II. Why the Rating Schedule Is Changing
The current way the VA rates mental health hasn’t changed much since the 1990s — and it shows. It leans hard on symptom checklists and clinical terms, but doesn’t always reflect what life is really like for the veteran dealing with those symptoms day to day.
That’s what this proposed update is trying to fix.
🧠 The Problem with the Old System
Right now, the VA rates your mental health condition based on things like how often you have panic attacks, whether you’re suicidal, or if you have memory loss — basically, a checklist of symptoms. But two veterans with the same diagnosis and the same rating might be living very different lives. One might be able to work with support, the other might be completely shut down socially or unable to leave home — and the system doesn’t always account for that.
In short: symptoms don’t always tell the whole story. Function does.
🧩 What’s Pushing This Change
- The National Academy of Medicine told the VA to stop rating based just on symptoms and start looking at how a veteran actually functions — in work, at home, and in relationships.
- The GAF score is gone. The DSM-5, which VA doctors use to diagnose mental health conditions, scrapped it. The old rating schedule still leans on it.
- VA’s own research showed under-rating. Studies found that vets with mental health conditions — especially PTSD and depression — were often getting rated lower than they probably should have been.
- Too many systems, not enough connection. VA doctors use DSM-5. VA raters use the VASRD. Veterans get stuck in between.
🎯 What the VA Says It’s Trying to Do
The VA says this is about making ratings:
- More fair
- More consistent
- And more focused on how mental health affects real-life functioning — not just clinical definitions
They’re looking at international disability standards like WHODAS 2.0, and even their own gold-standard PTSD evaluation tool (CAPS-5), to try to build a system that works better.
Bottom line? The system was built for an older way of thinking about mental health. This update is supposed to bring it up to date — at least on paper.
III. From Symptoms to Function: What’s New
Right now, the VA decides your mental health rating based on the type and frequency of your symptoms — things like panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, memory loss, or being unable to hold a job. If those symptoms line up with a percentage level on the schedule (10%, 30%, 50%, etc.), that’s what you get.
The new plan flips that on its head.
Instead of asking what symptoms you have, the VA wants to know how much those symptoms actually affect your life. In other words: it’s not just about what’s in your head — it’s about what’s happening in your world.
🧭 The New Domains
Under the proposed system, the VA would look at how your condition impacts five key areas — they call them “functional domains”:
- Cognition: How your brain processes information — like memory, attention, concentration, and problem solving.
- Interpersonal Interactions & Relationships: How you interact with others — coworkers, friends, family, even strangers.
- Task Completion & Life Activities: Can you finish what you start? This includes work, school, chores, caregiving, and basic responsibilities.
- Navigating Environments: Can you leave the house, get around independently, handle crowds or unfamiliar places?
- Self-Care: Are you taking care of hygiene, eating properly, dressing, or are those things falling apart?
📊 How They’ll Rate You
Instead of giving you a fixed label like “moderate PTSD,” they’ll score each domain based on:
- Intensity: How bad is the issue?
- Frequency: How often does it affect you?
You can be rated as having none, mild, moderate, severe, or total impairment in each area. Those scores then combine into your overall rating.
For example:
- If you have severe issues in two domains, you could be rated at 70%
- If one domain is rated total impairment, you could qualify for 100%
- Everyone with a service-connected mental health condition gets at least 10% under this plan — there’s no more 0% rating.
🔁 Big Shift: No More One-Size-Fits-All
This is a major change in how the VA looks at mental health. Two veterans with the same diagnosis — say, major depressive disorder — might end up with very different ratings based on how that condition affects their life.
That’s the idea. Not just what diagnosis you have, but how it shows up in real life.
IV. The Role of the DSM-5
Let’s clear something up right away: the DSM-5 isn’t going away — but it’s not going to decide your VA rating either.
The DSM-5 (short for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) is what doctors and mental health providers use to diagnose conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. If your provider says you meet the criteria for something in the DSM-5, that’s what gets entered in your medical record.
But diagnosis isn’t rating — and that’s where this new system draws a line.
🧩 So What’s Changing?
