![]() ![]() The current criteria evaluate based upon treatment rather than actual impairment. VA proposes to extensively revise the rating criteria for sleep apnea to primarily provide compensation that is more compatible with earning impairment than the current criteria. Such measurements can evaluate the effectiveness of treatment intervention or lifestyle modifications such as weight loss. Additional findings supporting a diagnosis of sleep apnea include oxygen desaturation greater than 4 percent and/or a reduction in airflow below 70 percent. Berry, Fundamentals of Sleep Medicine 238 (2012). Sleep apnea may be defined as complaints of unintentional sleep episodes and/or awakenings and/or snoring associated with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) equal to or greater than 5 per hour or, alternatively, an asymptomatic patient with an AHI greater than 15 per hour. ![]() The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), founded since then, conducted in-depth, peer-reviewed research in conjunction with its partners to develop scientifically-refined criteria regarding the definition, measurement, and treatment of sleep apnea. The discipline of sleep medicine has greatly evolved since VA published the existing criteria. VA also proposes to modernize the rating criteria for DC 6847, “Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed)” and retitle that DC as “Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, or Mixed)”. Here is an excerpt related to sleep apnea: You can view that here:įederal Register :: Schedule for Rating Disabilities-Ear, Nose, Throat, and Audiology Disabilities Special Provisions Regarding Evaluation of Respiratory Conditions Schedule for Rating Disabilities-Respiratory System There are also dramatic changes proposed for sleep apnea (which sadly may have the unintended consequence of incentivizing noncompliance with a treatment that can be hard to adjust to and comply with at first, i.e. Here is a nice summary article: VA to Overhaul Disability Evaluations for Mental Health, Other Conditions: VA to Overhaul Disability Evaluations for Mental Health, Other Conditions ()įor example, there is a dramatic overhaul proposed for psych conditions you can view that here:įederal Register :: Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Mental Disorders The VA has proposed substantial changes to how they rate some disabilities. In addition, anyone who had C&P exams with DBQ forms under the old system will likely not be able to get rated under the new system since the information needed to be rated simply won’t be available in the medical record (and many of the proposals below pretty much guarantee that a C&P exam will be needed on every case). Likewise, there will need to be training for raters. At least in some instances they’ll need to train C&P examiners to use the system since the changes are pretty dramatic. The VA will need to implement new DBQ forms. In addition, we don’t know when these will be effective but there will likely be some time before they are. Please note: These are just proposed changes for public comment and the actual changes that get implemented may not look like this. ![]()
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