Sleep Apnea in Veterans: VA Ratings and Getting Maximum Disability Benefits

Sleep apnea and its complications are rated by the VA up to 100%, depending on the severity of the condition, but many veterans struggle to meet the VA requirements for obtaining compensation. Hill & Ponton explains service connection, how the VA rates sleep apnea, what can affect the disability rating percentage, and how to claim and increase VA benefits.

Sleep Apnea in Veterans 

Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to various health issues, is a significant concern for many veterans, with over a half a million veterans service-connected for the condition. There are three types of sleep apnea affecting veterans:  

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Caused by physical blockage of the airway during sleep. This is the most common type. 
• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Caused by the brain failing to signal breathing muscles. 
• Complex/Mixed Sleep Apnea: A combination of OSA and CSA.  

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissue in the throat collapses and blocks the airway during sleep. A 2024 study published in Sleep Health found that 21% of veterans have obstructive sleep apnea compared to just 9% of nonveterans. Deployment, TBI and PTSD increase the risk further. 

The highest rates of obstructive sleep apnea were found in the Army (12.15%), followed by the Air Force (9.96%), and the Navy (9.06%). A study from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine on obstructive sleep apnea among survivors of combat-related traumatic injury showed that rates of OSA diagnoses have surged since the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, driven by physical trauma, PTSD, and environmental exposures. 

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is less common and results from the brain failing to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Central sleep apnea is often linked to neurological conditions, opioid use, and traumatic brain injury – a frequent condition among veterans. 

Both types are rated by the VA under diagnostic code 6847, but CSA may be more difficult to diagnose and service connect unless clearly linked to a service-related cause like TBI or PTSD. In such cases, a secondary service connection is often the most effective strategy, especially when a veteran is already rated for a neurological or mental health condition. 

Connecting Sleep Apnea to Military Service 

To obtain VA disability for sleep apnea, you will need three elements: 

1. A current medical diagnosis of sleep apnea (usually confirmed with a sleep study), 
2. Evidence of an in-service event, illness, or symptom (such as snoring, fatigue, or breathing issues), 
3. A nexus (medical opinion) connecting your sleep apnea to your military service. 

Is Sleep Apnea a Presumptive Exposure? 

A presumptive condition is a health issue that the VA automatically considers service connected if you served in a specific time or location. The PACT Act, passed in 2022, expanded the list of these conditions, especially for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic hazards. But sleep apnea is not yet on the list, even though it has been linked to burn pits and Agent Orange. 

Because sleep apnea is not a presumptive condition, all veterans must provide evidence that their disability is connected to their service. This can happen through:  

• Direct service connection: The condition began during or was caused by active duty. It requires documentation such as service treatment records or lay statements.  
• Secondary service connection: Sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability (e.g., PTSD, TBI, GERD). 

Direct Service Connection 

Proving that your sleep apnea began during active service is difficult, since sleep studies are rarely done during service, but not impossible. Evidence for a direct service connection can include: 

• Service treatment records mentioning sleep complaints 
• Lay statements (from bunkmates or spouses) noting snoring, choking, or gasping for air during sleep 
• Post-service diagnosis with medical opinion linking symptoms back to service  

Secondary Service Connection 

When your sleep apnea is secondary to another service-connected condition, you will need to provide a medical nexus to link the two conditions, stating that your sleep apnea is “at least as likely as not” caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition, such as:

• PTSD: Causes insomnia, disrupted breathing, and may lead to weight gain due to medications. 
• TBI: Can affect the brain’s ability to control breathing (Central Sleep Apnea). 
• GERD: Nighttime reflux affects the airway. 
• Asthma or Chronic Bronchitis: Breathing impairment. 
• Obesity: Often tied to medication for orthopedic or psychological conditions.   

The surge in obstructive sleep apnea diagnoses since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is due not only to physical injuries like TBI but also mental health sequelae such as PTSD, depression, and insomnia. The presence of these conditions has been shown to dramatically increase the risk of developing sleep apnea.  

Veterans who have both OSA and PTSD often deal with insomnia, have a harder time sticking to CPAP treatment, and don’t respond as well to therapy. When insomnia is also present, it can make sleep apnea symptoms and overall health even worse. Many veterans don’t just have sleep apnea – they have several conditions, compounding the severity of their symptoms and the complexity of their claims. 

Sleep Apnea from Toxic Exposure 

Many veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other deployment zones were exposed to particulate matter such as airborne toxins from burn pits, jet fuel, and industrial waste. While sleep apnea is not currently recognized as a presumptive condition, scientific evidence suggesting that toxic exposure causes chronic inflammation and damage to the airway can be used to win obstructive sleep apnea claims. 

