Recent and Pending Legislation
For a list of legislation referred to the Congressional Veterans Affairs Committees in the current Congress, click here for the Senate and here for the House.
Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, signed Aug. 23, 2017. Replacing the existing process of appealing claims decisions. [download .pdf]
Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, signed Aug. 6, 2012. Significant changes to the adjudication process are detailed in Title V. [download .pdf]
H.R.1484 ("Veterans Appeals Improvement Act of 2011") would change the BVA's ability to consider new evidence and create a commission to review the process of reviewing benefit claims. [download .pdf]
The Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 contains mostly minor changes to specific programs and benefits. [download .pdf]
The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 enacted a few changes and pilot programs. Titles I and II of the Act contain the most pertinent changes. [download here]
Recent and Pending Regulatory Changes
Proposed, finalized, and withdrawn regulations are published in the Federal Register. Recent postings are listed below. The Federal Register posts its notices here.
Final Rules:
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Genitourinary Diseases and Conditions, 86 Fed. Reg. 54,081 (Sept. 30, 2021) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Cardiovascular System, 86 Fed. Reg. 54,089 (Sept. 30, 2021) [download .pdf].
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Hematologic and Lymphatic Systems, 83 Fed. Reg. 54250 (Oct. 29, 2018) [download .pdf]
- Presumption of Herbicide Exposure and Presumption of Disability During Service for Reservists Presumed Exposed to Herbicides, 83 Fed. Reg. 53,179 (Oct. 22, 2018) [download .pdf]
- Extra-Schedular Evaluations for Individual Disabilities, 82 Fed. Reg. 57,830 (Dec. 8, 2017) [download .pdf]
- Diseases Associated With Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune, 82 Fed. Reg. 4173 (Jan. 13, 2017). [download .pdf]
- Agency Interpretation of Prosthetic Replacement of a Joint, 80 Fed. Reg. 42,040 (Jul. 16, 2015). [download .pdf]
- Presumption of Herbicide Exposure and Presumption of Disability During Service for Reservists Presumed Exposed to Herbicide, 80 Fed. Reg. 35,246 (Jun. 9, 2015). [download .pdf]
- Standard Claims and Appeals Forms, 79 Fed. Reg. 57,660 (Sept. 25, 2014) [download .pdf]
- Payment or Reimbursement for Certain Medical Expenses for Camp Lejeune Family Members, 79 Fed. Reg. 57,415 (Sept. 24, 2014) [download .pdf]
- Hospital Care and Medical Services for Camp Lejeune Veterans, 79 Fed. Reg. 57,410 (Sept. 24, 2014) [download .pdf]
- Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant, 79 Fed. Reg. 52,977 (Sept. 5, 2014) [download .pdf]
- Secondary Service Connection for Diagnosable Illnesses Associated With Traumatic Brain Injury, 78 Fed. Reg. 76,196 (Dec. 17, 2013) [download .pdf]
- Disease Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents: Peripheral Neuropathy, 78 Fed. Reg. 54763 (Sept. 6, 2013) [download .pdf]
- Extension of Statutory Period for Compensation for Certain Disabilities Due to Undiagnosed Illnesses and Medically Unexplained Chronic Multi-Symptom Illnesses, 77 Fed. Reg. 63225 (Oct. 16, 2012) [download .pdf]
- Interim Final Rule: Extension of Statutory Period for Compensation for Certain Disabilities Due to Undiagnosed Illnesses and Medically Unexplained Chronic Multi-Symptom Illnesses, 76 Fed. Reg. 81834 (Dec. 29, 2011) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Evaluation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, 76 Fed. Reg. 78823 (Dec. 20, 2011) [download .pdf]
- Rules Governing Hearings Before the Agency of Original Jurisdiction and the Board of Veterans' Appeals; Clarification, 76 Fed. Reg. 52572 (Aug. 23, 2011) [download .pdf]
- Presumptive Service Connection for Diseases Associated With Service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations During the Persian Gulf War: Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, 76 Fed. Reg. 41696 (Jul. 15, 2011) [download .pdf]
- Board of Veterans' Appeals: Remand or Referral for Further Action;
Notification of Evidence Secured by the Board and Opportunity for Response, 76 Fed. Reg. 17544 (Mar.30, 2011) [download .pdf] - Herbicide Exposure and Veterans With Covered Service in Korea. 76 Fed. Reg. 4345 (Jan. 25, 2011) [download .pdf]
