Sleep Apnea (DC 6847) | Claim Compass

All forms of sleep apnea, obstructive, central, or mixed, are rated under this single diagnostic code, based on symptom severity and whether treatment with a breathing assistance device is required.

Common Filing Mistake

A pending, not-yet-final proposed rule (first published 2022, revised 2024) would remove the automatic 50% for CPAP use and tie the rating to treatment effectiveness instead, potentially dropping many veterans from 50% to 10%. As of this writing no final rule or effective date has been issued, sleep apnea is still rated under the criteria below, but this is worth watching, filing sooner rather than later may matter if you haven't yet claimed it. Bring CPAP compliance data and a copy of the prescription, the rating turns heavily on documented device use, not just diagnosis.

Diagnostic Codes

DC 6847Sleep apnea syndromes (obstructive, central, mixed)

Rating Criteria

Rating	Criteria
100%	Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy
50%	Requires use of a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine
30%	Persistent daytime hypersomnolence
0%	Asymptomatic, but with documented sleep disorder breathing

Special Rules

Ratings under the respiratory diagnostic codes (DC 6600–6817 and 6822–6847) generally cannot be combined with each other, a single rating is assigned under whichever code reflects the predominant disability (38 CFR § 4.96(a)).
A sleep study (polysomnography) confirming diagnosis and severity is generally required, the VA rarely grants this condition on lay evidence alone.

Sourced from 38 CFR §§ 4.71a / 4.130. This is a reference aid, not a rating decision, your actual rating depends on the medical evidence in your specific case and your C&P exam findings. Rules can be amended, verify current text at eCFR.gov or with an accredited VSO before relying on this for a specific claim.