Sleep apnea can seriously affect your daily life. If it makes it hard to work or focus, you might wonder if it qualifies for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. The answer depends on how the condition affects your ability to function.
Understanding how SSD reviews sleep apnea
SSD doesn’t list sleep apnea as a condition on its own. Instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) looks at the complications caused by it. For example, if your sleep apnea leads to heart problems, mental impairments, or chronic fatigue, those effects matter more than the diagnosis alone.
To qualify, your medical records must show how sleep apnea limits your physical or mental ability to work. This includes test results, doctor notes, and any treatments you’ve tried. A sleep study, showing severe disruption, also helps support your claim.
Common complications that support claims
Sleep apnea often causes other conditions that strengthen your SSD claim. These include high blood pressure, depression, memory problems, and daytime sleepiness. If your symptoms make it hard to stay awake, follow directions, or complete tasks, they could show you’re unable to work full-time.
People with severe obstructive sleep apnea may also suffer from heart disease or strokes. If doctors have warned you not to drive or operate machinery due to your condition, that adds support to your case.
How treatment affects your application
The SSA checks whether you’ve followed treatment plans. If you were prescribed a CPAP machine, you need to show you use it regularly. If treatment doesn’t improve your condition, that’s important to include. On the other hand, if your condition improves with treatment, that may weaken your claim.
Sleep apnea alone may not get your SSD claim approved, but the full picture matters. Strong medical records and proof of serious complications are key. Focus on how your illness affects your work, not just your diagnosis.