Under the current setup, there’s a fuzzy connection between the DSM-5 diagnosis and how the VA rates your condition. The old rating schedule was written around DSM-IV terms and even used the GAF score (Global Assessment of Functioning), which the DSM-5 no longer supports.
The DSM-5 moved away from those numbered scales and toward something more flexible — they call it a “dimensional approach.” That means instead of saying “this vet has PTSD, rated 50%,” they want to look at how that PTSD affects different areas of life — like memory, concentration, mood regulation, work, relationships, and so on.
Sound familiar? That’s exactly what the VA is now trying to do with its new five-domain rating model.
📘 What the DSM-5 Still Does
- It still defines your condition.
- It still guides your treatment.
- It’s still the foundation for getting a service connection in the first place.
But it’s no longer used to calculate a percentage rating directly. That decision now comes from how much your condition interferes with daily functioning — not just what label you’ve been given.
🚫 What the DSM-5 Doesn’t Do Anymore
- It doesn’t include the GAF scale (that’s gone).
- It doesn’t assign severity percentages.
- It doesn’t decide whether you get 30% or 70%.
That’s up to the rater — based on the new formula.
V. Side-by-Side: Old vs. New Ratings Compared
Let’s break it down. Here’s how the current system works — and how it could look if the proposed changes go into effect.
Right now, the VA assigns a percentage (10%, 30%, 50%, etc.) based mostly on symptoms listed in the rating schedule. You might see language like “panic attacks more than once a week” or “difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances.” If your symptoms line up with that level, you get the rating.
Under the new system, the VA would focus on functional domains — how your condition affects five specific areas of your life. Your score in those domains determines your percentage.
⚖️ Old vs. New Mental Health Rating Criteria (Simplified)
| Rating % | Current System (Old) | Proposed System (New) |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment. Often includes gross impairment in communication, behavior, etc. | Total impairment in at least one domain (e.g., cannot function at all in cognition or self-care). |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas (work, judgment, thinking, mood, family) | Severe impairment in one domain, or moderate impairment in two or more domains |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity. Flattened affect, panic attacks, impaired judgment. | Moderate impairment in one domain |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency. Anxiety, depression, sleep issues | Mild impairment in two or more domains |
| 10% | Mild symptoms that don’t interfere much with work or relationships | Minimum rating — given if you meet criteria for a DSM-5 mental health condition, even if symptoms are minor |
| 0% | Symptoms exist but not severe enough to interfere with functioning or require meds | Eliminated — all service-connected mental health conditions would get at least 10% |
📌 What Stays the Same
- You still need a DSM-5 diagnosis to be service connected.
- The ratings still go from 0 to 100% in 10% steps.
- You still get paid based on your combined rating, not the diagnosis alone.
🔄 What Changes
- No more checklist of symptoms — instead, the VA rates how your condition affects your ability to function.
- Domains drive the rating — the most severely affected area sets the tone.
- Everyone gets at least 10% for any service-connected mental health condition — no more “0% but service connected” situations.
VI. Who Might Be Affected — For Better or Worse
This overhaul could be good news for some veterans — but it might be bad news for others, especially if their symptoms are severe but don’t show up as clearly in day-to-day functioning.
👍 Might Benefit
- Vets with major functional limitations but who didn’t check all the boxes for a high rating under the old system.
- Those with serious impairments in just one domain (like being unable to leave the house) — the new rules could lead to a higher rating faster.
- Anyone who struggled under the “symptom checklist” model — especially if their symptoms are complex or don’t fit neatly into one label.
👎 Might Be Hurt
- Vets with documentation gaps — if your file doesn’t show how your condition affects your life, you may not get rated fairly.
- Those who present well on paper or in one exam — even if they’re struggling in real life.
- Veterans already rated high based on symptom descriptions — the new system may not align as favorably if re-evaluated.
Key takeaway: This isn’t a guaranteed upgrade for everyone. For some, it’ll feel more fair. For others, it may feel harder to prove the impact. The devil will be in the details — especially the examiner’s write-up and the evidence you submit.
