If you’re a Veteran and have been denied your full benefits or are seeking to increase your VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea, we’re here to help you fight back and win.
Are you always exhausted because of your Sleep Apnea?
Are you developing other health issues related to your sleep apnea condition?
You may qualify for VA disability benefits if you have the right evidence to prove the cause of your Sleep Apnea is connected to your service.
To help determine proof, let’s explore how Sleep Apnea can develop during military service and the steps you can take to secure a VA rating for this condition.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea happens when your airway gets blocked while you sleep. This blockage can be caused by the muscles in your throat relaxing too much, the size of your tongue or tonsils, or extra weight around your neck. When your airway is blocked, it stops your breathing, which wakes you up throughout the night without you even knowing it.
Over time, this can lead to poor sleep and other health issues because your body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs during sleep.
How Veterans Can Develop Sleep Apnea During Military Service
Your time in the military can take a toll on your health in many ways, including how you sleep. Veterans might develop sleep apnea for several reasons tied to their service, including:
- Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals: If you were exposed to toxic chemicals during deployment, such as burn pits or other environmental hazards, this could contribute to respiratory issues that trigger sleep apnea.
- Weight Gain: Many Veterans experience weight gain after their service, and sleep apnea is often associated with being overweight. Military lifestyle changes, injuries, or stress can lead to weight gain, making you more prone to developing sleep apnea.
- Stress and PTSD: The stress of military service or combat exposure can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often linked to sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
With our Veterans Victory Blueprint, you’ll have a clear plan to guide you to winning your Sleep Apnea Claim.
Understanding VA Disability Ratings for Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is rated under Diagnostic Code: 6847
Ratings for sleep apnea range from 0 to 100%. Remember, the more severe your symptoms, the higher your rating. Here’s a breakdown:
0% Rating Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder: even though you don’t have any noticeable symptoms, there is medical evidence showing that you have a breathing problem during sleep. This could be something like snoring, where your breathing is interrupted while you sleep.
10% Rating Persistent daytime hypersomnolence (excessive sleepiness): Persistent daytime hypersomnolence means that someone feels very sleepy during the day, even if they’ve had enough sleep at night. This excessive sleepiness is ongoing and doesn’t go away, making it hard to stay awake and alert during the day. It’s more than just feeling tired; it’s a constant feeling of needing to sleep during the day.
50% Rating Requires the use of a breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
100% Rating Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale (causes the right side of the heart to fail), or; requires tracheostomy (opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow air to fill the lungs).
Additionally, if your sleep apnea prevents you from working, you might be eligible for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which allows you to receive benefits at the 100% disability rate even if your sleep apnea rating is less than 100%.
Qualifying for TDIU:
- One disability rated at least 60%, or
- Multiple disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or more, with one disability rated at least 40%.
How Much Money Can You Get Monthly from VA Disability Benefits?
The amount you receive depends on your VA disability rating for your sleep apnea. Remember, the more severe your condition, the higher your rating. If you have multiple conditions, the VA uses a special formula to combine them into one overall rating.
Here’s a general breakdown of what you might expect:
These figures can increase if you have dependents or if your condition worsens over time. For more information, go to our VA Disability Compensation Page.
A higher rating not only means more financial support each month, it can also qualify you for additional benefits, such as increased access to VA healthcare services, vocational training and housing assistance.
