§ 3.1 Definitions
§ 3.2 Periods of war
§ 3.3 Pension
§ 3.4 Compensation
§ 3.5 Dependency and indemnity compensation
§ 3.6 Duty periods
§ 3.7 Individuals and groups considered to have performed active military, naval, air, or space service
§ 3.10 Dependency and indemnity compensation rate for a surviving spouse
§ 3.11 Homicide
§ 3.12 Benefit eligibility based on character of discharge
§ 3.12a Minimum active-duty service requirement
§ 3.13 Discharge to change status
§ 3.14 Validity of enlistments
§ 3.15 Computation of service
§ 3.16 Service pension
§ 3.17 Disability and death pension; Mexican border period and later war periods
§§ 3.18-3.19 [Reserved]
§ 3.20 Surviving spouse’s benefit for month of veteran’s death
§ 3.21 Monetary rates
§ 3.22 DIC benefits for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at time of death
§ 3.23 Improved pension rates—Veterans and surviving spouses
§ 3.24 Improved pension rates—Surviving children
§ 3.25 Parent’s dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC)—Method of payment computation
§ 3.26 Section 306 and old-law pension annual income limitations
§ 3.27 Automatic adjustment of benefit rates
§ 3.28 Automatic adjustment of section 306 and old-law pension income limitations
§ 3.29 Rounding
§ 3.30 Frequency of payment of improved pension and parents’ dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC)
§ 3.31 Commencement of the period of payment
§ 3.32 Exchange rates for foreign currencies
§ 3.33 Reevaluation of Claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Involving Presumptions of Service Connection Following Enactment of Public Law 117-168
§ 3.40 Philippine and Insular Forces
§ 3.41 Philippine service
§ 3.42 Compensation at the full-dollar rate for certain Filipino veterans residing in the United States
§ 3.43 Burial benefits at the full-dollar rate for certain Filipino veterans residing in the United States on the date of death
§ 3.50 Spouse and surviving spouse
§ 3.52 Marriages deemed valid
§ 3.53 Continuous cohabitation
§ 3.54 Marriage dates
§ 3.55 Reinstatement of benefits eligibility based upon terminated marital relationships
§ 3.56 [Reserved]
§ 3.57 Child
§ 3.58 Child adopted out of family
§ 3.59 Parent
§ 3.60 Definition of “living with”
§ 3.100 Delegations of authority
§ 3.102 Reasonable doubt
§ 3.103 Procedural due process and other rights
§ 3.104 Binding nature of decisions
§ 3.105 Revision of decisions
§ 3.106 Renouncement
§ 3.107 Awards where not all dependents apply
§ 3.108 State Department as agent of Department of Veterans Affairs
§ 3.109 Time limit
§ 3.110 Computation of time limit
§ 3.111 [Reserved]
§ 3.112 Fractions of one cent
§ 3.114 Change of law or Department of Veterans Affairs issue
§ 3.115 Access to financial records
§ 3.150 Forms to be furnished
§ 3.151 Claims for disability benefits
§ 3.152 Claims for death benefits
§ 3.153 Claims filed with Social Security
§ 3.154 Injury due to hospital treatment, etc.
§ 3.155 How to file a claim
§ 3.156 New evidence
§ 3.158 Abandoned claims
§ 3.159 Department of Veterans Affairs assistance in developing claims
§ 3.160 Status of claims
§ 3.161 [Reserved]
§ 3.200 Testimony certified or under oath
§ 3.201 Exchange of evidence; Social Security and Department of Veterans Affairs
§ 3.202 Evidence from foreign countries
§ 3.203 Service records as evidence of service and character of discharge
§ 3.204 Evidence of dependents and age
§ 3.205 Marriage
§ 3.206 Divorce
§ 3.207 Void or annulled marriage
§ 3.208 Claims based on attained age
§ 3.209 Birth
§ 3.210 Child’s relationship
§ 3.211 Death
§ 3.212 Unexplained absence for 7 years
§ 3.213 Change of status affecting entitlement
§ 3.214 Court decisions; unremarried surviving spouses
§ 3.215 Termination of marital relationship or conduct
§ 3.216 Mandatory disclosure of social security numbers
§ 3.217 Submission of statements or information affecting entitlement to benefits
§ 3.250 Dependency of parents; compensation
§ 3.251 Income of parents; dependency and indemnity compensation
§ 3.252 Annual income; pension; Mexican border period and later war periods
§ 3.256 Eligibility reporting requirements
§ 3.257 Children; no surviving spouse entitled
§ 3.260 Computation of income
§ 3.261 Character of income; exclusions and estates
§ 3.262 Evaluation of income
§ 3.263 Corpus of estate; net worth
§ 3.270 Applicability of various dependency, income and estate regulations
§ 3.271 Computation of income
§ 3.272 Exclusions from income
§ 3.273 Rate computation
§ 3.274 Net worth and VA pension
§ 3.275 How VA determines the asset amount for pension net worth determinations
§ 3.276 Asset transfers and penalty periods
§ 3.277 Eligibility reporting requirements
§ 3.278 Deductible medical expenses
§ 3.279 Statutory exclusions from income or assets (net worth or corpus of the estate)
§ 3.300 Claims based on the effects of tobacco products
§ 3.301 Line of duty and misconduct
§ 3.302 Service connection for mental unsoundness in suicide
§ 3.303 Principles relating to service connection
§ 3.304 Direct service connection; wartime and peacetime
§ 3.305 Direct service connection; peacetime service before January 1, 1947
§ 3.306 Aggravation of preservice disability
§ 3.307 Presumptive service connection for chronic, tropical, or prisoner-of-war related disease, disease associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents, or disease associated with exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune; wartime and service on or after January 1, 1947
§ 3.308 Presumptive service connection; peacetime service before January 1, 1947
§ 3.309 Disease subject to presumptive service connection
§ 3.310 Disabilities that are proximately due to, or aggravated by, service-connected disease or injury
§ 3.311 Claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation
§ 3.312 Cause of death
§ 3.313 Claims based on service in Vietnam
§ 3.314 Basic pension determinations
§ 3.315 Basic eligibility determinations; dependents, loans, education
§ 3.316 Claims based on chronic effects of exposure to mustard gas and Lewisite
§ 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf veterans
§ 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf veterans [HISTORICAL 9-14-21]
§ 3.318 Presumptive service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
§ 3.319 [Reserved]
§ 3.320 Claims based on exposure to fine particulate matter
§ 3.320 Claims based on exposure to fine particulate matter [HISTORICAL 8-5-21]
§ 3.320a Presumptive service connection for bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary cancers
§ 3.320b Presumptive service connection for leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myelofibrosis
§ 3.321 General rating considerations
§ 3.322 Rating of disabilities aggravated by service
§ 3.323 Combined ratings
§ 3.324 Multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities
§ 3.325 [Reserved]
§ 3.326 Examinations
§ 3.327 Reexaminations
§ 3.328 Independent medical opinions
§ 3.329 [Reserved]
§ 3.330 Resumption of rating when veteran subsequently reports for Department of Veterans Affairs examination
§ 3.331 [Reserved]
§ 3.332 [Reserved]
§ 3.333 [Reserved]
§ 3.334 [Reserved]
§ 3.335 [Reserved]
§ 3.336 [Reserved]
§ 3.337 [Reserved]
§ 3.338 [Reserved]
§ 3.339 [Reserved]
§ 3.340 Total and permanent total ratings and unemployability
§ 3.341 Total disability ratings for compensation purposes
§ 3.342 Permanent and total disability ratings for pension purposes
§ 3.343 Continuance of total disability ratings
§ 3.344 Stabilization of disability evaluations
§ 3.350 Special monthly compensation ratings
§ 3.351 Special monthly dependency and indemnity compensation, death compensation, pension and spouse’s compensation ratings
§ 3.352 Criteria for determining need for aid and attendance and “permanently bedridden.”