VII. Filing Now vs. After the Change
A lot of veterans are asking: “Should I file now, or wait until the new rules kick in?”
Here’s the short answer: File now. Don’t wait.
Even though the new system might sound more modern — and it could help some people — there’s no guarantee it will work better for everyone. And until it’s actually finalized (which, as of July 2025, still hasn’t happened), your claim will be decided under the current rating schedule.
🔒 Why Filing Now Protects You
The VA usually honors what’s called a “grandfather clause.” That means if you get a rating before the new schedule takes effect, you keep that rating unless you request an increase or the VA has reason to re-evaluate your claim.
So if you’re already rated under the current system:
- You keep that rating
- You don’t get downgraded just because the rules changed
- You can still apply for increases later — just know the new criteria might apply then
⏳ What If You’re Still Gathering Evidence?
If you’re not ready to file a full claim, you can submit an Intent to File (ITF). It locks in your effective date and gives you up to a year to finish your claim — under the current system.
✅ Bottom Line
- If you’re thinking about filing, file.
- If you’re close to ready, at least submit an Intent to File.
- Don’t assume the new system will rate you higher — or that it’ll go live anytime soon.
There’s no downside to getting in under the current rules, and the grandfather protection could matter later.
VIII. Concerns and Controversies
Not everyone’s convinced this new system is a good thing — and for good reason.
On paper, the shift to a function-based model sounds smart. It’s supposed to be more individualized, more fair, and more in line with how mental health actually works. But the way it’s applied in real life is what matters — and that’s where the veteran community has questions.
🧾 Subjectivity: Who Decides What’s “Severe”?
Under the new system, raters have to decide how “severe” your impairment is in each of five domains — like cognition, relationships, or self-care. But what one examiner calls “moderate,” another might see as “mild.” There’s a real risk that the ratings could vary wildly from one C&P exam to another.
Veterans already know how inconsistent VA evaluations can be. This system could make that even worse if it isn’t rolled out with strong guidance and quality control.
📉 Risk of Underrating
If your medical records don’t clearly explain how your condition affects each domain, you could get a lower rating — even if your symptoms are severe.
That means veterans who:
- Don’t know how to document their day-to-day struggles
- Don’t have access to good mental health care
- Or can’t express their limitations clearly in a C&P exam
…could be at a disadvantage.
🧠 Less Focus on Diagnoses
There’s also concern about how much weight will be given to the actual diagnosis. Under the new plan, the label (PTSD, depression, anxiety) doesn’t determine your rating — your function does. That’s not necessarily bad, but it means vets who’ve fought hard just to get the right diagnosis may feel like it doesn’t matter anymore.
It’s easy to get wrapped around the axle trying to get that diagnosis when you’re filing a claim — especially when the system keeps moving the goalposts. And while this article focuses on diagnosis in the context of ratings, don’t forget: getting the right diagnosis is still crucial for treatment.
Bipolar disorder isn’t treated the same as PTSD. You’re looking at different meds, different therapy, and a whole different approach to recovery. So even if the diagnosis doesn’t drive your rating anymore, it still matters — a lot — that your providers get it right.
🔄 What About Re-Evaluations?
Veterans are asking: Will I get re-rated under the new system automatically?
Right now, no one knows. The VA hasn’t said whether current ratings will stay untouched or if there’ll be any wide-scale re-evaluations. That uncertainty is making a lot of veterans nervous — especially those with ratings based on symptoms that don’t translate neatly into the new domains.
IX. Legal and Policy Context
This overhaul isn’t happening in a vacuum. The VA’s move toward functional-based mental health ratings is tied to broader shifts in disability evaluation — and veterans’ rights in general.
📜 38 CFR § 4.130 and § 3.951
- 38 CFR § 4.130 — This is the current regulation that lays out how mental disorders are rated. It uses a symptom-based structure, and it hasn’t been meaningfully updated in decades.
- 38 CFR § 3.951 — This protects veterans from having their ratings reduced when laws or rating criteria change, as long as those ratings have been in effect for a certain time. It’s known as the “grandfather clause.”
