2025 VA Rating Changes: Why The WORST Is Yet To Come!
As we move into 2025, huge VA disability rating changes are yet to come that will impact VA ratings for mental health conditions, sleep apnea, and tinnitus.
While some of these changes might seem beneficial on the surface, others could severely limit the benefits available to veterans suffering from specific conditions.
I’ll explain the four major VA rating changes for 2025 and explain why the worst is yet to come…
#1. Changes to the VA Rating Criteria for Mental Health: GOOD NEWS
One of the more positive changes in 2025 is the revision of the VA rating criteria for mental health conditions.
Historically, mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression were rated based on a subjective assessment of symptoms and their impact on occupational and social impairment.
The new mental health rating criteria is more objective and aims to simplify and make the ratings more reflective of the actual severity of a veteran’s symptoms.
Why This Change is Good for Veterans:
- Simplified Rating System: The new domain-based rating criteria are expected to streamline the rating process, making it easier for veterans to receive an accurate assessment of their mental health conditions. I think veterans will receive higher ratings for mental health under the new criteria.
- Focus on Symptoms: The VA is shifting its focus to the severity of symptoms rather than just the impact on work and social life. This means that veterans who experience severe symptoms, even if they are still able to work, may receive higher ratings. For example, a veteran will be able to receive a 100% VA rating for PTSD even if they are employed full-time.
- Increased Awareness and Access: This change could also lead to greater awareness of mental health issues and encourage more veterans to seek help, knowing that their conditions will be evaluated more fairly.
Brian’s Opinion on the VA Rating Changes for Mental Health Conditions:
Big changes are on the horizon for VA mental health ratings this year. The VA is proposing new evaluation criteria that better capture the occupational impairment caused by mental health disabilities, aiming to provide veterans with fairer compensation for the earnings losses they experience due to service-connected mental disorders.
The VA even says that these new criteria should generally lead to more generous compensation for veterans compared to the current rating system. I believe these changes are going to make it easier for veterans to secure higher ratings for mental health conditions, with less stringent requirements for the 70% and 100% rating levels, and a guaranteed minimum rating of 10% for any diagnosed mental health condition. Plus, the 0% rating for mental health is gone for good, which is a huge win for veterans seeking the benefits they deserve.
#2. Changes to the VA Rating Criteria for Sleep Apnea: BAD NEWS
Sleep apnea has been a heavily debated topic within the VA, and the 2025 changes represent a significant step backward for veterans suffering from this condition.
Under the new VA rating criteria for sleep apnea, veterans will face much stricter guidelines for qualifying for disability ratings related to sleep apnea, and in my opinion, will get much lower ratings in the future.
Why This Change is Bad for Veterans:
- Stricter Qualifying Criteria: Veterans with a CPAP or other breathing device will likely get a 10% rating under the new criteria versus a 50% rating under the old criteria. This is a major shift from the previous criteria, which awarded the 50% rating for sleep apnea with a CPAP regardless of whether the veteran receives any relief.
- Impact on Overall Compensation: With the stricter criteria, many veterans who get their sleep apnea service connected will probably receive a 10% rating for sleep apnea in the future.
- Discouragement from Seeking Diagnosis: The tougher criteria may discourage veterans from seeking a diagnosis or treatment for sleep apnea, knowing that their chances of receiving adequate compensation are lower.
Brian’s Opinion on the VA Rating Changes for Sleep Apnea:
Big changes are coming to VA ratings for sleep apnea this year, and they could have a significant impact on veterans. The proposed new ratings would be 0%, 10%, 50%, and 100%. The biggest change? The removal of the “automatic” 50% VA rating for sleep apnea if a veteran requires the use of a CPAP or other breathing device. Additionally, the 30% rating for sleep apnea would also be eliminated.
Overall, I think these proposed changes are bad news for veterans. The 50% rating with a CPAP is by far the most common rating right now, and under the new criteria, I believe a veteran using a CPAP will likely only get a 10% rating. This reduction could significantly decrease the compensation many veterans rely on, making it more difficult for them to get the benefits they deserve.
#3. Changes to the VA Rating Criteria for Tinnitus: BAD NEWS
Tinnitus, or the perception of ringing in the ears, is one of the most common conditions among veterans, particularly those who served in combat zones or were exposed to loud noises.
The 2025 changes to the VA rating criteria for tinnitus could potentially devastate the compensation many veterans receive.
Why This Change is Bad for Veterans:
- Reduction in Compensation: The new rating criteria eliminates the separate standalone 10% rating for tinnitus. In the future, tinnitus will only be evaluated as a part of another underlying condition. For example, a 0% service connected rating for hearing loss with tinnitus with result in a veteran also getting a 10% overall rating. However, if a veteran has a service connected rating of 10% or higher for hearing loss, there will be no additional award of tinnitus.
- Increased Burden of Proof: Veterans will now need to provide more extensive evidence to show that their tinnitus is part of another underlying condition that can be service connected and rated for VA disability benefits.
- Loss of Benefits: For many veterans, tinnitus has been a cornerstone of their disability claims. These new changes result in the loss of this critical “gateway” claim that many veterans receive a 10% VA rating for now. In the future, veterans will not be able to get a 10% rating for tinnitus on its own.
Brian’s Opinion on the VA Rating Changes for Tinnitus:
The VA is proposing some significant changes to how Tinnitus will be evaluated and rated, and I have to say, these changes are not good for veterans. The easy 10% rating for Tinnitus that so many veterans rely on could soon be a thing of the past.