If veterans demonstrate that the sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by their time in service, they will be able to get it service-connected for benefits. This will require: 

• Providing evidence of exposure (e.g., deployment location) 
• Presenting a medical nexus letter linking their apnea to toxic exposure 
• Submitting a formal diagnosis through a sleep study  

Veterans are encouraged to include comorbid conditions, such as sinusitis, rhinitis, asthma, or bronchitis, which may have presumptive status and support a broader claim. 

Case Example

A veteran who served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War sought (and won) service connection for sleep apnea. He claimed it was caused by environmental exposures during his Gulf War service. The evidence that helped win this claim included: 

• A sleep study diagnosing severe sleep apnea
• Statement from ex-girlfriend noting sleep apnea symptoms
• Medical opinion linking sleep apnea to military service and chemical exposures
• Medical treatise linking organic solvent exposure to sleep disorders
• Veteran’s testimony

What Are the VA Disability Ratings for Sleep Apnea?

The Department of Veterans Affairs rates sleep apnea at 0%, 30%, 50% or 100% under Diagnostic Code 6847 of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Each rating is based on the severity of symptoms and treatments required. 

• 0% Rating: Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing. This is a noncompensable rating but can help get VA healthcare or service connect secondary conditions.
• 30% Rating: Persistent daytime hypersomnolence. Excessive sleepiness during the day must be medically documented and supported by lay testimony. 
• 50% Rating: Requires the use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This is a common rating among veterans. 
• 100% Rating: Applies only if the veteran experiences chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention, cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure), or requires a tracheostomy. 

The most common rating for sleep apnea in veterans is 30%, or 50% if a CPAP is required. But you can increase your rating by appealing the VA decision or by filing for related conditions that contribute to sleep apnea or make it worse.

CPAP VA Rating Proposed Changes

Under recent proposed changes to the VA rating criteria, simply using a CPAP machine will no longer automatically qualify a veteran for a 50% disability rating. Instead, the evaluation will focus on the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, the veteran’s ability to tolerate or consistently use the treatment (such as a CPAP device), and the degree of functional impairment, including serious complications like damage to the heart or lungs.  

If the new rating criteria are adopted, veterans whose sleep apnea is fully managed by a CPAP or similar breathing-assistance device will need to show ongoing symptoms despite treatment, inability to tolerate CPAP and documented functional impairment to obtain a 50% rating, instead of just the use of a prescribed device. 

As of October 2025, the VA has not yet implemented these changes, but veterans should not assume that using a CPAP machine guarantees a 50% rating in future claims. Ensure that your medical records document: 

• Ongoing symptoms (e.g., fatigue, cognitive impairment)
• Treatment compliance
• Functional limitations (impact on daily activities)

Important: The rating updates will not impact veterans currently receiving compensation or whose sleep apnea claims are filed before the changes are approved. If you are seeking to appeal your current decision to secure a 50% or higher rating, we may be able to help (at no upfront cost). Get a free case evaluation here.

How to File a VA Disability Claim for Sleep Apnea 

Filing a VA disability claim involves gathering extensive medical and lay evidence, understanding how your condition is rated, and submitting the appropriate forms.  

1. File VA Form 21-526EZ. This begins your claim and should list “sleep apnea” as the condition. If it is secondary to another condition (like PTSD), be sure to indicate that. The form 21-526EZ can be filed online on va.gov, at a VA regional office or with the help of a Veterans Service Organization (VSO). 
2. Provide a Formal Diagnosis. VA requires a sleep study for rating purposes (without it, your sleep apnea claim will almost certainly be denied). This can be from a VA facility or a private provider, but it must include objective findings (e.g., AHI score, CPAP prescription). 
3. Build Your Nexus. If you’re claiming direct service connection, submit service treatment records or lay statements showing in-service symptoms. If claiming secondary service connection, a medical opinion (nexus letter) from a provider linking the sleep apnea to another service-connected condition is essential. 
4. Submit Supporting Evidence. Provide treatment records of any sleep problems and CPAP use, buddy statements that corroborate snoring or breathing events during sleep in service, lay statements from family and any other evidence that can show symptoms manifested or worsened during active duty service. 
5. Attend the C&P Exam. The Compensation & Pension exam is where the VA may evaluate your current condition. Be honest, detailed, and clear about your symptoms and how they impact your life. 

Learn how to make a disability claim and navigate the VA system with our free ebook, written by a VA attorney with decades of experience in filing and winning disability claims. Get the free guide to the VA claims process! 

