BIG VA Rating Changes Coming in 2025: What Veterans Really Need to Know!

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As we move into 2025, big VA rating changes are yet to come that will impact VA disability 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 disability benefits available to veterans suffering from specific conditions.

In this high-value blog post, Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the major 2025 VA rating changes and why the worst is still to come.

Let’s begin!

4-Minute Video: 2025 VA RATING CHANGES Coming Very Soon! Watch Now ⬇️

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WARNO: VA Disability Rating CHANGES Coming in 2025! Veterans need to be aware of the VA disability changes to Mental Health Conditions, Sleep Apnea, and Tinnitus. #vaclaims #vadisability #varating #vabenefits #vadisabilityhelp #vaclaimhelp #vaclaimssupport #vaclaimtips #veterans #disabledveteran #vaclaimsinsider

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Summary of Key Points

• Upcoming 2025 VA Rating Changes: Significant changes to the VA rating system are expected in 2025, affecting mental health, sleep apnea, and tinnitus. These adjustments may impact both current and future claims, with varying implications for veterans.

• More Objective Mental Health VA Rating Criteria: The new rating criteria for mental health conditions are more objective, focusing on symptom severity rather than social or occupational impact, which may result in higher ratings for veterans with severe symptoms.

• Stricter VA Rating Criteria for Sleep Apnea: Veterans using a CPAP machine may receive only a 10% rating instead of the current 50%, marking a substantial decrease in compensation for many veterans with service-connected sleep apnea.

• Elimination of Standalone Tinnitus VA Ratings: The VA will no longer assign a separate 10% rating for tinnitus; instead, tinnitus will only be rated if associated with another compensable condition, potentially reducing benefits for veterans with tinnitus as a primary claim for direct service-connection.

Major Changes to the VA Rating Criteria for Mental Health: GOOD NEWS

One of the more positive changes coming 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 and Objective 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 Severity of 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 Reese’s Opinion on the VA Rating Changes for Mental Health Conditions:

Big changes are on the horizon for VA mental health ratings in 2025. 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.

*NEW* 2025 VA Mental Health Rating Changes

New VA Disability Ratings for Mental Health Conditions	VA Rating
The General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders contains five domains related to function: Cognition; interpersonal interactions and relationships; task completion and life activities; navigating environments; and self-care. The criteria below describe each domain.
The General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders provides criteria for each domain for levels of function ranging from 0 to 4, as appropriate. The highest level of impairment, a score of 4, signifies “total,” and the lowest level of impairment, a score of 0, signifies “no difficulties.”
Evaluate based on the level of impairment in each domain and the number of affected domains, as follows:
Level 4 in one or more domains, or Level 3 in two or more domains	100%
Level 3 in one domain, or Level 2 in two or more domains	70%
Level 2 in one domain	50%
Level 1 in two or more domains	30%
Minimum rating	10%

*NEW* Domain, Level of Impairment, and Criteria for VA Mental Health Conditions

Domain	Level of impairment	Criteria
1. Cognition: May include, but is not limited to, memory, concentration, attention, goal setting, speed of processing information, planning, organizing, prioritizing, problem solving, judgment, making decisions, or flexibility in adapting when appropriate.
	0 = None	No difficulties: Cognitive functioning intact.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that cannot be managed or remediated; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of cognitive functioning; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
2. Interpersonal interactions and relationships: Includes both informal (social, associational, etc.) and formal (coworkers, supervisors, etc.).
	0 = None.	No difficulties: Individual able to have relationships and interact with others at work, school, and other contexts.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that cannot be managed or remediated; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of relationships; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
3. Task completion and life activities: May include, but are not limited to, the following types of activities: Vocational, educational, domestic, social, or caregiving.
	0 = None	No difficulties: Individual able to perform tasks and participate in life activities; needs no accommodations or assistance.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of task completion or life activities that were completed with minor stress or minor accommodations.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of task completion or life activities that were completed with significant stress or accommodations.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in two or more aspects of task completion or life activities that were completed with significant stress and accommodations.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in two or more aspects of task completion or life activities, one of which must be vocational, that were not completed even with considerable accommodations due to overwhelming stress; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of task completion or life activities.
4. Navigating environments: May include, but is not limited to, the following: Leaving the home, being in confined or crowded spaces, independently moving in surroundings, navigating new environments, driving, or using public transportation.
	0 = None.	No difficulties: Capability to navigate environments intact.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of navigating environments that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of navigating environments that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more areas of navigating environments that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of navigating environments that cannot be managed or remediated; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of environmental navigation; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
5. Self-care: May include, but is not limited to, the following types of activities: Hygiene, dressing appropriately, or taking nourishment.
	0 = None	No difficulties: Self-care capabilities intact.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships without accommodations or assistance.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that cannot be managed or remediated; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.

