Sleep apnea, particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), is a significant concern for many veterans, with over a half a million veterans service-connected for the condition. It’s a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to various health issues.
For those who’ve served in the military, the rigors and stresses of service can often exacerbate or contribute to this condition. Here’s how VA rates sleep apnea and how you can maximize your VA benefits.
The VA Disability Ratings for Sleep Apnea
Under the VA Ratings Schedule, a veteran with sleep apnea may be entitled to 0%, 30%, 50% or 100% benefits for sleep apnea, as follows:
- 0% Rating: Diagnosis without significant symptoms or required treatment.
- 30% Rating: Daytime sleepiness impacting daily activities.
- 50% Rating: Prescription of a CPAP or other breathing assistance is required.
- 100% Rating: Severe cases with complications like heart issues.
Get Help With Your VA Disability Claim
The most common ratings for sleep apnea in veterans is 30% or 50% if a CPAP is required. But you can also connect this very common disorder to other related conditions.
Get a Better VA Rating for Sleep Apnea by Connecting Secondary Conditions
Many veterans experience other health issues that can either contribute to or worsen their sleep apnea. Recognizing and proving these connections can significantly impact your VA rating.
Conditions Linked to OSA
- PTSD
- Hypertension
- Depression and Anxiety Disorders
- Chronic Pain
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Asthma and other respiratory conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Obesity
- Neck or Upper Airway Injuries
- Sinusitis or Rhinitis
- Exposure to Toxic Substances or Environmental Hazards
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Migraines and Headaches
- Heart Conditions
Is Sleep Apnea a Presumptive Condition?
Someone who served in Iraq may ask themselves: is sleep apnea a presumptive condition for burn pit exposure? Unfortunately, no, sleep apnea is not automatically service connected for anyone, including Gulf War veterans.
Sleep apnea is not considered a presumptive condition by VA. This means veterans must provide evidence that their sleep apnea is directly connected to their service. Documents like service treatment records, medical nexus letters and buddy statements can help accomplish this.
How do I Connect Sleep Apnea to my Military Service?
If your symptoms manifested in service, providing a buddy statement or showing you had treatment for a sleep disorder during service can prove this. When your sleep apnea is secondary to another service-connected condition, however, you would likely need to provide a medical nexus to link between the two conditions.
Toxic exposure can cause chronic inflammation and damage to the airway, leading to obstructive sleep apnea. There is evidence that suggests conditions prevalent among Gulf War veterans, such as exposure to toxic substances from burn pits and other environmental hazards, can exacerbate sleep apnea. If they can 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.
VA is presently considering changes that may continue to expand the list of presumptive conditions related to toxic exposures and could potentially include sleep apnea. This would make it easier for veterans who are considering linking it to service-related toxic exposure.
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.
Evidence That Helped Win This Claim
- 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
How Do I Win My Sleep Apnea VA Claim?
Maximizing your VA rating should involve a personalized and strategic approach to connecting secondary conditions to your primary diagnosis of OSA based on your personal medical history.
Here’s how you can bolster your claim:
- Gather Comprehensive Medical Evidence: This includes sleep studies, doctor’s notes, and records of treatments for OSA and any linked conditions.
- Document Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of how your OSA and secondary conditions affect your daily life, focusing on their interconnectedness.
- Establish the Connection Between Your Service and OSA: Provide treatment records of any sleep problems, buddy statements that corroborate snoring or breathing events during sleep in service, and any other evidence that can show symptoms manifested or worsened during active duty service.
Want expert advice on everything you need to know about evidence for a VA claim? Read our guide on VA claims evidence by clicking here!
Cassandra Crosby, an Accredited Agent and claims advocate for Matthew Hill & Shelly Mark’s teams, reviewed the information provided in this post.
