On November 12, 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed updates to the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) concerning neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. These revisions aim to align the rating criteria with current medical knowledge and practices. However, it’s important to understand how these changes might impact veterans positively and potentially negatively.
Read the Federal Register Announcement Here.
Key Proposed Changes:
- Updated Medical Terminology: The VA plans to revise the language used in the rating schedule to reflect contemporary medical terminology, ensuring clarity and accuracy in evaluating neurological conditions.
- Inclusion of New Medical Conditions: The proposal includes adding conditions frequently encountered but not currently listed in the rating schedule, allowing for more comprehensive evaluations.
- Refined Evaluation Criteria: The VA intends to refine the evaluation criteria based on recent medical advancements and a better understanding of the functional impacts of neurological diseases.
- Removal of Outdated Diagnostic Codes: Certain diagnostic codes considered outdated or obsolete will be removed or modified to maintain the relevance and effectiveness of the rating schedule.
Potential Positive Impacts on Veterans’ Disability Claims:
- More Accurate Evaluations: With updated terminology and criteria, veterans may receive disability evaluations that more precisely reflect the severity and impact of their neurological conditions.
- Recognition of Additional Conditions: Including previously unlisted conditions could allow veterans with these diagnoses to receive appropriate disability ratings and benefits.
- Streamlined Claims Process: By removing outdated codes and clarifying evaluation criteria, the claims process may become more straightforward, potentially reducing processing times and improving evaluation consistency.
- Potential for Re-evaluation: Veterans with existing disability ratings for neurological conditions might be eligible for re-evaluation under the new criteria, which could lead to adjustments in their disability ratings.
Potential Negative Impacts to Consider:
- Lower Disability Ratings for Certain Conditions: Some veterans may see a reduction in their disability rating if the new criteria require a higher threshold to meet specific rating percentages.
- Removal of Outdated Diagnostic Codes: While intended to simplify the rating schedule, eliminating certain codes could affect veterans relying on those codes for their ratings.
- Increased Burden for Re-evaluation: Veterans whose ratings are affected by these changes may face the burden of undergoing re-evaluation or additional exams, which could be stressful and time-consuming.
- Stricter Criteria for Certain Neurological Conditions: By aligning the schedule with current medical practices, some conditions may be redefined to narrow eligibility or increase the burden of proof for symptoms and limitations.
- Potential Delays in Claims Processing During Transition: As VA staff adapt to the updated rating schedule, there may be temporary delays in processing claims related to neurological conditions.
These proposed changes are open for public comment until January 13, 2025. Veterans and stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposal and provide feedback to ensure that the updates effectively address the veteran community’s needs. For more information or to submit comments, visit the Federal Register announcement.