[Download] the Proposed VA Rating Changes for Mental Health Conditions

Huge 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 rating updates 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 and Rating 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 Reese’s Opinion on the VA Rating Changes for Sleep Apnea:

Big changes are coming to VA ratings for sleep apnea in 2025, 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.

*NEW* 2025 VA Rating Changes for Sleep Apnea

DC 6847, Proposed Changes to VA Ratings for Sleep Apnea	VA Rating
Sleep apnea with ineffective treatment (as determined by sleep study) or unable to use treatment due to comorbid conditions; and with end-organ damage	100%
Sleep apnea with ineffective treatment (as determined by sleep study) or unable to use treatment due to comorbid conditions; and without end-organ damage	50%
Sleep apnea with incomplete relief (as determined by sleep study) with treatment	10%
Asymptomatic with or without treatment	0%

Note: Qualifying comorbidities are conditions that, in the opinion of a qualified medical provider, directly impede or prevent the habitual use of a recognized form of treatment shown by sleep study to be effective in the affected veteran’s case (e.g., contact dermatitis where the mask or interface touches the face or nares, Parkinson’s disease, missing limbs, facial disfigurement, or skull fracture).

[Download] the Proposed VA Rating Changes for Sleep Apnea Syndromes

Massive Changes to the VA Rating Criteria for Tinnitus: BAD NEWS

The 2025 changes to the VA rating criteria for tinnitus could potentially devastate the compensation many veterans receive.

This change is bad news for veterans.

Why This Change is Bad for Veterans:

• No More Separate VA Rating for Tinnitus: 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 VA Disability 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 Reese’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.

*NEW* 2025 VA Rating Changes for Tinnitus

DC 6100, Hearing Loss with Tinnitus as Associated with Underlying Hearing Loss:	VA Rating
If Hearing Loss is evaluated at 0% and Tinnitus is diagnosed as associated with underlying Hearing Loss.	10%
Otherwise, evaluate using the Hearing Loss Tables.
Note (#1): The 10% evaluation is only applicable to tinnitus diagnosed as associated with non-compensable service-connected hearing loss. Tinnitus diagnosed as associated with another service-connected disability (i.e., Meniere’s disease, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebral arteriosclerosis, vascular neurocognitive disorder) must be evaluated as a part of that disability without a separate evaluation for tinnitus under diagnostic code 6100.
Note (#2): Tinnitus will only be compensated as part of an underlying service-connected condition.

Under the proposed changes to how the VA evaluates tinnitus, DC 6100 specifically addresses the scenario where tinnitus is associated with hearing loss.

Here’s what it means for veterans:

• 10% Rating for Tinnitus with Non-Compensable Hearing Loss: If a veteran has hearing loss rated at 0% (recognized as service-connected but not severe enough to warrant compensation) and tinnitus is diagnosed as linked to this hearing loss, a 10% VA disability rating can be awarded for tinnitus. This is the only scenario under DC 6100 where tinnitus can still receive a separate 10% rating.

• Otherwise Evaluated Under Hearing Loss Tables: If the hearing loss itself is compensable (i.e., rated at 10% or higher), no additional 10% rating will be granted for tinnitus. Instead, the veteran’s overall rating will be determined based on the severity of the hearing loss alone, using the standard hearing loss tables.

• Note #1: Tinnitus diagnosed in association with other service-connected conditions, such as Meniere’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or certain vascular and neurocognitive disorders, will not receive a separate 10% rating under DC 6100. Instead, tinnitus will be evaluated as part of these underlying conditions, without a distinct tinnitus rating.

• Note #2: Tinnitus will only be compensated if it is part of an underlying service-connected condition. This means the VA will no longer provide a standalone rating for tinnitus; it must be tied directly to another recognized condition.

What Should Veterans Do Now Because of These VA Rating Changes?

If you have tinnitus or sleep apnea diagnosed but aren’t yet service-connected for them, I highly recommend you get your claims filed 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 early to mid-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, or tinnitus, 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 affect new VA claims as of the effective date of the rating changes.

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