§ 3.353 Determinations of incompetency and competency
§ 3.354 Determinations of insanity
§ 3.355 Testamentary capacity for insurance purposes
§ 3.356 Conditions which determine permanent incapacity for self-support
§ 3.357 Civil service preference ratings
§ 3.358 Compensation for disability or death from hospitalization, medical or surgical treatment, examinations or vocational rehabilitation training (§ 3.800)
§ 3.359 Determination of service connection for former members of the Armed Forces of Czechoslovakia or Poland
§ 3.360 Service-connected health-care eligibility of certain persons administratively discharged under other than honorable condition
§ 3.361 Benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1151(a) for additional disability or death due to hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, examination, training and rehabilitation services, or compensated work therapy program
§ 3.362 Offsets under 38 U.S.C. 1151(b) of benefits awarded under 38 U.S.C. 1151(a)
§ 3.363 Bar to benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1151
§ 3.370 Pulmonary tuberculosis shown by X-ray in active service
§ 3.371 Presumptive service connection for tuberculous disease; wartime and service on or after January 1, 1947
§ 3.372 Initial grant following inactivity of tuberculosis
§ 3.373 [Reserved]
§ 3.374 Effect of diagnosis of active tuberculosis
§ 3.375 Determination of inactivity (complete arrest) in tuberculosis
§ 3.376 [Reserved]
§ 3.377 [Reserved]
§ 3.378 Changes from activity in pulmonary tuberculosis pension cases
§ 3.379 Anterior poliomyelitis
§ 3.380 Diseases of allergic etiology
§ 3.381 Service connection of dental conditions for treatment purposes
§ 3.382 [Reserved]
§ 3.383 Special consideration for paired organs and extremities
§ 3.384 Psychosis
§ 3.385 Disability due to impaired hearing
§ 3.400 General
§ 3.401 Veterans
§ 3.402 Surviving spouse
§ 3.403 Children
§ 3.404 Parents
§ 3.405 Filipino veterans and their survivors; benefits at the full-dollar rate
§ 3.450 General
§ 3.451 Special apportionments
§ 3.452 Situations when benefits may be apportioned
§ 3.453 Veterans compensation or service pension or retirement pay
§ 3.454 Veterans disability pension
§ 3.458 Veteran’s benefits not apportionable
§ 3.459 Death compensation
§ 3.460 Death pension
§ 3.461 Dependency and indemnity compensation
§ 3.500 General
§ 3.501 Veterans
§ 3.502 Surviving spouses
§ 3.503 Children
§ 3.504 Parents; aid and attendance
§ 3.505 Filipino veterans and their survivors; benefits at the full-dollar rate
§ 3.551 Reduction because of hospitalization
§ 3.552 Adjustment of allowance for aid and attendance
§ 3.553 [Reserved]
§ 3.554 [Reserved]
§ 3.555 [Reserved]
§ 3.556 Adjustment on discharge or release
§ 3.557 [Reserved]
§ 3.558 Resumption and payment of withheld benefits; incompetents with estates that equaled or exceeded statutory limit
§ 3.559 [Reserved]
§ 3.650 Rate for additional dependent
§ 3.651 Change in status of dependents
§ 3.652 Periodic certification of continued eligibility
§ 3.653 Foreign residence
§ 3.654 Active service pay
§ 3.655 Failure to report for Department of Veterans Affairs examination
§ 3.656 Disappearance of veteran
§ 3.657 Surviving spouse becomes entitled, or entitlement terminates
§ 3.658 Offsets; dependency and indemnity compensation
§ 3.659 Two parents in same parental line
§ 3.660 Dependency, income and estate
§ 3.661 Eligibility Verification Reports
§ 3.662 [Reserved]
§ 3.663 [Reserved]
§ 3.664 [Reserved]
§ 3.665 Incarcerated beneficiaries and fugitive felons—compensation
§ 3.666 Incarcerated beneficiaries and fugitive felons—pension
§ 3.667 School attendance
§ 3.668 [Reserved]
§ 3.669 Forfeiture
§ 3.700 General
§ 3.701 Elections of pension or compensation
§ 3.702 Dependency and indemnity compensation
§ 3.703 Two parents in same parental line
§ 3.704 Elections within class of dependents
§ 3.705 [Reserved]
§ 3.706 [Reserved]
§ 3.707 Dependents’ educational assistance
§ 3.708 Federal Employees’ Compensation
§ 3.710 Civil service annuitants
§ 3.711 Improved pension elections
§ 3.712 Improved pension elections; surviving spouses of Spanish-American War veterans
§ 3.713 Effective dates of improved pension elections
§ 3.714 Improved pension elections—public assistance beneficiaries
§ 3.715 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990, as amended
§ 3.750 Entitlement to concurrent receipt of military retired pay and disability compensation
§ 3.751 Statutory awards; retired service personnel
§ 3.752 [Reserved]
§ 3.753 Public Health Service
§ 3.754 Emergency officers’ retirement pay
§ 3.800 Disability or death due to hospitalization, etc
§ 3.801 Special acts
§ 3.802 Medal of Honor
§ 3.803 Naval pension
§ 3.804 Special allowance under 38 U.S.C. 1312
§ 3.805 Loan guaranty for surviving spouses; certification
§ 3.806 Death gratuity; certification
§ 3.807 Dependents’ educational assistance; certification
§ 3.808 Automobiles or other conveyances and adaptive equipment; certification
§ 3.809 Specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a)(2)(A)(i)
§ 3.809a Special home adaptation grants under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b)
§ 3.810 Clothing allowance
§ 3.811 Minimum income annuity and gratuitous annuity
§ 3.812 Special allowance payable under section 156 of Pub. L. 97-377
§ 3.813 Interim benefits for disability or death due to chloracne or porphyria cutanea tarda
§ 3.814 Monetary allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 18 for an individual suffering from spina bifida whose biological father or mother is or was a Vietnam veteran or a veteran with covered service in Korea
§ 3.815 Monetary allowance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 18 for an individual with disability from covered birth defects whose biological mother is or was a Vietnam veteran; identification of covered birth defects
§ 3.816 Awards under the Nehmer Court Orders for disability or death caused by a condition presumptively associated with herbicide exposure
§ 3.900 General
§ 3.901 Fraud
§ 3.902 Treasonable acts
§ 3.903 Subversive activities
§ 3.904 Effect of forfeiture after veteran’s death
§ 3.905 Declaration of forfeiture or remission of forfeiture
§ 3.950 Helpless children; Spanish-American and prior wars
§ 3.951 Preservation of disability ratings
§ 3.952 Protected ratings
§ 3.953 Pub. L. 85-56 and Pub. L. 85-857
§ 3.957 Service connection
§ 3.958 Federal employees’ compensation cases
§ 3.959 Tuberculosis
§ 3.960 Section 306 and old-law pension protection
§ 3.1000 Entitlement under 38 U.S.C. 5121 to benefits due and unpaid upon death of a beneficiary
§ 3.1001 Hospitalized competent veterans
§ 3.1002 Political subdivisions of United States
§ 3.1003 Returned and canceled checks
§ 3.1007 Hospitalized incompetent veterans
§ 3.1008 Accrued benefits payable to foreign beneficiaries
§ 3.1009 Personal funds of patients
§ 3.1010 Substitution under 38 U.S.C. 5121A following death of a claimant
§ 3.1700 Types of VA burial benefits
§ 3.1701 Deceased veterans for whom VA may provide burial benefits
§ 3.1702 Persons who may receive burial benefits; priority of payments
§ 3.1703 Claims for burial benefits
§ 3.1704 Burial allowance based on service-connected death
§ 3.1705 Burial allowance based on non-service-connected death
§ 3.1706 Burial allowance for a veteran who died while hospitalized by VA
§ 3.1707 Plot or interment allowances for burial in a State veterans cemetery or other cemetery
§ 3.1708 Burial of a veteran whose remains are unclaimed
§ 3.1709 Transportation expenses for burial
§ 3.1710 Escheat (payment of burial benefits to an estate with no heirs)
§ 3.1711 Effect of contributions by government, public, or private organizations
§ 3.1712 Effect of forfeiture on payment of burial benefits
§ 3.1713 Eligibility based on status before 1958
§ 3.2100 Scope of Applicability
§ 3.2130 Will VA accept a signature by mark or thumbprint?
