget either that majority of the civilian workforce and corporate America does not really want to deal with disabled employees. It is a viscous cycle no matter. Also, despite Former President Kenedy saying, ” Ask not what your country can do for you”, “We did our duty for our country and our country should have a responsibility in return to us.” My personal opinion regarding the 60-day timeframes is not sufficient for review.
Kemberly , This was well stated, I think you hit the nail.
I put off for years of contacting the VA thinking I was not worthy…but we did put our lives out on the line. And as such injuries happened. I have life long ailments that i will never get rid of due to “”service connection “”
Compensation???? I believe our country owes every Veteran some sort of compensation and 0% is not the answer. Yes zero is a number and better than denied..but 100% of 0 is still 0 and the VA doing this is wrong! Our country is what it is today because of our military and veterans. Whether you consider our country good or bad again it is from our vets service which gives our country the freedom and choices it has. I here so many people say they never would join the military I just couldn’t do it.
But we did…we defended our country.
Does that make us special? I dont think it does but this country should give us something back for what we lost. Becausd we are the greatest country. We fought for this country. Our country should fight for us.
VA…fight for your Veterans. Stand strong behind them… be the becon that all Veterans can respect. Dont go back to the era of how our veterans were treated coming home from Vietnam.
Please……Everyone commenting here needs to Submit their comments to the appropriate place during the 60 day window. Let them hear your voices……your stories.
Where do we reply changes there talking about should only affect new claims or those seeking increases rest should not be affected leave all others alone new changes should only affect new claims esp when conditions are permanent and are treatable or not improved this will only lead to more vets becoming homeless more bankruptcy being filed. If anything it should affect those that are working and not go all the way from 30 to 50 down to zero more vets will also experience more anxiety and depression and 60 days is not enough time.
Nightmares continue,but PTSD given a low rating.Was awarded tinnitus,now hearing gone in left ear,do I get increase.
What place is that so I can repost?
I completely oppose any decrease in Veterans benefits just to save a dollar when Illegal Aliens are allowed in the country by the current administration and awarded all kinds of free welfare and benefits to include free housing.
Immigrants get no benefits.
They do. Over 70% of immigrants (legal and illegal) use SNAP, WIC, and other public assistance programs through their children or other family members.
Legal ones? Yes.
Illegal? No.
Stop spreading lies because you have a problem with America not being your white land.
I agree Matt.
You are incorrect. In almost every state immigration status does not apply to those most basic social needs programs.
Submit a formal comment at:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/02/15/2022-02049/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-ear-nose-throat-and-audiology-disabilities-special-provisions
We need our voices heard on this before we lose any more benefits and compensations.
Every single one of you is missing the point. The VASRD update began in 2017 when the then-new administration took over. To them you’re all suckers and fools.
First they came to privatize your healthcare…
Then they came for the VASRD and your sleep apnea (under the last administration VBA believed that veterans on CPAP machines were just fat and mooching off the taxpayer)…
Next they’re coming for your IU.
Don’t be so cynical to think this has anything to do with the current admiistration or “bonuses.” It doesn’t. It was already in motion.
Click on the links in the story and go to the federal register and leave your comments on THAT page. Then contact your representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Then vote for the people who aren’t evil.
I never thought about the CPAP machine but I have to wear it . And yes I can’t any where with out it.
I spent 13 months firing 155 Howitzer s 1967-68 no ear protection, but before rifle range Parrish Island, no ear plugs! Hearing really bad and they pay only 10%!!
I’ve been trying to get an benefits increase for my headaches due to a head injury while in the army. Does what you are suggesting apply to me.
My kids also are now scared that their own children. Might even have camp lejeune pollution in their system when they’re born how much longer can we endure this. When will the military pay for their dysfunction. 18 19 20
Most changes seem to make sense, but not the sleep apnea. Eventually you could say all things are now treatable. Seems like dangerous territory.
This is absurd! I need an APAP machine because I stop breathing for 40 seconds from time to time throughout the night. I still wake up even with the machine. This must be revisited and reconsidered.
Absolutely insane. Just because there is a temporary fix to a permanent problem it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hinder your day to day life and shouldn’t get a rating. I cannot believe that this was even a consideration.
Delay, deny, hope you die.
Veterans helping veterans. A great system
I have applied for a job as a truck driver. I can’t start training because the companies need 3 weeks of CPAP data. I won’t be getting my supplies for at least 6 weeks, because the VA changed their distribution process. What took 3-4 days, now takes a month. This is the only problem I have with the VA
The bureaucracy and the government not responsible for the well of the soldier with service connections and disability is total game to humanity. I got sleep apnea and this condition reduces year of my life and enter to the service is documents say I don’t have any medical issue. So after service this country I need to come home and fight the rest of my life to get benefit. The VA system is the worse includes the 3rd party money maker evaluators.God bless America Veterans.