Under the proposed changes, the separate VA rating for Tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260 would be eliminated. Instead, Tinnitus would only be rated as part of its underlying condition, like Hearing Loss. For example, under the new criteria, Diagnostic Code 6100 would only provide a 10% evaluation for Tinnitus if the associated Hearing Loss is non-compensable at 0% — meaning if your Hearing Loss alone doesn’t qualify for a 10% or higher rating.
If your Hearing Loss is compensable at 10% or more, then you wouldn’t receive an additional 10% for Tinnitus. This is a major downgrade from the current system, where Tinnitus automatically gets a 10% rating on its own.
#4. Changes to the VA Rating Criteria for GERD and Acid Reflux: BAD NEWS
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux are common among veterans, often linked to stress, medications, or other service-related conditions.
The 2024 changes to the VA rating criteria for GERD and acid reflux have already occurred and are bad for veterans.
Why This Change is Bad for Veterans:
- Stricter Rating Requirements: The new criteria impose stricter requirements for veterans to qualify for disability ratings related to GERD and acid reflux, potentially reducing the ratings for those who suffer from these conditions.
- Reduced Access to Healthcare: With lower ratings, veterans may find it more challenging to access the healthcare they need to manage these conditions, leading to worsening symptoms and overall health.
- Financial Impact: The reduced ratings can also lead to a significant financial impact, as veterans may see their monthly compensation decrease, leaving them struggling to cover the costs of managing their condition.
Brian’s Opinion on the GERD VA Rating Changes:
Big changes have already been made for how the VA rates GERD and acid reflux, effective May 19, 2024. The VA introduced a new Diagnostic Code (DC) 7206 specifically for rating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and acid reflux. These conditions will now be rated under Esophageal Stricture, DC 7203, with possible ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, or 80%.
Honestly, I think this is a bad change for veterans. The new rating criteria for GERD under “esophageal stricture” don’t even consider the most common symptoms of GERD. It just doesn’t make sense. This change is likely to result in veterans receiving lower ratings for GERD than they did under the previous system, where it was rated analogous to Hiatal Hernia. This could mean reduced compensation for many veterans dealing with these challenging conditions.
Conclusion: Why the Worst is Yet to Come
The 2025 changes to the VA rating criteria for mental health conditions are definitely a step in the right direction, but I’m really concerned about the other modifications coming down the pipeline. Stricter criteria for sleep apnea, tinnitus, GERD, and acid reflux could mean fewer benefits, more financial stress, and harder access to the healthcare veterans desperately need. As these changes roll out, it’s crucial for veterans to stay on top of their claims, get informed, and seek expert advice to navigate these tougher standards. Don’t let these changes catch you off guard — be proactive and protect what you’ve earned.
What Should Veterans Do Now?
If you have tinnitus or sleep apnea diagnosed but aren’t yet service-connected for them, I highly recommend you get your claims in ASAP! You want to get rated under the old criteria, which allows for a separate 10% rating for tinnitus and a 50% rating for sleep apnea with a CPAP. Once the new rating changes go into effect, it will be much more difficult to get VA ratings for these two conditions.
When Will These VA Rating Changes Become Effective?
The effective dates for the VA rating changes to mental health, sleep apnea, and tinnitus are not known; however, my best guess is first or second quarter 2025. Keep in-mind that once the changes are announced by the VA, there’s a 60-day cooling off period before the rating changes go into effect.
What Will Happen to My Pending VA Claim When the New Rating Criteria Take Effect?
If you have a pending VA claim when the new rating criteria take effect, your claim will likely be evaluated under the new criteria. This could impact the outcome of your claim, especially if it involves conditions like sleep apnea or tinnitus, where the new criteria are stricter. It’s crucial to submit any additional evidence as soon as possible and consider seeking expert advice to strengthen your claim before the changes are implemented.
What If I Already Have a VA Rating for These Conditions
If you already have a service-connected VA rating for mental health, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and GERD, you’re grandfathered in under the old rating criteria. This means you’ll keep your current VA rating under the previous rating criteria. These changes will only impact new claims for these conditions as of the effective date of the rating changes.
Fellow Veterans: Are You Ready to INCREASE Your VA Disability Rating FASTER?
Need expert-level VA claim help? Call us right now: (281) 533–6777.
Hi fellow veterans, I’m Brian Reese, the VA Claims Insider, and I’m here to help you INCREASE your VA rating FASTER — even if you’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start…
If you’re frustrated, underrated, or simply sick and tired of fighting the VA alone, I’ve got your six!
There’s always another path available to you, and I’m committed to helping you achieve VA claim victory.
My process starts with a one-on-one phone call so we can get to know your unique claim situation.
We’ll identify where you stand now, where you want to go, and how we make it happen with the right medical evidence.
If we nail your VA claim strategy, the tactics become simple and easy!
Through this gap analysis process, we’ll build a personalized VA claim strategy tailored to your needs — designed to give you the best possible chance of securing the VA rating and compensation you’ve earned for serving our country.
>> Click Here to book your no-obligation consultation or call us right now at (281) 533–6777.
About the Author
Brian Reese is a leading VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Frustrated with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans win their VA disability compensation faster. He has served over 10 million military members and veterans since 2013. A former Air Force officer, Brian deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. He is a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University, where he was a National Honor Scholar.
