Any military veterans use VA health care ?

[deerslayer]

VA sleep study here also. This site has made all the difference in making treatment work . good luck Spirit

[wlenz]

Sounds like I am missing some great benefits. I believe I am eligible for VA benefits, but never applied. Can I do it online?

[Handgunner45]

Sounds like I am missing some great benefits. I believe I am eligible for VA benefits, but never applied. Can I do it online?

Cant say on that one. I signed up about 20 years ago...werent much for "on line" back then. Check out http://www.va.gov.

[deerslayer]

Sounds like I am missing some great benefits. I believe I am eligible for VA benefits, but never applied. Can I do it online?

best to go to your nearest facility , business office & ask to fill out a means test to apply for benifits . good luck

[Spirit]

My experience with the VA has been outstanding. Only problem was the wait for a sleep study, had to wait about 3 months, but went home the morning after the study with my machine and all supplies. Got chewed out by the RT at the VA hospital closest to me yesterday. Called to get a new mask and she looked at my record and was upset that it had been 2 years since I requested a mask. Got a new UMFF on the way, with instructions to request one every 6 months or I will be in the "dog house" with her.

Hi,
My experience was quite different, my sleep study was scheduled within 2 weeks, getting the results and cpap took 5,. Thanks for the tip, I'll be requesting a new mask every 6 months. Good luck through your journey.

[cv66er]

You guys should mention where you are being treated.

VA healthcare depends on where you're at. VA Durham, NC is absolutely outstanding, and I credit them with saving my life. Harrisburg, PA and Baltimore, MD are functional. Butler, PA is basically a good place to go to die. Washington, DC couldn't even mail me my meds, and caused me to leave the VA system as an act of self defense.

I got my CPAP in Durham in the '90s and am still using it today. DC would probably have perscribed sleeping pills, then not bother to send them.

DS1 William Bollinger, CVIC
USS America CV-66 76-82

[Lou Cypher]

Thanks for this thread... I have gone to VA but basically for prescription benefits.......

I am trying to get a new machine now with Medicare (only been under medicare for a couple of months and don't know what they are like. ) and if they turn me down I will take my paperwork to VA.....

[GumbyCT]

Thanks for this thread... I have gone to VA but basically for prescription benefits.......

I am trying to get a new machine now with Medicare (only been under medicare for a couple of months and don't know what they are like. ) and if they turn me down I will take my paperwork to VA.....

Take your paperwork into the VA NOW. It takes them awhile to react.

[Spirit]

Sounds like I am missing some great benefits. I believe I am eligible for VA benefits, but never applied. Can I do it online?

Hi,
It depends on how long you've been out of the service. A person has so much time to apply for VA benefits, can't remember exactly how much time, think 24 months. A friend of mine, got out of the service and applied for VA health care, and was declined, he was out of the service too long. So those, that leave the military, make sure you apply as soon as you get out.

I had to apply at the hospital, after all the paperwork, I was issued a medical card.

[Patrick A]

I haven't been to the VA in many years, after I went to Kaiser for a sleep study i went to the VA to see if I could get any supplies I couldn't get an appointment . To see a RT. That was over 20 years ago.
So I gave up.

[GumbyCT]

I haven't been to the VA in many years, after I went to Kaiser for a sleep study i went to the VA to see if I could get any supplies I couldn't get an appointment . To see a RT. That was over 20 years ago.
So I gave up.

20 years ago the VA prob hadn't heard of Sleep Apnea. If you have your PSG and are enrolled in the VA then just bring your PSG to your primary doc. The doc should know what to do from there.
Good Luck
ps. I think you can enroll at VA.gov if not you can certainly find out how there.

[Spirit]

I haven't been to the VA in many years, after I went to Kaiser for a sleep study i went to the VA to see if I could get any supplies I couldn't get an appointment . To see a RT. That was over 20 years ago.
So I gave up.

Once your enrolled in the VA medical system, you can alway's return, I didn't visit the VA for nearly a decade, then returned, just had to go through the turtle crawl process, but once the ball gets rolling, VA will take necessary steps to assist you.

[thimarine]

Yes, I was diagnosed in a university hospital contracting with the VA and got my machine from the VA. I have never seen a sleep doctor. Going on 3 years with my machine. I was told I'd get a new one when this one breaks. It did and I took it in (70+miles) and they gave me some replacement parts and asked how come I'd never seen the pulmononolgist. Want to know more? Oh, by the way, it took 2 years to get the machine after the diagnosis.

[thimarine]

Yes, I was diagnosed in a university hospital contracting with the VA and got my machine from the VA. I have never seen a sleep doctor. Going on 3 years with my machine. I was told I'd get a new one when this one breaks. It did and I took it in (70+miles) and they gave me some replacement parts and asked how come I'd never seen the pulmonologist. Want to know more? Oh, by the way, it took 2 years to get the machine after the diagnosis.

I would add that the techs are nice people. The clinics I go to at the VA for treatment for other problems--- the doctors get a glazed look in their eyes when I talk about my apnea. When I'm in Indy I go in a pick up things like nasal pillows, hoses, etc. They are very good about that. They now have a sleep study room but it is not set up to do anything but measure apneas and hypopneas. No wiring up. Everything is free. I didn't pay a dime for the machine and I'm thankful for all of that. However, everything I know about using the machine, reading the data, changing settings, etc..., I learned on this forum. When I ask the VA to read the data on my card they tell me that it's not important for me to know that information and that I shouldn't be fiddling with my machine. I think alot depends on the VA you go to. The care goes up and down the longer you're in the system. I've been in it for a long time and we are in a down cycle right now---at least the old guys. I will always give up time and an appointment to returning vets. However, the clinics I go to are the "old guy" clinics. One would think that in 3 years one should see a sleep doctor. The kind folks on this forum have kept me going and helped me take charge of my therapy. I hope your experience is better than mine.

[Spirit]

VA has alot of ups/downs, depending on population of patients & severity of health, don't believe age is a factor. A VA facility closed down 50 miles away, from the one I attend. The VA was short of medical staff, it took 2 years to finally assign me a primary doctor. The physician I was visiting with prior, was a college intern, whom couldn't even write a prescription, all she could do was schedule appointments with specialist.

The surgeon, whom scheduled to remove my thyroid, was from a civilian hospital & I am visiting an allergist fee based outside the VA.

But once I met with my primary doctor, testing & treatments started moving at lightning speeds, and I have been taken care of wonderfully. PCP made up 2 years lost time in 6 months.

Reason, I alway's share, VA moves at turtle crawl speeds.

I spoke with one doctor, whom shared that the VA schedules everything by priority, severity of patients health. Understandable.

But I obtained all my knowledge at the forum as well.