- Presumptions of Service Connection for Persian Gulf Service, 75 Fed. Reg. 59968 (Sept. 29, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Diseases Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents (Hairy Cell Leukemia and Other Chronic B-Cell Leukemias, Parkinson's Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease), 75 Fed. Reg. 53202 (Aug. 31, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Stressor Determinations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 75 Fed. Reg. 39843 (Jul. 13, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Presumption of Service Connection for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, 74 Fed. Reg. 57072 (Nov. 4, 2009) [download .pdf]
Proposed Rules:
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Cardiovascular System, 84 Fed. Reg. 37,594 (Aug. 1, 2019). [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Dental and Oral Conditions, 82 Fed. Reg. 36080 (Aug. 3, 2017) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Musculoskeletal System and Muscle Injuries, 82 Fed. Reg. 35719 (Aug. 1, 2017) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Genitourinary Diseases and Conditions, 82 Fed. Reg. 35140 (Jul. 28, 2017) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Hematologic and Lymphatic Systems, 80 Fed. Reg. 46,888 (Aug. 6, 2015) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Dental and Oral Conditions, 80 Fed. Reg. 44,913 (Jul. 28, 2015) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Endocrine System, 80 Fed. Reg. 39,011 (Jul. 8, 2015) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Organs of Special Sense and Schedule of Ratings—Eye, 80 Fed. Reg. 32,513 (Jun. 9, 2015) [download .pdf]
- Jan. 3, 2014: Fiduciary Activities, 79 Fed. Reg. 430 (Jan. 3, 2014) [download .pdf]
- Nov. 27, 2013: VA Compensation and Pension Regulation Rewrite Project, 78 Fed. Reg. 71,042 (Nov. 27, 2013) [download .pdf]
- Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Benefits Program, 78 Fed. Reg. 69,614 (Nov. 20, 2013) [download .pdf]
- Standard Claims and Appeals Forms, 78 Fed. Reg. 65,490 (Oct. 31, 2013) [download .pdf]
- Hospital Care and Medical Services for Camp Lejeune Veterans, 78 Fed. Reg. 55671 (Sept. 11, 2013). [download .pdf]
- Secondary Service Connection for Diagnosable Illnesses Associated With Traumatic Brain Injury, 77 Fed. Reg. 73366 (Dec. 10, 2012) [download
.pdf] - Disease Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents: Peripheral Neuropathy, 77 Fed. Reg. 47795 (Aug. 10, 2012) [download .pdf]
- Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant, 76 Fed. Reg. 8666 (Feb. 15, 2011) [download .pdf]
- Presumptive Service Connection for Diseases Associated With Persian Gulf War Service: Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, 75 Fed. Reg. 70162 (Nov. 17, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; AL Amyloidosis (Primary Amyloidosis), 75 Fed. Reg. 65279 (Oct. 22, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Evaluation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, 75 Fed. Reg. 35711 (Jun. 23, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Diseases Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents (Hairy Cell Leukemia and Other Chronic B Cell Leukemias, Parkinson's Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease), 75 Fed. Reg. 14391 (Mar. 25, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Presumptions of Service Connection for Persian Gulf Service, 75 Fed.Reg. 13051 (Mar. 18, 2010) [download .pdf]
- Board of Veterans' Appeals: Remand or Referral for Further Action; Notification of Evidence Secured by the Board and Opportunity for Response, 74 Fed. Reg. 67149 (Dec. 18, 2009) [download .pdf]
- Notice of Information and Evidence Necessary to Substantiate Claim, 74 Fed. Reg. 65702 (Dec. 11, 2009) [download .pdf]
- Claim-Related Documents or Supporting Evidence Not of Record, 74 Fed. Reg. 58232 (Nov. 12, 2009) [download .pdf]
- Stressor Determinations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 74 Fed. Reg. 42617 (Aug. 24, 2009) [download .pdf]
- Herbicide Exposure and Veterans With Covered Service in Korea, 74 Fed. Reg. 36640 (July 24 2009) [download .pdf]
Withdrawals of Proposed Rules:
- VA Compensation and Pension Regulation Rewrite Project, 83 Fed. Reg. 14,803 (Apr. 6, 2018) [download .pdf]
- Rules Governing Hearings Before the Agency of Original Jurisdiction and the Board of Veterans' Appeals; Repeal of Prior Rule Change, 77 Fed. Reg. 23138 (Apr. 18, 2012) [download .pdf]
- Claim-Related Documents or Supporting Evidence Not of Record, 76 Fed. Reg. 42007 (Jul. 18, 2011) [download .pdf]
- Definition of Service in the Republic of Vietnam, 74 Fed. Reg. 48689 (Sept. 24, 2009) [download .pdf]