Veterans Disability for Insomnia

Although the VA does not formally recognize insomnia as a separate disability, veterans experiencing symptoms of this sleep disorder may be able to collect VA benefits if it is related to one of their service-connected conditions.

Summary

• Insomnia can severely impact veterans’ health, leading to chronic physical and mental conditions like diabetes, heart disease, depression, and anxiety.
• The VA does not list insomnia directly, but veterans can claim it under the general mental disorders rating schedule. Ratings range from 0% to 100%, based on how significantly insomnia symptoms affect work and social functioning.
• Military service-related stressors like combat, PTSD, and injuries are common causes of insomnia in veterans.
• Veterans must provide medical evidence connecting insomnia to their military service to qualify for VA disability benefits.
• If denied, veterans can file appeals through options like Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, or the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, with legal assistance from experts like VetLaw.

Many veterans suffering from insomnia are kept awake by chronic pain, uncontrolled anxiety, and other disruptive symptoms of service-connected disabilities. The ripple effect of this sleep disorder can negatively impact a veteran’s health, relationships, and employability.

Find the legal support you’ve been looking for with VetLaw. Our veteran disability claim lawyers are capable, attentive, and ready to go to work for you. You can reach us about scheduling a free consultation by calling (855) 525-1710 or filling out a contact form today.

Understanding What is an Insomnia VA Rating

If you struggle with insomnia, you understand the damaging impact this sleep disorder can have on your quality of life. When your sleep is not restful, your ability to work and spend time with family and friends can suffer.

You may feel constantly tired or irritable as a result, which can leave you feeling frustrated and unsure of where to turn for help. Veterans who experience insomnia may be eligible for VA disability benefits. At VetLaw, we work closely with veterans to secure benefits as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Our goal is to ensure that their rights and interests are protected at every step of the process. To learn more about how we can increase your insomnia VA rating and help you obtain insomnia VA disability benefits, consider connecting with us today.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects a person’s ability to fall and/or stay asleep. This disorder can cause disruptions and impairments during the daytime due to a lack of restful sleep at night. Insomnia can be either short-term or chronic and impacts roughly 10% of the world’s population.

For some individuals, insomnia is the primary condition, while for others insomnia develops in conjunction with other health issues like asthma, depression, or chronic pain, for instance. Insomnia affects everyone differently, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of insomnia include:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Inability to stay asleep throughout the night
• Waking up too early
• Feeling unrested after a night of sleep
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Irritability, anxiety, and mood disruptions
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory issues
• Slowed thought processes

Experts are not certain why insomnia occurs. However, some factors that can contribute to the development of this sleep disorder include genetics, underlying chronic medical conditions, habits and routines, and life changes.

What Are the Long-Term Health Effects of Insomnia for Veterans?

Sleep disorders like insomnia take a psychological and physical toll on many veterans. Beyond obvious drowsiness and focus issues, missing out on quality sleep due to insomnia causes cumulative damage. Over time, veterans with untreated insomnia often face a higher risk of chronic mental and physical health conditions.

How Poor Sleep Can Harm Veterans’ Health

Weakens the immune system: The body uses sleep as an opportunity to repair itself, so if a veteran is not getting enough sleep, their immune system’s inflammatory response is deprived of the chance to properly heal injuries or defend the body against illnesses.

Additionally, veterans may be more susceptible to illnesses and infections because they aren’t sleeping enough to develop sufficient adaptive immunity.

Disrupts the process of breaking down sugar: Getting less sleep than is healthy limits the body’s ability to absorb glucose. Consequently, veterans with insomnia may have high blood sugar levels, which can become diabetes.

Alters mood: Veterans suffering from insomnia often find themselves experiencing feelings of sadness, apathy, or excessive worry, and becoming more easily agitated. When these symptoms last for an extended period of time and interfere with daily life, they can become conditions like depression and anxiety.

Strains the heart: Insomnia is associated with elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, likely caused by factors such as hormone imbalance. High blood pressure then creates a greater risk of heart attacks.

Produces elevated levels of hunger and stress hormones: Sleep deprivation can trigger the release of hormones that increase appetite, potentially leading a veteran to over-consume and develop obesity.

Additionally, studies suggest that insomnia is related to higher cortisol output. Cortisol, a stress hormone, can interfere with melatonin, a hormone that encourages sleep.

Does the VA Consider Insomnia to Be a Disability?

While insomnia can have a major negative impact on a person’s life, the VA does not directly list insomnia in the Schedule of Ratings. Nonetheless, it is still possible to receive VA disability benefits for insomnia by receiving an insomnia VA rating under the Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders.

