Schedule for Rating Disabilities-Mental Disorders and Definition of Psychosis for Certain VA Purposes, 45093-45103 [2014-18150]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45093-45103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18150]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Parts 3 and 4

RIN 2900-AO96


Schedule for Rating Disabilities--Mental Disorders and Definition 
of Psychosis for Certain VA Purposes

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Interim final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending the 
portion of its Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) dealing with 
mental disorders and its adjudication regulations that define the term 
``psychosis.'' The

[[Page 45094]]

VASRD refers to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 
Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), and VA's adjudication regulations 
refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 
Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR were 
recently updated by issuance of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 
of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This rulemaking will remove 
outdated DSM references by deleting references to DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR 
and replacing them with references to DSM-5. Additionally, this 
rulemaking will update the nomenclature used to refer to certain mental 
disorders to conform to DSM-5.

DATES: Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective August 4, 
2014. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
August 4, 2014.
    Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before October 3, 
2014.
    Applicability Date: The provisions of this interim final rule shall 
apply to all applications for benefits that are received by VA or that 
are pending before the agency of original jurisdiction on or after the 
effective date of this interim final rule. The Secretary does not 
intend for the provisions of this interim final rule to apply to claims 
that have been certified for appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
or are pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, the United States 
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, or the United States Court of 
Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through 
www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to Director, Regulation 
Policy and Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 
273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response 
to ``RIN 2900-AO96--Schedule for Rating Disabilities--Mental Disorders 
and Definition of Psychosis for Certain VA Purposes.'' Copies of 
comments received will be available for public inspection in the Office 
of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1068, between the hours of 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). 
Please call (202) 461-4902 for an appointment. (This is not a toll-free 
number.) In addition, during the comment period, comments may be viewed 
online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at 
www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ioulia Vvedenskaya, Medical Officer, 
VASRD Regulations Staff (211C), Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9700. (This is not a toll-free 
telephone number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of 
Mental Disorders (DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric 
Association and provides a common language and standard criteria for 
the classification of mental disorders. DSM-IV, the version that is 
referenced in VA's current regulations, was initially published in 
1994, with minor changes published in 2000 as the DSM-IV-TR. DSM-5, 
which replaces DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR, was published in May 2013.
    The DSM is referenced in VA's adjudication regulations and VASRD to 
ensure that claims for disability benefits for mental disorders are 
adjudicated in a consistent and objective manner. Additionally, 
reference to the DSM is included so that VA adjudicators apply the same 
principles and criteria that are used by both VA and non-VA health care 
providers. 61 FR 52695, Oct. 8, 1996.
    In order to keep VA regulations, including the VASRD, current for 
immediate use in accordance with DSM-5, 38 CFR 3.384, 4.125, 4.126, 
4.127, and 4.130 must be updated. This update will require VA rating 
personnel to use the diagnostic nomenclature contained in DSM-5 when 
adjudicating claims for mental disorders. This update to incorporate 
the current DSM will not affect evaluations assigned to mental 
disorders as it does not change the disability evaluation criteria in 
the VASRD.

Section 3.384: DSM Reference and DSM-5 Nomenclature Change

    Currently, Sec.  3.384 reads, ``For purposes of this part, the term 
`psychosis' means any of the following disorders listed in Diagnostic 
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text 
Revision, of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR).'' 
Reference to DSM-IV-TR is outdated in light of the publication of the 
most recent fifth edition of the DSM and is, by this rulemaking, 
replaced with reference to DSM-5. Additionally, the reference to Shared 
Psychotic Disorder as a distinct diagnosis in Sec.  3.384(h) is removed 
as the DSM-5 now classifies it as a part of Delusional Disorder. Also 
included in current Sec.  3.384 are the following listed disorders: 
Psychotic Disorder Due to General Medical Condition; Psychotic Disorder 
Not Otherwise Specified; and Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder. To 
reflect the current nomenclature of the DSM-5, VA is updating the names 
of these disorders to Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical 
Condition, Other Specified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic 
Disorder, and Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder, 
respectively.

Section 4.125: DSM Reference and DSM-5 Nomenclature Change

    Section 4.125(a) currently reads, ``If the diagnosis of a mental 
disorder does not conform to DSM-IV or is not supported by the findings 
on the examination report, the rating agency shall return the report to 
the examiner to substantiate the diagnosis.'' Now that DSM-5 has been 
published, continued VASRD reference to DSM-IV will lead to inaccurate 
Compensation and Pension diagnoses and inefficient processing of 
related benefits claims. Additionally, mandating use of an outdated 
version of the DSM would not be consistent with VA's goal of using the 
most up-to-date medical information to describe veterans' rated 
disorders. Therefore, VA is removing the reference to DSM-IV and 
replacing it with reference to DSM-5.

Section 4.126: DSM-5 Nomenclature Change

    Currently, Sec.  4.126(c) reads, ``Delirium, dementia, and amnestic 
and other cognitive disorders shall be evaluated under the general 
rating formula for mental disorders; neurologic deficits or other 
impairments stemming from the same etiology (e.g., a head injury) shall 
be evaluated separately and combined with the evaluation for delirium, 
dementia, or amnestic or other cognitive disorder (see Sec.  4.25).'' 
DSM-5 renames the ``Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic and Other 
Cognitive Disorders'' category as ``Neurocognitive Disorders.'' 
Therefore, VA is deleting the reference to ``Delirium, dementia, and 
amnestic and other cognitive disorders'' as a disease category in Sec.  
4.126(c) and replacing it with ``Neurocognitive Disorders'' to be 
consistent with the terminology in DSM-5.

