Understanding Insomnia VA Rating Percentages

Losing sleep is common for veterans. From nightmares to chronic pain, there are countless factors that could lead to your sleep being disrupted. The inability to get a good night’s rest can lead to additional health issues and reduced quality of life. A successful claim through the VA could provide you with benefits for your insomnia.

Filing a claim for VA disability is never guaranteed to be successful. You will need strong evidence on your side, and even then, your initial claim could be denied. The good news is that you have the right to appeal a denied claim. Let the team at Gang & Associates advise you on your insomnia VA rating.

Understanding Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the most common types of sleep disorders faced by veterans. This condition involves difficulty falling or staying asleep, even when an individual has ample opportunity for rest. The inability to sleep can have a detrimental impact on every aspect of your health, including your energy level, mood, and general quality of life. Many people find it difficult to maintain employment when they struggle to get a good night’s rest.

There are two different types of insomnia: acute and chronic. Acute insomnia is a short-term condition that generally lasts less than one month. Chronic insomnia is an ongoing problem that can last for months or even years.

The symptoms of insomnia are all related to disrupted sleep. Some of the most common examples include difficulty falling asleep at night, waking in the middle of the night, fatigue during the day, or waking up early and failing to fall back asleep.

Qualifying for Insomnia Benefits Through the VA

In order for you to get VA benefits for your insomnia, you will need to have a formal diagnosis. A medical expert can diagnose this condition in a number of ways. While some doctors rely on physical examinations, this option usually focuses on the potential underlying cause. One of the best ways to obtain a formal diagnosis is through a sleep study. This involves spending the night at a clinic and allowing a medical professional to monitor your sleep.

In addition to having a diagnosis, your claim for benefits also requires a service-related connection. The VA will only pay benefits for a condition that was caused or worsened by an event that occurred during your service. While it can be difficult to develop a direct link from an event in your service to your sleep disruption, many successful claims involve a secondary service-related connection.

A secondary service-related connection means that you can link your insomnia to a different disability that has already been connected to your time in the military. For example, if you have previously been rated by the VA for lower back pain, you could be entitled to additional benefits if you can link your insomnia to your chronic pain.

How Does the VA Rate Insomnia?

Insomnia may be common among veterans, but it is not typically rated as highly as certain other conditions. In fact, the VA does not provide insomnia with its own diagnostic code. While it is possible to reach a 100 percent rating with your insomnia VA rating, this outcome is uncommon. More often than not, it is rated as a secondary connection along with some other condition.

 When the VA rates a disability, they do so on a scale from zero to 100. A rating of 100 is considered a total disability, which qualifies you for the maximum benefits available. As your rating goes down, the number of benefits you are entitled to recover also decreases.

•  0% Rating. If you are rated at zero percent for insomnia, it means the VA recognizes your diagnosis, but you are not eligible for compensation. This is generally the case when the VA finds your insomnia is not severely impacting your quality of life.
• 10% Rating. This rating is reserved for veterans who are living with insomnia but who also see their symptoms come and go. In general, they are able to function in all but the most stressful of times. Limited benefits are available with a 10 percent rating.
• 30% Rating. At 30 percent, a veteran is experiencing issues that are impacting their quality of life. At times, their insomnia makes it impossible to work. Many veterans at this level experience mild memory loss as well.
• 50% Rating. Veterans with insomnia rated at 50 percent experience major disruptions in their personal and professional lives. They find their judgment impaired to the point it can dramatically reduce their productivity at work. This level of insomnia can also hamper a person’s relationships.
• 70% Rating. Once a person reaches a 70 percent rating, their disrupted sleep has significantly impacted their ability for social interaction or employment. The chronic inability to sleep typically results in depression and can lead to other serious issues as well.
• 100% Rating. Once a veteran reaches a 100 percent rating for their insomnia, they are completely unable to hold down a job and are severely limited in their capacity for social interactions. A person with a 100 percent rating is unable to work or care for themselves without help. This rating qualifies a veteran for the maximum benefits allowed.

Seek Assistance with Your Insomnia Appeal – Call Gang & Associates Today

If you are suffering from insomnia, it is possible that another of your service-related conditions is to blame. You could be entitled to benefits through the VA by establishing that your insomnia is connected to your service.

The attorneys of Gang & Associates are ready to answer your questions about the process. If your claim has been denied, our attorneys can work to make things right. Contact us right away to discuss your insomnia VA claim (also called your insomnia VA rating) during a free consultation. Call: 888-878-9350.