VA proposes changes to endocrine, dental rating schedules

VA proposes changes to endocrine, dental rating schedules

The Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing changes to the rating schedule for the endocrine system and dental and oral conditions, and you have an opportunity to weigh in on those changes before they go into effect.

The VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities is in the Code of Federal Regulations Part 4 (38 CFR 4) at www.ecfr.gov.  The rating schedule shows medical criteria and disability ratings for a health condition, injury or disease. Periodically the VA proposes changes to the Schedule for Rating Disabilities.  Proposed changes are posted in the Federal Register, and the public is invited to submit comments.

There are two such proposed changes with an open comment period:

Endocrine System

Proposed changes to the rating schedule pertaining to the endocrine system (38 CFR 4.119) will update medical terminology, add medical conditions to the rating schedule, and change the evaluation criteria for disability ratings. It has been almost 20 years since the last VA update.

Supplementary Information submitted with these proposed changes provides an explanation of the endocrine system and residual effects of an endocrine condition on multiple body systems.  Explanations of proposed changes to specific diagnostic codes are also provided.

You can review full explanations, the proposed changes and submit comments to the VA on the proposed endocrine system rating changes at  https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-16666. Comments are due on or before September 8, 2015.

Dental and Oral Conditions

Proposed changes to the rating schedule pertaining to dental and oral conditions (38 CFR 4.150) will revise 16 existing diagnostic codes by adding, deleting, or changing the codes. The changes intend to update medical terminology, change the medical conditions listed in the rating schedule, and change the evaluation criteria for disability ratings.

Supplementary Information submitted with these proposed changes includes an explanation of additional guidance to VA disability rating employees regarding the evidence needed to support a claim, how to evaluate certain functional impairments, and to combine functional impairment disability ratings with dental and oral condition ratings.  Explanations of proposed changes to specific diagnostic codes are also provided.

You can review the proposed changes and submit comments to the VA on the proposed dental and oral condition rating changes at http://federalregister.gov/r/2900-AP08. Comments are due on or before September 28, 2015.