--- title: "Part V, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section B Making Partial Rating Decisions" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part V, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section B" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/v.ii.3.b-making-partial-rating-decisions" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180487/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-ii-Chapter-3-Section-B-Making-Partial-Rating-Decisions" updated: "2026-09-07T14:37:13.730593Z" --- November 15, 2023 ### V.ii.3.B.1.a. When Development to Obtain Additional Evidence May Be Needed Development to obtain additional evidence such as a medical examination or other records may be needed if * it would provide a more complete picture of a question at issue, or * the evidence of record is questionable or conflicting. **Note:** Decision makers must maintain objectivity when assigning weight to a claimant’s evidence and may not develop with _the purpose_ of obtaining evidence to justify a denial of the claim. Instead, decision makers must be able to support the determination that development is needed. **References:** For more information on * ordering further development in cases where uncorroborated lay evidence is presented, see [_Douglas v. Shinseki_](), 23 Vet.App. 19 (2009) * a Veteran’s submission of evidence and refusal to attend a Department of Veterans Affairs examination, see [_Kowalski v. Nicholson_](), 19 Vet.App. 171 (2005), and * developing with the purpose of denying and explaining the need for development, see [_Mariano v. Principi_](), 17 Vet.App. 305 (2003). ### V.ii.3.B.1.b. Definition: Partial Rating Decision A **_partial rating decision_** is a rating decision that provides a decision on some issues of a claim, but defers a decision on at least one other issue, pending the outcome of additional development. ### V.ii.3.B.1.c. When to Make a Partial Rating Decision Make a partial rating decision when one or more issues require additional development before they can be decided, but the record otherwise contains sufficient evidence to * decide (favorably or not) at least one other issue, and/or * make a proposed or final decision on a compensation entitlement issue, such as a reduction in service-connected disability evaluation, severance of service connection (SC), or competency. **Important:** * It is only appropriate to extend suspense or diary dates if it is necessary for a specific adjudicative action. Suspense dates must always correspond with specific actions and should not be arbitrarily extended under any circumstance. * When employees handle a claim, they are expected to take the most full and complete action possible on a claim every time – including development, rating, and promulgation actions – to move a claim forward to accurate completion in the claims process. Every effort should be made to move the claim to the next processing cycle each time it is handled. **Exception:** When issues cannot be resolved because of a Veteran’s return to active duty, follow the procedures in [M21-1, Part X, Subpart v, 2.A.1.c](). **References:** For more information on * evaluating competency, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 6.A]() * proposed rating decisions, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 3.D]() * reductions in awards, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 4.B](), and * severance of SC, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 5.B](). ### V.ii.3.B.1.d. Partial Ratings and Automation When a claim involves a mix of automation-eligible and automation-ineligible contentions in a ready for decision status, * defer automation-ineligible contentions that have not undergone initial development, and * review the automation-eligible contention(s) for completion of a partial rating decision. **References:** For more information on * identifying automation-eligible contentions, see the [Automated Issue Management (AIM) Quick Sheet for Claims Processors](), and * deferring automation-eligible contentions, see the [Automated Decision Support Deferral Guide](). ### V.ii.3.B.1.e. Improper Use of a Partial Rating Decision for SC for Cause of Death Do not use a partial rating decision to deny SC for cause of death if development is pending or in progress for another condition possibly involved in the cause of death. ### V.ii.3.B.1.f. When to Defer an Issue Defer an issue when the rating activity receives a claim that is underdeveloped or incomplete when proper disposition of that issue depends on resolution of a development action.**Reference:** For more information on Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) deferrals, see * [M21-4, Chapter 6, 8.e]() for Veterans Service Center guidance * [M21-4, Chapter 7, 14]() for pension management center guidance, and * [VBMS Deferral Job Aids](). ### V.ii.3.B.1.g. Procedure for Deferring Previously Denied Issues When a decision on a previously denied issue must now be deferred, decision makers should ensure the coded conclusion of the _Codesheet_ lists the * previously denied issue as deferred, and * date of the prior denial in the ORIGINAL DATE OF DENIAL field. **Example:** ![Image of deferred issues text on the codesheet.](/img/cpkm/III.iv.6.A.1.f_blocktext.png)Follow the steps in the table below when deferring a previously denied issue.| **Step**| **Action** 1| Ensure the * previously denied issue is reflected on the MASTER RECORD tab in VBMS-Rating, and * appropriate date is listed in the ORIGINAL DATE OF DENIAL field. **Example:** ![Image of Master Record tab in VBMS-Rating showing ORIGINAL DATE OF DENIAL field.](/system/ws/v11/media/image/5544/46c37a66-3924-459d-a46a-be70ff7d6794) ** References:** For more information on * required elements of the coded conclusion, see [M21-1, Part V, Subpart iv, 1.C.3.a](), and * backfilling the master record, see the _VBMS Rating User Guide_. 2| On the ISSUE MANAGEMENT tab, follow the steps for establishing issues outlined in the _VBMS Rating User Guide_. 3| Select the relevant issue in the ISSUE LIST field and click on the ENTER DECISION button. 4| From the SELECT EVALUATION BUILDER screen, * choose _Disability Decision Information – Manual Entry_ , and * click on the OK button. 5| On the DISABILITY DECISION INFORMATION screen, choose _Deferred_ from the DECISION drop-down menu. 6| Complete the other required decision entries. **References:** For more information on * completing rating decisions, see the _VBMS Rating User Guide_ , and * the ORIGINAL DATE OF DENIAL field, see [M21-1, Part V, Subpart iv, 1.C.9.b](). ### V.ii.3.B.1.h. Action to Take When SC for Cause of Death Is Deferred for Further Development If the rating activity returns a case for further development with regard to the issue of SC for cause of death, * request the indicated evidence * award pension benefits if entitlement is established and an award was not made prior to submission of the case to the rating activity, and * establish a 30-day control for submission of the requested evidence. Once the 30-day evidentiary submission period has elapsed, resubmit the case to the rating activity for issuance of a formal decision on the issue of SC for cause of death.