If you have sleep apnea, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life. While no two cases of sleep apnea are the same, Veterans with a service connection for sleep apnea should receive the compensation they’re entitled to.

Here, I’ll share information about sleep apnea, the VA’s rating schedule for sleep apnea disability compensation, and how you can prove a service connection for your condition. Let’s get right to it!

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that impacts the quality of your sleep with pauses in breathing, or shallow breathing. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea, you could experience breathing disruptions just a few times an hour, while others with more severe sleep apnea could be interrupted 30 or more times an hour.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by throat muscles relaxing too much while you sleep and ultimately blocking your airway. If you have OSA, you might choke, gasp, or even temporarily stop breathing while you sleep, making it a serious health concern.

2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t control breathing muscles the same way as a healthy person’s body. As a result, you’ll experience shallow breathing and even brief periods without breathing.

3. Mixed or Complex Sleep Apnea

Mixed sleep apnea is what it says on the packaging — it’s a mix of OSA and CSA. It’s also referred to as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea (TECSA). This is because it often occurs when you develop CSA while being treated for OSA with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

What are Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

You might not even notice your sleep apnea at night, but you may feel extremely tired during the day due to the poor quality of your sleep. Sleep is a crucial part of your health: it regulates your stress levels, protects your immune system, and supports your memory.

When you’re not getting quality sleep, you’re at risk for a number of other health complications. Poor sleep caused by sleep apnea can contribute to symptoms like:

• Irritability, mood swings, and depression

• Heart disease (cardiovascular disease)

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Additionally, drowsiness puts you at risk for accidents at work, home, and while driving. According to the National Sleep Foundation, drowsiness contributes to a fifth of all vehicle crashes. While you may not notice sleep apnea in the moment, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life.

The VA Rating Schedule for Sleep Apnea in 2024

VA ratings for sleep apnea range from 0 to 100 percent, based on the severity and the need for a CPAP machine. The 2024 VA ratings for sleep apnea (based on a single Veteran with no dependents) are as follows:

0%, $0: You’re asymptomatic with a documented sleep disorder breathing

30%, $524.31 per month: You’re experiencing persistent daytime hypersomnolence (extreme drowsiness)

50%, $1,075.16 per month: You need to use a CPAP machine

100%, $3,737.85 per month: You have chronic respiratory failure

How to Prove a Service Connection for Sleep Apnea

Proving a service connection for sleep apnea is no different than any other disability. There are three main things that you’ll need:

1. First, you’ll need a current diagnosis. For the VA to grant your disability claim for sleep apnea, your diagnosis needs to be based on the results of a sleep study.

2. Second, you’ll need an in-service injury, stressor, or illness. This could be something like an injury to your head or neck or exposure to hazardous chemicals. Additionally, your sleep apnea could be secondary to another service-connected disability. For example, your sleep apnea could be caused by obesity, which could be a result of an injury to your knee that limits your ability to exercise.

3. Finally, you’ll need to prove that there’s a link between your current diagnosis and your in-service injury or stressor. You may be able to make the link clear through your military service or medical records. Buddy letters can also be helpful for proving that your symptoms began during or as a result of your service. However, one of the easiest ways to prove a connection or ‘nexus’ between your current condition and your in-service injury is with a nexus letter from a private physician. If you’re not familiar with nexus letters, my article on nexus letters should answer your questions.

When your claim checks all these boxes, your VA disability claim has a strong chance of being granted.

How to File a VA Disability Claim for Sleep Apnea

The first step to filing a VA disability claim for sleep apnea is filing VA Form 21-526EZ. When you submit your claim, be sure to include all the records necessary to establish a service connection, such as your military medical records, your military service records, and diagnoses from your primary care physician.

What Should I Do if My Sleep Apnea Claim is Denied?

If you filed a VA disability claim for sleep apnea and were denied, it can be exhausting. On top of dealing with your symptoms, the process of filing an appeal is a daunting task, and it’s not always easy. However, if your condition is service connected, you should receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

Depending on your circumstances, a hearing before a Board of Veterans’ Appeals, a higher-level review or a supplemental claim could help you receive the benefits you’re entitled to. To learn which type of appeal makes the most sense if your claim has been denied, contact me today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Note: Consultations for Veterans’ Benefits Appeals Matters are free; however, consultations for Military Records Correction Issues and Medical/Physical Evaluation Boards are paid.