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Sleep Apnea VA Rating: Can you lose your sleep apnea VA rating?

For veterans who have sleep apnea connected to their military service, it's important to stay informed about the VA's periodic re-examinations

Sleep apnea is a common disability affecting veterans, but many are concerned about whether they can lose their VA rating for it.

While the VA generally won't take away your rating once it's established, there are certain conditions under which your rating could be reduced. This primarily depends on the outcome of periodic re-examinations and whether your symptoms have improved over time.

How the VA re-Evaluates sleep apnea ratings
After veterans receive their initial Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, the VA often re-examines conditions like sleep apnea every 2 to 5 years.

These re-evaluations help the VA determine if there has been any significant improvement in the veteran's condition.

For instance, if you were diagnosed and rated for sleep apnea in 2020, you could be due for a re-examination soon.

If your symptoms have decreased significantly or your sleep apnea has improved, the VA may lower your disability rating.

However, there are some protections in place:

Five-Year Rule: If your rating has been in effect for five years, it can't be reduced unless your condition shows sustained improvement.
Ten-Year Rule: After 10 years, your rating cannot be completely eliminated unless fraud is proven.
Twenty-Year Rule: Once your rating has been active for 20 years, it cannot be reduced below its lowest level during that time unless fraud is proven.

Why your sleep apnea rating might change
Your VA rating could decrease if your symptoms improve, which may reduce the need for treatments like CPAP machine maintenance or medical care.

If your condition has remained stable, the re-examination should result in your rating staying the same.

That said, if your sleep apnea is still severe and you're using a CPAP machine, your rating should not be reduced.

Under the current rating system, veterans who require CPAP therapy generally receive a 50% disability rating.

The VA does have plans to change the rating system, but these updates will not affect veterans who already have an established rating.

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