🏛️ Why This Matters
The new system — if implemented — will still have to coexist with long-standing VA legal protections. The VA can’t just take away benefits from veterans who were rated under the old system. But how increases, new claims, and re-evaluations are handled could shift significantly.
Veterans and their advocates should be ready to challenge any unfair applications of the new rating system, especially if the VA fails to properly document how impairment in the five domains was evaluated.
X. What Veterans Can Do to Prepare
You don’t have to wait around wondering how the VA will rate you if this new system takes effect. There’s a lot you can do right now to protect yourself, strengthen your claim, or just get ahead of the curve.
📝 1. Document How Your Condition Affects You
Start tracking how your mental health impacts real parts of your life — especially in the five new “domains”:
- Cognition: memory and focus
- Interpersonal: interactions with people
- Task Completion: finishing tasks and daily routines
- Navigating Environments: leaving the house, getting around
- Self-Care: hygiene, eating, basic care
Keep a notebook, app, or private log. Write it like you’re explaining your worst days to someone who doesn’t know you — because eventually, you will.
🧍♂️ 2. Ask Others to Write Statements
A buddy letter, spouse statement, or caregiver note can go a long way — especially if it talks about function, not just symptoms.
Examples:- “He can’t handle being in public anymore.”
- “She used to be organized and dependable, now she can’t follow through with anything.”
- “He sometimes doesn’t eat for days or go outside.”
🧑⚕️ 3. Talk to Your Provider About Functional Impact
Next time you meet with your VA therapist or doctor, let them know you’re trying to track how your condition affects your daily life — not just how you feel. Ask them to include this in their notes. You can say:
“Can you make sure my record shows how this is affecting work, family, or basic tasks — not just symptoms?”
📝 4. Request a Copy of Your Records
If you haven’t seen your full VA treatment record or past C&P exams, request them. You might be surprised by what’s in there — or what’s missing.
⏳ 5. File Now or Submit an Intent to File
If you’re thinking about applying, don’t wait. Lock in your effective date with an Intent to File, even if you’re not fully ready. That gives you up to a year to finish while protecting your timeline.
XI. HadIt.com Tools and Resources
HadIt.com has been helping veterans navigate the VA system for nearly 30 years — long before the VA started talking about “functional domains.” If you’re trying to make sense of your claim, your rating, or what comes next, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out from scratch.
🔎 BVA and Court Decision Search Tools
- Look up past cases to see how similar mental health claims have been rated — including PTSD, depression, anxiety, MST, and more.
- Use filters by year, keyword, or disability code.
- Great for learning how evidence and functional impact actually played out in real rulings.
👉 Search the BVA Database
👉 Search the CAVC Decisions
🧰 Guides and How-To Articles
- Step-by-step info on how VA ratings work, how to file, and how to avoid common mistakes.
- Breakdowns of VA forms, rating charts, and what different symptoms mean for compensation.
- Articles are written by veterans, for veterans — no fluff.
💬 Forum: Talk to Vets Who’ve Been There
- Our community forum is where thousands of veterans have helped each other through the claims process.
- You can ask questions, share experiences, or just read through real-world advice from people who’ve fought the same fight.
🗂️ Track Changes and Get Updates
- Follow threads on the 2025 rating changes, proposed rules, and what actually gets finalized.
- We’ll keep updating our guides as the VA moves forward — and call out what’s changing (and what isn’t).
XII. Final Thoughts & Call to Action
We don’t know exactly when the VA will finalize the new mental health rating schedule — or whether it will look exactly like the proposed version. But we do know this: being informed puts you in control.
If you’ve been struggling to get rated fairly, or if you’re thinking about filing a claim, there’s no reason to wait around hoping the system improves. The tools, support, and strategies are already available to help you file — or strengthen — your claim under the current rules.
Use the knowledge here to:
- ✅ Make sense of your existing rating
- ✅ Document how your condition affects your life
- ✅ Prepare for potential changes down the road
And remember: if this guide helped you, there’s a whole community behind it — and behind you.
🔗 Explore more tools, join the HadIt.com forum, and stay updated as changes unfold. You’re not in this alone.
