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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the portion of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or rating schedule) that addresses gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast. The purpose of these changes is to incorporate medical advances that have occurred since the last review, update current medical terminology, and provide clear evaluation criteria. The proposed rule reflects advances in medical knowledge, recommendations from the Gynecological Conditions and Disorders of the Breast Work Group ("Work Group"), which is comprised of subject matter experts from both the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and comments from experts and the public gathered as part of a public forum. The public forum, focusing on revisions to the gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast section of the VASRD, was held on January 24, 2012.

Statement of Need:

VA is updating its Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD, or Rating Schedule) to better reflect modern medicine. The VASRD, which is part 4 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, governs how claims processors evaluate the severity of disabilities. While VA has routinely updated parts of the VASRD, this proposal is the first time VA is working to update the entire VASRD since 1945. In 2009, a formal project management plan was created to outline how to update the VASRD. A working group of specialized physicians (VA and non-VA), stakeholders, and claims processors reviews each of the 15 body systems and provides analysis to assist VA in developing updates.. The public has 60 days to provide VA with comments. VA will introduce the proposed updates to the VASRD incrementally and is committed to an update of the entire VASRD.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

38 U.S.C. 1155

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