Why does the VA deny sleep apnea?

The Department denies these claims because they do not have sufficient evidence to conclusively say that a Veteran is suffering from sleep apnea without a diagnosis, even if the Veteran exhibits the symptoms of the disorder.

Is it hard to get VA disability for sleep apnea?

How Does the VA Evaluate Sleep Apnea? The VA evaluates sleep apnea under 38 C.F.R. § 4.97-13, Code 6847 as Sleep Apnea Syndromes (obstructive, central, mixed). The lowest possible rating, 0 percent, does not qualify you for any monthly compensation, but it makes you eligible for other benefits, such as healthcare.

Can the VA take away my sleep apnea rating?

Can the VA Take Away My Sleep Apnea Rating? Since the condition is not considered a permanent VA disability, you can have your rating taken away by the VA. If the condition resolves over time, and you are reevaluated to not have sleep apnea any more, you will no longer be able to claim that rating for compensation.

What does the VA consider sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is rated under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847 – Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed). Veterans are assigned a 0, 30, 50, or 100 percent VA rating based on the severity of their condition.

How does the VA determine if sleep apnea is service connected?

In order to establish direct service connection for sleep apnea, a claimant must show that they have a current, diagnosis of sleep apnea, an in-service event or illness/injury, and a medical nexus or link that shows the veteran's sleep apnea is related to their in-service event, injury/illness.

How to WIN Your Sleep Apnea VA Disability Claim

How do I prove I have sleep apnea?

Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.

Why do so many veterans have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is especially common among veterans, whose exposure to materials such as dust and fumes, as well as mental anxiety related to combat, make them more likely to develop chronic health conditions.

Is sleep apnea still 50 disability?

Right now, service-connected sleep apnea is assigned a 50 percent rating if you are prescribed a CPAP machine. If you have a CPAP and you also have chronic respiratory failure or similar conditions, you can get a 100 percent rating.

Does the VA check CPAP compliance?

There are two changes being made to the rating. Change 1: A veteran must show that the CPAP he's using is a medical necessity. Thus, a letter from your doctor will be needed to explain that the prescribed breathing device is needed for medical treatment of your sleep apnea.

Is there a C&P exam for sleep apnea?

What Happens During C&P Exams for Sleep Apnea? During the C&P exam for sleep apnea, the examiners will ask questions about your condition and how it affects you. VA examiners might complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for sleep apnea as well.

What is the VA 5 year rule?

The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.

Does VA pay for CPAP machine?

If you do receive a rating of 50% or higher, you can get a CPAP machine provided to you by the VA on top of your benefits. Regarding CPAP machines, a recent VA report on VHA health care spending for sleep apnea has called on the VA to implement spending reforms cutting up to $200 million over the next 5 years.

Does sleep apnea have to be service connected?

A VA rating of 50 percent requires the use of a CPAP machine or other approved breathing assistance device. Please be careful to not make the error of thinking that a prescription for CPAP apparatus with a current diagnosis of sleep apnea is going to get you a rating. You must always establish service connection first.

Can you get a VA rating for insomnia and sleep apnea?

VA offers service-connected compensation for multiple sleep disturbances, including sleep apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy. Importantly, service connection for sleep disorders can be awarded on a direct, secondary, or presumptive basis.

Is snoring a VA disability?

While snoring alone is not enough to get you VA benefits, it may be a symptom of a more significant problem. Snoring is included as one of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a compensable claim under the Code of Federal Regulations. Some other OSA symptoms include: Daytime fatigue.

Will VA disability ever go away?

If VA assigns you a 100% rating, it has the option of also designating you permanently and totally disabled. If you receive this designation, your benefits are safe for the rest of your life. The only exception is if VA later determines you obtained your benefits via fraud.

Is sleep apnea caused by PTSD?

Research shows that veterans with PTSD have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. There is also a direct correlation regarding the severity of the two conditions insofar as the more severe a veteran's PTSD is, the more severe their sleep apnea will be.

Can you be medically discharged for sleep apnea?

If you need a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to sleep, you may be considered 50 percent disabled. However, new rules promulgated by the VA require that you show that your breathing assistive device is medically necessary. This means that you need a prescription from your doctor.

Does anxiety cause sleep apnea?

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America also reports that stress and anxiety can lead to sleeping issues. For example, an anxiety disorder can intensify sleeping problems like sleep apnea.

How do you fail a sleep apnea test at home?

A home test only measures breathing, not actual sleep, so results can be inconclusive or falsely negative. Patients with OSA often breathe through their mouths, which may lead to inaccurate signals. Although rare, a self-administered device may become loose on the finger at night, too.

Can Apple Watch detect sleep apnea?

A 2017 study by the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and Cardiogram evaluated this company's Apple Watch app ability to detect physiological conditions. The accuracy of this app was 90 percent for Sleep Apnea and 82 percent for hypertension.

Is all snoring sleep apnea?

Snoring is often associated with a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Not all snorers have OSA, but if snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication to see a doctor for further evaluation for OSA: Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep.

When did VA recognize sleep apnea?

In 1996, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognized sleep apnea as a disability. This condition was included in the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities—guidelines for determining the eligibility of veterans' claims.

Does VA spy on disabled veterans?

A VA inspector used a spy-like camera-pen to record the veteran engaged in a VA social function. At this point, you might be thinking to yourself, “The severity of my disability is real, and the VA has proof.” Which, by the way, is the case for 99% of veterans with service-connected disabilities.

What is the 55 rule in the VA?

What is the VA 55-year-old rule? Veterans who receive VA disability benefits for service-connected conditions are exempt from periodic future examinations once they turn 55 years old. This includes veterans who will be 55 by the date of a future examination, according to the VA Adjudication Procedures Manual.