Obstructive Sleep Apnea

DC 6847Respiratory38 CFR 4.97, DC 6847

A condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The VA rates sleep apnea primarily based on what treatment you require — the key threshold is whether you use a CPAP machine.

Proposed Sleep Apnea Rating Changes

The VA has proposed significant changes to sleep apnea ratings (SNPRM, Sep 2024). Key changes: CPAP use would no longer automatically qualify for 50%, the 30% level may drop to 10%, and ratings would shift focus to functional impact rather than treatment type. This is a proposed rule and has not taken effect.

View proposed rule →

Rating Levels

Your sleep apnea causes chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention, cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure), or requires a tracheostomy.

What the VA looks for

Chronic respiratory failure documented
Carbon dioxide retention on blood gas testing
Cor pulmonale (right heart failure) diagnosis
Tracheostomy in place

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not having a current sleep study (polysomnography) — a diagnosis alone may not be enough if the study is old.
⚠Not documenting CPAP use — the VA may require evidence of ongoing CPAP compliance.
⚠Struggling to establish nexus for secondary sleep apnea — PTSD and obesity are common pathways but require strong medical opinions.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions caused by sleep apnea: hypertension, depression, cognitive impairment.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Sleep Apnea

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…