§ 3.2400 Applicability of modernized review system
§ 3.2500 Review of decisions
§ 3.2501 Supplemental claims
§ 3.2502 Return by higher-level adjudicator or remand by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
§ 3.2600 Legacy review of benefit claims decisions
§ 3.2601 Higher-level review
§ 4.1 Essentials of evaluative rating
§ 4.2 Interpretation of examination reports
§ 4.3 Resolution of reasonable doubt
§ 4.6 Evaluation of evidence
§ 4.7 Higher of two evaluations
§ 4.9 Congenital or developmental defects
§ 4.10 Functional impairment
§ 4.13 Effect of change of diagnosis
§ 4.14 Avoidance of pyramiding
§ 4.15 Total disability ratings
§ 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual
§ 4.17 Total disability ratings for pension based on unemployability and age of the individual
§ 4.17a Misconduct etiology
§ 4.18 Unemployability
§ 4.19 Age in service-connected claims
§ 4.20 Analogous ratings
§ 4.21 Application of rating schedule
§ 4.22 Rating of disabilities aggravated by active service
§ 4.23 Attitude of rating officers
§ 4.24 Correspondence
§ 4.25 Combined ratings table
§ 4.26 Bilateral factor
§ 4.27 Use of diagnostic code numbers
§ 4.28 Prestabilization rating from date of discharge from service
§ 4.29 Ratings for service-connected disabilities requiring hospital treatment or observation
§ 4.30 Convalescent ratings
§ 4.31 Zero percent evaluations
§ 4.15 Total disability ratings
§ 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual
§ 4.17 Total disability ratings for pension based on unemployability and age of the individual
§ 4.17a Misconduct etiology
§ 4.18 Unemployability
§ 4.19 Age in service-connected claims
§ 4.20 Analogous ratings
§ 4.21 Application of rating schedule
§ 4.22 Rating of disabilities aggravated by active service
§ 4.23 Attitude of rating officers
§ 4.24 Correspondence
§ 4.25 Combined ratings table
§ 4.26 Bilateral factor
§ 4.27 Use of diagnostic code numbers
§ 4.28 Prestabilization rating from date of discharge from service
§ 4.29 Ratings for service-connected disabilities requiring hospital treatment or observation
§ 4.30 Convalescent ratings
§ 4.31 Zero percent evaluations
§ 4.40 Functional loss
§ 4.41 History of injury
§ 4.42 Complete medical examination of injury cases
§ 4.43 Osteomyelitis
§ 4.44 The bones
§ 4.45 The joints
§ 4.46 Accurate measurement
§ 4.47 Reserved
§ 4.54 Reserved
§ 4.55 Principles of combined ratings for muscle injuries
§ 4.56 Evaluation of muscle disabilities
§ 4.57 Static foot deformities
§ 4.58 Arthritis due to strain
§ 4.59 Painful motion
§ 4.60 Reserved
§ 4.61 Examination
§ 4.62 Circulatory disturbances
§ 4.63 Loss of use of hand or foot
§ 4.64 Loss of use of both buttocks
§ 4.65 Reserved
§ 4.66 Sacroiliac joint
§ 4.67 Pelvic bones
§ 4.68 Amputation rule
§ 4.69 Dominant hand
§ 4.70 Inadequate examinations
§ 4.71 Measurement of ankylosis and joint motion
§ 4.71a Schedule of ratings—musculoskeletal system
§ 4.72 Reserved
§ 4.73 Schedule of ratings—muscle injuries
§ 4.75 General considerations for evaluating visual impairment
§ 4.76 Visual acuity
§ 4.76a Computation of average concentric contraction of visual fields
§ 4.77 Visual fields
§ 4.78 Muscle function
§ 4.79 Schedule of ratings—eye
§ 4.80-4.84 Reserved
§ 4.85 Evaluation of hearing impairment
§ 4.86 Exceptional patterns of hearing impairment
§ 4.87 Schedule of ratings—ear
§ 4.87a Schedule of ratings—other sense organs
§ 4.88 [Reserved]
§ 4.88a Chronic fatigue syndrome
§ 4.88b Schedule of ratings—infectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies
§ 4.88c Ratings for inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis initially entitled after August 19, 1968
§ 4.89 Ratings for inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis in effect on August 19, 1968
§ 4.96 Special provisions regarding evaluation of respiratory conditions
§ 4.97 Schedule of ratings—respiratory system
§ 4.101–4.103 Reserved
§ 4.100 Application of the general rating formula for diseases of the heart
§ 4.104 Schedule of ratings—cardiovascular system
§ 4.110–4.111 Reserved
§ 4.112 Weight loss and nutrition
§ 4.113 Coexisting abdominal conditions
§ 4.114 Schedule of ratings—digestive system
§ 4.114 Schedule of ratings—digestive system [HISTORICAL 3/20/24]
§ 4.115 Nephritis
§ 4.115a Ratings of the genitourinary system—dysfunctions
§ 4.115b Ratings of the genitourinary system—diagnoses
§ 4.116 Schedule of ratings—gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast
§ 4.117 Schedule of ratings—hemic and lymphatic systems
§ 4.118 Schedule of ratings—skin
§ 4.119 Schedule of ratings—endocrine system
§ 4.120 Evaluations by comparison
§ 4.121 Identification of epilepsy
§ 4.122 Psychomotor epilepsy
§ 4.123 Neuritis, cranial or peripheral
§ 4.124 Neuralgia, cranial or peripheral
§ 4.124a Schedule of ratings—neurological conditions and convulsive disorders
§ 4.125 Diagnosis of mental disorders
§ 4.126 Evaluation of disability from mental disorders
§ 4.127 Intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) and personality disorders
§ 4.128 Convalescence ratings following extended hospitalization
§ 4.129 Mental disorders due to traumatic stress
§ 4.130 Schedule of ratings—mental disorders
§ 4.149 Reserved
§ 4.150 Schedule of ratings—dental and oral conditions
5000 – Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic
5001 – 5001 Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive
5002 – Multi-joint arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout), 2 or more joints, as an active process
5003 – Degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic
5004 – Arthritis, gonococcal
5005 – Arthritis, pneumococcic
5006 – Arthritis, typhoid
5007 – Arthritis, syphilitic
5008 – Arthritis, streptococcic
5009 – Other specified forms of arthropathy
5010 – Post-traumatic arthritis
5011 – Decompression illness
5012 – Bones, neoplasm, malignant, primary or secondary
5013 – Osteoporosis, residuals of
5014 – Osteomalacia
5015 – Bones, neoplasm, benign
5016 – Osteitis deformans (Paget’s disease)
5017 – Gout
5018 – Hydrarthrosis, intermittent
5019 – Bursitis
5020 – Synovitis
5021 – Myositis
5022 – Periostitis
5023 – Heterotopic ossification
5024 – Tenosynovitis
5025 – Fibromyalgia
5051 – Shoulder replacement (prosthesis)
5052 – Elbow replacement (prosthesis)
5053 – Wrist replacement (prosthesis)
5054 – Hip, resurfacing or replacement (prosthesis)
5055 – Knee, resurfacing or replacement (prosthesis)
5056 – Ankle replacement (prosthesis)
5200 – Scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis of
5201 – Arm, limitation of motion of
5202 – Humerus, other impairment of
5203 – Clavicle or scapula, impairment of
5205 – Elbow, ankylosis of
5206 – Forearm, limitation of flexion of
5207 – Forearm, limitation of extension of
5208 – Forearm, flexion limited to 100° and extension to 45°
5209 – Elbow, other impairment of flail joint
5210 – Radius and ulna, nonunion of
5211 – Ulna, impairment of
5212 – Radius, impairment of
5213 – Supination and pronation, impairment of
5214 – Wrist, ankylosis of
5215 – Wrist, limitation of motion of
5216 – Fingers, ankylosis of multiple digits
5217 – Index and long fingers, unfavorable ankylosis
5218 – Ring and little fingers, unfavorable ankylosis
5219 – Thumb and one finger, unfavorable ankylosis
5220 – Two fingers, unfavorable ankylosis
5221 – Three fingers, unfavorable ankylosis
5222 – Four fingers, unfavorable ankylosis
5223 – Thumb and one or more fingers, favorable ankylosis
5224 – Thumb, ankylosis of
5225 – Index finger, ankylosis of
5226 – Long finger, ankylosis of
5227 – Ring or little finger, ankylosis of
5228 – Thumb, limitation of motion of
5229 – Index or long finger, limitation of motion of
5230 – Ring or little finger, limitation of motion of
5235 – Vertebral fracture or dislocation
5236 – Sacroiliac injury and weakness
5237 – Lumbosacral or cervical strain
5238 – Spinal stenosis
5239 – Spondylolisthesis or segmental instability
5240 – Ankylosing spondylitis
5241 – Spinal fusion
5242 – Degenerative arthritis of the spine
5243 – Intervertebral disc syndrome
5244 – Facet syndrome
5250 – Hip, ankylosis of
5251 – Thigh, limitation of extension of
5252 – Thigh, limitation of flexion of
5253 – Thigh, impairment of
5254 – Hip, flail joint
5255 – Femur, impairment of
5256 – Knee, ankylosis of
5257 – Knee, other impairment of
5258 – Cartilage, semilunar, dislocated
5259 – Cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomatic
5260 – Leg, limitation of flexion of
5261 – Leg, limitation of extension of
5262 – Tibia and fibula, impairment of
5263 – Genu recurvatum
5269 – Plantar fasciitis
5270 – Ankle, ankylosis of
5271 – Ankle, limited motion of
5272 – Subastragalar or tarsal joint, ankylosis of
5273 – Os calcis or astragalus, malunion of
5274 – Astragalectomy
5275 – Bones, of the lower extremity, shortening of
5276 – Flatfoot, acquired
5277 – Weak foot, bilateral
5278 – Claw foot (pes cavus), acquired
5279 – Metatarsalgia, anterior (Morton’s disease)
5280 – Hallux valgus, unilateral
5281 – Hallux rigidus, unilateral, severe
5282 – Hammer toe
5283 – Tarsal or metatarsal bones, malunion of, or nonunion of
5284 – Foot injuries, other
5296 – Skull, loss of part of, both inner and outer tables
5297 – Ribs, removal of