Section 4.127: DSM-5 Nomenclature Change

    Currently, Sec.  4.127 is titled ``Mental retardation and 
personality disorders.'' It reads, ``Mental retardation and personality 
disorders are not diseases or injuries for compensation purposes, and, 
except as provided in Sec.  3.310(a) of this chapter, disability 
resulting from them may not be service-connected.

[[Page 45095]]

However, disability resulting from a mental disorder that is 
superimposed upon mental retardation or a personality disorder may be 
service-connected.'' The term ``mental retardation'' was used in DSM-
IV. However, the term ``intellectual disability (intellectual 
developmental disorder)'' has replaced ``mental retardation'' in common 
use over the past two decades among medical, educational, and other 
professionals and conforms with nomenclature in the DSM-5. Therefore, 
VA is deleting the reference to ``Mental retardation'' and replacing it 
with ``Intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder)'' 
in Sec.  4.127 and its title.

Section 4.130: DSM Reference and DSM-5 Nomenclature Change

    Currently, Sec.  4.130 reads, ``The nomenclature employed in this 
portion of the rating schedule is based upon the Diagnostic and 
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, of the American 
Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV).'' As explained above, continued 
reference to the DSM-IV will lead to inaccurate Compensation and 
Pension diagnoses and inefficient processing of related benefits 
claims. Additionally, mandating the use of an outdated version of the 
DSM would not be consistent with VA's goal of using the most up-to-date 
medical information to describe veterans' rated disorders. Therefore, 
VA is deleting the reference to DSM-IV in Sec.  4.130 and replacing it 
with a reference to DSM-5.

Section 4.130: Deletion of Organizational Categories

    Currently, Sec.  4.130 lists 38 diagnostic codes that are divided 
under eight organizational headers: Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic 
Disorders; Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic and Other Cognitive 
Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Dissociative Disorders; Somatoform 
Disorders; Mood Disorders; Chronic Adjustment Disorder; and Eating 
Disorders. These headers are based on the chapters in the DSM-IV and 
reflect classification of mental disorders in DSM-IV. The headers are 
not part of the actual rating criteria that pertain to how a mental 
disability is evaluated under the VASRD.
    VA is changing Sec.  4.130 terminology to conform to DSM-5. 
Accordingly, VA is deleting the organizational headers within the 
VASRD. This change adheres to the classification of mental disorders in 
DSM-5 and allows for accurate classification of mental disorders under 
the VASRD. For example, in the DSM-5, the Anxiety Disorders chapter no 
longer includes obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is in a new 
chapter ``Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders,'' or 
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is in the new chapter 
``Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders.'' This change is technical 
and does not amend the criteria currently used to evaluate mental 
disorders under the VASRD.
    In addition to deletion of these organizational categories, VA is 
adding a note to Sec.  4.130. This note instructs rating specialists to 
evaluate mental disorders according to the general rating formula for 
mental disorders and to evaluate eating disorders according to the 
rating formula for eating disorders. This note is necessary due to the 
DSM-5 deletion of organizational categories. There is no change made to 
VA's criteria or method for evaluating mental and eating disorders. The 
note will read as follows: ``Note: Ratings under diagnostic codes 9201 
to 9440 will be evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Mental 
Disorders. Ratings under diagnostic codes 9520 and 9521 will be 
evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Eating Disorders.''

Section 4.130: Diagnostic Codes and DSM-5 Nomenclature

    Of the 38 diagnostic codes in Sec.  4.130, 25 require updating to 
reflect the current terminology contained in the DSM-5. The changes do 
not affect the evaluation of these mental disorders. For reference 
purposes, the following table lists all affected diagnostic codes under 
amended Sec.  4.130 and includes the nomenclature under DSM-IV and the 
new nomenclature under DSM-5:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Diagnostic code             DSM-IV                     DSM-5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9201................  Schizophrenia,            Schizophrenia.
                       disorganized type.
9202................  Schizophrenia, catatonic  Schizophrenia (DC 9201).
                       type.
9203................  Schizophrenia, paranoid   Schizophrenia (DC 9201).
                       type.
9204................  Schizophrenia,            Schizophrenia (DC 9201).
                       undifferentiated type.
9205................  Schizophrenia, residual   Schizophrenia (DC 9201).
                       type; other and
                       unspecified types.
9210................  Psychotic disorder, not   Other specified and
                       otherwise specified       unspecified
                       (atypical psychosis).     schizophrenia spectrum
                                                 and other psychotic
                                                 disorders.
9301................  Dementia due to           Major or mild
                       infection (HIV            neurocognitive disorder
                       infection, syphilis, or   due to HIV or other
                       other systemic or         infections.
                       intracranial
                       infections).
9304................  Dementia due to head      Major or mild
                       trauma.                   neurocognitive disorder
                                                 due to traumatic brain
                                                 injury.
9305................  Vascular dementia.......  Major or mild vascular
                                                 neurocognitive
                                                 disorder.
9310................  Dementia of unknown       Unspecified
                       etiology.                 neurocognitive
                                                 disorder.
9312................  Dementia of the           Major or mild
                       Alzheimer's type.         neurocognitive disorder
                                                 due to Alzheimer's
                                                 disease.
9326................  Dementia due to other     Major or mild
                       neurologic or general     neurocognitive disorder
                       medical conditions        due to another medical
                       (endocrine disorders,     condition or substance/
                       metabolic disorders,      medication-induced
                       Pick's disease, brain     major or mild
                       tumors, etc.) or that     neurocognitive
                       are substance-induced     disorder.
                       (drugs, alcohol,
                       poisons).
9327................  Organic mental disorder,  Unspecified
                       other (including          neurocognitive disorder
                       personality change due    (DC 9310).
                       to a general medical
                       condition).
9403................  Specific (simple)         Specific phobia; social
                       phobia; social phobia.    anxiety disorder
                                                 (social phobia).
9410................  Other and unspecified     Other specified anxiety
                       neurosis.                 disorder (DC 9410);
                                                Unspecified anxiety
                                                 disorder (DC 9413).
9413................  Anxiety disorder, not     Unspecified anxiety
                       otherwise specified.      disorder.
9416................  Dissociative amnesia;     Dissociative amnesia;
                       dissociative fugue;       dissociative identity
                       dissociative identity     disorder.
                       disorder (multiple
                       personality disorder).
9417................  Depersonalization         Depersonalization/
                       disorder.                 Derealization disorder.
9421................  Somatization disorder...  Somatic symptom
                                                 disorder.
9422................  Pain disorder...........  Other specified somatic
                                                 symptom and related
                                                 disorder.
9423................  Undifferentiated          Unspecified somatic
                       somatoform disorder.      symptom and related
                                                 disorder.

