Claiming Sleep Apnea?
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VA Rating Tiers
100%
chronic respiratory failure
50%
cpap required
30%
persistent hypersomnolence
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›100%: Chronic respiratory failure with CO2 retention or cor pulmonale — or tracheotomy required. DC 6847.
- ›50%: Breathing assistance device (CPAP or BiPAP) required. DC 6847.
- ›30%: Persistent daytime hypersomnolence without a required breathing device. DC 6847.
- ›0%: Sleep apnea documented but asymptomatic — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 6847: Valid VA percentages are 0, 30, 50, and 100.
- ›CPAP prescription alone, even with poor compliance, typically satisfies the 50% threshold.
- ›The 100% tick appears on the slider for user adjustment but requires a clinical finding not captured by this questionnaire.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •CPAP use is the single most important rating factor — 50% if required.
- •Sleep apnea is often secondary to PTSD; that nexus can strengthen service connection.
- •A sleep study (polysomnography) confirming the diagnosis is critical evidence.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •sick call or medical records mentioning snoring or fatigue
- •any in-service sleep study or referral
- •records of PTSD, TBI, or head/neck injury that may have contributed
Medical Evidence
- •sleep study (polysomnography) confirming diagnosis
- •CPAP/BiPAP prescription or compliance data
- •primary care or pulmonology notes
- •sleep medicine specialist records
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •statement describing symptoms during service (snoring, stopping breathing, extreme fatigue)
- •buddy statement from fellow service member or spouse
- •statement describing daytime sleepiness and functional impact
Diagnostic Tests
- •polysomnography (sleep study)
- •home sleep apnea test
- •CPAP compliance report
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Sleep Apnea / Pulmonary
Be ready to describe
- •when symptoms started and if they began during service
- •whether CPAP or BiPAP has been prescribed
- •how daytime fatigue affects work and daily life
- •any related condition such as PTSD or head injury
Prep notes
- •Bring your CPAP prescription and any compliance reports if available.
- •Be specific about how often you use it and how your sleep has changed.
- •Describe daytime symptoms honestly — don't minimize fatigue or drowsiness.
- •If secondary to PTSD, mention how nightmares or hypervigilance disrupt sleep.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 6847
- Category
- Respiratory
- Subcategory
- Sleep Disorders
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 100%
Also Known As
obstructive sleep apneaOSAcpapsleep disordersnoringbreathing during sleep
Related Conditions
Secondary to
Commonly leads to
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