The new regulations won’t change anything considering the only heath care professionals attracted to the VA are bottom is the barrel because they have no other choice. (E.g., My assessment for tinnitus was turned down because the person doing the test told me that tinnitus isn’t real and if I tell myself it is not real for 5 to 10 minutes then it will go away…tinnitus denied).
you should file for a bad C&P and appeal the initial decision
Just another way to give the middle finger to veterans and for the politicians to save a dollar… This isn’t about the well being of the retired vet, this is about saving money so they can fund their own pet projects.
Remember who fought for your freedom. Don’t spit in their face.
Wow, zero percent because I have to wear a mask and carry a machine every where for the rest of my life. If I lost a leg and received a crutch should that be zero percent? Of course not. I can never travel without bringing the CPAP, I can never camp with my sons without bringing the CPAP. I can never sleep safely again without the machine and mask. So I am sure 18 months in the desert had nothing to do with that. Giving me a machine that limits the effects does not remove the disability. That is ridiculous. You would never tell someone in a wheel chair they are not disabled.
XD, this is such a joke. Iv been fighting since 2011 for my benefits due to Sarcoidosis and residuals of surgery. I’ve been denied so many times now I keep having to have it continued which I’m out of time. Now that covid shut shit down for 3 years my case is apparently invalid since I haven’t filed since 2019. Love getting shafted. Feels good.
Going from 50 percent down to zero percent is saying that the health issue is no longer problematic. If you still NEED the machine then the sleep apnea is STILL problematic. I guess going from 50 to 30 percent was not a viable option. It’s extreme without a doubt VA. Lose the Range of Motion (ROM) for the back and knees. That’s outdated medical evaluation criteria worthy!
Heads up guys!
It states “Since these are proposed changes, they will not affect evaluations of any Veteran currently receiving compensation for an impacted disability. Instead, this is an opportunity for Veterans and the public to comment on these proposed changes over the next 60 days” hopefully it’s true!
This doesn’t make any sense to me. Is like VA is trying to screw veterans up. I have been trying to get diagnosed and get treatment on Sleep Apnea that nearly broke my marriage and separate me and my spouse from sleeping in the same room since I returned from Iraq in 2006. I was finally diagnosed and confirmed that i had Sleep Apnea last year 2021 after 16 years of suffering and CPAP machine has not even get to me since i was diagnosed deu to shortage in supply of the so called CPAP machine. My question to VA is that; can you take CPAP machine to anywhere you go during the day and suddenly feel sleepy and started snoring due to obstructive night sleep?. Instead of working to improve veterans lifestyle and reduce the numbers of veterans committing SUICIDE from multiple service connected diseases, VA is working to reduce veterans disability percentage. So SAD. Every night I am left alone to sleep by myself in a separate room could have caused me my life and i would have been part of statistics of veterans that committed suicide….Loneliness kills too!.
Impact of Sleep Apnea machine. Can’t sleep in a comfortable position. Can’t hold my wife anymore due to TBI that caused me to wear an assisted device to sleep for the rest of my life. It’s freaken depressing having to wear it and embarrassing to tell friends you use one. I freaken hate the thing pulling, snagging wrapped around my freaken head and face. They can take there cpap and I will get my own.
I wonder why the VA in its infinite wisdom will only pay you for one ear hearing loss and not the other both of them are there at the same time nor will they pay you for all the places they sent you where they use the herbicides you never seen anyone with a lawnmower
Regarding the rationale on sleep apnea proposal.. it’s severely flawed. Those with sleep apnea who require a cpap have a lot of lifestyle limitations that others without sleep apnea will NEVER understand. They cannot travel or go camping or attempt to engage in other sports/recreational activities without a great deal of careful planning and accommodations. The cumbersome and awkward cpap also requires an electrical supply. The failure here to understand these challenges has been altogether MISSED. That’s like saying “well now that you have a wheel chair to make up for losing your legs there’s no more need to consider it as a disability”….
Try living without a large intestine and part of your gut emptying into a bag the rest of your life and sleep apnea but only get 60% percent because it isn’t impactful. Bunch of fcking bureaucrats!