[[Page 45096]]

 
9424................  Conversion disorder.....  Conversion disorder
                                                 (functional
                                                 neurological symptom
                                                 disorder).
9425................  Hypochondriasis.........  Illness anxiety
                                                 disorder.
9433................  Dysthymic disorder......  Persistent depressive
                                                 disorder (dysthymia).
9435................  Mood disorder, not        Unspecified depressive
                       otherwise specified.      disorder.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The changes in the table will also be reflected in identical 
amendments to Appendix A--Table of Amendments and Effective Dates Since 
1946, Appendix B--Numerical Index of Disabilities, and Appendix C--
Alphabetical Index of Disabilities, all contained in 38 CFR Part 4. In 
addition, diagnostic code 9412 in Appendix B--Numerical Index of 
Disabilities has been corrected to read ``Panic disorder and/or 
agoraphobia.'' This change is a correction as the previous listing in 
Appendix B omitted ``and/or agoraphobia'' from the listed diagnosis.

Incorporation by Reference

    The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by 
reference of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and 
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (2013) 
for the purposes of 38 CFR 4.125(a) in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. You may obtain a copy from the American Psychiatric 
Association, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-3901. You may 
inspect a copy at the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, 
Washington, DC 20420 or the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. Although Sec. Sec.  
3.384 and 4.130 also mention DSM-5, incorporation by reference is not 
required because those sections merely refer to the DSM-5 as a source 
and not as a requirement. In contrast, Sec.  4.125 requires claims 
adjudicators to use the DSM-5.

Administrative Procedure Act

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and (d)(3), the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs finds that there is good cause to dispense with the 
opportunity for prior notice and comment and good cause to publish this 
rule with an immediate effective date. The Secretary finds that it is 
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest to 
delay this regulation for the purpose of soliciting prior public 
comment.
    It is impracticable to provide opportunity for prior notice and 
comment for this rulemaking because a delay in implementation will 
require the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to continue to 
diagnose mental disorders under two versions of the DSM until this 
regulation is effective, one for clinical purposes (under DSM-5) and 
one for compensation purposes (under DSM-IV). In order to maintain the 
highest and most modern level of care for veterans, and as required by 
the American Psychiatric Association, VHA clinicians must use the DSM-
5-based clinical guidelines to appropriately diagnose and treat 
veterans with mental disorders. This use of the DSM-5 not only provides 
veterans with the most up-to-date care for mental disorders, but also 
ensures that non-VA health care providers who employ the DSM-5 are able 
to understand, interpret, and continue the care documented in VA 
treatment records.
    Similarly, the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) failure to 
employ DSM-5 will place VASRD diagnostic terminology and 
classifications of mental disorders at odds with the DSM-5-based 
diagnostic criteria and terminology now standard in the psychiatric 
community. Continued reliance on the DSM-IV would also potentially 
place VBA at odds with its own regulations, which require ``accurate 
and fully descriptive medical examinations'' in order to apply the 
VASRD. 38 CFR 4.1. Failure to adopt the most current medical standards 
for the diagnosis of mental disorders, as contained in the DSM-5, would 
thus result in an inability to apply the VASRD, as DSM-IV-based 
examinations are now outdated and therefore inaccurate.
    It is therefore imperative that VBA adopt the DSM-5 as the 
diagnostic standard for disability compensation purposes. As described 
above, prior notice and comment period for this rulemaking will result 
in negative consequences for both the VHA treatment and VBA evaluation 
of mental health disorders. Specifically, without this immediate 
change, VHA medical professionals would be required to diagnose and 
record their clinical findings using two standards. Under commonly 
accepted American Psychiatric Association and medical guidelines, the 
DSM-5, the current authoritative standard, must be used for the 
purposes of clinical diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. 
However, under the existing requirement to diagnose mental disorders 
under DSM-IV when performing Compensation and Pension examinations, 
these same VHA clinicians would be required to record their clinical 
findings using the obsolete and now-irrelevant DSM-IV. This would put 
VHA physicians at odds with their professional responsibilities as 
members of the medical community and providers of veterans' care. 
Moreover, asking VHA to continue providing medical evidence based on 
DSM-IV ignores the numerous advances in mental health science reflected 
in the DSM-5.
    VA notes that it is unnecessary to provide opportunity for prior 
notice and comment for this rulemaking because it is inevitable that 
VBA will adopt the DSM-5 for diagnostic purposes. With its foundations 
based upon the most current medical science as determined by experts in 
the field of mental health, the new and current DSM-5 terminology and 
classification of mental disorders must be applied to the adjudication 
process without undue delay. In this context, VA recognizes that 
applying the new and current DSM-5-based updates to the VASRD 
immediately upon publication of this rule will enable the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to make available to all veterans who are diagnosed 
with mental health disorders, including those who suffer from PTSD, 
timely access to benefits based on current and accurate clinical 
diagnostic criteria already adopted by the psychiatric community. 
Taking this step will avoid disruption in providing accurate disability 
benefits to veterans for mental health disorders in a timely manner.
    Upon publication of the DSM-5, the American Psychiatric Association 
and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services instructed health 
care providers to begin using the DSM-5 immediately. VHA clinicians 
followed thereafter and began utilizing the DSM-5 in treatment of 
mental disorders on November 1, 2013. However, the American Psychiatric 
Association also noted that there will be a period of time during which 
insurers and other agencies, to include VA, will need to

