VASRD 6847 · Respiratory System

Sleep Apnea Syndromes VA Disability Rating

Breathing stops or gets shallow during sleep, causing fatigue and health problems.

VA Rating Tiers

RatingCriteria
50%Must use a CPAP machine to sleep safely.
0%Sleep apnea present, but no machine needed.

How the VA Evaluates Sleep Apnea Syndromes

Diagnosis from a sleep study and documentation showing CPAP usage or other treatment.

Approval rate

High – easy to prove with sleep study and equipment prescription.

Annual service-connected

300,000 veterans

Average rating

50%

Best Evidence to Gather

  • •Polysomnography (sleep study) results
  • •CPAP prescription and compliance reports
  • •Medical notes describing sleep symptoms

Strategy Tips

  • •Upload VA or private sleep study
  • •Mention fatigue and daytime drowsiness
  • •Include CPAP use data if available

C&P Exam Pitfalls

  • •No official sleep study submitted
  • •Missing documentation of device use

Common Filing Mistakes

  • •Using home test results only
  • •Not showing treatment plan or CPAP compliance

Onset Patterns

  • •Often begins during or after active duty, worsens over time
  • •Can develop secondary to PTSD or weight gain

Secondary Conditions

Conditions commonly linked to Sleep Apnea Syndromes. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.

  • Daytime Fatigue

    Poor sleep leads to chronic tiredness

  • Hypertension

    Frequently linked to sleep disturbances

Common Among These Military Jobs

Military occupational specialties (MOS) where Sleep Apnea Syndromes is frequently claimed.

Army00ERecruiterArmy00HEnlisted AideArmy00RRecruiter/Retention NCOArmy00ZCommand Sergeant Major NominativeArmy09LInterpreter/TranslatorArmy12KPlumberArmy12MFirefighterArmy12PPrime Power Production SpecialistArmy12TTechnical EngineerArmy12YGeospatial EngineerArmy13DField Artillery Automated Tactical Data Systems SpecialistArmy13ECannon Fire Direction Specialist

Common questions about Sleep Apnea Syndromes

Is Sleep Apnea Syndromes a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Sleep Apnea Syndromes under VASRD diagnostic code 6847 (Respiratory System). Breathing stops or gets shallow during sleep, causing fatigue and health problems.
What VA disability rating can I get for Sleep Apnea Syndromes?
Possible VA ratings for Sleep Apnea Syndromes are 50%, 0%. Examples: 50% — Must use a CPAP machine to sleep safely.; 0% — Sleep apnea present, but no machine needed..
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Sleep Apnea Syndromes?
The average awarded rating for Sleep Apnea Syndromes is 50%. Roughly 300,000 veterans are service-connected for Sleep Apnea Syndromes each year. Typical approval likelihood: High – easy to prove with sleep study and equipment prescription..
What evidence helps prove Sleep Apnea Syndromes for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Sleep Apnea Syndromes claim includes: Polysomnography (sleep study) results; CPAP prescription and compliance reports; Medical notes describing sleep symptoms.
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Sleep Apnea Syndromes?
Common pitfalls when filing for Sleep Apnea Syndromes: Using home test results only; Not showing treatment plan or CPAP compliance.
What conditions are commonly secondary to Sleep Apnea Syndromes?
Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Sleep Apnea Syndromes include: Daytime Fatigue, Hypertension. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.

Estimate your combined rating

See how Sleep Apnea Syndromes combines with your other service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.

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