I definitely would say anyone with asthma or any other type of Resprotory issue should be awarded 100% it’s hard living day to day with asthma and taking all the medications they give you that never work. I suffer from asthma and was given a rating of 10% I’m always sick have to use a breathing machine my every day life is horrible. Can’t sleep at night always using my inhaler. Anyone that has asthma knows how hard it is especially when you get asthma attacks it is no fun. I have depression anxiety and it is hard living like this on a day to day basis. The Va should really consider what life is like especially when it was aggravated during my military career. 100% is not only fair but that’s is still minimal for all the suffering. And mental health and sleep apnea I suffer from all the above and still got denied and that cpap machine only makes my asthma worst and now they have a recall on the machines. Thanks for your service
If I understand this correctly, zero percentage for use of a CPAP (if it works as advertised) is simply ridiculous and an clear attempt at taking away compensation for a real disability. The only treatment for sleep apnea recognized by the VA to award disability is the required use if a breathing device. Then by saying that a CPAP that works doesn’t warrant a percentage.. this is called a government logic loop. So you have a disability tethering you to a machine the rest of your life so you don’t have a heart attack or stroke.. Isn’t it just a blatant attempt at just creating a scenario where it’s relatively impossible to receive anything above zero? Furthermore, the ongoing use of a CPAP causes bloating, GERD, decreased sexual activity, depression, mental anxiety, and decreased quality of sleep overall.
If I need a hearing aid to hear, does that mean a hearing disability should be rated at zero?
If I need medication for anxiety, depression, or PTSD does that also mean it’s a zero percent?
The logic is flawed.
It’s important to remember that these proposed changes on affect those who are yet to be evaluated. If you have the 50% rating for SA then you will maintain that rating. So it effectively screws those that are currently serving but not those who already have the rating. It’s like a grandfather clause. The only way these changes are allowed to impact current ratings is if they increase the disability rating. They won’t decrease ratings.
Ben, I would definitely recommend you seek a mental health professional for your loneliness caused by the separation. If they give you a 50% rating or more for depression it can only help you.
The article states “VA will award progressively higher percentage evaluations based upon how symptomatic the condition remains after treatment. “
So, if a prosthetic extremity provides an individual with full mobility, does this warrant 0%? Having to wear a mask that blows air into your mouth and nose is far from normal.
This doesn’t surprise me. Our politicians are constantly searching for excuses to screw over veterans and their families. God Bless America.
Sleep apnea is no joke. I wake up a few times each night and its difficult to function during the day.
Once again the VA has proved that they not only don’t care about veterans who have sacrificed years of their lives and youth in service of their country, but are actively opposed to compensating them for the loss of their quality of life due to their sacrifices. Shame on every leader who makes the active choice to aprove proposals like this. Once again we are letting down our nation’s warriors.
I have had Sleep Apena for years,but just recently it’s been hard to sleep thru the night. As I read the new proposals, I will call the VA for an evaluation. Can’t hurt. Might help those veterans who have more severe conditions if we together address the flaws in the rating system. The squeaky wheel always gets the most oil !
Illegal immigrants get free housing food and money to spend. And the Government is trying to figure out how to cut money from veterans
Where did you see in the article that the government was trying to take money away from Veterans? From what I read these would mostly be good changes. I would bet that the CPAC issue may be due to Veterans not using it at all!
Sounds right. Good, perfect.
I’m rated at 30% and living in the woods. PTSD from 1977 interrogation by KGB. It’s in my records!
Was arrested for shooting the floor in my garage instead of myself 4 years ago. Consequently, I am no longer allowed to work as a Nuclear Engineer. (Probably a good thing.)
Again, I’m at 30%. Only 30%. WTH?
I recommend DISABLED AMERICAN VETS for all of your and everyone elses concerns. They are a God send. They truly are the VETERANS friend. They are our representative in Congress and they fight solely and completely for the VETERANS. My husband is a Vietnam vet. We fought with the VA for disability – even just acknowledgment since 1984. Denial denial denial. I even approached private attorneys and was basically laughed off of the phone until one mentioned the DAV.
I contacted them, explained my husband’s case and they took over and represented him in our proxy and he won! From then on we became lifelong members.
I highly recommend you find a chapter of the DISABLED AMERICAN VETS in your area and discuss your situations with them. I know we are the rule rather than the exception to all the good they do.
Prayers and blessings and good luck to you all.
I too am rated for sleep apnea and I use a C-PAP. Looks like the VA is looking for another way to screw us vets over! If anything the rating should be higher than 50%. I will need to use CPAP for the rest of my life.
My Two Fellow Sleep apnea Veterans,I too have sleep apnea and was given the CPAP after the VA found out during a surgery,I stopped breathing. They sent me to 3sleep studies. Our VA system is so distorted,and not made to help us. 0% for a condition that a Veteran can die from if he doesn’t use the CPAP.Each new VA Secretary is the same,they don’t look into issues or problems. They are giving us 60 days to comment. They have made their decisions already. A sleep apnea rating is supposed to be 30/50/70% if you use a CPAP,you can look that up. See they’re changing it to save money,by saying if you have a CPAP,it’s a 0% rating. They are so dirty.
Really?! I have been retired going on 5yrs and now you want to tell me that me wearing a CPAP every night warrants a rating of 0%. Then why have I been wearing this damn thing for 8 ? years, nevermind you guys just want us veterans to die off anyway right?