5298 – Coccyx, removal of
5301 – Group I Upward Rotation of Scapula
5302 – Group II Depression of Arm; Downward Rotation of Scapula
5303 – Group III Elevation and Abduction of Arm to Level of Shoulder
5304 – Group IV Stabilization of Shoulder Against Injury
5305 – Group V Elbow Supination and Flexion
5306 – Group VI Elbow Extension
5307 – Group VII Wrist and Finger Flexion
5308 – Group VIII Wrist and Thumb Extension
5309 – Group IX Forearm and Intrinsic Hand Muscles
5310 – Movements of Forefoot and Toes (Group X)
5311 – Propulsion and Plantar Flexion of Foot (Group XI)
5312 – Dorsiflexion (Group XII)
5313 – Group XIII Function: Extension of hip and flexion of knee
5314 – Group XIV Function: Extension of knee (2, 3, 4, 5)
5315 – Group XV Function: Adduction of hip (1, 2, 3, 4)
5316 – Group XVI Function: Flexion of hip (1, 2, 3)
5317 – Group XVII Function: Extension of hip (1)
5318 – Group XVIII Function: Outward rotation of thigh and stabilization of hip joint
5319 – Group XIX Function: Support and compression of abdominal wall and lower thorax
5320 – Group XX Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine
5321 – Group XXI Function: Respiration
5322 – Group XXII Function: Rotary and forward movements of the head
5323 – Group XXIII Function: Movements of the head and fixation of shoulder movements
5324 – Diaphragm, Rupture of, with Herniation
5325 – Muscle Injury, Facial Muscles
5326 – Muscle Hernia, Extensive
5327 – Muscle Neoplasm, Malignant (Excluding Soft Tissue Sarcoma)
5328 – Muscle Neoplasm, Benign, Postoperative
5329 – Sarcoma, Soft Tissue (Muscle, Fat, or Fibrous Connective Tissue)
5330 – Rhabdomyolysis, Residuals of
5331 – Compartment Syndrome
6000 – Choroidopathy, including uveitis, iritis, cyclitis, or choroiditis
6001 – Keratopathy
6002 – Scleritis
6006 – Retinopathy or maculopathy not otherwise specified
6007 – Intraocular hemorrhage
6008 – Detachment of retina
6009 – Unhealed eye injury
6010 – Tuberculosis of eye
6011 – Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities
6012 – Angle-closure glaucoma
6013 – Open-angle glaucoma
6014 – Malignant neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa
6015 – Benign neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa
6016 – Nystagmus, central
6017 – Trachomatous conjunctivitis
6018 – Chronic conjunctivitis (nontrachomatous)
6019 – Ptosis, unilateral or bilateral
6020 – Ectropion
6021 – Entropion
6022 – Loss of Eyebrows, Complete, Unilateral or Bilateral
6023 – Loss of Eyelashes, Complete, Unilateral or Bilateral
6025 – Disorders of the Lacrimal Apparatus (Epiphora, Dacryocystitis, etc.)
6026 – Optic Neuropathy
6027 – Cataract
6029 – Aphakia or Dislocation of Crystalline Lens
6030 – Paralysis of Accommodation (Due to Neuropathy of the Oculomotor Nerve – Cranial Nerve III)
6032 – Loss of Eyelids, Partial or Complete
6034 – Pterygium
6035 – Keratoconus
6036 – Status Post Corneal Transplant
6037 – Pinguecula
6040 – Diabetic Retinopathy
6042 – Retinal Dystrophy
6046 – Post-Chiasmal Disorders
6061 – Anatomical Loss of Both Eyes
6062 – No More Than Light Perception in Both Eyes
6063 – Anatomical Loss of One Eye
6064 – No More Than Light Perception in One Eye
6065 – Vision in One Eye 5/200 (1.5/60)
6066 – Visual Acuity in One Eye 10/200 (3/60) or Better
6080 – Visual Field Defects
6081 – Scotoma, Unilateral
6090 – Diplopia (Double Vision)
6091 – Symblepharon
6300 – Vibriosis (Cholera, Non-cholera)
6523 – Bacterial Rhinitis
6524 – Granulomatous Rhinitis
6600 – Chronic Bronchitis (Bronchitis, Chronic)
6601 – Bronchiectasis
6602 – Bronchial Asthma
6603 – Pulmonary Emphysema
6604 – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
6701 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Far Advanced, Active
6702 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Moderately Advanced, Active
6703 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Minimal, Active
6704 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Active, Advancement Unspecified
6721 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Far Advanced, Inactive
6722 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Moderately Advanced, Inactive
6723 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Minimal, Inactive
6724 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Inactive, Advancement Unspecified
6730 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Active
6731 – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary, Chronic, Inactive
6732 – Pleurisy, Tuberculous, Active or Inactive
6817 – Pulmonary Vascular Disease
6819 – Malignant Neoplasms of Respiratory System
6820 – Benign Neoplasms of Respiratory System
6822 – Actinomycosis
6823 – Nocardiosis
6824 – Chronic Lung Abscess
6825 – Diffuse Interstitial Fibrosis (Interstitial Pneumonitis, Fibrosing Alveolitis)
6826 – Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonitis
6827 – Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
6828 – Eosinophilic Granuloma of Lung
6829 – Drug-Induced Pulmonary Pneumonitis and Fibrosis
6830 – Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Pneumonitis and Fibrosis
6831 – Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis)
6832 – Pneumoconiosis (Silicosis, Anthracosis, etc.)
6833 – Asbestosis
6834 – Histoplasmosis of Lung
6835 – Coccidioidomycosis
6836 – Blastomycosis
6837 – Cryptococcosis
6838 – Aspergillosis
6839 – Mucormycosis
6840 – Diaphragm Paralysis or Paresis
6841 – Spinal Cord Injury with Respiratory Insufficiency
6842 – Kyphoscoliosis, Pectus Excavatum, Pectus Carinatum
6843 – Traumatic Chest Wall Defect, Pneumothorax, Hernia, etc.
6844 – Post-Surgical Residual (Lobectomy, Pneumonectomy, etc.)
6845 – Chronic Pleural Effusion or Fibrosis
6846 – Sarcoidosis
6847 – Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed)
7000 – Valvular Heart Disease (Including Rheumatic Heart Disease)
7001 – Endocarditis
7002 – Pericarditis
7003 – Pericardial Adhesions
7004 – Syphilitic Heart Disease
7005 – Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
7006 – Myocardial Infarction
7007 – Hypertensive Heart Disease
7008 – Hyperthyroid Heart Disease
7009 – Bradycardia (Bradyarrhythmia), Symptomatic, Requiring Permanent Pacemaker Implantation
7010 – Supraventricular Tachycardia
7011 – Ventricular Arrhythmias (Sustained)
7015 – Atrioventricular Block
7016 – Heart Valve Replacement (Prosthesis)
7017 – Coronary Bypass Surgery
7018 – Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers
7019 – Cardiac Transplantation
7020 – Cardiomyopathy
7101 – Hypertensive Vascular Disease (Hypertension and Isolated Systolic Hypertension)
7100 – Aortic Aneurysm: Ascending, Thoracic, or Abdominal
7111 – Aneurysm, Any Large Artery
7112 – Aneurysm, Any Small Artery
7113 – Arteriovenous Fistula, Traumatic
7114 – Peripheral Arterial Disease
7115 – Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)
7117 – Raynaud’s Syndrome
7118 – Angioneurotic Edema
7119 – Erythromelalgia
7120 – Varicose Veins
7121 – Post-Phlebitic Syndrome of Any Etiology
7122 – Cold Injury Residuals
7123 – Soft Tissue Sarcoma (of Vascular Origin)
7124 – Raynaud’s Disease (Primary Raynaud’s)
7200 – Soft tissue injury of the mouth, other than tongue or lips
7201 – Lips, injuries of
7202 – Tongue, loss of whole or part
7203 – Esophagus, stricture of
7204 – Esophageal motility disorder
7205 – Esophagus, diverticulum of, acquired
7206 – Gastroesophageal reflux disease
7207 – Barrett’s Esophagus
7301 – Peritoneum, adhesions of, due to surgery, trauma, disease, or infection
7302 – Chronic complications of upper gastrointestinal surgery
7304 – Peptic ulcer disease
7307 – Gastritis, chronic
7308 – Postgastrectomy syndrome
7309 – Stomach, stenosis of
7310 – Stomach, injury of, residuals
7311 – Residuals of injury of the liver
7312 – Cirrhosis of the liver
7314 – Chronic biliary tract disease
7315 – Cholelithiasis, chronic
7317 – Gallbladder, injury of
7318 – Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), complications of (such as strictures and biliary leaks)
7319 – Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
7323 – Colitis, ulcerative
7325 – Enteritis, chronic
7326 – Crohn’s disease or undifferentiated form of inflammatory bowel disease
7327 – Diverticulitis and diverticulosis
7328 – Intestine, small, resection of
7329 – Intestine, large, resection of
7330 – Intestinal fistulous disease, external
7331 – Peritonitis, tuberculous, active or inactive
7332 – Rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter control
7333 – Rectum and anus, stricture of
7334 – Rectum, prolapse of
7335 – Ano, fistula in, including anorectal fistula and anorectal abscess
7336 – Hemorrhoids, external or internal
7337 – Pruritus ani (anal itching)
7344 – Benign neoplasms, exclusive of skin growths
7345 – Chronic liver disease without cirrhosis
7346 – Hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia
7347 – Pancreatitis, chronic
7348 – Vagotomy with pyloroplasty or gastroenterostomy
7350 – Liver abscess
7351 – Liver transplant
7352 – Pancreas transplant
7354 – Hepatitis C (or non-A, non-B hepatitis)
7355 – Celiac disease
7356 – Gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome
7357 – Post pancreatectomy syndrome
7610 – Vulva or Clitoris, Disease or Injury
