VA Claims for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea linked to service-related stress, injury, or exposure to toxins can greatly affect quality of life.
If you’re struggling with sleep apnea and wonder if it’s connected to your service, you’re not alone. Vets National is here to help you figure it out and, if necessary, file a claim for service-connected disability benefits for sleep apnea with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Recognizing sleep apnea and connecting it to service
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, possibly leading to loud snoring, daytime tiredness, and/or serious health issues.
In order to establish entitlement to service-connected disability benefits for sleep apnea you will need to show two things:
- you are currently diagnosed with sleep apnea, and
- there is a connection between the current sleep apnea and either something that happened in service, another service-connected condition, and/or symptoms that began in service.
How to file a claim
Filing a VA disability claim for sleep apnea requires several steps:
1. Submit an “intent to file” form.
An intent to file sets a potential start date (or effective date) for your benefits. You just need to notify the VA of your intent to file, and then, if you complete and file your claim within one year, you may be able to get retroactive payments (payments for the time between when you submitted your intent to file and when the VA approved your claim).
2. Gather evidence of your diagnosis and the history of your symptoms.
Obtain medical records, sleep study results, and any other documentation supporting your sleep apnea diagnosis.
3. Establish a service connection.
Show your sleep apnea is linked to your service, perhaps because it began then or it’s connected to another condition related to your time in the military, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Because sleep apnea was not a medical condition noted on military examination and discharge paperwork in the past, it is often difficult to establish service-connection for sleep apnea. It is helpful to submit either a medical opinion from your doctor about how your sleep apnea is related to service or other service-connected conditions or submit letters from friends and family about your symptoms in and since service.
4. Finalize your claim.
Submit your completed claim online, by mail, or in person at a VA Regional office. Include all your evidence and fill out the necessary paperwork.
The VA rating system for sleep apnea
The VA rating system for sleep apnea assesses the condition’s severity and determines an appropriate “rating,” which corresponds to a level of disability compensation that a veteran will receive monthly.
The Rating Schedule for sleep apnea provides a 0% (or noncompensable) rating for asymptomatic sleep apnea but with documented sleep disorder breathing. A 30% rating is warranted for sleep apnea with persistent day-time hypersomnolence. A 50% rating is warranted for sleep apnea that requires the use of a breathing assistance device such as a continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Finally, a 100% rating is warranted for sleep apnea with chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requiring a tracheostomy.
The rating system ensures veterans receive compensation commensurate with the severity of their condition and how much it affects quality of life. Benefits based on the system are meant to off-set any wages lost as a result of the sleep apnea symptoms.
Why seeking professional assistance matters
Navigating the VA claims process can be challenging for someone trying to establish a connection between sleep apnea and service. Professional advocacy can make a big difference.
Let Vets National advocate for you
At Vets National, we’re committed to supporting veterans every step of the way in their journey toward realizing the benefits they deserve. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the claims process.
If you’re struggling with sleep apnea and believe it’s connected to your military service, contact Vets National today, at 877-777-4021. Together, we can work toward securing the benefits that will improve your quality of life.
