Common symptoms
- ▸Loud snoring
- ▸Witnessed pauses in breathing
- ▸Daytime fatigue, falling asleep at the wheel
- ▸Morning headaches
- ▸Dry mouth on waking
Common evidence
- ▸Sleep study (polysomnogram) confirming OSA
- ▸CPAP prescription
- ▸Lay statement from spouse re: snoring in service
- ▸Service medical records noting fatigue / snoring complaints
Primary service connection examples
- ▸Documented snoring in service
- ▸In-service sleep study or referral
- ▸Buddy statement from barracks-mate
Secondary service connection examples
- ▸Secondary to PTSD
- ▸Secondary to allergic rhinitis
- ▸Secondary to service-connected weight gain
- ▸Secondary to deviated septum
Rating basics
0% (asymptomatic), 30% (persistent daytime hypersomnolence), 50% (requires CPAP), 100% (chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale).
Common denial reasons
- ✕No sleep study
- ✕Diagnosis years after service with no in-service evidence
- ✕No nexus opinion linking to service or to a service-connected condition