I wear a cpap . I would be dead without it.
This is an absurd ruling for those of us that will need a CPAP machine for the rest of our lives. I have been diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea and it impacts my daily quality of life.
Not good. This plan will only hurt existing Veterans who have been rated fairly according the medical standards set forth.
AND will not rate those in the future a fair rating and compensation for service connected injuries and illnesses.
I’m glad the va is finally giving us more disabilities to choose from , but who writes up the requirements, they obviously have not been in combat, or they wouldn’t question why or how a vet feels about their own personal conditions, .. I personally have dealt with so many different conditions that I became frustrated at the regulations that determined how much disability is given. I feel like the requirements should be written by medical dr. That were in combat and know how much pain and suffering a wounded vet goes through to recover, I hope you will take my suggestions into consideration, … Thank you for allowing us to comment!!
Sucks it up Veterans..
How bad would it be if the soldiers took a knee in the middle of a fight! And the enemy took over the country! Take care of your veterans! Not people the president let in the country! We have given enough!
I have a CPAP too. While it might be very helpful to my overall health and even potentially extend my life because of my severe sinusitis from exposure to chemicals and burning fuel on deployment, it severely affects my quality of life, both in making sure I have it wherever I go overnight and can no longer go camping, after many years of having it, I still have a lot of trouble going to sleep with a mask on my face and a tube connected to it and tend to wake up 3-5 times a night when rolling over because of it. It might help my health but I am often tempted to forego it for a good night’s sleep. I have other issues but not really interested in going into them, even as frustrating as it is to provide a bunch of documentation for a shoulder injury on deployment just to have VA say it wasn’t service connected after both proof of injury on deployment and weeks of physical therapy while still on deployment and periodic issues after. In all honesty after reading other complaints about CPAP, I felt it needed a more full explanation
I have tinnitus- that very fact is why I am able today to access the health care system. If it is no longer a qualifying disability, how will I get VA health care?
If it pays 50% or more that’s too much $$$ so lets re write the VASRD to reduce it. Rhabdomylosis use to be 60% with evidence of kidney dysfunction. So if a near life ending episode leaves you with Stage 2 or 3 kidney disease. We’re sorry. You will no longer get 60% and a Disability Retirement, just a separation check. Plantar fasciitis would often rate 30 or 50%. Now with the new regulation you will never get more than 30% with most people now being rated at just 10%. Shameful. Big Government under last administration figured out the VASRD paid out too much money so time to rewrite the regs and get those #’s down.
Instead of dropping the %, crack down on people who aren’t using the machines as required. If you aren’t using it the minimum amount of time flag the member and drop their claim from anywhere to 0% or greater depending on use and have to get reevaluated and maintain use for 6+months to get the percentage back.
What about those of us who rip their mask off in the middle of the night? I have anxieties and other issues going on. I have never had a full night with cpap.
They dot care about us Vets. 2 and a half years after filing my PTSD claim I get a entail health appt, if you want to call it that. Some guy on a virtual call reading questions off of a scripted piece of paper. To make matters worse VA denied my PTSD claim over wording. Currently waiting for outcome of my appeal. Broke both hands while on Deployment when I was in my early 20’s. Documented in my med files that I declined rotating back to the states, wanted to stay with my brothers in arms. Now I’m 45, and my wife has to button my shirts and open lids for me due to the arthritis in both hands. VA denied my claim for arthritis because I waited too long to report it. I wasn’t thinking about arthritis at 22 years old. I’ve since been evaluated and diagnosed by 4 VA doctors as to having severe depressive disorder, chronic adjustment disorder, general anxiety disorder, OCD, and Insomnia. I have a 10% rating, pending outcome of higher level review for arthritis in hands and my mental health. If I’m so employable why didn’t the VA hire me.
Brent,
Are you currently in Cullman, Al?
Eric
Why screw around if its all working. Leave this alone.
I can’t keep my mask on but I guess I’m good since I have a CPAP. What about all those individuals who are rated at 30% for sleep apnea since they don’t have it severe enough for a breathing device?
Use of a CPAP has been degrading my teeth from excessive dry mouth. There is nothing I can even appeal to alleviate that, despite it being a secondary condition. I second others saying how awful it is dealing with the machine everyday for the rest of our lives. I cannot sleep with out the machine and the logistics of that cause extreme anxiety. Even with the machine I don’t sleep great and have meds from a civilian doctor to treat excessive day time sleepiness, which the VA also won’t cover. They really need to leave that alone.
Really. We have to wear this mask everyday for the last 8 years due to the chemicals and trash we burned down range and we get 0%
Changing the sleep apnea rating is an insult. Its almost criminal. I now require a piece of medical equipment to ensure I can breathe and that’s 0 percent ! Are you kidding me !!!!! This is so wrong !!