Getting a Better VA Rating

The most common ratings for sleep apnea in veterans is 30%, or 50% if a CPAP is required. But you can increase your total rating by appealing the VA decision or by filing new claims for related conditions that contribute to sleep apnea or make it worse. You could get a higher rating for:  

• Severe respiratory symptoms or declining lung function 
• CPAP intolerance with worsening symptoms 
• Secondary conditions like heart issues, hypertension, or migraines 
• TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) 

Conditions Linked to Sleep Apnea

• PTSD – Can disrupt sleep patterns, increase arousal, and lead to insomnia, all of which may worsen or trigger sleep apnea. Medications used for PTSD may also interfere with breathing regulation. 
• Hypertension – Often secondary to sleep apnea, as repeated oxygen drops during apneic events can raise blood pressure. Untreated sleep apnea is a known contributor to chronic hypertension. 
• Depression and Anxiety Disorders – These conditions often disrupt sleep and increase insomnia, which can worsen sleep apnea symptoms or reduce treatment effectiveness. 
• Chronic Pain – Pain can interfere with sleep, and medications (especially opioids) used to treat pain may depress breathing, increasing the risk of sleep apnea. 
• Diabetes Mellitus – Sleep apnea increases insulin resistance and is a known risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. 
• Asthma and other respiratory conditions – Chronic airway inflammation and reduced lung function can make breathing during sleep more difficult, increasing apnea risk. 
• Traumatic Brain Injury – TBI can damage the brain’s ability to regulate breathing, leading to central sleep apnea or worsening existing sleep-disordered breathing. 
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – Acid reflux can irritate the airway and worsen nighttime breathing problems, while apnea can also exacerbate reflux symptoms. 
• Obesity – Extra tissue around the neck and upper airway can physically block airflow during sleep, making obesity the most common risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. While obesity is not recognized as a disability per se, when it is caused by a service-connected condition (such as back pain) it can be used as an intermediate step to establish service connection for other disabilities, including sleep apnea. 
• Neck or Upper Airway Injuries – Trauma or injury to these areas can narrow or obstruct the airway, leading to or worsening obstructive sleep apnea. 
• Sinusitis or Rhinitis – Chronic nasal congestion and inflammation can reduce airflow and lead to mouth breathing, increasing apneic events. 
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Sleep apnea can worsen fatigue and non-restorative sleep, overlapping significantly with chronic fatigue symptoms. 
• Migraines and Headaches – Poor sleep quality and oxygen deprivation from apnea can trigger or worsen morning headaches and migraines.
• Heart Conditions – Apneic episodes stress the cardiovascular system, contributing to arrhythmias, heart failure, and other cardiac complications

Maximizing your VA rating should involve a personalized and strategic approach to connecting secondary conditions to your primary diagnosis based on your personal medical history. Make sure you provide sleep studies, doctor’s notes and records of treatments for sleep apnea and any linked conditions, as well as detailed personal records of how your sleep apnea and secondary conditions affect your daily life, focusing on their interconnectedness.

Sleep apnea affects countless veterans and is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or wrongly rated. Whether your condition is due to trauma, mental health, or toxic exposure, you deserve to be recognized and compensated.  Hill & Ponton believes in arming disabled veterans with the knowledge and the tools to succeed. We offer free resources and evaluations of previously denied or underrated claims, with no strings attached. Get a free case evaluation and we’ll point you in the right direction!

Winning Case Example: Rating for CPAP

In this case, a veteran sought an increased disability rating for his respiratory issues. The veteran was using a CPAP machine to treat his obstructive sleep apnea and did receive a 50% disability rating from the date the CPAP machine was prescribed (January 2010), but argued that his condition warranted a higher disability rating. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals reviewed the evidence and ultimately awarded a 60% disability rating for sarcoidosis (up from the previously assigned 50% rating for CPAP use), starting with the date of February 16, 2016.

How the Veteran Qualified for a 60% Rating

• The veteran’s February 2016 pulmonary function test results were significant in securing a higher rating. His DLCO (a measure of lung function) dropped to 55%, which meets the criteria for a 60% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6600 (sarcoidosis).
• The Board noted the veteran’s credible lay statements, including testimony from a Board hearing, where he described his dependency on the CPAP machine and the challenges he faced without it. These statements, alongside his medical records, solidified the claim.

This case highlights the importance of providing both medical and lay evidence when seeking a higher disability rating for sleep apnea requiring a CPAP machine. While a CPAP machine alone may warrant a 50% rating, more severe symptoms, such as declining lung function, can lead to a higher rating. In this case, the veteran successfully secured a 60% rating by demonstrating a worsening of his condition.

TDIU: 100% VA Disability for Sleep Apnea 

TDIU stands for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and it provides 100% disability compensation to veterans with a lower rating who, due to their disability, cannot earn enough to make a living.  

To qualify for TDIU you must a) have one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more, OR b) have two or more disabilities with one rated at 40% or more and a combined rating of at least 70%. 

Additionally, disabled veterans who don’t meet either of these thresholds can still qualify for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) if they cannot maintain substantially gainful employment (defined by the VA as earning more than the poverty threshold and not considered sheltered or marginal). 

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