Sleep Disorders
Sleep Disorders in Veterans
Many people suffer from various levels of sleep disorders, which is the collective term applied to conditions such as insomnia, hypersomnia, sleep apnea, and many conditions that lead to feelings of fatigue and other health issues. For most people, sleep disorders are treatable and represent a manageable condition that can be improved with better lifestyle choices. However, for veterans, particularly those suffering from PTSD, sleep disorders may be more than a minor inconvenience.
A recent study examined the prevalence of sleep disorders among veterans seeking treatment through VA medical facilities during the years 2012 to 2018. Between these years, the prevalence of sleep disorder diagnoses increased exponentially. Specifically:
- Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) increased from 5.5 percent to 22.2 percent.
- Insomnia increased from 7.4 percent to 11.8 percent.
- The number of veterans seeking sleep medicine services increased from less than 250,000 to more than 720,000.
Many of the veterans who seek help for sleep disorders also present with other health issues, including congestive heart failure, depression, PTSD, diabetes, obesity and traumatic brain injuries.
What Types of Sleep Disorders Are Diagnosed by the VA?
The VA recognizes three major categories of sleep disorders:
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when the soft palate, or the back part of the throat, relaxes and blocks the airway during sleep. This can cause repeated episodes in which the sleeper stops breathing, causing the body to wake up and struggle for air. This can happen hundreds of times per night. Sleep apnea is considered by the VA to be a physical condition, however there is a type of sleep apnea known as centralized sleep apnea, which has a neurological etiology.
The VA offers three possible disability ratings for sleep apnea:
- Chronic respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy–100%
- Requiring use of CPAP or breathing assistance device–50%
- Persistent daytime sleepiness–30%
Insomnia
Insomnia is a general term applied to any event in which a person has trouble falling asleep or has difficulty remaining asleep. Many things can lead to insomnia, but most people have very infrequent or short-term cases. People who have a chronic version of the condition may suffer from long-term sleep deprivation and significant health issues as a result. There are no specific disability ratings for insomnia, but it is evaluated under general mental health disorders.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that causes sudden events of falling asleep or causes the patient to have difficulty staying awake, even during the daytime. Many narcolepsy patients will fall asleep at work, during conversations, or even while driving. Others have trouble focusing or exist with a general feeling of “fogginess.” Some even experience hallucinations or paralysis.
The VA recognizes six disability levels for narcolepsy, ranging from a 10% evaluation up to 100%.
Sleep Disorders and VA Disability Ratings
Because of the tremendous evidence of negative health effects caused by sleep disorders, and the mountain of recent research backing up the importance of sleep in all aspects of good health, it is important to be able to recognize the condition and what is causing it. This means that it is possible to apply for a disability rating based on the demonstrable health effects of certain diagnosed sleep conditions, in many cases as a secondary condition to a service-connected disability.
However, as with all disability claims, there are numerous issues to deal with, and a rejection of your claim is always possible. It is critical that you have the right documentation and a plan in order to be successful in your VA disability claim for health issues related to a sleep disorder.