The VA disability claims process never stands still. Even when there are no dramatic headline changes, the system keeps evolving through policy tweaks, technology upgrades, and shifts in how existing rules are applied. For many veterans, 2025 felt like one of those “quiet but important” years. No sweeping overhaul of the VA disability rating schedule officially took effect, yet the day-to-day experience of filing and managing a claim continued to change in meaningful ways.
This guide breaks down what 2025 really changed for VA disability claims, what stayed the same, and what veterans should be paying attention to as the process continues to evolve.
Table of Contents
A Year of Stability in the Rating Schedule, With Important Context
One of the biggest questions veterans had going into 2025 was whether the VA disability rating schedule would undergo major updates. The short answer is no. There were no finalized, across-the-board changes implemented in 2025.
That said, the story does not end there.
Several proposed updates were discussed and delayed throughout the year. These proposals focused primarily on mental health conditions, sleep apnea, and certain respiratory disabilities. Early in the year, implementation was expected around spring, then later shifted to summer, and eventually to “by the end of the year.” As 2025 progressed, timelines became less certain, and no firm promises were made.
For veterans, this uncertainty mattered almost as much as an actual rule change. When ratings may increase or decrease in the future, the timing of a claim can be just as important as the evidence behind it.
The Lasting Impact of the 2024 Gastrointestinal Changes
Even though 2025 did not introduce new gastrointestinal updates, veterans continued to feel the effects of changes made the year before.
GERD Became Harder to Rate Compensably
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, became significantly more difficult to receive a compensable rating for after the earlier updates. Previously, ratings were largely based on symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and epigastric distress. In practical terms, many veterans could qualify based on how GERD affected their daily lives.
After the update, the focus shifted. Ratings now emphasize documented medical procedures, particularly those addressing esophageal strictures. Because relatively few veterans undergo these types of procedures, many claims for GERD now result in a noncompensable, or zero percent, rating.
IBS Became Easier to Rate at Higher Levels
At the same time, irritable bowel syndrome moved in the opposite direction. Veterans found it somewhat easier to qualify for higher ratings based on the severity and frequency of symptoms. This shift created a noticeable contrast between upper and lower gastrointestinal conditions.
Separate Ratings Without Pyramiding
One positive development that continued into 2025 was the ability to receive separate ratings for GERD and IBS. In the past, these conditions were often “pyramided,” meaning the VA would only assign a single rating based on overlapping symptoms.
Now, veterans can receive separate evaluations. The practical result for many, however, is a compensable rating for IBS and a zero percent rating for GERD. While this does not always increase monthly compensation, it can still matter for future claims, secondary conditions, and overall disability recognition.
Celiac Disease Finally Has Its Own Code
Another lasting improvement from earlier changes was the formal inclusion of celiac disease in the rating schedule. Instead of being rated by analogy, celiac disease now has a dedicated diagnostic code, providing clearer guidance for both veterans and VA adjudicators.
Claims Processing Speed Improved, Thanks to AI
One of the most noticeable changes veterans experienced in 2025 had nothing to do with rating percentages. It had everything to do with speed.
The VA has increasingly integrated artificial intelligence into its claims processing systems. As a result, certain types of claims moved faster than ever before.
Faster Supplemental Claims
Supplemental claims, which once commonly took six to eight months or longer, were sometimes decided in a matter of weeks. This was a dramatic improvement for veterans who needed corrections or reconsideration based on new evidence.
Faster Board Decisions
Even appeals at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals showed signs of acceleration. In many cases, decisions were issued within one to two years, and sometimes even sooner, without requiring advancement on the docket.
While wait times still varied widely depending on complexity and workload, the overall trend in 2025 was toward faster resolution.
The Trade-Off: New Types of Errors
Speed came with trade-offs. While human adjudicators made mistakes, AI introduced a different category of problems.
AI systems rely heavily on precise wording and one-to-one matches. This created issues when veterans used slightly different language in supplemental claims. For example, a condition previously denied under a specific diagnosis might not be recognized as the same condition if refiled under a more general description.
What a human reviewer might easily understand as the same issue could be treated as something entirely new by an automated system. This made accuracy and consistency in claim language more important than ever.
VA.gov Tools Became Central to the Process
Another area where 2025 quietly changed the experience was in how veterans interacted with the system online.