[[Page 45097]]

update forms and data systems associated with the transition from DSM-
IV to DSM-5. For the purposes of VA disability benefits, the forms and 
data systems that must be updated include, but are not limited to, 
Disability Benefits Questionnaires, the Veterans Benefits Management 
System, and VA's own Compensation and Pension adjudication regulations. 
In addition, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine 
(IOM) has recommended that VA adopt systematic reviews of clinical 
guidelines. The goal of these systematic reviews is to enhance the 
quality and reliability of health-care guidance for veterans. VA has 
reviewed DSM-5 and has found that its implementation for diagnostic 
purposes is appropriate.
    Furthermore, it is inevitable that VBA will eventually rely on the 
DSM-5-based terminology and classification of mental disorders to 
describe diagnosed mental disorders. Use of the DSM-5 as a standard for 
the diagnosis of mental disorders is not a decision that rests with VA, 
VHA, or VBA. VHA clinicians, as well as all mental health providers, 
have a professional duty as licensed medical practitioners to use the 
most current medical guidelines, in this case the DSM-5. In addition, 
IOM has encouraged VBA to review the VASRD to ensure that it relies on 
current medical science. With successive editions over the past 60 
years, DSM has become the standard reference for clinical practice in 
the mental health field. Its fifth edition, DSM-5, presents the most 
current classification of mental disorders with associated criteria 
designed to facilitate more reliable diagnosis of these disorders. VBA 
must eventually rely on the DSM-5 in order for VHA physicians to comply 
with their professional obligations and to ensure adherence to guidance 
from the IOM.
    The change to the references from DSM-IV to DSM-5 in VBA's 
adjudication regulations does not present a change in how mental 
disorders are evaluated under the VASRD, nor are any disorders removed 
from the VASRD. The only foreseeable substantive public comments would 
be limited to the contents of the DSM-5 itself, something over which 
VBA has no control or input. VBA has reviewed the contents of the DSM-5 
to ensure that, while some disabilities have been renamed, re-
categorized, or consolidated into another diagnosis, all mental 
disorders currently listed in the VASRD are accounted for. The changes 
made to diagnostic nomenclature, however, are beyond the scope and 
expertise of VBA, and any comments suggesting changes to how 
disabilities are diagnosed could not be answered by VBA. In cases of 
periodic updates of clinical guidelines and medical terminology used by 
the medical community, such as DSM-5, VBA has no authority to comment, 
challenge, or change the content, terminology, or nomenclature based on 
public comment. VBA's use of the DSM-5 is limited to conforming to the 
most current medical standards and practices in diagnosing mental 
disabilities. While an interim final rulemaking forgoes prior notice 
and comment, VBA will still accept and consider all significant 
comments received in response to the publication of this rulemaking and 
can make changes through future rulemakings if necessary.
    As the understandings of mental disorders and their treatments have 
evolved, clinical professionals have developed strong, objective, and 
consistent scientific validators of individual disorders. As a result, 
the DSM-5 has moved to a non-axial documentation of diagnoses, based on 
dimensional concepts in the diagnosis of mental disorders. The DSM-IV 
incorporated a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, which was 
used to measure the individual's overall level of functioning on a 
scale of 1 to 100. The American Psychiatric Association has determined 
that the GAF score has limited usefulness in the assessment of the 
level of disability. Noted problems include lack of conceptual clarity 
and doubtful value of GAF psychometrics in clinical practice. 
Currently, VA's mental health examinations performed under DSM-IV 
include the GAF score in evaluating PTSD and all other disorders, but 
the score is only marginally applicable to PTSD and other disorders 
because of its emphasis on the symptoms of mood disorder and 
schizophrenia and its limited range of symptom content.
    During VA's review of the DSM-5, questions were raised as to the 
impact of DSM-5 changes in PTSD diagnostic criteria and, therefore, the 
number of veterans eligible to receive disability compensation for this 
mental disorder. Specifically, there was concern that a change in the 
diagnostic criteria for PTSD in the DSM-5 would result in fewer 
diagnoses, given that the DSM-5 includes more explicit definitions for 
stressors. The new diagnostic criteria for PTSD no longer include the 
subjective reaction to the traumatic event (Criterion A2), such as 
experiencing fear, helplessness, or horror, but the revised stressor 
criterion (Criterion A) includes a more explicit definition for 
stressors as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or 
sexual violation. According to DSM-5, the exposure must result from at 
least one of the following scenarios, in which the individual: Directly 
experiences the traumatic event; witnesses the traumatic event in 
person; learns that the traumatic event occurred to a close family 
member or close friend (with actual or threatened death being either 
violent or accidental); or experiences first-hand repeated or extreme 
exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event (not through media, 
pictures, television, or movies unless work-related).
    The DSM-5 also includes four diagnostic clusters for PTSD, instead 
of the three clusters under the DSM-IV. These clusters are described as 
re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, 
and arousal. The number of symptoms that must be identified to support 
a diagnosis depends on the cluster in which the symptoms fall. Most 
importantly, the DSM-5 only requires that a disturbance continue for 
more than one month and eliminates the distinction between acute and 
chronic PTSD; this will likely result in more veterans meeting the 
diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
    Although DSM-5 does present minor changes in the manner in which 
PTSD is diagnosed--i.e., it includes more explicit definitions for 
stressors for purposes of clinical diagnosis, it is important to note 
that such changes do not impact VA's adjudication regulations, which 
provide evidentiary criteria for establishing the existence of an in-
service stressor, in certain circumstances. For example, 38 CFR 
3.304(f)(3) provides the relaxed evidentiary criteria for establishing 
a stressor based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity 
under which an examiner determined that the stressor criteria for a 
diagnosis of PTSD under the DSM-5 have been satisfied. 75 FR 39843, 
July 13, 2010. VA also provides for full development of potential 
sources of stressor evidence in claims based on military sexual trauma 
under 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5). In addition, it is important to note that the 
DSM-5 now specifically lists sexual violation/assault as a traumatic 
event to satisfy the stressor criteria. Also, once a diagnosis is 
established, DSM-5 does not change how the existing VASRD evaluation 
criteria are applied to diagnosed mental disorders to determine an 
appropriate disability rating.
    To the extent that VA and non-VA physicians will no longer use GAF 
scores in their examinations, such discontinuance will only alter the 
form in which physicians make and report

