Military patients

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The rating schedule for sleep apnea can be found at 38 C.F.R. § 4.97.  The diagnostic code (DC) is 6847.  You can tell if the VA rated you directly for Sleep Apnea, as your code sheet will list only the four digit DC for Sleep Apnea (6847)

6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed):

Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or; requires tracheo…100

Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure(CPAP)machine…………50

Persistent day-time hyperso……..30

Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing…………0

* This is just an approximate only, please consult your VA hospital for up to date information.

If that is similar to your situation, how do you show that link (nexus) between what was going on with you during service and the actual diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea you now have?  With lay evidence AND medical evidence.  You will need strong lay evidence that establishes what symptoms you were having in service – loud snoring, apneas (stopped breathing) followed by gasps for oxygen, dry mouth upon waking, daytime fatigue, etc.  You will then need an expert medical opinion that shows these symptoms back then in service were probably sleep apnea even though you had not been diagnosed at the time.  If you get that, then you should be able to establish direct service connection and receive VA disability for sleep apnea.

Veterans Choice Program (VCP) provides primary care, inpatient and outpatient specialty care, and behavioral health care options for eligible Veterans outside of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities.

VCP allows eligible veterans to seek receive care from community-based providers when their local VA health care facility cannot provide the services due to:

• Lack of available specialists.

• Extended wait times for appointments at a VAMC.

• Extraordinary distance from the Veteran’s home.

Call 1-866-606-8198 to make sure you qualify + schedule an appointment.

• You will be asked to enter your ZIP code, and first and last name.
• They will check to make sure you are eligible for this program.
• They will check which of your needs are covered by the VA.
• You will be asked for your address and the name of your preferred provider.

Military Veterans

Sleep Disorders

Sleep Apnea