VA Announcement: Effective MAY 19, 2024 Rating Schedule Change #va #disability #compensation

VA Announcement: Effective MAY 19, 2024 Rating Schedule Change #va #disability #compensation #benefits

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 8320-01
38 CFR Part 4
RIN 2900-AQ90
Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Digestive System
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) by revising the portion of the schedule that addresses the Digestive System. The effect of this action is to ensure that the rating schedule uses current medical terminology and provides detailed and updated criteria for evaluation of digestive conditions for disability rating purposes.

DATES: This final rule is effective May 19, 2024.

7206 Gastroesophageal reflux disease:

80% Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a) and treatment with either surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s) or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube)80

50% Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following (1) dilatation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement50

30% Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year30

10% Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic10

0% Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications0Note (1):

Findings must be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.Note (2):

Non-gastrointestinal complications of procedures should be rated under the appropriate system.Note (3):

This diagnostic code applies, but is not limited to, esophagitis, mechanical or chemical; Mallory Weiss syndrome (bleeding at junction of esophagus and stomach due to tears) due to caustic ingestion of alkali or acid; drug-induced or infectious esophagitis due to Candida, virus, or other organism; idiopathic eosinophilic, or lymphocytic esophagitis; esophagitis due to radiation therapy; esophagitis due to peptic stricture; and any esophageal condition that requires treatment with sclerotherapy.Note (4):

Recurrent esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to maintain target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after the target diameter has been achieved.Note (5):

Refractory esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to achieve target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals.

[dynad.]

VA funds should never be decreased and never be "reallocated". Veterans answered the call, they are owed their high ratings. Try cutting politicians pay; they're useless at their jobs anyway and only cause more problems.

[kwancochrane]

I swear they fight so hard to cut benefits and we send tons of money they claim we don't have to everyone else but their own.

[rowdyyates]

I have 80%. I don’t even want to try for something else. Afraid they will take what I have gotten away.

[NavCom]

Instead of complaining i think millions of veterans as one voice get the message out on how disrespected we feel as a whole! We have a lot of advocates on line why not UNITE!

[PaladinSix]

Every time I get anything from the VA, I get nervous.

[tatersalad]

They never make change for our benefit.

[RichWhiteUM]

In essence thanks to the rule change, the most that new claims are going to get is going to be 10%. They're eliminating a large portion of symptoms that people suffer from GERD with this idiotic rule change! I've been fighting the VA over my GERD and under this rule change, if I didn't already have an intent to appeal submitted, I'd have no leg to stand on as the problems I have wouldn't fit their definition of the disorder! One of the symptoms I have is where it causes pain that feels like a heart attack. I've had ER visits via ambulance because of it. They're fighting me on that and the new rule doesn't give any new claimants the ability to even claim that symptom. This is a known symptom of GERD! They're doing this just to screw people over and so they can misappropriate the money elsewhere. Someone, with the money to do so, needs to contact a lawyer and see if a class-action can be filed against the VA over this horseshit!

[spec]

All of these changes in my opinion is to eliminate disability claims all together

[tinaharvey]

I know a guy that was in Korea he was treated so bad he was at 10 % faught for yrs. They treated him so bad. He could not walk. He has passed away now I'm so glad God is taking care of him

[erikalarson]

I've had it as a rated disability since 2012, and I am grandfathered in. I'm 100% P&T (Static) with Ch. 35....

[dfabove]

Thank You for your service to us veterans and have a Blessed Day !

[jonnyutsa]

Those were my GERD symptoms under hiatal hernia. I got 30% for it. Overall I got 100% P&T, so no need to poke the bear 😊

[gloucesterdavid]

Glad I got my GERD revaluation done and rating came back at 60% for it February so that I'm grandfathered.

[histruth]

We serve our country and suffer from our service and they want to make it difficult.
But if you come through the border free money hotels and food

[MikeG-gfzl]

Thank you brother! I will get my claim going asap!

[armendcardin]

Thank you for helping me along the way brother I'm working on my 100%

[Jazzwind]

We need the Major Richard Star Act to be completed 🙏🏻

[tinfoilhatnews]

I have Gerd because of a Hernia created during my time in the military. I hope they don’t go after those who already have this disease

[quitequiet]

I appreciate you and the work that you doing for the veterans community.

The general grind of three steps up the hill and sliding two steps back with a random percentage opportunity to slide to the bottom and start over again seems to the slog for everyone regardless of the hill each of us are assigned.

I try to remember to be thankful and appreciative rather than fed up and angry and as I am reminded by your videos many of our friends in arms, brothers, sisters and associates are hip deep in mud and swamp water carrying heavy loads without knowing which way to go.

It’s difficult to get back “on belay” when you get knocked off your feet every few months just when you thought... “i got this.”

Thanks for all you do!

Your daily grind is inspiring.

[johncasper]

The VA is cracking down on disability claims. You have to be dying to get a good rating for Gerd.