The purpose of this article is to give tips on how to win your Sleep Apnea VA disability benefits claim, aka Sleep Apnea VA claim, so you can get the rating and compensation you deserve. Many Veterans are denied VA benefits for Sleep Apnea due to a lack of medical evidence with no in-service diagnosis of Sleep Apnea, and no sleep study.
We’ll cover applying for Sleep Apnea, appealing a Sleep Apnea rating, Sleep Apnea evidence requirements, Sleep Apnea examples, the best strategies to ensure your Sleep Apnea claim gets service-connected, and rated at the appropriate level based upon your current symptoms, and if you have a breathing machine such as a CPAP machine.
If you need help with your SLEEP APNEA VA claim, SLEEP APNEA increase claim, OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA claim, feel free to complete the free 3-step intake below.
You’ll get an evaluation by a sleep specialist, a Medical Nexus letter for SLEEP APNEA, and documented Symptoms on the SLEEP APNEA DBQ.
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SLEEP APNEA VA Claim Eligibility for Veterans
1. Medical diagnosis of SLEEP APNEA
2. Your SLEEP APNEA was caused or made worse by your active duty military service (“Nexus”)
3. Persistent and reoccurring symptoms of SLEEP APNEA into the present day (severity of symptoms)
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. This is known as obstructive sleep apnea. If the brain does not send the signals needed to breathe, the condition may be called central sleep apnea.
Healthcare providers use sleep studies to diagnose sleep apnea. They record the number of episodes of slow or stopped breathing and the number of central sleep apnea events detected in an hour. They also determine whether oxygen levels in the blood are lower during these events.
Breathing devices such as continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines and lifestyle changes are common sleep apnea treatments. Undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious complications such as heart attack, glaucoma, diabetes, cancer, and cognitive and behavioral disorders.
Types of Sleep Apnea VA Rating?
· Obstructive Sleep Apnea
· Central Sleep Apnea
· Mixed Sleep Apnea
· Other Sleep Disorder
Crucial Tips for Your VA SLEEP APNEA Claim
• Service-connection, is the Nexus clear?
• Pre-existing issues…
• Do you have a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea?
• Have you done a sleep study and do you have the sleep study results?
• Do you require the use of a CPAP machine?
• How severe are your sleep apnea symptoms?
SLEEP APNEA VA Claim Rating Criteria
SLEEP APNEA claims are rated on a scale from 0% to 100%. The level of your symptoms of Sleep Apnea Syndromes 6847 will determine your overall VA rating for Sleep Apnea.
0% Rating Criteria for SLEEP APNEA:
Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing
30% Rating Criteria for SLEEP APNEA:
Persistent day-time hypersomnolence
50% Rating Criteria for SLEEP APNEA:
Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine
100% Rating Criteria for SLEEP APNEA:
Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or; requires tracheostomy
Evidence Requirements for Sleep Apnea Claim
· Sleep study and diagnosis
· In-service stressors for service-connection
· Medical evidence of symptoms
· Medical nexus letter (if needed)
· Statement in Support of a Claim for Sleep Apnea
· Buddy Letter (if needed)
Sleep Study Hack
· Sleep study and at-home test kit
· Registered Polysomnography Sleep Technicians manually scoring your test
· Board Certified Sleep Physician interpreting your test and giving recommendations and diagnosis if applicable
Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD
· Sleep Apnea has been linked to:
- PTSD
- TBI
- Chronic Rhinitis or Sinusitis
- Deviated Septum
- Asthma
- Heart and Lung Conditions
Need Help With Your SLEEP APNEA VA Claim?
We have a full medical staff of sleep study specialists and Sleep Apnea doctors ready and available to assist you with the medical evidence you need to “service-connect” your SLEEP APNEA or obstructive sleep apnea claim.
VA Claims Insider Elite medical consulting program for SLEEP APNEA VA Claim:
FAQ: How to Win Your SLEEP APNEA VA Disability Benefits Claim
Can I get VA disability compensation and benefits for SLEEP APNEA VA Claim? Yes. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay veterans with service-connected SLEEP APNEA monthly compensation.
Is SLEEP APNEA considered a disability? The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes SLEEP APNEA as a disability condition that may be related to service, and SLEEP APNEA is therefore compensable.
What is the disability rating for SLEEP APNEA? The VA will give you a disability rating based upon the severity of your SLEEP APNEA, specifically related to your level of symptoms and if you require the use of a CPAP machine. If you are considered service-connected, you will receive a VA disability rating for Sleep Apnea 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100%.
How much does the VA pay for SLEEP APNEA? If your SLEEP APNEA claim is approved, you may receive up to $3,350.87 per month. That is currently the max that the VA will pay veterans with SLEEP APNEA, if at the 100% rating criteria for SLEEP APNEA. 100% rating for SLEEP APNEA.
Can SLEEP APNEA be permanent? Some veterans may receive a permanent and total rating. If your SLEEP APNEA is not expected to improve, you may obtain the status of permanent disability.
Can the VA reduce your disability rating for SLEEP APNEA? Yes. Unfortunately, sometimes the VA will lower a veteran’s SLEEP APNEA rating. If that happens to you, file an appeal with new and material medical evidence for SLEEP APNEA and challenge the VA’s decision.
How can I get 100% VA disability for SLEEP APNEA? Your SLEEP APNEA must be severe enough to warrant a 100% rating. Many veterans do obtain a 100% rating for SLEEP APNEA using the VA Claims Insider proven proprietary medical consulting process. Get started for free here: www.vaclaimsinsiderelite.com