Thank you to all our Veterans. It’s a crying shame that our heroes come home a wreck and must endure years of paperwork often misplaced, entered improperly and denial after denial until they give up, die or sadly ending their lives. My husband, a Vietnam vet from 67 to 69 having been blown off a tank when order to check the water gasket thrown about 5 ft right into the ground head first sustaining burns to his face, arms and torso..was denied. We had 30 beautiful years during which I noticed tremors, I watch as he would collapse needless to say the horrible nightmares n he also had sleep apnea. After yrs of continued being medically probed, yrs of suffering and shame on the VA that found shrinking of his brains in 2008 AND SAID NOTHING UNTIL 2012 WHEN FURTHER ATROPHY WAS OCCURRING WHICH I HAVE NO DOUBT WAS CAUSE BY THE EXPLOSION. THEY FINALLY GAVE HIM 100 % FOR PTSD AND I FOUGHT HARD FOR HIM BECAUSE HEHAD PARKINSON and was being treated for same the C&P along with head nurse, chief of staff of the facility in which I practically lived with him because they were so short staff I was petrified to ever leave him alone this after only 6months in, I requested his release back home and it took 2 yrs..I lost my husband in February of 2018. I was left without my beloved husband and I almost died twice. It took 4 yrs for me to get DIC compensation and now I must fight again because he had Agent Orange and according to VA he was being considered for benefits under the Nehmer law and now I must continue to fight just to survive and HOLD HIS HONORABLE MEMORY. THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE from the same counselors working for the VA is sad. The constant filing of paperwork which 99 percent is misfiled, .isrepresented by the same VA employees is also a disgrace. Please LISTEN TO OUR VETS, THEIR SPOUSES/CAREGIVERS WHO DAY AFTER ENDURE ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THESE VETERANS GO THROUGH. THE VA KNOWS BY THE DD214 ABOUT OUR VETERANS SO WHY PUT THEM THROUGH MORE HELL WHEN THEY COME HOME. THE FACT MY HUSBAND SERVED FROM 67 TO 69 AND IT TOOK 55 PLUS YRS TO FINALLY GET HIS COMPENSATION IS TOTALLY A DISGRACED. THE FACT, THAT I, HIS WIDOW, AS SO MANY OUT HERE ARE ALSO PUT THROUGH HELL IS SICKENING. I HAVE A BAD HEART, I ALMOST DIED 2X IN 2020 AND JUST GRANTED DIC COMPENSATION have to fight now with this lawyer who is wanting money because the VA didn’t pay her fees or whatever. In my opinion she doesn’t deserve more than what I already paid because TO DATE NO ONE IS LISTENING THAT MY HUSBAND WAS ENTITLED TO 100% UNDER THE NEHMER LAW. BUT NOW I LOST HIM N NOW I HAVE TO ENDURE FIGHTING FOR COMPENSATION BACK TO NEHMER. IM TIRED BUT GOD WILLING WILL TAKE WHAT LITTLE I HAVE RECEIVED AND TRY AND HELP TO EDUCATE OUR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS AS WELL TO GUIDE OUR VETERANS WHO DESERVE NOTHING BUT THE BEST. GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS BY EITHER LAND, WATER, OR AIR..MY UTTER RESPECT N SALUTE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. ONE DAY, OUR VETERANS WILL GET COMPENSATION UPON HONORABLE DISCHARGE AND THEN SOME.
“Evaluating mental health conditions based on a more robust and holistic approach that assesses how impactful the disability is to cognition, interpersonal relationships, task completion, life activities and self-care. Additionally, the proposed evaluation criteria include a 10% minimum evaluation for having one or more service-connected mental health conditions and will no longer require “total occupational and social impairment” to attain a 100% evaluation.” Again, the VA using language that most unassuming Veterans and/or their families will never understand without efficient legal guidance. Most won’t even question what a “robust” and “holistic” approach really means. I’d bet the VA officials that came up with this absurd proposal can’t even explain in the most basic of terms to simplify it. Also, by adding 10% to the mental health rating theres “more likely than not” a greater potential for VSR’s to deliberately underestimate a MH condition using obscure, pre-written, cut and paste VA legal jargon in decision letters. This makes it extremely difficult to the point the Veteran goes away instead of appealing low-ball decisions. Should not the VA be of service via Veterans health, financially support and spiritually needs without causing further complications?
What a slap in the face for us veterans, my husband has severe sleep apnea has to use machine every night and you’re trying to screw him out his rating?? Thank God I’m 100% total and permanent cause the VA does not have the veterans best interest at all. You’re doing everything to take away from our rating.