[[Page 45098]]

their findings regarding disability levels. There will be no effect on 
the rating criteria in the VASRD or the manner in which VA applies the 
VASRD criteria to the medical evidence of record. In order to provide a 
global measure of disability, DSM-5 recommends using the World Health 
Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, Version 2; this assessment 
can also be used over time to track changes in a patient's 
disabilities. DSM-5 benefits veterans by improving the quality and 
consistency of the mental disorder diagnoses, consequently improving 
the quality and consistency of disability evaluations. In order to 
maintain the most accurate level of clinical care for veterans with 
mental disabilities, VHA has already deployed the DSM-5 in a clinical 
setting. VBA must utilize the DSM-5 in its adjudication regulations as 
soon as possible to ensure that disability compensation is as accurate 
and up to date as the current standards used to diagnose and treat 
these mental disorders.
    Finally, it is contrary to the public interest to provide 
opportunity for prior notice and comment for this rulemaking because a 
delay in VBA's transition to the DSM-5 will negatively impact the 
current claims backlog. For example, if mental health conditions 
continue to be adjudicated based on DSM-IV nomenclature while VHA 
treats mental conditions based on DSM-5 nomenclature, VHA records will 
not be relevant for the purposes of adjudicating claims for mental 
disabilities. This outcome will require additional development by VBA 
leading to increased processing times. Therefore, immediate 
implementation of the DSM-5 in VBA's regulations will ensure rating 
decisions reflect current diagnostic standards and promote consistency 
between VHA and VBA.
    The regulations under 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4 require that all 
pertinent evidence of record be considered when evaluating a veteran's 
disability for compensation purposes. The mental health regulations of 
the VASRD currently require that all mental conditions be diagnosed in 
accordance with the standards set under DSM-IV. However, VHA currently 
uses the DSM-5 criteria for the purposes of diagnosis and treatment of 
mental disorders. As such, DSM-5 VA treatment records are not legally 
sufficient for VA disability evaluations under VASRD's current 
reference to DSM-IV. Ready availability of VHA treatment records 
expedites VBA adjudicators' accurate evaluation of mental health 
disorders, particularly when considering claims for increased benefits.
    This discrepancy between the standards for diagnosis and treatment 
and disability evaluation of mental disorders will ultimately add to 
the current backlog of disability claims. Without the ability to 
adjudicate claims based on existing medical evidence, VA will have no 
choice but to require disability examinations for mental disorders 
utilizing the criteria set forth in DSM-IV to ensure compliance with 
current regulations. This will place an additional and unnecessary 
strain on VHA and VBA resources. This will result in claim processing 
delays and frustrate VA's efforts to achieve its stated agency priority 
goal of eliminating the claims backlog.
    Historically, in response to the previous update from DSM-III to 
DSM-IV, VA employed a notice of proposed rulemaking prior to finalizing 
changes to 38 CFR 4.125. DSM-IV was published in May 1994 and VA's 
notice of proposed rulemaking to incorporate the newest version of the 
DSM was published in the Federal Register on October 26, 1995, with a 
60-day comment period. 60 FR 54825. The final rule to reference DSM-IV 
in 38 CFR Part 4 was published on October 8, 1996, almost one calendar 
year following the proposed rule, and more than two years after 
publication of the updated DSM. 61 FR 52695. In addition to updating 
references to the most current DSM in 38 CFR 4.125, the rulemaking 
included changes to the VASRD evaluation criteria for mental disorders 
under 38 CFR 4.130, which had not been revised since 1964 when the rule 
was first published for public viewing. The previous rulemaking also 
proposed changes to four other portions of 38 CFR Part 4. Due to the 
significant nature of the changes made, a proposed rule was required to 
provide prior notice and solicit public comment on the nature and 
impact of the changes. It should also be noted that, at that time, the 
concept of an interim final rule did not exist.
    In stark contrast, the current rule only updates nomenclature in 
the VASRD and other regulations to be consistent with DSM-5; evaluation 
criteria under Sec.  4.130 remain unchanged. Given that the current 
rulemaking does not change evaluation criteria and given the need to 
ensure veterans receive timely and accurate disability compensation, VA 
is making these changes through an interim final rule. VA stresses that 
it will consider and address significant comments received within 60 
days of the date this interim final rule is published in the Federal 
Register.
    As previously noted, the American Psychiatric Association released 
the DSM-5 for clinical use in May 2013. At that time, clinicians from 
VHA and medical officers from VBA, as part of a workgroup, reviewed the 
DSM-5 for changes in diagnostic criteria, disability nomenclature, and 
any other pertinent shifts from the previous version. Based upon their 
review of the DSM-5, the changes from the DSM-IV were then reviewed by 
VBA personnel with a focus on the disability compensation claims 
process. VBA determined that the DSM-5 required that changes be made to 
the VASRD nomenclature and certain adjudication regulations. VBA 
undertook an extensive development process to ensure that all potential 
issues were considered and adequately addressed in the regulations. 
While this process took considerable time, it allowed VBA to anticipate 
and address potential problems with rulemaking prior to publication, 
ultimately saving time.
    For the foregoing reasons, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs finds 
it is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to public interest to 
delay this rulemaking for the purpose of soliciting advance public 
comment or to have a delayed effective date. Accordingly, VA is issuing 
this rule as an interim final rule with an immediate effective date. We 
will consider and address significant comments that are received within 
60 days of the date this interim final rule is published in the Federal 
Register.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; 
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a 
``significant regulatory action,'' which requires review by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB), as ``any regulatory action that is 
likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the 
economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way 
the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, 
the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 
governments or