7611 – Vagina, Disease or Injury
7612 – Cervix, Disease or Injury
7613 – Uterus, Disease, Injury, or Adhesions
7614 – Fallopian Tube, Disease, Injury, or Adhesions
7615 – Ovary, Disease, Injury, or Adhesions
7617 – Uterus and Both Ovaries, Removal of, Complete
7618 – Uterus, Removal of
7619 – Ovary, Removal of
7620 – Ovaries, Atrophy of Both
7621 – Pelvic Organ Prolapse
7624 – Fistula, Rectovaginal
7625 – Fistula, Urethrovaginal
7626 – Breast, Surgery Of
7627 – Malignant Neoplasms of Gynecological System
7628 – Benign Neoplasms of Gynecological System
7629 – Endometriosis
7630 – Malignant Neoplasms of the Breast
7631 – Benign Neoplasms of the Breast
7632 – Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
7702 – Agranulocytosis, Acquired
7703 – Leukemia (Except for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia)
7704 – Polycythemia Vera
7705 – Immune Thrombocytopenia
7706 – Splenectomy
7707 – Spleen, Injury of, Healed
7709 – Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
7710 – Adenitis, Tuberculous
7712 – Multiple Myeloma
7714 – Sickle Cell Anemia
7715 – Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
7716 – Aplastic Anemia
7717 – AL Amyloidosis
7718 – Essential Thrombocythemia & Primary Myelofibrosis
7719 – Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
7720 – Iron Deficiency Anemia
7721 – Folic Acid Deficiency
7722 – Pernicious Anemia / B12 Deficiency
7723 – Acquired Hemolytic Anemia
7724 – Solitary Plasmacytoma
7725 – Myelodysplastic Syndromes
7800 – Burn Scars or Other Disfigurement of Head, Face, or Neck
7801 – Burn Scars with Underlying Soft Tissue Damage
7802 – Burn Scars Without Underlying Soft Tissue Damage
7804 – Scar(s), Unstable or Painful
7805 – Other Scars / Effects
7806 – Dermatitis or Eczema
7807 – American (New World) Leishmaniasis
7808 – Old World Leishmaniasis
7809 – Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
7811 – Tuberculosis Luposa
7813 – Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)
7815 – Bullous Disorders
7816 – Psoriasis
7817 – Erythroderma
7818 – Malignant Skin Neoplasms
7819 – Benign Skin Neoplasms
7820 – Skin Infections Not Listed Elsewhere
7821 – Collagen-Vascular Manifestations
7822 – Papulosquamous Disorders
7823 – Vitiligo
7824 – Keratinization Diseases
7825 – Chronic Urticaria
7826 – Cutaneous Vasculitis
7827 – Erythema Multiforme / TEN
7828 – Acne
7829 – Chloracne
7830 – Scarring Alopecia
7831 – Alopecia Areata
7832 – Hyperhidrosis
7833 – Malignant Melanoma
7900 – Hyperthyroidism
7901 – Hypothyroidism
7902 – Cushing’s Syndrome
7903 – Hypoparathyroidism
7904 – Hyperparathyroidism
7905 – Hypoglycemia
7906 – Adrenal Gland Hypofunction
7907 – Endocrine Disorders, Miscellaneous
7913 – Diabetes Mellitus
7914 – Neoplasm, Malignant, Any Specified Part of Endocrine System
7915 – Neoplasm, Benign, Any Specified Part of Endocrine System
8000 – Encephalitis, Lethargica Residuals
8001 – Cerebrospinal Meningitis
8002 – Brain Abscess
8003 – Brain, Malaria
8004 – Paralysis Agitans
8005 – Bulbar Palsy
8007 – Cerebral Artery Thrombosis (Hemorrhage)
8008 – Cerebral Artery Embolism (Hemorrhage)
8009 – Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic
8010 – Myelitis
8011 – Anterior Poliomyelitis
8012 – Hematomyelia
8013 – Syphilitic Disease of the Spinal Cord
8014 – Meningovascular Syphilis
8015 – Tabes Dorsalis
8016 – Neurosyphilis, General
8017 – Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
8020 – Brain Abscess (Residuals)
8021 – Spinal Cord, New Growths, Malignant
8022 – Spinal Cord, New Growths, Benign
8023 – Progressive Muscular Atrophy
8024 – Syringomyelia
8025 – Myasthenia Gravis
8045 – Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
8046 – Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
8100 – Migraine
8103 – Tic, Convulsive
8104 – Paramyoclonus Multiplex
8105 – Chorea, Sydenham’s
8106 – Chorea, Huntington’s
8107 – Athetosis, Acquired
8108 – Narcolepsy
8205 – Paralysis of Fifth Cranial Nerve (Trigeminal)
8207 – Paralysis of Seventh Cranial Nerve (Facial)
8209 – Paralysis of Ninth Cranial Nerve (Glossopharyngeal)
8210 – Paralysis of Tenth Cranial Nerve (Pneumogastric, Vagus)
8211 – Paralysis of Eleventh Cranial Nerve (Spinal Accessory, External Branch)
8212 – Paralysis of Twelfth Cranial Nerve (Hypoglossal)
8305 – Paralysis of Fifth Cranial Nerve (Trigeminal)
8307 – Paralysis of Seventh Cranial Nerve (Facial)
8309 – Neuritis of Fifth Cranial Nerve (Trigeminal)
8310 – Neuritis of Seventh Cranial Nerve (Facial)
8311 – Neuritis of Eleventh Cranial Nerve (Spinal Accessory, External Branch)
8405 – Neuralgia of Fifth Cranial Nerve (Trigeminal)
8407 – Neuralgia of Seventh Cranial Nerve (Facial)
8409 – Neuralgia of Ninth Cranial Nerve (Glossopharyngeal)
8410 – Neuralgia of Tenth Cranial Nerve (Pneumogastric, Vagus)
8411 – Neuralgia of Eleventh Cranial Nerve (Spinal Accessory, External Branch)
8412 – Neuralgia of Twelfth Cranial Nerve (Hypoglossal)
8514 – Paralysis of Musculospiral Nerve (Radial Nerve)
8515 – Paralysis of Median Nerve
8516 – Paralysis of Ulnar Nerve
8517 – Paralysis of Musculocutaneous Nerve
8519 – Paralysis of Long Thoracic Nerve
8520 – Paralysis of Sciatic Nerve
8521 – Paralysis of External Popliteal Nerve (Common Peroneal)
8522 – Paralysis of Musculocutaneous Nerve (Superficial Peroneal)
8523 – Paralysis of Anterior Tibial Nerve (deep peroneal)
8524 – Paralysis of Internal Popliteal Nerve (Tibial)
8525 – Paralysis of Posterior Tibial Nerve
8616 – Neuritis of Ulnar Nerve
8617 – Neuritis of Musculocutaneous Nerve
8618 – Neuritis (Circumflex Nerve)
8619 – Neuritis of Long Thoracic Nerve
8620 – Neuritis of Sciatic Nerve
8621 – Neuritis of External Popliteal Nerve (Common Peroneal)
8622 – Neuritis of Musculocutaneous Nerve (Superficial Peroneal)
8623 – Neuritis of Anterior Tibial Nerve (deep peroneal)
8624 – Neuritis of Internal Popliteal Nerve (Tibial)
8625 – Neuritis of Posterior Tibial Nerve
8720 – Neuralgia of Ulnar Nerve
8721 – Neuralgia of Musculocutaneous Nerve
8722 – Neuralgia (Circumflex Nerve)
8723 – Neuralgia of Long Thoracic Nerve
8724 – Neuralgia of Sciatic Nerve
8725 – Neuralgia of External Popliteal Nerve (Common Peroneal)
8726 – Neuralgia of Musculocutaneous Nerve (Superficial Peroneal)
8727 – Neuralgia of Anterior Tibial Nerve (deep peroneal)
8728 – Neuralgia of Posterior Tibial Nerve
8910 – Epilepsy, Grand Mal
8911 – Epilepsy, Petit Mal
8912 – Epilepsy, Jacksonian and Focal Motor or Sensory
8913 – Epilepsy, Diencephalic
8914 – Epilepsy, Psychomotor
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
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
Subpart i – Claimants’ Rights and Responsibilities
Section A – Description and General Information on Duty to Notify and Duty to Assist
Section B – General Information on Due Process
Chapter 02 – Power of Attorney
Section A – General Information on Power of Attorney (POA)
Section B – A Representative’s Right to Notification and Review of Records
Section C – System Updates for Power of Attorney (POA) Appointments
Chapter 03 – Other Information Disclosures
Subpart ii – Claims Processing Centers and Programs
Subpart i – Receiving and Screening Mail
Chapter 01 – Receiving Mail via Centralized Mail (CM)
Section A – Centralized Mail (CM) Intake
Section B – Veterans Claims Intake Program (VCIP) Shipping
Section A – Process Overview for Screening Mail
Section B – Recording the Date of Receipt and Handling Signatures and Outdated Forms
Section C – System Updates for Power of Attorney (POA) Appointments
Section D – Handling Specific Types of Mail
Subpart ii – Claims Folder Establishment, Maintenance, Jurisdiction, and Transfer
Chapter 01 – Claims Folder Establishment
Section A – Establishing New and Converting Old Claims Folders
Section B – Lost Paper Claims Folders and Reconciliation of Duplicate Records
Chapter 02 – Claims Folder Maintenance
Section A – Folder Maintenance
Section B – Restricted Records Storage and Control
Section C – Locked Files Folder Maintenance
Chapter 03 – Claims Jurisdiction and Transfer
Subpart iii – Application Review and Claims Establishment
Chapter 01 – Screening Applications for Benefits
Section A – Applications for Benefits
Section B – Screening Applications for Benefit Eligibility
Section C – Screening Applications for Substantial Completeness and Notification Requirements
Chapter 02 – Types of Claims and Claims Actions
Section A – Intent to File (ITF)
Section B – Supplemental Claims
Section C – Claims for Increase
Section D – Claims Based on Reports of Examination or Hospitalization
Section E – Incorrectly Established Claims
Section F – Withdrawal of Initial Claims
Section G – Requests for Application and Claims Solicitation
Chapter 03 – Claims Establishment and Other System Updates Made at Intake
Section A – Claims Establishment
Section B – System Updates at Intake
Chapter 04 – Claims Screening and Establishment From Claims Submission Service Websites
Section B – Stakeholder Enterprise Portal (SEP) Claims
Subpart i – Verification of Service and Claims Development
Chapter 01 – Establishing Veteran Status and Verifying Service
Section A – Establishing Veteran Status
Section B – Service Requirements and Verification of Eligibility
