Compensation

In late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The VASRD’s 15 body systems had seen periodic rating criteria updates, but this continuing effort reflects the first comprehensive review since 1945.

Today, VA announced its eighth update: respiratory, auditory, and mental disorders body systems.

VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment to Veterans who were injured, sustained a long-term illness or experienced a worsening medical condition during their military service.

The latest update in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) at Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations is for genitourinary and cardiovascular regulations. The newest regulations take effect on Nov. 14. 

Were you exposed to hazardous materials while serving in the military, such as from Agent Orange or burn pits? Did you serve in Vietnam, Thailand or Southwest Asia? If so, you may be eligible to file for service-connected benefits based on presumptive exposure.

With 20,000 hearings completed by August 2021, the Board of Veterans Appeals is on pace to best its previous record, smashing its historical average of 16,000 annually.

VBA grant rates for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to sexual trauma increased by approximately 22 percentage points since 2015.

VA will begin processing disability claims Aug. 2 for asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis on a presumptive basis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas — if these conditions manifested within 10 years of a qualifying period of military service.

Despite a global pandemic, VBA has remained resilient in breaking boundaries with the completion of the one millionth claim this week. This is the second fastest rate within a fiscal year of completion in VA history with last year’s date of May 26 being the fastest on record to reach one million claims completed.

VBA has safely resumed in-person Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams everywhere in the country and will schedule them as soon as possible.

On Jan. 1, 2020, the Blue Water Navy (BWN) Vietnam Veterans Act went into law, supporting Veterans who may be eligible for benefits based on presumption of herbicide exposure. One year later, VA reflects on its progress.

On Dec. 31, 2020, VA resumed in-person disability compensation and pension (C&P) medical exams performed by VA contractors. The C&P exams are now available for scheduling in 42,516 U.S. zip codes.

A VA and National Archives and Records Administration collaboration is helping determine ship locations and digitizing deck logs for Blue Water Navy claims.