[[Page 45099]]

communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter 
the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) 
Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the 
President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive 
Order.''
    The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy 
implications of this interim final rule have been examined, and it has 
been determined not to be a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. VA's impact analysis can be found as a 
supporting document at https://www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 
hours after the rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy 
of this rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's Web 
site at https://www1.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for ``VA 
Regulations Published.''

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary hereby certifies that this interim final rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601-612. This interim final rule will not affect any small 
entities. Only certain VA beneficiaries could be directly affected. 
Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this rulemaking is exempt from 
the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of 
sections 603 and 604.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year. This interim final rule will have no such 
effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private 
sector.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This interim final rule contains no provisions constituting a 
collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers and Titles

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program numbers and 
titles for this rule are 64.009, Veterans Medical Care Benefits; 
64.104, Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability for Veterans; 
64.109, Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected Disability; and 
64.110, Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Service-
Connected Death.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jose D. 
Riojas, Chief of Staff, Department of Veteran Affairs, approved this 
document on July 24, 2014, for publication.

List of Subjects

38 CFR Part 3

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Disability benefits, 
Health Care, Pensions, Radioactive materials, Veterans, Vietnam.

38 CFR Part 4

    Disability benefits, Incorporation by reference, Pensions, 
Veterans.

    Dated: July 29, 2014.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General 
Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs amends 38 CFR parts 3 and 4 as follows:

PART 3--ADJUDICATION

Subpart A--Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity 
Compensation

0
1. The authority citation for part 3, subpart A continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), unless otherwise noted.


0
2. Revise Sec.  3.384 to read as follows:


Sec.  3.384  Psychosis.

    For purposes of this part, the term ``psychosis'' means any of the 
following disorders listed in the American Psychiatric Association's 
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition 
(DSM-5) (see Sec.  4.125 for availability information):
    (a) Brief Psychotic Disorder;
    (b) Delusional Disorder;
    (c) Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition;
    (d) Other Specified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic 
Disorder;
    (e) Schizoaffective Disorder;
    (f) Schizophrenia;
    (g) Schizophreniform Disorder; and
    (h) Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 1101, 1112(a) and (b))

PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES

Subpart B--Disability Ratings

0
3. The authority citation for part 4 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  38 U.S.C. 1155, unless otherwise noted.

0
4. Revise Sec.  4.125(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  4.125  Diagnosis of mental disorders.

    (a) If the diagnosis of a mental disorder does not conform to DSM-5 
or is not supported by the findings on the examination report, the 
rating agency shall return the report to the examiner to substantiate 
the diagnosis. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 
Fifth Edition (DSM-5), American Psychiatric Association (2013), is 
incorporated by reference into this section with the approval of the 
Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. To enforce any edition other than that specified in this section, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs must publish notice of change in the 
Federal Register and the material must be available to the public. All 
approved material is available from the American Psychiatric 
Association, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209-
3901, 703-907-7300, https://www.dsm5.org. It is also available for 
inspection at the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, 
Washington, DC 20420. It is also available for inspection at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of this information at NARA, call 202-741-6030 or go 
to https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_publications.html.
* * * * *

0
5. Revise Sec.  4.126(c) to read as follows:


Sec.  4.126  Evaluation of disability from mental disorders.