Serious concerns over this one for sleep apnea. So many of our veterans have Traumatic Brain Injury which is associated with sleep apnea. They are highly related and associated together as comobid diagnosis. Also, patients with sleep apnea are at higher risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease, atrial fibulation. I understand that the CPAP helps correct the problem but this is assuming the veteran is able to tolerate the CPAP and wears it consistently. Which even in the best of patients, can be a challenge some nights. Additionally, many of them have PTSD which often leads to removal of the mask in a violent and desperate act in the middle of the night. Getting them calm enough to reapply the mask is a whole other story.
These are propose changes – call your congressman or women call, you VSO . State clearly your disagreement with this . Make your voice here.
Once again, there will be no change to any Veteran’s current rating based on these proposed changes. When the proposed changes are finalized, Veterans who currently receive compensation for a service-connected condition can apply for increased compensation.19
I would like to further research this for a friend.
This won’t affect you Jamey. Once again, there will be no change to any Veteran’s current rating based on these proposed changes. When the proposed changes are finalized, Veterans who currently receive compensation for a service-connected condition can apply for increased compensation.
All good and well, however when you apply for an increase you will open up a can of worms and the VA will re-examine you for every condition Myself and many other Purple Heart veterans have been instructed by the MOPH service rep not to reopen any claims it will only lead to losing what you already have
Sleep apnea causes enlarged heart and a vast number of cardiovascular problems. Not to mention that my veteran husband, who had sleep apnea, just died from bacterial pneumonia and Covid… thank God the autopsy confirmed that obstructive sleep apnea was contributory. You know, that Sarin exposure that never happened, right VA? This is a way to decrease benefits plain and simple. It’s like saying – you have diabetes, treat it with insulin – your fine. No… there are all sorts of side effects from heath conditions caused by service to this country and they want to take away from those who served abs give money to those who aren’t legally here or don’t want to work.
Sleep apnea has absolutely nothing to to with serving in the military. But there are real mental health issues that do. Stop blaming others for your physical health issues that have nothing to do with your genetic health issues!! Just STOP!!
You must work for the VA….or someone denied your claim
This is a terrible idea, I have to sleep with a machine every single night for the rest of my life or else I could potentially die and this is not considered worthy of 50% anymore? The VA labels sleep apnea as a severe disability how am I supposed to pay for this condition as I get older when I can no longer work due to my medical condition. This is an active disability that hinders my quality of life and I’m only 32 years old.
Really?! 0% for sleep apnea requiring CPAP?!? For the rest of my life I have to use this machine to sleep due to my severe sleep apnea that mind you I did not have prior to my service. What about all of my deployments, the poor air quality, but pits etc..I guess that had nothing to do with this. I’m sorry but I don’t agree with a 0% rating for a veteran requiring a machine to help them breathe while sleeping in order to get quality sleep or worst case scenario die. The CPAP does not cure the veteran’s condition
it merely assists them to breathe the disability is still there….
The VA can’t care for the patients it has now. I can’t remember the last time I could call and make an appointment. It’s been years. Adding more vets with even greater disabilities after several failed wars is just a dog and pony show of false hope.
I was always told that your disability was given based on what your servuce to our nation did to your body not how it affects your ability to hold your job after your service. Most people I know who are 100% disabled are working. 50k (full disability with bah) or a lifetime of service is already a joke.
My biggest concern about this is that I am certain that veterans will provide false feedback to their care providers about any improvements in their service connected disabilities for fear of having their rating reduced. This would only complicate the care the veteran receives because it is based on false information. Absolute lose/lose situation.
Typical. Trying to cut costs. My grandfather was originally only assigned 50 percent because he lost his leg in WWII (amongst other injuries). He was provided a fake leg and so only partially disabled. Took years of fighting with them to get it to change.
My Husband is a disabled Veteran he is 70% he has tried to get higher percentage because his PTSD has worsened and his back due to service related I now have to bath him his knee gives out on him which results in him falling I can’t get Caregiver assistance from VA and he keeps getting denied for higher percentage and denied for get us a home so I don’t have to worry about getting kick out he can have something called his and I can not work outside the house because of his Illness and we need more income to survive we are in the process of being homeless because his income is not enough and I can’t work because he needs me home he had a heart attack my Veteran is dealing with alot now and I can’t help him financially only physically but not mentally Im slowly loosing my Husband because we can’t get help from VA it’s stressing him out even more
If your husband is 70% and has at least one rating at 40% or greater he is eligible for TDIU(total disability individual unemployability). TDIU pays the veteran at the 100% rate if he is unemployable. You can file a claim for TDIU online if you feel confident doing so or contact your local veterans service organization and they can take you through the process. Good luck and God bless
The VA will figure something out one day I have sleep apnea which they don’t recognize my lower back L4 and L5 from 14 years on ships in the Navy they don’t recognize and PTSD that they don’t recognize it more they keep calling me 2 months or a month before an appointment and then move it from March all the way out to May like I said they’ll figure it out one day
https://www.regulations.gov/document/VA-2022-VBA-0009-0001
This is where you can comment on these new nonsense proposals.
