Everything You Need to Know About the Recent Changes to VA Mental Health Ratings

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for providing mental health services to veterans who have served in the United States military. In recent years, there have been significant changes made to the way VA mental health ratings are determined and provided to veterans. These changes can greatly impact how veterans receive mental health care and disability benefits. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about these recent changes.

Background on VA Mental Health Ratings

Before we dive into the recent changes, it’s important to understand the basics of VA mental health ratings. The VA uses a rating system known as the "Schedule for Rating Disabilities" to determine the severity and impact of a veteran’s service-connected disabilities. This rating system ranges from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating a more severe disability and greater impact on the veteran’s life.

Mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, fall under this rating system and can also receive a percentage rating. This rating is determined based on the severity of the symptoms and their impact on the veteran’s ability to function in daily life.