How Oral Appliance Therapy Can Help Veterans with Sleep Apnea
Updated: 7 days ago
As many veterans know, sleep apnea is a common and serious condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Traditional treatment options for sleep apnea, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, can be difficult to use and uncomfortable. However, there is another option that is gaining recognition as an effective and more comfortable treatment: oral appliance therapy.
What is oral appliance therapy, exactly?
Simply put, it involves the use of a custom-fit oral appliance that is worn while sleeping. The appliance is designed to hold the jaw in a forward position, which can help keep the airway open and prevent sleep apnea events from occurring. Unlike CPAP, oral appliances are small, portable, and do not require electricity or other equipment, making them more convenient for many veterans.
But that's not all. Did you know that oral appliance therapy is recognized by the VA as a breathing assistance device for the treatment of sleep apnea, as listed in 38 CFR 4.97 under diagnostic code 6847? This recognition highlights the efficacy of oral appliance therapy in improving sleep apnea symptoms and increases the veterans' disability rating by up to 50%.
Under the Mission Act and PACT Act, veterans have more options for healthcare, including community service providers like us. Our oral appliance therapy is tailored to the needs of veterans, and covered by your existing VA benefits. With our oral appliance therapy, veterans can improve their sleep apnea and snoring symptoms and get the restful sleep they deserve.
As a community service provider, we understand the unique needs of veterans and are committed to providing effective and comfortable treatment options for sleep apnea. That's why we're proud to offer oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
If you've been prescribed a CPAP machine but find it difficult to use, or are simply looking for a more comfortable and effective treatment option, we encourage you to consider oral appliance therapy. Contact your Veterans Service Officer, or our office directly, to schedule a consultation with us and see if oral appliance therapy is the right treatment for you.
Don't let sleep apnea hold you back. Take advantage of the benefits available to you as a veteran and get the treatment you deserve.