--- title: "Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B Awards for Graduated Tuberculosis (TB)" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/viii.iii.2.b-awards-for-graduated-tuberculosis-tb" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000177451/M21-1-Part-VIII-Subpart-iii-Chapter-2-Section-B-Awards-for-Graduated-Tuberculosis-TB" updated: "2026-09-07T14:37:33.789360Z" --- May 17, 2018 ### VIII.iii.2.B.1.a. Repeal of Graduated Ratings for Inactive TB _Public Law_ _90-493_ __ repealed sections 38 U.S.C. 314(q) and 38 U.S.C. 356 that provided graduated ratings for inactive tuberculosis (TB). **Important:** The repealed sections _still_ apply to any Veteran who was receiving, or was entitled to receive, disability compensation for TB on August 19, 1968, under [38 CFR 3.959](). ### VIII.iii.2.B.1.b. Definition: Graduated Rating A **_graduated rating_** is a gradual reduction in a disability evaluation for a disease that has moved from the active to the inactive stage. ### VIII.iii.2.B.1.c. Handling Rating Decisions Involving a Reduced Disability Evaluation for Inactive TB If a rating decision reduces a Veteran’s disability evaluation for service-connected TB because it is inactive, * prepare an amended award to input the * two-year, 100-percent evaluation, and * graduated or residual disability evaluations assigned for the future * use the first day of the current month for the first entry of current award data, and * inform the Veteran of the award action and that the 100-percent disability evaluation may be reduced effective an earlier date if the Veteran fails to * report for an examination scheduled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and/or * follow the prescribed treatment. ### VIII.iii.2.B.1.d. Action to Take When the Graduation Reaches 0 Percent The monthly rate of disability compensation payable for TB drops to $67 (or to the peacetime-era rate of $54, if prior to July 1, 1973) on the effective date of graduation to the 0-percent disability evaluation. Use special monthly compensation code 36 in the rating decision.If other noncompensable disabilities exist, notify the Veteran that when the disability evaluation drops to 0 percent, the Veteran may submit evidence from a private physician to show that the TB warrants a compensable disability evaluation.**Rationale:** VA cannot award compensation in lieu of the protected amount unless the disabilities combine to provide an evaluation of at least 10 percent. ### VIII.iii.2.B.1.e. Notifying VA Outpatient Clinics of Decisions Involving SC TB If a Veteran is awarded the * two-year, 100-percent disability evaluation for inactive TB, notify the Chief, Medical Administration Services, or equivalent, of the outpatient clinic responsible for the Veteran’s follow-up care, or * one-year, 100-percent disability evaluation for inactive TB, * send the outpatient clinic responsible for the Veteran’s follow-up care a copy of the rating decision in which VA initially granted service connection for TB, and * do _not_ send any other notice to the Chief, Medical Administration Services, of the outpatient clinic responsible for the Veteran’s follow-up care. **Reference:** For more information on TB, see [M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 4.B]().