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.