Or, veterans can list insomnia as a secondary component of a different medical condition. Whether you claim insomnia as a primary or secondary condition, you must be able to provide a medical diagnosis of the disorder.

Additionally, you need evidence that the insomnia diagnosis is connected to your time in the military. A wide range of evidence can be used to make this connection, known as a medical nexus, including medical records, statements of support, a C&P exam, and/or expert opinions.

How Can Serving in the Military Contribute to Insomnia?

Insomnia greatly impacts those who served in the military. Service-related stressors like combat exposure, serious injuries, and military sexual trauma may all contribute to insomnia.

Moreover, insomnia is commonly linked to other underlying mental conditions, such as PTSD and anxiety. Physical conditions, such as tinnitus, are also correlated with insomnia. All of these health issues are highly prevalent among veterans and military personnel.

What Is the VA Rating for Insomnia?

In order to secure insomnia VA disability benefits, you must receive a disability rating of over 0%. As mentioned, insomnia is categorized under the Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders (38 CFR § 4.130). According to the criteria set forth in this schedule, a veteran’s insomnia VA rating will be assigned based on the severity of their symptoms.

Rating Insomnia Under the VA Criteria for Mental Conditions

Below is a breakdown of the VA’s rating scale for insomnia:

• 0 percent if insomnia has been diagnosed but the symptoms of the condition do not interfere with the veteran’s work and social functioning.
• 10 percent if the symptoms of the insomnia are mild or transient and only occasionally impact the veteran’s work and social functioning.
• 30 percent in cases where symptoms lead to impairment in a veteran’s work and social functioning, and cause an occasional decrease in productivity and ability to perform daily tasks.
• 50 percent if the veteran experiences impairment in work and social settings as well as reduced reliability and productivity. If symptoms such as panic attacks, difficulty understanding commands, memory issues, or disturbances in mood are present, this rating may be appropriate.
• 70 percent if the veteran struggles with impairments in work and social settings as well as deficiencies across most areas of life. This disability rating is characterized by symptoms like suicidal ideation, continuous panic or depression, impulse control, and neglect of personal hygiene, for example.
• 100 percent rating for veterans who are totally impaired in their work and social functioning due to symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations, danger of hurting oneself or others, disorientation, and/or inability to perform everyday tasks.

If your insomnia is listed as a secondary condition, your insomnia VA disability claim will be evaluated separately. Then, you will be assigned a separate disability rating aside from your primary condition. This is a common strategy for veterans who suffer from PTSD, back pain, tinnitus, and anxiety or depression, for instance.

The two separate disability ratings will then be combined to determine your total VA disability rating. Your combines rating accounts for your primary condition as well as insomnia as a secondary service-connected condition.

What Can You Do If Your VA Claim for Insomnia Is Denied?

If your insomnia VA claim is denied, you may continue your case using one of the three VA appeal options. Your choices include:

• Supplemental Claim
• Higher-Level Review
• Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Your attorney will review your case to determine which appeal option is right for you. The right strategy can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim. Keep in mind it will vary depending on the unique circumstances of your case.

If you were denied benefits due to lack of evidence, for example, filing a Supplemental Claim may be beneficial.

A Higher-Level Review, on the other hand, may be well suited for claims that were denied due to a processor’s error or because of a reviewer’s bias.

Finally, if a hearing would be the most advantageous in your situation, appealing through the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) might be the right option.

How Can a VetLaw Attorney Help You with Your Insomnia Denial?

An insomnia veteran disability claim presents challenges for many former service members, as it doesn’t have its own Rating Schedule. This can make it more difficult to demonstrate you meet the diagnostic criteria for VA disability compensation.

However, our team at VetLaw has handled many such cases and we are prepared to address any obstacles head-on. With years of experience helping guide veterans and their families in securing VA disability benefits, we are confident in our ability to win your case.

Whether you need support in filing an insomnia VA disability claim, increasing your insomnia VA rating, or appealing a denied claim, our team of experienced veteran disability appeals attorneys can help. Consider scheduling your free case review with VetLaw today to get started.

Take Charge of Your Veteran Disability Insomnia Claim With the Support of VetLaw

When you are struggling to secure veterans disability compensation, the wise choice is to let the experts take the lead. In the case of VA disability claims for insomnia, VetLaw is the team you need to face the VA. We will work relentlessly to obtain the veterans disability benefits you deserve.

Reach out to us by calling (855) 525-1710 or filling out a contact form today. Our team will assist you with scheduling a free consultation where you can discuss your VA disability claim for insomnia with one of our VA-accredited attorneys.