How VA Rates Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the course of the night. In order to confirm a sleep apnea diagnosis for VA disability compensation purposes, VA requires that a sleep study be conducted. In order to establish service connection for sleep apnea on a direct basis, veterans must show evidence of a current diagnosis of sleep apnea, as confirmed by a sleep study; an in-service event, injury, or illness; and a medical nexus (i.e. link) between their sleep apnea and the in-service event, injury, or illness. You can receive a rating of 0, 30, 50, or 100 percent for sleep apnea. 

•    0 Percent: You are asymptomatic but have a documented sleep disorder. 
•  30 Percent: You are experiencing persistent daytime hypersomnolence (daytime sleepiness that does not improve even with sufficient sleep)
•  50 Percent: You require the use of a breathing assistance device, such as a CPAP machine
• 100 Percent: You have a chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention and require a tracheostomy.