Section C – Civilian Groups Approved for Veteran Status
Chapter 02 – Claims Development
Section A – Development Duties and Responsibilities
Section B – Duty to Notify Under 38 U.S.C. 5103
Section C – Duty to Assist With Obtaining Records
Section D – Evidence Requested From the Claimant
Section E – Relevance Determinations
Section F – Record Maintenance During the Development Process
Subpart ii – Requesting Records
Section A – Requesting Evidence From Federal Record Custodians
Section C – Information Requests to Other Federal Agencies
Section A – General Information on Service Records
Section B – Procedures for Obtaining Service Treatment Records (STRs)
Section C – Clinical Records and Personnel Records
Section D – Control and Follow-Up of Requests for Service Records
Section H – Service Department Organizational Structures and Service Number Assignments
Chapter 03 – Private Health Provider (PHP) Records
Chapter 3 – Requesting Evidence From Private Health Providers (PHPs)
Subpart i – Examination Requests in Support of Claims
Chapter 01 – Satisfying the Duty to Assist with Examination and Opinion Requests
Section A – Duty to Assist With Providing a Medical Examination or Opinion
Section B – Evidentiary Standards for Finding an Examination or Opinion Necessary
Chapter 02 – Requesting Examinations
Section A – Examination Requests Overview
Section B – Scheduling Examinations
Section C – Control of Examinations
Section D – Medical Examination Coordinators
Section E – Examinations in Special Situations
Section F – Failure to Report and Rescheduling Examinations
Chapter 03 – Sufficiency of Examinations
Section A – General Criteria for Sufficiency of Examination Reports
Section B – Examination Sufficiency for Specific Disabilities
Section C – Insufficient Examinations
Subpart i – Preparation of Claims for the Rating Activity
Chapter 01 – Preparation of Claims for the Rating Activity
Section A – General Information on the Rating Activity
Section B – Referrals to the Rating Activity
Section C – Pre-Rating Review of Claims by the Rating Activity
Chapter 01 – Review of Evidence
Section A – Principles of Reviewing and Weighing Evidence
Section B – Reviewing Testimony and Lay Evidence
Chapter 02 – Determining Service Connection (SC)
Section A – Direct Service Connection (SC) and Service Incurrence of an Injury
Section B – Presumptive Service Connection (SC)
Section C – In-Service Aggravation of a Pre-Service Disability
Section E – Service Connection (SC) for Congenital, Developmental, or Hereditary Disorders
Chapter 03 – Decision Making Principles
Section A – Determining the Issues
Section B – Making Partial Rating Decisions
Section C – Reviewing Diagnoses
Section D – Evaluating Disabilities
Section B – Historical Guidance on the Assignment of Effective Dates
Subpart iii – Applying the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities
Chapter 01 – Musculoskeletal Disabilities and Muscle Injuries
Section A – Painful Motion and Functional Loss
Section B – Musculoskeletal Disabilities of the Extremities and Spine
Section F – Other Musculoskeletal Considerations
Chapter 02 – Organs of Special Sense
Section A – Conditions of the Eyes
Section B – Conditions of the Auditory System
Chapter 03 – Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies
Chapter 04 – Respiratory Conditions
Section A – Respiratory Conditions
Chapter 05 – Cardiovascular System Conditions
Chapter 06 – Digestive Conditions
Chapter 6 – Digestive Disabilities
Chapter 07 – Genitourinary Disabilities
Chapter 08 – Disabilities of the Gynecological System and Breast
Section A – Disabilities of the Gynecological System
Section B – Disabilities of the Breast
Chapter 09 – Hematologic and Lymphatic Systems
Chapter 11 – Endocrine Conditions
Chapter 12 – Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders
Section A – Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders
Section B – Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Section C – Progressive Neurological Disorders
Chapter 14 – Dental and Oral Conditions
Subpart iv – Completing Rating Decisions
Chapter 01 – Generating the Rating Document
Section A – Completing the Rating Decision Narrative
Section D – Finalizing the Rating Decision
Section E – Reviewing the Rating Decision
Subpart i – General Authorization and Claimant Notification
Chapter 01 – General Authorization and Claimant Notification
Section A – Decision Authorization
Chapter 02 – Audits and Correction of Erroneous Payments
Section A – Requests for Financial Audits
Section B – Correcting the Erroneous Payment of Benefits to a Beneficiary
Subpart ii – Adjustment of Benefits Due to Receipt of Other Benefits
Chapter 01 – General Information on Elections
Section A – General Information on Elections
Section B – Miscellaneous Election Issues
Chapter 2 – Recoupment of Separation Benefits
Chapter 03 – Drill Pay and Active Service Pay
Section B – Withholding and Restoration of Benefits Associated With Receipt of Drill Pay
Section C – Examples of Award Adjustments Necessitated by a Veteran’s Election of Drill Pay
Chapter 04 – Military Retired Pay (MRP)
Section A – Elections and Waivers in Military Retired Pay (MRP) Cases
Section B – Preparing and Adjusting Awards in Military Retired Pay (MRP) Cases
Section E – Processing Audit Error Worksheets (AEWs)
Chapter 05 – Federal Employees’ Compensation (FEC)
Subpart iii – Reduction or Discontinuation of Benefits in Special Circumstances
Section A – Effects of an Individual’s Incarceration on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
Section B – Paying Benefits to the Dependent(s) of an Incarcerated Veteran
Section C – Incarceration of Dependents and Certain Survivors
Chapter 02 – Processing Awards Involving Indebtedness
Section A – Simultaneous Award Adjustments
Section B – The Finance Activity at the Regional Office (RO)
Section C – Debt Disputes and Collection
Section A – General Information on Contested Claims
Section B – Contested Claims Development
Section C – Authorizing and Notifying Claimants of a Decision on a Contested Claim
Chapter 04 – Disappearance and Reappearance of a Veteran
Chapter 05 – Awards to Veterans in the Armed Forces Retirement Home or St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
Subpart i – Relationship and Dependency
Chapter 01 – General Information on Relationship, Dependency, and Dependency Claims Processing
Section A – General Information on Relationship and Dependency
Section B – Verification of Marital Status and the Status of Dependents
Section C – Adjusting Awards for Dependents
Section D – Dependency Claims Processed by the Rules-Based Processing System (RBPS)
Section A – Establishing the Validity of a Marriage for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Purposes
Section B – Establishing Common Law Marriages
Section C – Establishing Other Types of Marriages
Section D – Establishing Marital Relationship in Survivors Cases
Section E – Remarriage of a Surviving Spouse
Section A – Establishing a Child’s Age and Relationship
Section B – Biological Children, Adopted Children, and Stepchildren
Section C – Marriage of a Child
Section D – Children With Two Veteran-Parents
Chapter 04 – Parental Relationships and Dependency
Section A – Establishing Parental Relationship
Section B – Establishing Parental Dependency
Subpart ii – School Attendance
Chapter 01 – School Attendance
Section A – Benefit Entitlement for School Children
Section B – Awards and Adjustments Based Upon School Attendance
Subpart iii – Apportionment of Benefits
Chapter 01 – Apportionment of Benefits
Section A – Apportionment Process
Section B – Adjusting Apportioned Awards
Chapter 01 – Claims Based on Exposure to Herbicides
Section A – Developing Claims for Service Connection (SC) Based on Herbicide Exposure
Section B – Ratings for Disabilities Associated with Herbicide Exposure
Chapter 02 – Entitlement to Benefits Under the Nehmer Court Order
Section A – Developing Claims Under the Nehmer Stipulation
Section B – Determining Eligibility to Retroactive Payment Under the Nehmer Stipulation
Section C – Authorization Under the Nehmer Stipulation
Chapter 03 – Chapter 18 Benefits for Children with Spina Bifida or Covered Birth Defects
Section A – General Chapter 18 Benefits Information
Section C – Eligibility and Development
Section E – Authorization Issues
Subpart ii – Special Issues Associated with Service During the Gulf War (GW)
Chapter 01 – Presumptive Service Connection (SC) for Persian Gulf Veterans and Infectious Diseases
Section A – General Information on Presumptive Service Connection (SC) for Persian Gulf Veterans
Section B – Developing Presumptive Service Connection (SC) Claims from Persian Gulf Veterans
Section C – Rating Presumptive Service Connection (SC) Claims for Persian Gulf Veterans
Section D – Presumptive Service Connection (SC) for Infectious Disease Under 38 CFR 3.317
Chapter 02 – Service Connection (SC) Based on Fine Particulate Matter Exposure
Section A – General Information on Claims Based on Fine Particulate Matter Exposure
Section B – Developing Claims Based On Fine Particulate Matter Exposure
Section C – Rating Claims Based on Fine Particulate Matter Exposure
Subpart iii – Other Exposure-Based Claims
Chapter 01 – Tropical Diseases – 38 CFR 3.309(b)
