VA Announces Update to Mental Health Rating Criteria for Disability Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently finalized an update to the rating criteria used for evaluating mental health conditions when deciding veterans’ disability claims and compensation. This update focuses on more accurately capturing veterans’ occupational and social impairment.
Changes Being Implemented
There are two major changes being put in place:
1. Evaluation criteria will now include assessment of additional signs and symptoms such as sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbances in motivation and mood, and suicidal ideation. This allows raters to get a more comprehensive picture of mental health challenges.
2. The practice of routinely assigning temporary 100% disability ratings for psychiatric hospitalizations and new medication periods will be discontinued. While veterans can still qualify for temporary 100% ratings for acute psychiatric crises requiring hospitalization, the evaluation will focus more on total occupational and social impairment rather than just a need for stabilization.
How New Rules Could Impact Claims
Disability claim raters will be required to implement these revised mental health evaluation standards starting on March 8, 2024.
The VA states these rules provide “standardized criteria” intended to promote consistent ratings based on overall impairment levels. However, veterans’ advocates argue that the changes, particularly the limitations to temporary 100% ratings, may result in lower ratings for some veterans filing new claims or requesting re-evaluations.
No reductions can be made to existing ratings solely based on these new rules. But veterans pursuing new mental health claims should be prepared to fully document their symptoms, treatment history, and how their condition impacts daily life to support the highest rating possible under the updated criteria.
Working with an experienced agent is advisable to navigate these new standards. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.