Uploading Evidence Online
More veterans relied on the VA.gov portal to submit evidence instead of mailing documents. This reduced the risk of lost paperwork and sped up evidence intake.
Claim Tracking and Notifications
Tracking tools allowed veterans to see the status of their claims in near real time. Notifications alerted them when a claim moved stages or when a decision was issued.
However, this transparency sometimes created confusion. Claims often moved forward, then backward, as additional evidence or exams were requested. To veterans, this could feel like the system was malfunctioning, when in reality it was part of the VA’s duty to assist in developing the claim.
Emotional Ups and Downs Became More Intense
With faster updates and instant notifications, veterans experienced more emotional highs and lows.
Seeing a claim reach the rating stage could feel like the finish line, only for it to be sent back for another medical opinion or exam. While this process existed long before 2025, the increased visibility made the back-and-forth more emotionally taxing.
Understanding that progress is not always linear became an important mindset for veterans navigating claims in 2025.
PACT Act Developments Calmed Down
The PACT Act continued to influence claims, but 2025 marked a shift in how it was applied.
Fewer Unnecessary TERA Memos
In the initial aftermath of the PACT Act, the VA often developed toxic exposure risk activity memorandums for nearly every condition, even when there was no logical connection. This led to confusion and sometimes improper denials.
By 2025, the VA appeared to scale back. TERA memos were more likely to be requested only when a condition plausibly related to toxic exposure such as burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, jet fuels, or firefighting foam.
This more targeted approach reduced unnecessary development and helped keep claims focused on the correct medical theories.
No New Presumptive Conditions in 2025
Despite speculation, no new presumptive conditions were officially added during the year. Veterans filing claims still relied on the existing presumptive lists established in prior legislation.
Improvements and Ongoing Issues With C&P Exams
Compensation and Pension exams remained a critical part of the claims process in 2025.
Better Notifications From Exam Vendors
Veterans generally experienced better communication from third-party exam contractors. Missed calls without follow-up became less common, and scheduling improved compared to previous years.
Rescheduling Still Causes Delays
Rescheduling exams remained risky. Veterans were often limited in how many times they could reschedule before the exam request was sent back to the VA, potentially adding months to the process.
Quality Remained Mixed
While some examiners provided thorough and veteran-friendly evaluations, others continued to submit opinions with errors or limited reasoning. This inconsistency meant appeals and supplemental claims were still common.
Strategic Filing Became More Important Than Ever
One of the clearest lessons from 2025 was the importance of timing.
For conditions that may face less favorable rating changes in the future, such as sleep apnea or tinnitus, filing sooner rather than later could allow veterans to be evaluated under current criteria.
For mental health conditions, where proposed changes may be more favorable, veterans often benefited from filing now rather than waiting. If new criteria are implemented later and prove more beneficial, the VA generally applies whichever version is more favorable to the veteran.
A Constantly Evolving System
By the end of 2025, one thing was clear. The VA disability claims process is not static. Technology, training, contracts, and regulations continue to shift.
The experience a veteran has today may be very different from what a friend experienced a few years ago, and it may change again in the near future. Understanding these trends helps veterans set realistic expectations and make informed decisions.
Final Thoughts
What 2025 really changed for VA disability claims was not a single rule or policy. It changed the pace, the tools, and the strategy required to navigate the system. Faster decisions, increased use of AI, improved online access, and a more refined application of the PACT Act all shaped the year.
For veterans, staying informed and proactive remains the best way to protect benefits in a system that continues to evolve under the guidance of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Also Read: Will You Lose VA Disability Benefits If You Start a Business?
At Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting, a veteran-owned company, we specialize in Independent Medical Opinions (IMOs) known as Nexus letters.
Our purpose is to empower YOU, the veteran, to take charge of your medical evidence and provide you with valuable educational tools and research to guide you on your journey.
Understanding the unique challenges veterans face, our commitment lies in delivering exceptional service and support.
Leveraging an extensive network of licensed independent medical professionals, all well-versed in the medical professional aspects of the VA claims process, we review the necessary medical evidence to incorporate in our reports related to your VA Disability Claim.
Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting is not a law firm, accredited claims agent, or affiliated with the Veterans Administration or Veterans Services Organizations. However, we are happy to discuss your case with your accredited VA legal professional.
