Respiratory

Sleep Apnea C&P Exam Guide

Associated DBQ Form: DBQ Sleep Apnea

What to Expect During Your Exam

The sleep apnea C&P exam is usually brief (15-30 minutes) since the condition is primarily diagnosed through sleep studies. The examiner will review your sleep study results and ask about your treatment.

The exam focuses on:
1. Confirming your diagnosis through sleep study records
2. Determining if you use a CPAP or other breathing device
3. Assessing how well treatment is working
4. Establishing the connection to your military service

Questions the Examiner May Ask

  • 1 When were you diagnosed with sleep apnea?
  • 2 Have you had a sleep study? What were the results?
  • 3 Do you use a CPAP machine?
  • 4 How many hours per night do you use the CPAP?
  • 5 Do you still experience daytime sleepiness despite treatment?
  • 6 How does sleep apnea affect your daily energy levels?
  • 7 When did you first notice symptoms (snoring, gasping, fatigue)?
  • 8 Did you have sleep problems during military service?
  • 9 Has your weight changed since military service?

Documentation to Bring

  • Sleep study (polysomnography) results showing AHI score
  • CPAP prescription and compliance records
  • Service treatment records mentioning sleep issues or fatigue
  • Buddy statements about snoring or breathing issues during service
  • Any in-service documentation of sleep problems
  • Current treatment records

How to Prepare

Before your exam:

1. **Get your sleep study results** - Know your AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) score

2. **Bring CPAP compliance data** - Most modern CPAPs track usage; bring a printout

3. **Document service connection** - Gather evidence of in-service symptoms or onset

4. **Note ongoing symptoms** - Even with CPAP, do you still have fatigue or other symptoms?

5. **Get buddy statements** - Fellow service members who noticed snoring or witnessed apnea episodes

Helpful Tips

- Bring your sleep study results - this is the key evidence
- Know your AHI score (number of apneas per hour)
- If you use CPAP, demonstrate consistent usage (compliance data)
- Mention if you still have symptoms despite CPAP use
- Explain how you first noticed symptoms during or after service
- Buddy statements about snoring during service are very helpful
- If you gained weight in service, document that connection

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Not having a sleep study on record
- Inconsistent CPAP usage (affects rating)
- Claiming to use CPAP when compliance data shows otherwise
- No evidence connecting sleep apnea to service

How VA Rates This Condition

Sleep Apnea is rated under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847:

**0%** - Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing

**30%** - Persistent daytime hypersomnolence (excessive sleepiness)

**50%** - Requires use of a breathing assistance device such as CPAP

**100%** - Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention, cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy

**Key point:** If you use a CPAP machine as prescribed, you qualify for at least 50%.