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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on November 5, 2009 at 8:31pm

You have a very basic machine that doesn't provide any useful data at all. No way to tell if you are having leaks, apneas, what your AHI is, all your machine provides is how many hours/days you have used it.

For many it takes a long time to feel better and if you are just getting more compliant, you probably haven't used it enough to start feeling the full effects and benefits of cpap. It took over a year for me to start to feel better and that was using my machine each and every night all night. I have a fully data capable machine and with my doctor was able to tweak my therapy.

I feel before anyone gets disability for sleep apnea they should have a fully data capable machine, show 100% compliance or agree to having a trach. Then and only then, qualify for disability if no improvement is shown by sleep studies done in an accredited lab. Again sleep apnea can be treated successfully with cpap or if that fails then a trach.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on November 5, 2009 at 9:13pm

i am already on the sick for the past two years and am waiting too go onto pension next year

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Permalink Reply by sleepybob on November 29, 2011 at 8:43am

I recently applied for disability in KY. You can either fill out an online form or go down to your local SS office and take a number talk to the initial caseworker. you will be required at that point to furnish you I.D. SS card and possibly birth certificate after that, they will ask you general questions about a few things and then give you another appointment where you will furnish what potential medical records you have to another claim processor. From what I understand they will obtain records for you from your doctors your claim can take 60-90 days ( they are currently loaded with claims due to the economy) they then send you case to an outside agency who will make a decision based on what you've provided   and make a ruling. Many many cases are denied initially due to incomplete records or insufficient records. If your denied you will then have the oppoutunity to appeal and have the case heard by a judge (its at this point that most people then contact an attorney)They may also send you to their own evaluating doctors also for some testing prior to an appeal or after I'm not sure  (all the attorney required was to be under doctors care in order to start my case he of course gets a percentage of any back pay you may be eligible for after a positive ruling) I am in the first stage of the application I will try and post more as it unfolds. I hear it can take up to 2-3 years in some cases before a ruling is made,  in others .. merely a few months. Your monthly benefit is determined by how much you've paid into SSI established by your work history. Your case will be decided on the strength of your medical records and any other info you can provide pertaining to your disability. SSI will not send you for tests you may need for your claim that is all up to you. Their doctors will do their own evaluations like a physical or perhaps something else was what I was told by the caseworker ...this is a doctor they pay for kind of like a workman's comp doctor. He works for them so yes I'm sure he will try and rule against you if he can (sorry I don't trust any doctor honestly I may be a little biased but Ive dealt with them before and their rarely looking out for you unless your the one paying them and even then thats debatable.) If your applying on the basis of having sleep apnea alone even severe like tim said above if your compliant with CPAP and AHI is < 5. Your chances are low they will consider you disabled . In my case I have multiple illnesses I'm building my case around which includes Severe sleep apnea, Chronic hepatitis C ( stage 1-2 liver cirrhosis) and multiple mental health issues documented back decades. My only concern is surviving long enough to receive said benefits. Good luck 99!

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