2900-AQ82 202410 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 2900 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Mental Disorders

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends the portion of the rating schedule dealing with mental disorders, including revising the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders and removing the separate General Rating Formula for Eating Disorders in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or rating schedule). The final rule reflects changes made by the American Psychological Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5). advances in medical knowledge, and recommendations from VA’s Mental Disorders Work Group.

]]> Section 3(f)(1) Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Final Rule Stage Yes No 38 CFR 4.130 38 U.S.C. 501(a) 38 U.S.C. 1155 Yes

The current version of the Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) has not undergone a complete revision since 1945 and currently reflects outdated, inaccurate, or obsolete medical, scientific, and/or economic information. With this rule, VA will update medical terminology, incorporate medical advances, and provide disability compensation using more objective evaluation criteria consistent with current medical practice.

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In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 1155, The Secretary shall adopt and apply a schedule of ratings of reductions in earning capacity from specific injuries or combination of injuries, and shall from time to time readjust this schedule of ratings in accordance with experience.

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VA has considered two alternatives to the current update: 1.) Not updating the general rating formula. 2.) Retaining current general rating formula for Mental Disorders and Eating Disorders with additional provisions to consider work-place accommodation or assistance. However, neither option is more appropriate than the current approach.

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VA has determined that this rulemaking will result in benefit transfer costs estimated at $103.4 million in 2024, $14.8 billion over five years, and $44.5 billion over 10 years.

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None identified.

]]> NPRM 02/15/2022 87 FR 8498 NPRM Comment Period End 04/18/2022 Final Action 08/00/2025 No No None No No www.regulations.gov No No Ioulia Vvedenskaya M.D. Medical Officer, Compensation Service (211C) 2900 Department of Veterans Affairs VA 202 461-9882 ioulia.vvedenskaya@va.gov Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington DC 20420