VASRD 2022 Updates

Team,

I found some 2022 proposed VASRD updates that address digestive issues (click here). These updates should help folks with Crohns and Colitis. I posted a few questions below. I am highly likely a few months away from MEB initiation and would benefit from the proposed changes.

1. Should I be excited about these proposed updates? This question relates to the probability of them getting approved.

2. Are "proposed changes" something that get submitted every year and rarely get implemented or updated in the VASRD?

3. Does anyone know a rough timeline for when this stuff gets updated/finalized/approved or disapproved?

Thanks so much

 

[JohnT2365]

Update.

I did some digging and discovered the process is is pretty long to go from proposal to effective date (bad news for anyone positively impacted). Below are some of my findings. Please correct if you see something off.

VASRD Category--------Proposed Date-------- Effective date:
endocrine system------------09/08/2015---------------12/10/2017
Dental-------------------------09/28/2015----------------09/10/2017
Skin----------------------------08/12/2016----------------08/13/2018
Cardio-------------------------09/30/2019-----------------11/14/21
Muscular/skelo---------------10/02/2017----------------02/07/21
hemic/lymphatic-------------08/06/2015----------------12/09/2018

Average time from proposal to effective date is approximately 30.1 months.


Recent releases:
respiratory, auditory, mental disorders proposal released =02/15/2022. Projected effective date =September, 2024
digestive system proposal released =01/19/2022. Projected effective date = July, 2024

 

[frankx41]

Update.

I did some digging and discovered the process is is pretty long to go from proposal to effective date (bad news for anyone positively impacted). Below are some of my findings. Please correct if you see something off.

VASRD Category--------Proposed Date-------- Effective date:
endocrine system------------09/08/2015---------------12/10/2017
Dental-------------------------09/28/2015----------------09/10/2017
Skin----------------------------08/12/2016----------------08/13/2018
Cardio-------------------------09/30/2019-----------------11/14/21
Muscular/skelo---------------10/02/2017----------------02/07/21
hemic/lymphatic-------------08/06/2015----------------12/09/2018

Average time from proposal to effective date is approximately 30.1 months.


Recent releases:
respiratory, auditory, mental disorders proposal released =02/15/2022. Projected effective date =September, 2024
digestive system proposal released =01/19/2022. Projected effective date = July, 2024

Any idea how to get the VA to consider less ambiguous language in this round for digestive system? The comments period closed in March, the group at the VA handling these ratings told me that a certain large intestine surgery would be rated under small intestine resection, which is not medically where it should be. These new potential ratings are definitely an improvement from before, but still ambiguous and will result in variability for vets. I’ve been through one med board and have seen the lack of knowledge in some of the board members. I contacted one veterans service org and they sent me to another. I may never need a med board, but if I do, I want to be prepared. Is it worth talking to DAV now to see if the language in the ratings can be better explained? Thanks.