Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects about 22 million people nationwide. If you are among the former military service members living with sleep apnea, you may be eligible for veterans’ disability compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

We’re seeing veterans coming back from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the southwest Asia theater of war with severe sleep issues, which can oftentimes be linked to PTSD.

This guide will outline the basics of sleep apnea, how the VA disability rating works for this condition, and how qualifying veterans can prove direct service connection as well as sleep apnea as a secondary service connected condition to PTSD.