Search VA regulations and diagnostic codes

Examination Sufficiency for Specific Disabilities

IV.i.3.B.1.b. Headache Examination Report Review A neurological headache examination report will be considered insufficient if it does not indicate the frequency of prostrating headaches and whether the headaches are migraine-type or non-migraine type. Reference: For more information on…

Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders

3. Migraine Headaches This topic contains information on migraine headaches, including · evaluation criteria for migraine headaches · DC 8100 terminology: _prostrating_ and _completely prostrating_ · role of medical evidence in establishing the fact of prostration · lay evidence of prostration…

Rating Decisions for Reduction Due to Improvement

X.ii.4.A.1.h. Reduction Offset by Subsequent Increased Evaluation When the evaluations of multiple issues are being adjusted such that the net effect is an increased combined evaluation _but an intercurrent period of reduced combined evaluation would potentially result_ , due process must be…

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

V.iii.12.B.2.d. Evaluating TBI and Comorbid Symptoms/ Conditions Use the table below when evaluating TBI and comorbid symptoms and/or conditions. | If the Veteran has ...| Then evaluate ... headaches| headaches according to the table below. | If the Veteran has …| Then ……

Rating Presumptive Service Connection (SC) Claims for Persian Gulf Veterans

VIII.ii.1.C.2.d. Examples of Hyphenated Codes for Undiagnosed Disabilities and MUCMIs The table below contains examples of hyphenated codes that may be used when awarding or denying undiagnosed illnesses manifest by the 13 signs or symptoms or a MUCMI found in [38 CFR…

V.iii.3.6.e. Delayed Onset of COVID-19 Residuals Post-COVID-19 conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four weeks or more after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. If a Veteran is denied SC for COVID-19 due to a lack…

Coded Conclusion

V.iv.1.C.5.d. Examples: Separation Benefit Codesheet Annotations Scenario 1: A Veteran served from February 13, 1985, to September 26, 1991, and October 28, 1992, to December 4, 1996, and received separation benefits at the end of the _first_ period of service. SC is established for…

Reviewing Diagnoses

Example 1: The Veteran, during a VA examination, reports bilateral knee pain while performing various activities. The examiner finds no anatomic abnormality, weakness, or reduced range of motion; however, the examiner notes that the Veteran has functional limitations on walking, is unable to…

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

VIII.iv.4.A.10.c. Extra-Schedular Consideration in Housebound Claims Involving IU When SMC at the statutory housebound rate is established based on a single condition that is totally disabling due to IU · the single disability must meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to IU defined in…

Individual Unemployability (IU) Rating and Decision Review

VIII.iv.3.C.4.e. Entitlement to SMC at the Housebound Rate if IU Rating Is Based on a Single Disability A Veteran in receipt of IU benefits may be entitled to SMC at the housebound rate under [38 U.S.C. 1114(s)](<https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1114>) if the evidence shows that the *…

Evidentiary Standards for Finding an Examination or Opinion Necessary

Example 1: A Veteran claims stomach problems secondary to an SC heart condition. A statement in support of claim contends that since starting prescribed medications two years ago for the heart condition, the Veteran has experienced stomach problems to include constipation, pain, and…

Diving-Related Disabilities

VIII.iv.9.B.1.c. Toxic Effects of Gases in Diving The table below describes the conditions and associated symptoms that may be due to the toxic effects of gases when diving. Chronic disabilities may result from these responses to diving. | Condition| Symptoms High pressure…

Relevance Determinations

December 5, 2024 ### III.i.2.E.1.a. Definition: Relevant Records _Relevant records_ for the purpose of the duty to assist are those records that · relate to the disability or injury for which the claimant is seeking benefits, and · have a reasonable possibility of helping to substantiate the…

Conditions of the Auditory System

3. Tinnitus This topic contains general information about tinnitus, including · sympathetic reading of tinnitus claims · requesting medical opinions for tinnitus · interpreting medical opinions involving tinnitus, and · applying liberalizing provisions for tinnitus. April 9, 2019

General Information on Presumptive Service Connection (SC) for Persian Gulf Veterans

VIII.ii.1.A.1.j. Signs and Symptoms of Undiagnosed Illnesses or MUCMIs [38 CFR 3.317](<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9f0ce8e46464a943446b3eabce7d0edb&node=se38.1.3_1317&rgn=div8>) specifies the following 13 categories of signs or symptoms that may be manifestations of an undiagnosed…

Painful Motion and Functional Loss

March 25, 2026

Record Maintenance During the Development Process

III.i.2.F.2.e. Associating Claim Types to Contentions Each contention must have the correct claim type associated with it. When multiple claim types apply, base the contention type on the current theory of entitlement being asserted.Examples: · A Veteran claims an increase in their SC…

Muscle Injuries

July 21, 2022

Determining the Issues

was also diagnosed during the VA audiology examination. _Result_ : In view of the evidence, the expressly claimed issue of SC for hearing loss and earaches must be sympathetically read as encompassing the diagnosed disability hyperacusis. Decreased sound tolerance (hyperacusis) reasonably falls…

Other Musculoskeletal Considerations

V.iii.1.F.1.c. Evaluating Fibromyalgia The criteria for evaluation of fibromyalgia under [38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5025](<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c91c526668ff77d740cdc2572fcd55e5&node=se38.1.4_171a&rgn=div8>) does not exclude assignment of separate evaluations when disabilities are…