DC 6847§ 4.97
Sleep apnea syndromesDistinguishes documented asymptomatic disease, persistent daytime symptoms, prescribed breathing assistance, and severe complications.
Official criteriaAll conditionsRespiratory
Sleep Apnea
Sleep-related breathing disruption documented through clinical evaluation and, often, sleep testing.
Regulatory summaries checked against eCFR current through July 9, 2026 · condition-library-2026.07.09 · record 62c5c5d7c718
Overview
Preparation commonly includes the diagnosis, sleep-study results, prescribed treatment, adherence or intolerance, ongoing symptoms, and the history of when symptoms were first observed.
What VA measures
The respiratory schedule addresses sleep apnea syndromes under diagnostic code 6847. The criteria distinguish documented but asymptomatic disease, persistent symptoms, prescribed breathing-assistance treatment, and severe complications.
Documented sleep apnea syndrome
Persistent daytime symptoms
Prescribed breathing-assistance device
Serious respiratory complications
Evidence that may be useful
- Sleep study and diagnosis
- Prescription and device records
- Sleep-medicine treatment notes
- Statements describing snoring, breathing pauses, or daytime effects
- Relevant service and medical history
Helpful documentation habits
- Keep the full sleep-study report
- Record the date and reason treatment was prescribed
- Describe ongoing symptoms with and without treatment
- Document treatment problems with the clinician
Common preparation gaps
- Submitting only proof of owning a device
- Assuming snoring alone establishes a diagnosis
- Leaving out the history between service and formal testing
Diagnostic-code map
A diagnosis or body part can involve more than one code. The applicable code depends on the medical findings and manifestations in the record.