A nexus letter is a medical opinion written by a licensed healthcare professional that connects your sleep apnea to your military service or another service-connected condition. It’s a critical piece of evidence that can significantly strengthen your VA disability claim—especially when trying to prove secondary service connection (e.g., to PTSD, chronic pain, or sinusitis).

 Yes. Many veterans aren't diagnosed with sleep apnea until years after separation, but symptoms like loud snoring, fatigue, or difficulty breathing during sleep may have been present during service. A well-written nexus letter can explain how your sleep apnea is connected to service or aggravated by another service-connected condition. 

Sleep apnea can be caused or worsened by several service-connected conditions, including:

• PTSD
   
• Depression and anxiety
   
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain
   
• Weight gain due to injury or medication
   
• Rhinitis and sinusitis
   
• A nexus letter outlines the medical rationale for this connection.

 Once we receive all your documentation and you complete the intake questionnaires, your nexus letter is typically ready within 7–14 business days. Rush service is available upon request. 

 Absolutely. You’ll receive a draft version of your nexus letter to review. You can request edits to ensure it accurately reflects your medical history and service experience.

 Yes. Whether you’re filing an initial claim or responding to a VA denial, a nexus letter can provide the medical support needed to help move your case forward. 

  Yes. Our nexus letters are written in compliance with VA standards and include evidence-based rationale, references to relevant medical literature, and use the required legal phrasing such as “at least as likely as not.” 

The answer is NO!

If you’re a military veteran seeking service connection or an increased rating for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), you may have heard rumors that the VA rating criteria was going to change in May 2025. Understandably, this has caused a wave of concern for veterans currently navigating the claims process.

As of May 2025, the VA has NOT changed the rating schedule for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. While proposed changes were circulated earlier this year, no final ruling has been implemented, and the current criteria remain in effect.

However, there is credible speculation that these changes could take effect as early as Fall 2025. This makes the coming months a critical window for veterans who are preparing or considering a claim related to sleep apnea.

• 0% – Diagnosed OSA with no symptoms or treatment required
   
• 30% – Persistent daytime sleepiness despite treatment
   
• 50% – Requires use of a CPAP or other breathing assistance device
   
• 100% – Chronic respiratory failure or other severe complications
   

• 0% – No symptoms or treatment required
   
• 10% – Requires CPAP or other breathing assistance device, with significant daytime sleepiness or other functional impairment
   
• 50% – CPAP/assistive device required, but treatment is ineffective or cannot be used due to another medical condition
   
• 100% – Chronic respiratory failure or severe complications
   

• The 30% rating for persistent daytime sleepiness (even with treatment) is eliminated
   
• The 50% rating now has a higher threshold, requiring ineffective or medically contraindicated CPAP use
   
• A new 10% rating is added, but it may provide significantly lower compensation than many veterans currently receive under the existing 50% or 30% categories
   

If you're a veteran with OSA symptoms or a diagnosis, especially if you use a CPAP or related device, it is strongly recommended that you file or increase your claim before any regulatory changes take effect. The proposed revisions are likely to make it more difficult to qualify for the 30% or 50% ratings that many veterans currently receive.

At Brightview Psychiatry Solutions, we specialize in writing high-quality, evidence-based nexus letters for veterans with service-connected conditions, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD, weight gain from medication, or other service-related factors.

🗓️ Book your FREE phone consultation today to discuss your case and secure your VA rating before potential changes occur later this year:
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If you have questions about how your mental health, medication, or service-related conditions may be linked to your OSA, we’re here to help you navigate the process with confidence and clinical support.

Don’t wait—this window of opportunity may close soon.