New Eye Diseases Added to List of VA disabilities

Original article posted by Jonathan Kaupanger via connectingvets.com :
https://connectingvets.com/articles/new-eye-diseases-added-list-va-disabilities
Veterans Affairs has made more changes to how disabilities are rated.  This is part of the ongoing update of VA’s Schedule for Ratings Disabilities.  The new changes are on how the VA evaluates eye conditions, gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast.
“VA remains committed to providing veterans with the benefits they have earned through their service,” said VA Acting Secretary Robert Wilkie.  “And, with modern medicine advancing at a rapid rate, it’s important to ensure VA’s disability rating schedule reflects these advancements.”
The VA’s ratings system is broken down into 15 body systems.  Since 2009 the VA has brought together subject matter experts to review and modernize each of these systems.  The first change was to the Dental and Oral Conditions system and is in effect as of Sept. 10.
This time, revisions were made to the general rating formula for diseases of the eye and three new diagnostics were added – diabetic retinopathy, retinal dystrophy and post-chiasmal disorders – but no conditions were removed.
The changes made to the schedule for gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast include new diagnostic codes for malignant neoplasms, benign neoplasms and other injuries of the breast.  Several other diagnostic codes were revised.
Over the next few months, VA will continue to update the other body systems.  The remaining body systems to update are: Mental Disorders, Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, the Skin, Hemic and Lymphatic Systems, Genitourinary System, Digestive System, Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Infectious Diseases Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies, Impairment of Auditory Acuity, Organs of Special Sense and the Musculoskeletal System.  Updates were made to the dental and oral conditions and to the endocrine system last year.