* * * * *
    (c) Neurocognitive disorders shall be evaluated under the general 
rating

[[Page 45100]]

formula for mental disorders; neurologic deficits or other impairments 
stemming from the same etiology (e.g., a head injury) shall be 
evaluated separately and combined with the evaluation for 
neurocognitive disorders (see Sec.  4.25).
* * * * *

0
6. Revise Sec.  4.127 to read as follows:


Sec.  4.127  Intellectual disability (intellectual developmental 
disorder) and personality disorders.

    Intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) and 
personality disorders are not diseases or injuries for compensation 
purposes, and, except as provided in Sec.  3.310(a) of this chapter, 
disability resulting from them may not be service-connected. However, 
disability resulting from a mental disorder that is superimposed upon 
intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or a 
personality disorder may be service-connected.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155)


0
7. Revise Sec.  4.130 to read as follows:


Sec.  4.130  Schedule of ratings--Mental disorders.

    The nomenclature employed in this portion of the rating schedule is 
based upon the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and 
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (see 
Sec.  4.125 for availability information). Rating agencies must be 
thoroughly familiar with this manual to properly implement the 
directives in Sec.  4.125 through Sec.  4.129 and to apply the general 
rating formula for mental disorders in Sec.  4.130. The schedule for 
rating for mental disorders is set forth as follows:

9201 Schizophrenia
9202 [Removed]
9203 [Removed]
9204 [Removed]
9205 [Removed]
9208 Delusional disorder
9210 Other specified and unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and 
other psychotic disorders
9211 Schizoaffective disorder
9300 Delirium
9301 Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to HIV or other 
infections
9304 Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain 
injury
9305 Major or mild vascular neurocognitive disorder
9310 Unspecified neurocognitive disorder
9312 Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's 
disease
9326 Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to another medical 
condition or substance/medication-induced major or mild 
neurocognitive disorder
9327 [Removed]
9400 Generalized anxiety disorder
9403 Specific phobia; social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
9404 Obsessive compulsive disorder
9410 Other specified anxiety disorder
9411 Posttraumatic stress disorder
9412 Panic disorder and/or agoraphobia
9413 Unspecified anxiety disorder
9416 Dissociative amnesia; dissociative identity disorder
9417 Depersonalization/Derealization disorder
9421 Somatic symptom disorder
9422 Other specified somatic symptom and related disorder
9423 Unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder
9424 Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)
9425 Illness anxiety disorder
9431 Cyclothymic disorder
9432 Bipolar disorder
9433 Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
9434 Major depressive disorder
9435 Unspecified depressive disorder
9440 Chronic adjustment disorder


               General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Rating
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total occupational and social impairment, due to such                100
 symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or
 communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations;
 grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting
 self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities
 of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal
 hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for
 names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.
Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most         70
 areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment,
 thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal
 ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine
 activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or
 irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting
 the ability to function independently, appropriately and
 effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked
 irritability with periods of violence); spatial
 disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene;
 difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including
 work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and
 maintain effective relationships.
Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability           50
 and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect;
 circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic
 attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding
 complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory
 (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting
 to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract
 thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in
 establishing and maintaining effective work and social
 relationships.
Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease           30
 in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to
 perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning
 satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and
 conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed
 mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less
 often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as
 forgetting names, directions, recent events).
Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient           10
 symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to
 perform occupational tasks only during periods of
 significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous
 medication.
A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms           0
 are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational
 and social functioning or to require continuous medication.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

9520 Anorexia nervosa
9521 Bulimia nervosa


                   Rating Formula for Eating Disorders
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Rating
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Self-induced weight loss to less than 80 percent of expected         100
 minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of at least six
 weeks total duration per year, and requiring hospitalization
 more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube
 feeding.
Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected          60
 minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of six or more
 weeks total duration per year.

[[Page 45101]]

 
Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected          30
 minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of more than two
 but less than six weeks total duration per year.
Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other               10
 measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight
 gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis
 of an eating disorder and incapacitating episodes of up to
 two weeks total duration per year.
Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other                0
 measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight
 gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis
 of an eating disorder but without incapacitating episodes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: An incapacitating episode is a period during which bed rest and
  treatment by a physician are required.
Note 2: Ratings under diagnostic codes 9201 to 9440 will be evaluated
  using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Ratings under
  diagnostic codes 9520 and 9521 will be evaluated using the General
  Rating Formula for Eating Disorders.


(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155)



0
8. Amend Appendix A to part 4 by revising the entries for Sec. 4.130 to 
read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 4--Table of Amendments and Effective Dates Since 
1946

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Diagnostic
           Sec.                code No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
4.130.....................  ..............  Re-designated from Sec.
                                             4.132 November 7, 1996.
                                      9200  Removed February 3, 1988.
                                      9201  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9202  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed August 4, 2014.
                                      9203  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed August 4, 2014.
                                      9204  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed August 4, 2014.
                                      9205  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Removed August 4, 2014.
                                      9206  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9207  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9208  Criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9209  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9210  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9211  Added November 7, 1996.
                                      9300  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996.
                                      9301  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9302  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9303  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9304  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9305  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9306  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9307  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9308  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9309  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9310  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9311  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9312  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9313  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             removed February 3, 1988.
                                      9314  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             removed February 3, 1988.
                                      9315  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                 9316-9321  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             removed February 3, 1988.
                                      9322  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9323  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             removed February 3, 1988.
                                      9324  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9325  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9326  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             removed February 3, 1988;
                                             added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9327  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             removed August 4, 2014.
                                 9400-9411  Evaluations February 3,
                                             1988.
                                      9400  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9401  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9402  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             removed November 7, 1996.
                                      9403  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             criterion November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9410  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9411  Added February 3, 1988.
                                      9412  Added November 7, 1996.
                                      9413  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9416  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9417  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9421  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9422  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9423  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.

