Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Organs of Special Sense and Schedule of Ratings-Eye

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the portion of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or rating schedule) that addresses the organs of special sense and schedule of ratings--eye. The purpose of these changes is to incorporate medical advances that have occurred since the last review, update current medical terminology, and provide clear evaluation criteria. The proposed rule reflects advances in medical knowledge, recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and comments from subject matter experts and the public garnered as part of a public forum. The public forum, focusing on revisions to the organs of special sense and schedule of ratings for eye disabilities, was held on January 19-20, 2012.