The Veterans affairs for Veterans Disability, continues to attack the Veterans who are disability rated and try to come up with a superficial plan to disguise their way of making it more difficult for Veterans to get their Disability. Many Veterans commit Suicide and they want to reevaluate those Veterans who are already rated for 100% disability. Stop trying to fool us Veterans with new disguised evaluations for reassessed disability ratings. We’re not stupid as Veterans, as the department think we are..Stop trying to deceive us! Treat us Veterans fairly and justly!
One word, veterans will increase suicide if that nonsense proposals went through. I don’t even know who made those kinds of proposals. You served you deserve it, even for one day.
I’m so glad that veterans with metal health issue who work can receive a 100% rating. So many triggers occur outside of your home and make it difficult to work for days on end.
We all need to fight this and have it turned around.
What about for Veterans that are 100% Permanent and Total for a mental disability, and have been deemed so for many years. This was a rating that was final with no other evaluations to be scheduled. This is in writing within their rating decision. Many of these Veterans now rely on this permanent and total compensation as a source to live, and to provide benefits to their family. VA is seriously looking at law suits if they try and take this compensation away.. for many of these Veterans, this is all they have to live on and provide for their family with because many cannot work, or function socially.
I have just been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and qualified for the CPAP. I’m no a waiting list for a machine at the moment due to chip shortages. Anyways, like the guy said above, I am 1 year out from retirement and this is total BS.
I Concur with the two people above me. I uave been diagnosed with sleep Apnea since 2004 by the VA and given a CPAP from the VA and yet the VA says as long as I have the machine and it appears to be working you are doing ok. No! I am not doing ok because I have to constantly sleep a certain way as not to pull my machine off of the nightstand and onto the floor. The other thing about this sleep Apnea is the rating. I was told it was not in my military medical records, well maybe because I didn’t know I had sleep Apnea during the time I was in the service. All I know is I had constant headaches and lack of sleep which I thought was from all of the training I was doing. Either way the VA has to do better than this. Veterans are struggling and the system finds more ways to keep you down. Just my opinion.
I am an active duty Sleep Medicine physician. I would be happy to discuss with VA decision-makers offline on why this particular policy change will have not only a negative impact on veterans, but will also increase in service manpower attrition, and increase financial burden to the VA disability system. Please be careful. The Law of Unintended Consequences applies here.
Would veterans with ratings for sleep apnea already be grandfathered? Also, this is exactly the same thing as giving someone with a 100% mental disorder all the medicine then need and then just taking away their compensation just because they had meds. Whoever proposed and voted this rule honestly doesn’t put the veteran community first which is literally the VA’s job.
How about a 100 percent rating across the board for every veteran that served in your bullsht wars?
My husband has been denied any rating, no matter how many diseases he has on the list, and PTSD… We have to reapply, so guess this just makes it harder. Just found out cancer in right lung…… I have so many horror stories. Ratings should be easier to get and at a rate veterans don’t have to get snap.
Who is behind these proposed changes? Healthcare Providers or number crunchers? Inquiring minds want to know.
Biden… Building Back Better!
Why do some of you put politics in everything?
Sounds like a way to pay clueless Veterans even less benefits most don’t know they’re entitled to.
Sprinkling in minor ways it can work out better for the worst of the worst conditions doesn’t make it better for the whole by a long shot. It seems like they think the people who serve and those who love those who have served are idiots.
I hope they try to save money by giving quality care instead of wasting millions trying to cut corners on costs. Just pay what you promised, we already sacrificed ourselves.
The va trying to save money at the expense of veterans. Shameful
It’s about time… we are our own worst enemy. The term Veteran alone is so vague… you could serve minimal time and be honorably discharged service connected from doing only basic training… or you could have handfuls of direct action combat deployments and yet both individuals have the same ratings/compensation… rarely in most cases these aren’t even disabilities. Sleep Apnea shouldn’t even be service connected in the first place, the military did nothing to produce that. The whole rating system needs completely redone, more accountability with checks and balances… if you recover and get better your rating should decrease, enough of the whole incentivized illness to get compensation… promote rehabilitation and recovery. There are far far far to many Veterans abusing the system and using this as a means to an income, if it isn’t war/combat related or a physical limitation disability from the service just be thankful for the Healthcare provided by taxpayers at an alarming increasing rate each year… work to reitergrate to society/community and go to work for a living… the military was a chapter in your life, time to move on and put forth effort continuing to support yourself and your family doing something new. More Vets should be speaking up and working to reduce what has become this social welfare program we call service connection/disability… while some is warranted… it is very limited in nature compared the numbers receiving. Please stop looking at my fellow Veterans as victims, or with pitty, we are not forever wounded or broken. Those of us that faced the enemy and have friends that paid the ultimate sacrifice should be the last ones looked at as disabled… yes I was badly injured in combat and required many surgeries that see me with limitations to this day… but I am strong willed and abled, ready to go and continue mission… I am not proud of what has become of the Veteran community nor do I fancy myself apart of it these days for the simple fact of self respect. Remember don’t ask what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country and always ask what are you still able to do for yourself. Honesty, integrity, sacrifice, selfless service are just a few things we could remember, if we did our part the VA would be a better system and there would be much more available resources to go around.
