Sleep apnea is one of the most-claimed VA conditions — and one of the most valuable, because a prescribed CPAP machine currently means an automatic 50% rating. But that rule may be changing.
How it's rated (DC 6847)
Sleep apnea is rated under 38 CFR §4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847 ("Sleep Apnea Syndromes"). There are four levels:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Diagnosed by a sleep study but asymptomatic. |
| 30% | Persistent day-time hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness). |
| 50% | Requires use of a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine. |
| 100% | Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requires a tracheostomy. |
⚠️ A proposed change is coming (not yet final)
The VA has proposed rewriting DC 6847 to remove the automatic 50% for CPAP users, shifting to a treatment-effectiveness model: a 50% rating would require ongoing symptoms despite treatment, rather than just using a device. As of 2026 this is still a proposed rule with no effective date, and existing ratings can't be reduced just because the schedule changes. The current CPAP = 50% rule still applies for now.
What it pays in 2026
A 50% rating pays $1,132.90/month for a single veteran in 2026 (more with dependents). That's why the CPAP rating is so significant — and why it combines so meaningfully with your other conditions.
Secondary service connection
Many sleep apnea claims are granted as secondary conditions — caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability. Common theories include sleep apnea secondary to weight gain from a service-connected condition, to PTSD, or to a respiratory or sinus condition. A medical nexus opinion linking the two is usually the key piece of evidence.
How it combines
Through VA math, a 50% sleep apnea rating combined with, say, a 50% PTSD rating doesn't make 100% — it combines to 75, which rounds to 80%. Knowing how your conditions stack is the only way to predict your real rating.