Does VA/VHA have any specific policy on Side Effects of Prescribed Medications?

2021-06-25T13:16:48-04:00

After ~12 years on VA prescribed Opioids My dentition is really bad. I weaned Myself off of them at the end of 2019, not in any way a fun thing to do. I did some research and found that what's going on in My mouth is typical of the common side effects of long term Opiod use. My upper jaw bone has deteriorated to the point that the few top teeth left in My mouth do not have anchor points and the only choice now is a full denture. The Mandible is still holding the roots of the bottom teeth, once again, the few that are left, one less as of Wednesday afternoon. So, is the VA going to take care of it since it happened because of the extended amount of time They kept Me on Oxy? How should I present it to My PCP?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2021 1:48 PM

2021-06-25T13:48:28-04:00

Not to my knowledge. They have me on a med that has destroyed my bone density.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 25 at 2021 5:05 PM

2021-06-25T17:05:19-04:00

They had you on Oxy for 12 years? That's nuts.

Response by SFC Wendell Pruitt made Jun 25 at 2021 6:15 PM

2021-06-25T18:15:43-04:00

Your Best Course of action is discuss this with your primary care Doctor and see if they are willing to state in your records the bone loss is medically attributable to the long term prescribed Opioids He will also need to give the basis for this finding by citing Medical studies or other sources He used to form the opinion, This is called a nexus letter and can be used to claim the Bone loss and Dental concerns as Secondary Conditions in the VA system.