Proud Combat Vet
It was an honor and a privilege to serve my country and share the uniform with the man to my left and to my right facing the enemy.
Oh, my! American Fighter – have you no shame.
This is ridiculous. I’m a medical provider ( Working in the VA ICU) even with my CPAP I don’t sleep well. Needing a CPAP already justified the 50% disability. They are just trying to save money. I still don’t sleep well due to my military service as an FMF Hospital Corpsman and continue to serve my veteran population working 12 and 24hr shifts to be there at their most urgent time in life in the ICU. This is deplorable and the ratings for sleep apne better not change.
Translates to “Please dont join the military and survive” any injuries you incur is your problem. To hell with Abraham Lincoln and his promise to care for those “who have borne the battle”. Heres your breathing machine to wear for the rest of your life. Good fcking luck.
This proposal is not fair to our veterans. More flaming hoops to jump through to get compensated for benefits they have earned. I would like to know the specific jackass’s name who presented this shit proposal to begin with.
Who ever votes that sleep apnea incurred through exposure should be reduced if treated with a cpap should have to go to bed in a gas mask and breathe through a 1 inch hose attached to it for the rest of their natural life . This will lead to noncompliance and worsen everything from nightmares, PTSD, heart disease. High blood pressure, strokes. Real Ivy League thinking there from people that get bonuses by reducing costs paid to vets . What does increase on comorbidity and mortality really mean anyway. There’s bonuses at stake here people.
Any f!!!!!! Thing not to pay us !!!!!
Are you serious!?! 0% for sleep apnea requiring CPAP?!? For the rest of my life, I have to wear a mask when I sleep due to my severe sleep apnea… I’m sure my 12 hour panama watch rotations for years and 17 hour work days during 5 deployments had nothing to do with this, but hey, if wearing a mask any time I go to bed or take a nap helps, then I guess i’m good right?…. I’m a year from retirement and this is BULLSHT.
It was just a matter of time, I could see the writing on the wall years ago.
I concur. All things must come to an end. Enjoy what you have been given. It was bound to happen the new technology is now the deciding force. Big Brother is watching
You have a very valid point… I feel the same way. I’ll be making my voice heard. I hopper you will also. Together, we can make a difference.
I agree with you!
This is like saying that as long as you have mobility with the use of a wheelchair, then you don’t need a disability rating for not being able to walk. By needing to use a CPAP machine every time I go to sleep, I have an active disability that hinders my quality of life. That is why it is rated at 50%. I am tied to needing accommodation planning for anything I do, from travel to camping, in order to not die from the condition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
“VA will consider the comments received and address them in a subsequent final rule which may make these changes effective.” So in laymen terms the VA will use extremely broad brush strokes to inadequately explain why a respiratory condition affecting hundreds of thousands Veterans who’ve honorably served in AO’s that are nearly always contaminated by elements of war. Will no longer receive compensation because they’ve got a machine they can caddy around with them to support life. The VA is ALWAYS looking for ways to cut cost at the expense of the Veteran and/or the Veterans family. The VA’s Modeus Operandi with this proposal to alter medical standards is done solely to disadvantage Veterans regardless of how it will affect the functioning of their daily lives. The VA officials that make-up the VA think tank act as though benefits funding comes directly from each of their pockets. They can’t stand the thought of a desiring Veteran justifiably receiving 50% for Sleep Apnea so they downgrade the condition moronically to 0%. The decision makers are okay with this because they can blame it on everyone or anything but themselves.
This is sad and disheartening. Sleep apnea has caused so many health problems in my life. Everything we have sacrificed and now the VA believes that it is not worth a rating! Don’t do this to your veterans.
You have a very valid point… I feel the same way. I’ll be making my voice heard. I hope you will also. Together, we can make a difference.
My husband was in camp lejeune and didn’t realize so just recently couple years ago he has sleep apnea. He got a machine from the VA and now that supposed to make him sick too. Where is the compensation and the money people are getting hit with cars my husband has an internal disease and I can’t sue them b*******. I’m his wife and I go through the strain of everyday being part of camp lejeune. My kids are now chemical tainted from camp lejeune where’s their Justice.