Section A – Developing Claims for Service Connection (SC) for Positive Tuberculin Reactions
Section B – Awards for Graduated Tuberculosis (TB)
Chapter 03 – Mustard Gas – 38 CFR 3.316
Section B – Rating Claims for Disabilities Associated With Mustard Gas or Lewisite Exposure
Chapter 04 – Radiation – 38 CFR 3.309(d) and 38 CFR 3.311
Section C – Rating Claims for Disabilities Associated With Radiation Exposure
Chapter 05 – Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Testing
Chapter 06 – Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD)
Section A – Developing Claims Based on Participation in Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD)
Section B – Rating Claims Based on Participation in Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD)
Section A – General Information on Claims Based on Exposure to Asbestos
Section B – Development and Examination Requests for Claims Based on Exposure to Asbestos
Section C – Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure
Section D – Rating Claims Based on Exposure to Asbestos
Chapter 08 – Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune – 38 CFR 3.309(f)
Section A – Developing Claims Based on Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune
Section B – Rating Claims Based on Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune
Chapter 09 – Exposure to Other Specific Environmental or Military Occupational Hazards
Chapter 10 – Presumptive Service Connection (SC) for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Subpart iv – Other Special Compensation Issues
Chapter 01 – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Section A – General Information and Development for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Claims
Section C – Examinations and Medical Opinions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Claims
Section D – Evidence Evaluation and Decisions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Claims
Chapter 02 – Former Prisoner of War (FPOW)
Section A – Former Prisoner of War (FPOW) Status
Section B – Former Prisoner of War (FPOW) Service Records
Section D – Rating Claims Based on Former Prisoner of War (FPOW) Status
Chapter 03 – Individual Unemployability (IU)
Section A – General Information on Individual Unemployability (IU) Claims
Section B – Individual Unemployability (IU) Claims Development
Section C – Individual Unemployability (IU) Rating and Decision Review
Section D – Monitoring Income for Veterans in Receipt of Individual Unemployability (IU)
Chapter 04 – Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Section A – Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Section B – History of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Chapter 5 – Service Connection (SC) for Chronic Diseases
Chapter 06 – Compensation Under 38 U.S.C. 1151
Section A – Developing Claims Filed Under 38 U.S.C. 1151
Section B – Rating Claims Filed Under 38 U.S.C. 1151
Section C – Authorization of Awards Under 38 U.S.C. 1151
Chapter 07 – Paired Organs or Extremities – 38 CFR 3.383
Section A – Compensation for Paired Organs or Extremities Under 38 CFR 3.383
Section B – Awards and Offsets for Paired Organs and Extremities Under 38 CFR 3.383
Chapter 08 – Temporary Total Evaluations Provided Under 38 CFR Part 4
Section A – Prestabilization Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.28
Section B – Hospitalization Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.29
Section C – Convalescent Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.30
Section D – Other Temporary Total Evaluations
Chapter 09 – Special Issues Associated with Specific Circumstances in Service
Section A – Claims Based on Participation in Special Operations Incidents
Section B – Diving-Related Disabilities
Subpart i – Eligibility and Development
Chapter 01 – Pension and Parent’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Eligibility
Chapter 02 – Original Disability Pension Claims Development
Chapter 03 – Income and Net Worth Development
Section A – General Information on Income and Net Worth Development
Section B – Income and Net Worth Development Forms and Acceptable Statements
Section C – Pension Income Development
Section D – Reduction of Income Due to Unreimbursed Expenses
Subpart ii – Special Monthly Pension (SMP) and Rating
Chapter 01 – Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Eligibility
Chapter 02 – Pension and Special Monthly Pension (SMP) Rating
Section A – Requirements for Veterans Pension Ratings
Section B – Determining Disability, Unemployability, and Marginal Employment for Pension
Section C – Special Monthly Pension (SMP) Ratings
Chapter 01 – Authorization Issues
Section B – Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits Program
Section C – Section 306 Pension and Old-Law Pension
Section D – Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Authorization
Section E – Pension – Basic Rate Determinations
Section F – Dependents for Current-Law Pension Purposes
Section H – Adjustments Based on Changes in Status
Section I – Counting Specific Types of Income
Section J – Net Worth, Asset Transfers, and Penalty Periods
Section K – Other Deductible Expenses
Chapter 02 – Adjustments and Elections
Section A – Pension Reductions for Medicaid-Covered Nursing Facility Care
Section B – Pension Adjustments in Unusual Situations
Section C – Elections Between Pension Programs
Subpart i – Priority Processing and Other Special Mission Claims
Chapter 01 – Priority Processing Programs
Chapter 1 – Priority Processing Programs and Special Requirements
Chapter 02 – Fully Developed Claims (FDCs)
Section A – General Information About the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program
Section B – Processing Fully Developed Claims (FDCs)
Section A – Jurisdiction for Special Act and Foreign Residency Claims
Chapter 04 – Philippine Claims
Section A – General Information on Philippine Cases
Section B – Eligibility for Benefits Based on Philippines Service
Section C – Development of Philippine Claims
Section D – Awards and Payments for Benefits Due to Philippine Service
Chapter 05 – Claims Based on Merchant Marine Service
Section A – Establishing Veteran Status Based on Merchant Marine Service
Section B – Obtaining Merchant Marine Service Records
Chapter 06 – Pre-Discharge Claims
Section A – Introduction to Pre-Discharge Claims
Section B – Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) and Initial Processing
Section E – Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), Referrals, and Initial Processing
Section F – Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Development and Examinations
Section H – Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Proposed Ratings
Section J – Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Final Ratings
Section K – Special Situations Related to Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)
Subpart ii – Changes in Benefit and Competency Status
Chapter 01 – Finality and Protection
Section A – Finality of Decisions
Chapter 02 – Revision Based on New Evidence
Section A – Revision Based on Specific Types of Submissions, Including Supplemental Claims
Section B – Revision Based on Receipt of Supplemental Service Records
Chapter 03 – Applicability of Due Process
Section A – Notice of Proposed Adverse Action
Section B – Adverse Action Proposal Period
Section C – Contemporaneous Notice
Section D – Completing Proposed Rating Decisions
Section A – Rating Decisions for Reduction Due to Improvement
Section B – Authorization for Reductions in Disability Evaluations Under 38 CFR 3.105(e)
Chapter 05 – Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) and Severance
Section A – Revision Due to Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)
Section B – Severance of Service Connection (SC)
Section C – Due Process and Authorization Issues for Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)
Section A – Evaluating and Rating Competency
Section B – A Child’s Permanent Incapacity for Self-Support
Section C – General Information on Incompetency and Fiduciary Cases
Section D – Processing Awards to Incompetent Beneficiaries
Section E – Authorizing Awards for Fiduciary Cases
Section F – Awards Specific to Institutionalized, Incompetent Veterans
Section G – Competency Determinations for the Insurance Center (IC)
Section H – Historical Information on Estate Limitations
Subpart iii – Hospital Adjustments
Chapter 01 – Hospital Adjustments
Section C – Adjusting Awards Involving an Aid and Attendance (A&A) Allowance
Section D – Adjusting Pension Under 38 CFR 3.551 and 3.556
Subpart iv – Adverse Circumstances Affecting Benefit Entitlement
Section A – Character of Discharge (COD) and Bars to Benefits
Section B – Special Topics Involving Character of Discharge
Section C – Willful Misconduct and Line of Duty (LOD)
Section D – Disability or Death from Use of Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco Products
Section E – Processing Cases Involving Common Accidents in Service
Chapter 02 – Determinations Involving Insanity or Homicide
Section A – Insanity Determinations
Section B – Considering Eligibility When Homicide Is Involved
Chapter 03 – Fraud and Forfeiture
