Diagnostic Code 6847: Sleep Apnea Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.97
- Rating range
- 0% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Respiratory system
The VA rates Sleep Apnea under diagnostic code 6847 in 38 CFR § 4.97. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 6847 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing What raters look fordocumented sleep disorder breathing; asymptomatic |
| 30% | Persistent day-time hypersomnolence What raters look forpersistent day-time hypersomnolence |
| 50% | Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine What raters look forbreathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine is required for the condition |
| 100% | Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy What raters look forchronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention; cor pulmonale; tracheostomy required |
DC 6847 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 1,307 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 6847 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 21.7%, denied 73.5% and sent 4.9% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 6847 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Sleep Apnea. The Sleep Apnea condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Sleep Apnea appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 45,237 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Sleep Apnea, 2021 to 2026. The Sleep Apnea condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Sleep Apnea appeals generally rather than DC 6847 specifically. The DC 6847 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 6847?
Diagnostic code 6847 is the VA rating schedule entry for Sleep Apnea, found in 38 CFR § 4.97. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 6847?
DC 6847 provides ratings of 0%, 30%, 50%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 6847 require?
The 100% rating for Sleep Apnea requires: Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 6847?
In 1,298 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 6847 from 2021 to 2026, 21.4% were granted, 73.7% denied and 4.9% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
Free help filing a claim
An accredited veterans service officer (VSO) can file your claim and represent you at no cost. Find a VSO office near you, with phone numbers and addresses in all 50 states and DC.