Sleep Apnea & Tinnitus Ratings Face Major Downgrades in Late 2026
Critical Action Required
If you have sleep apnea or tinnitus (or suspect you do) and have not yet filed a VA disability claim, file NOW before late 2026. The VA has proposed eliminating the automatic 50% sleep apnea rating for CPAP use (most veterans would drop to 0-10%) and removing the standalone 10% tinnitus rating entirely. These changes could affect hundreds of thousands of veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed significant changes to how it rates two of the most common service-connected conditions: obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus. These proposed changes represent the most substantial downgrade to disability ratings in decades and could impact hundreds of thousands of veterans currently receiving or seeking benefits.
What's Changing for Sleep Apnea
Currently, veterans diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea who require a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine automatically receive a 50% disability rating under diagnostic code 6847. This has been the standard rating criterion for years.
The Proposed Changes
Under the new proposed rating criteria, sleep apnea would be rated based on symptom severity and treatment effectiveness rather than the use of a CPAP machine:
- 0% rating: Sleep apnea that is asymptomatic with or without treatment
- 10% rating: Treatment provides only incomplete relief of symptoms
- 30% rating: Treatment cannot be used due to intolerance or medical complications
- 50% rating: Severe symptoms that interfere with normal work or daily activities despite treatment
- 100% rating: Reserved for the most severe cases with life-threatening complications
What This Means in Practice
Most veterans currently receiving 50% for sleep apnea with CPAP use would likely drop to 0% or 10% under the new criteria, since CPAP treatment is generally effective at controlling symptoms. This represents a massive reduction in monthly compensation.
What's Changing for Tinnitus
Currently, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) receives its own standalone 10% disability rating under diagnostic code 6260. It's one of the most common VA disabilities, affecting over 2.8 million veterans.
The Proposed Change
The VA's proposal would eliminate diagnostic code 6260 entirely. Tinnitus would no longer be rated as a standalone condition. Instead, it would only be compensated if it's a symptom of another underlying rated condition such as:
- Hearing loss
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Meniere's disease
- Vestibular disorders
Impact on Veterans
Veterans with tinnitus as their only auditory issue would lose their 10% rating entirely under the proposed changes. This affects hundreds of thousands of veterans who currently receive compensation for tinnitus alone.
Timeline: When Will This Take Effect?
These changes were originally proposed in February 2022 and have been under review for over four years. As of April 2026, the VA has indicated that implementation could happen by late 2026, though nothing is final yet.
Following concerns raised by several veterans service organizations and lawmakers, the VA indicated it would pause implementation while reviewing public comments and stakeholder input. However, delays, modifications, or cancellation are all still possible.
Protection for Current Recipients
Good news: Veterans with existing ratings are typically "grandfathered in" and protected from reductions. These changes are expected to only affect new claims filed after the implementation date. However, this protection is not absolute, and veterans should monitor their ratings carefully.
Why Is the VA Making These Changes?
The VA argues that the current rating criteria don't accurately reflect functional impairment. Their rationale includes:
- For sleep apnea: The VA contends that CPAP use alone shouldn't determine rating level; instead, ratings should reflect the veteran's actual functional impairment with treatment
- For tinnitus: The VA argues that tinnitus is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of an underlying condition, and therefore shouldn't be rated separately
Critics counter that these changes are driven by budget considerations, as the VA faces pressure to reduce spending on disability compensation. The proposed changes would save the VA billions of dollars over the next decade.
What Veterans Should Do NOW
Action Steps
- File immediately if you haven't: If you have sleep apnea or tinnitus and haven't filed a claim, do it NOW before late 2026
- Get diagnosed: If you suspect you have sleep apnea (snoring, daytime fatigue, breathing pauses) or tinnitus (ringing/buzzing in ears), get a diagnosis ASAP
- Document everything: Keep detailed records of symptoms, CPAP usage reports, and how your condition affects daily life
- Consider filing an Intent to File: This preserves your effective date for up to one year while you gather evidence
- Watch for updates: Monitor VA announcements and veteran service organization communications about implementation dates
How to File a Claim
You can file a VA disability claim for sleep apnea or tinnitus in three ways:
- Online: VA.gov using your VA.gov account (fastest method)
- By mail: Download VA Form 21-526EZ and mail to your regional VA office
- With a VSO: Work with an accredited Veterans Service Officer who can help you file for free
Evidence You'll Need
For Sleep Apnea:
- Sleep study results diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea
- Prescription for CPAP or other breathing device
- CPAP compliance reports showing regular use
- Buddy statements describing your symptoms (snoring, fatigue, etc.)
- Nexus letter connecting condition to military service
For Tinnitus:
- Audiologist exam results showing tinnitus
- Medical records documenting the ringing/buzzing
- Buddy statements describing impact on daily life
- Evidence of noise exposure during service (combat, aircraft, explosives, etc.)
- Nexus letter connecting tinnitus to service
Current Ratings Won't Change Automatically
If you currently have a service-connected rating for sleep apnea or tinnitus, your rating should not automatically decrease when these changes take effect. The VA typically grandfathers in existing ratings.
However, if you file for an increase or if the VA proposes a reduction for other reasons, the new criteria could apply. Veterans should be cautious about filing for increases unless clearly warranted.
Need Help Finding Your Diagnostic Codes?
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Search Diagnostic Codes →Bottom Line
The proposed changes to sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings represent the most significant downgrade to VA disability benefits in modern history. While implementation has been delayed and nothing is final, veterans should act with urgency:
- File NOW if you have these conditions but haven't claimed them
- Get diagnosed if you have symptoms but no formal diagnosis
- Gather evidence to support your claim before filing
- Monitor updates from the VA and veteran service organizations
Time is running out. Don't wait until late 2026 when these changes could take effect. File your claim today to lock in the current, more favorable rating criteria.