VA Benefits for Sleep Apnea – Fort Worth, TX
Better Sleep for Veterans
Dr. Conditt and our team hold veterans in the highest regard. One of the small ways in which we show our appreciation is by welcoming active and retired service members to use their VA benefits in our practice. How exactly can you take advantage of this provision, and how might your health and overall wellness benefit if you do so? This page explains some important information. You are always invited to call us if you have any questions about what you read.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Veterans
Sleep deprivation is a common part of military culture; after all, a little sleep seems like a small price to pay when you are protecting the things that are most dear to you. Unfortunately, a lack of high-quality sleep can continue to afflict service members even after they retire.
One study set out to analyze the prevalence of sleep disorders among military personnel, and 80% of the participants were diagnosed with a disorder. The most common diagnosis was sleep apnea. A separate study involved 195 veterans who had been diagnosed with PTSD. An increase in the severity of a veteran’s PTSD is associated with a greatly heightened risk of sleep apnea. This is true even among young veterans, who are usually not screened for sleep apnea.
How We Can Help
We want to help veterans get the sleep they deserve. No matter where you are in your quest for improved sleep, you are welcome to give us a call so we can guide you on your next steps. After you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can coordinate with the VA so you can use your benefits to take advantage of our services.
Normally, the VA first provides CPAP or BiPAP therapy as a first-line treatment for sleep apnea. However, if it turns out that you are intolerant to PAP machines, or there are other medical considerations that make PAP therapy inadvisable for you, the VA may refer you to us.
Once all the necessary paperwork has been taken care of, we can provide you with a custom oral appliance, a small device that is designed to keep your airway open during sleep. It may play a great role in helping you to get the rejuvenating rest you need.
How to Use Your VA Benefits for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Here are some notes about how to use your VA benefits for sleep apnea treatment:
- We are familiar with how VA benefits work, so you can always give us a call. We do not want you to end up paying for services that you are entitled to receive at no charge.
- In order to avoid being billed for our services, you will need a referral from the VA. If you have already undergone a sleep test and been found to be intolerant to CPAP therapy, visit your VA doctor first and ask them to call us to book an appointment. We recommend that they do this while you are sitting with them.
- We offer military discounts on new patient consultations. Free airway screenings and sleep consultations are available for service members regardless of your VA benefits status.