Section A – Fraud and Laboratory Analysis of Evidence
Section B – Forfeiture of Benefits
Subpart v – Other Administrative Processes
Chapter 01 – Administrative Processes for Evidence Gathering and Decision Making
Section A – Compensation Service and Pension and Fiduciary (P&F) Service Guidance
Section C – Administrative Decisions
Section D – Regional Office (RO) Hearings
Section E – Requests for Field Examinations
Chapter 02 – Administrative Processes for Adjusting Benefits
Section A – Evaluating a Pending Claim When a Veteran Returns to Active Duty
Section B – Award Adjustments Necessitated by a Veteran’s Return to and Discharge From Active Duty
Section C – Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Subpart i – First Notice of Death (FNOD) Processing and Cause of Death Determinations
Chapter 01 – First Notice of Death (FNOD) Processing
Section A – General Policies for Veteran First Notice of Death (FNOD) Processing
Section B – System Information for Veteran Notice of Death (NOD) and Month of Death (MOD) Processing
Section C – Errors During Notice of Death (NOD) Processing
Section D – General Procedures for Non-Veteran Beneficiary Notice of Death (NOD) Processing
Chapter 02 – Cause of Death Determinations
Section A – Reports of Casualty
Section B – Finding of Fact and Date of Death
Section C – Presumption of Death
Subpart ii – Benefits Payable at the Time of Death
Chapter 01 – Referral for Consideration of Survivor’s Benefits
Chapter 03 – Accrued and Substitution
Section A – Entitlement to Accrued Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. 5121
Section B – Substitution in Case of Death of Claimant
Section C – Development for Accrued and Requests for Substitution
Section D – Rating Accrued Claims
Section E – Accrued Authorization and Notification
Chapter 4 – Issuing Death Gratuity Certificates to Service Departments
Section A – General Information on Burial Benefits and Allowances
Section C – Burial Authorization Payment Issues
Subpart i – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Chapter 01 – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Eligibility and Development
Section A – Overview of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Section B – Common Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Processing Issues
Chapter 02 – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Ratings
Section A – Ratings for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Section B – Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Determinations for Survivors
Chapter 03 – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Authorization
Section A – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Initial Authorization Issues
Section D – Awards Barred by Receipt of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
Section E – Allowance, Allotments, or Service Pay Under 38 U.S.C. 5110(j)
Section F – Prohibition Against Duplication of Benefits
Chapter 04 – Special Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Issues and Allowances
Section C – Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Offsets
Subpart ii – Other Survivor’s Benefits
Chapter 01 – Death Compensation
Chapter 02 – Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312
Section A – Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312(a)
Section B – Eligibility Determinations and Claims for the Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312(a)
Section C – Development of Claims for the Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312(a)
Section D – Authorization and Notification for the Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312(a)
Chapter 03 – Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)
Section A – Overview of the Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)
Section B – Handling Claims for Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) Benefits
Subpart i – Eligibility Determinations for Other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
Chapter 01 – Education Benefits and Permanent and Total (P&T) Disability
Section A – Ratings for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
Section B – Notification and Award Actions for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
Section C – Ratings to Extend the Delimiting Date for Educational Assistance
Chapter 02 – Auto and Housing Allowance Eligibility Determinations
Section A – Automobile and Adaptive Equipment Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 39
Section B – Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grants
Section A – General Information on Eligibility for Medical Services
Section E – Medical Treatment for Veterans Showing a Positive Tuberculin Reaction
Section F – Medical Treatment for Veterans Treated with Nasopharyngeal Radium Irradiation (NRI)
Section G – Eligibility for Medical Services for Polish and Czechoslovakian Armed Forces
Chapter 04 – Eligibility for Dental Treatment
Section A – Overview of Classes of Eligibility for Dental Treatment
Section B – Processing Dental Claims
Section C – Ratings for Dental Treatment Purposes
Chapter 05 – Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Eligibility Determinations
Section A – Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Eligibility
Section B – Memorandum Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment (VR&E) Ratings
Chapter 06 – Medal of Honor Pension
Chapter 07 – Home Loan Benefits
Section A – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Program
Section B – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Pension-Related Home Loans
Section B – Memorandum Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment (VR&E) Ratings
Section A – Clothing Allowance
Section A – Social Security Administration (SSA) Requests for Medical Evidence
Section C – Compensation-Based Income Calculations for Social Security Administration (SSA) Purposes
Section D – Pension-Based Income Calculations for Social Security Administration (SSA) Purposes
Chapter 02 – Civil Service and Other Employment Preference Certification
Section A – Civil Service Veterans’ Preference Letter
Section B – Ratings for Veterans’ Civil Service Disability Preference
Section C – State or Municipal Disability Preference Certificate
Section D – Information Sharing With the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Chapter 03 – Certifications and Determinations for Public Assistance and Housing
Section A – Certificate of Preference for Public Housing
Section B – Requests from Public Assistance Agencies
Section C – Public Benefit Eligibility for Legal Aliens
Chapter 04 – Certifications for Tax or Financial Purposes
Section B – Request for Information Regarding State Bonus or Tax Exemption
Chapter 05 – Other Certifications and Information Sharing
Section A – Certification for Service Academy Appointment
Section C – Information Requests for Research Purposes
Chapter 01 – General Information on Matching Programs
Chapter 02 – Matches With Social Security Administration (SSA) Records
Section A – Social Security Income Match
Section B – Social Security Death Master File (DMF) Match
Section C – Social Security Number (SSN) Verification
Chapter 03 – Routine Review of Running Awards to 100-Year-Old Beneficiaries
Chapter 04 – Federal Tax Information (FTI)
Section A – Federal Tax Information (FTI) Match: General Information
Section B – Federal Tax Information (FTI) Match: Safeguarding
Section D – Federal Tax Information (FTI): Income Verification Match (IVM)
Chapter 05 – Matching Programs That Identify Veterans That Returned to Active Duty
Chapter 06 – Review of Potential Duplicate Payment Cases
Chapter 07 – Data-Matching Programs That Identify Incarcerated Beneficiaries and Dependents
Chapter 08 – Fugitive Felon Match
Section A – Decision Review Operations Center (DROC) Structure
Section C, DROC Strategic Oversight and Analysis Reviews (SOARs)
Chapter 2 National Training Program
Section A – Decision Review Operations Center (DROC) Quality Review Team (QRT)
Section B – National Quality Reviews
Chapter 4 AMA Control & Other Activities
Chapter 6 Controlling Legacy Appeals
Section A – Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System (VACOLS)
Section B – Establishing an Appellate Record
Section C – Situations After Decisions by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Section D – Litigation Before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
Chapter 7 Legacy Appeal Procedures
Section A – General Information on Legacy Appeals
Section B – Notice of Disagreement (NOD)
Section C – Decision Review Officer (DRO) Process
Section D – Documenting Appeal Decisions
Section E – Filing a Substantive Appeal
Section F – Docketing, Certification, and Claims Folder Transfer to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Section G – Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) Decisions and Remands
Section H – Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) Travel Board and Video Hearings
Section I – Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
Section J – Special Appeal Issues and Cases
Chapter 8 Agent and Attorney Fee Processing
Section A – Introduction to Fees
Section B – Processing a Case Seeking Direct Payment of Fees