[[Page 45102]]

 
                                      9424  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9425  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9431  Added November 7, 1996.
                                      9432  Added November 7, 1996.
                                      9433  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9434  Added November 7, 1996.
                                      9435  Added November 7, 1996;
                                             Title August 4, 2014.
                                      9440  Added November 7, 1996.
                                      9500  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9501  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9502  Criterion March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9503  Removed March 10, 1976.
                                      9504  Criterion September 9, 1975;
                                             removed March 10, 1976.
                                      9505  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9506  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9507  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9508  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9509  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9510  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9511  Added March 10, 1976;
                                             criterion February 3, 1988.
                                      9520  Added November 7, 1996.
                                      9521  Added November 7, 1996.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
9. Amend Appendix B to part 4 by revising the entries for diagnostic 
codes 9201 through 9521 to read as follows:

Appendix B to Part 4--Numerical Index of Disabilities

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Diagnostic code No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Mental Disorders
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9201..........................  Schizophrenia.
9208..........................  Delusional disorder.
9210..........................  Other specified and unspecified
                                 schizophrenia spectrum and other
                                 psychotic disorders.
9211..........................  Schizoaffective Disorder.
9300..........................  Delirium.
9301..........................  Major or mild neurocognitive disorder
                                 due to HIV or other infections.
9304..........................  Major or mild neurocognitive disorder
                                 due to traumatic brain injury.
9305..........................  Major or mild vascular neurocognitive
                                 disorder.
9310..........................  Unspecified neurocognitive disorder.
9312..........................  Major or mild neurocognitive disorder
                                 due to Alzheimer's disease.
9326..........................  Major or mild neurocognitive disorder
                                 due to another medical condition or
                                 substance/medication-induced major or
                                 mild neurocognitive disorder.
9400..........................  Generalized anxiety disorder.
9403..........................  Specific phobia; social anxiety disorder
                                 (social phobia).
9404..........................  Obsessive compulsive disorder.
9410..........................  Other specified anxiety disorder.
9411..........................  Posttraumatic stress disorder.
9412..........................  Panic disorder and/or agoraphobia.
9413..........................  Unspecified anxiety disorder.
9416..........................  Dissociative amnesia; dissociative
                                 identity disorder.
9417..........................  Depersonalization/derealization
                                 disorder.
9421..........................  Somatic symptom disorder.
9422..........................  Other specified somatic symptom and
                                 related disorder.
9423..........................  Unspecified somatic symptom and related
                                 disorder.
9424..........................  Conversion disorder (functional
                                 neurological symptom disorder).
9425..........................  Illness anxiety disorder.
9431..........................  Cyclothymic disorder.
9432..........................  Bipolar disorder.
9433..........................  Persistent depressive disorder
                                 (dysthymia).
9434..........................  Major depressive disorder.
9435..........................  Unspecified depressive disorder.
9440..........................  Chronic adjustment disorder.
9520..........................  Anorexia nervosa.
9521..........................  Bulimia nervosa.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 45103]]


0
10. In Appendix C to part 4, revise the entries for mental disorders to 
read as follows:

Appendix C to Part 4--Alphabetical Index of Disabilities

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Diagnostic
                                                             code No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
Mental disorders:
    Anorexia nervosa....................................            9520
    Bipolar disorder....................................            9432
    Bulimia nervosa.....................................            9521
    Chronic adjustment disorder.........................            9440
    Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom            9424
     disorder)..........................................
    Cyclothymic disorder................................            9431
    Delirium............................................            9300
    Delusional disorder.................................            9208
    Depersonalization/derealization disorder............            9417
    Dissociative amnesia; dissociative identity disorder            9416
    Generalized anxiety disorder........................            9400
    Illness anxiety disorder............................            9425
    Major depressive disorder...........................            9434
    Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to                    9312
     Alzheimer's disease................................
    Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to another            9326
     medical condition or substance/medication-induced
     major or mild neurocognitive disorder..............
    Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to HIV or             9301
     other infections...................................
    Major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to                    9304
     traumatic brain injury.............................
    Major or mild vascular neurocognitive disorder......            9305
    Obsessive compulsive disorder.......................            9404
    Other specified and unspecified schizophrenia                   9210
     spectrum and other psychotic disorders.............
    Other specified anxiety disorder....................            9410
    Other specified somatic symptom and related disorder            9422
    Panic disorder and/or agoraphobia...................            9412
    Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)..........            9433
    Posttraumatic stress disorder.......................            9411
    Schizoaffective disorder............................            9211
    Schizophrenia.......................................            9201
    Somatic symptom disorder............................            9421
    Specific phobia; social anxiety disorder (social                9403
     phobia)............................................
    Unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder....            9423
    Unspecified anxiety disorder........................            9413
    Unspecified depressive disorder.....................            9435
    Unspecified neurocognitive disorder.................            9310
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2014-18150 Filed 8-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P