The VA’s proposed changes to their disability rating schedules are misguided and not evidence based. I am a psychologist with an extensive history of working on disability claims. While the current VA rating schedules are not perfect, I disagree with the proposals that the VA made to change these rating schedules. The VA’s proposals are actually worse than what we have now (as of September 2025 when I last edited this page).
As of the last update of this page 9/2025, no final rules or effective date for the 2022 proposed rating changes have appeared in the Federal Register. That means we really don’t know for sure if any changes will happen or what they will look like. We just must stay tuned (it also of course means there is still time to have your case looked at under the current VA disability rating schedule).
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Watch Dr. Finnerty discuss his opinions related to the VA’s 2022 proposed changes to the sleep apnea rating and the VA’s mental disorders rating schedule on YouTube:
The Department of Veterans Affairs proposed disability rating changes are flawed. The VA needs to go back to the drawing board. You can read my full public comments here:
- Dr. Finnerty’s public comments on the VA’s proposed mental disorders changes
- Dr. Finnerty’s public comments on the VA’s proposed sleep apnea changes
- More public comments from Dr. Finnerty (particularly related to secondary conditions) – Nexus Letters from a Psychologist
Dr. Finnerty wrote a book to help answer your questions on Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD and other mental health conditions. You can purchase it or read it for free with a free trial of Kindle Unlimited at Amazon. The book is Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD: Nexus letters for Veterans’ VA disability claims.
Dr. Finnerty does not personally make sleep apnea diagnoses nor does he refer for sleep studies or home sleep apnea tests (HSAT). You can get a referral from your primary care provider to then see a sleep specialist to order a home sleep study (you need a sleep study/ home sleep apnea test to get a sleep apnea diagnosis), or you can go ahead and get one online from a telehealth provider:
Here is a link to online providers of home sleep apnea tests/ home sleep studies
If you feel like you may have sleep apnea there is no reason to wait to find out if you have it. You can even do a home sleep apnea test where you take the test with a device you use in your own bed at home.
Need a nexus letter or a psychological evaluation for a disability case?
Here is Step 1 to get your nexus letter and/or DBQ from Dr. Finnerty.