Upcoming VA Rating Changes: What Veterans Need to Know

 Posted on January 08, 2024 in Uncategorized

Introduction

Veterans Affairs (VA) is contemplating significant changes to their rating system, and while these are still proposals and not yet officially adopted, it's crucial for veterans to stay informed. There's speculation about these changes being implemented as early as Spring 2024 or as late as the end of the year. However, there's also a possibility that they might not happen at all. In this article, we'll delve into the potential changes and what they could mean for veterans.

1.Tinnitus Rating Revisions

One of the notable proposed changes involves the rating for tinnitus. Under the current system, veterans can receive a 10% standalone claim for tinnitus. The proposed change, however, stipulates that tinnitus must be attributed as a symptom of another condition, such as hearing loss, a perforated eardrum, or Meniere's disease. The impact of tinnitus would then be considered when assigning a rating for the primary condition.

This change could be beneficial for some veterans whose tinnitus is a symptom of another condition, potentially increasing their overall rating. But what happens to those who can't link their tinnitus to another condition? Based on personal experience and cases I've seen, it's not uncommon for audiologists to diagnose service-related tinnitus without associated hearing loss. The big question is, what happens in these scenarios? Will these veterans receive no rating for tinnitus?

It's important to note that this change won't affect veterans currently rated for tinnitus.

2.Sleep Apnea Rating Overhaul

Another major proposal concerns sleep apnea ratings. Currently, veterans service-connected for sleep apnea receive a 50% rating if they require a CPAP machine or other breathing assistance devices. The VA is considering revising this so that effectively treated conditions via CPAP will result in a 0% rating. Despite the necessity of wearing a breathing device during sleep, the VA's stance implies that if you're fine with this treatment, a 0% rating is justified. Only cases where the CPAP doesn't fully treat the condition would qualify for higher ratings.

This is a significant change, and I advise veterans to apply for sleep apnea claims now, before the potential new rule takes effect, to be evaluated under the current criteria.

3.Mental Health Rating System Revamp

The proposed changes to the mental health rating system are perhaps the most comprehensive. Currently, ratings are based on occupational and social impairment, ranging from 0% (no impairment) to 100% (total occupational and social impairment). The VA is considering a more holistic approach, introducing five "domains" to assess the impact of mental health conditions on various life areas, like cognition, relationships, and work. Each domain would be assigned a rating from 0 to 4, influencing the overall rating.

Additionally, the minimum rating for a service-connected mental health condition would increase to 10%. The requirement for total occupational impairment to receive a 100% rating is also being removed. In theory, this should make it easier to achieve a 100% rating, but the practical application of these changes remains to be seen.

Conclusion

These proposed changes to the VA rating system are significant and could substantially impact veterans' lives. While they are not yet set in stone, staying informed and prepared is crucial. We will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as they become available. Stay tuned for more information and consider reaching out for support and guidance in navigating these potential changes.