Sleep apnea is one of the most valuable claims in the VA system by dollar impact per claim. Obstructive sleep apnea requiring use of a CPAP machine is rated at 50% — which in 2026 means $1,075.16/month for a veteran with no dependents. It’s frequently secondary to PTSD, TBI, or obesity secondary to a service-connected condition. If you haven’t filed this claim and you have a CPAP machine or an undiagnosed sleep problem, read this carefully.
The rating schedule for sleep apnea
0%: Asymptomatic but documented sleep apnea. 30%: Persistent daytime hypersomnolence (excessive sleepiness). 50%: Requires use of a breathing device (CPAP, BiPAP). 100%: Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention, cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy. For most veterans, the 50% CPAP rating is the target. The difference between 30% and 50% is the CPAP prescription — get the sleep study, get diagnosed, and if CPAP is prescribed, your rating is 50%.
Primary service connection: was it in service?
Sleep apnea can be directly service-connected if you have documented sleep problems during service — sick call records, sleep complaints in medical notes, or diagnosis during service. This is less common but worth checking your records. For many veterans, there’s no in-service diagnosis because sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed for years.
Secondary service connection: the stronger path for most veterans
Sleep apnea is strongly linked to PTSD, TBI, and obesity. The nexus between PTSD and sleep apnea is well-supported in peer-reviewed literature — hyperarousal from PTSD disrupts normal sleep architecture and is associated with obstructive sleep apnea development. TBI is similarly linked. Obesity secondary to a service-connected condition (e.g., a spinal injury that limits exercise, medication weight gain from service-connected mental health treatment) can also form the nexus chain. The secondary pathway requires: (1) your service-connected condition is documented; (2) a medical nexus letter linking the primary condition to sleep apnea development; and (3) a current diagnosis of sleep apnea (get the sleep study).
Getting the sleep study
VA will provide a sleep study through VA Healthcare if you’re enrolled. Request a referral from your VA primary care provider — tell them you’re having symptoms (excessive daytime sleepiness, partner reporting you stop breathing, waking with headaches, unrefreshing sleep). If you don’t have VA Healthcare, an in-home sleep study through a private provider is typically covered by most insurance. A positive result opens the path to CPAP prescription, diagnosis documentation, and a 50% secondary claim.