December 16, 2011M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Table of Contents
Chapter 2. Rating
Table of Contents
Section A: Deciding Claims for Disability Compensation
Overview...... 2-A-1
1.Issues to Consider When Deciding Claims for Disability Compensation...... 2-A-2
2.(Empty – Reserved for Future Use)...... 2-A-9
Section B: Determining Service Connection
Overview...... 2-B-1
3.Determining Direct and Presumptive Service Connection...... 2-B-2
4.Determining Service Incurrence of an Injury...... 2-B-7
5.Determining In-Service Aggravation of Pre-Service Disability...... 2-B-10
6.Determining Secondary Service Connection, Including by Aggravation...... 2-B-12
- Determining Service Connection for Congenital, Developmental, or Hereditary
Disorders...... 2-B-15
Section C: Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Environmental Hazards or Service in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN)
Overview...... 2-C-1
- Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Ionizing
Radiation...... 2-C-2
9.Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Asbestos...... 2-C-5
- Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Herbicides
or Based on Service in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN)...... 2-C-10
- Payment Under the Nehmer Stipulation for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure
to Herbicide Agents...... 2-C-33
12.Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting From Exposure to Other
Specific Environmental Hazards...... 2-C-41
Section D: Service Connection for Qualifying Disabilities Associated With Service in
Southwest Asia
Overview...... 2-D-1
13.General Information on Certain Disabilities Associated With Service in
Southwest Asia...... 2-D-2
14. Rating Claims for Service Connection for Qualifying Disabilities...... 2-D-11
15. General Information on Rating Decisions for Qualifying Disabilities ...... 2-D-16
16. Granting Service Connection for Qualifying Disabilities...... 2-D-20
17. Denying Service Connection for Qualifying Disabilities...... 2-D-26
Continued on next page
Table of Contents, Continued
Section E: Service Connection for Disabilities Incurred as a Prisoner of War (POW)
Overview...... 2-E-1
18.General Information on POW Rating Activities...... 2-E-2
19.Deciding Claims Involving Former POWs...... 2-E-4
20.Presumption of Service Connection Under 38 CFR 3.309(c)...... 2-E-8
- Considering Service Connection for Residuals of Frostbite, Peptic Ulcer Disease,
Peripheral Neuropathy, and Posttraumatic Arthritis...... 2-E-12
22.Preparing a Rating Decision Involving a Presumption of Service Connection....2-E-16
- History of Disabilities Subject to a Presumption of Service Connection Under
38 CFR 3.309(c)...... 2-E-20
Section F: Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability (IU)
Overview ...... 2-F-1
24.General Information on IU Claims...... 2-F-2
- Evaluating Evidence to Establish Entitlement to IU...... 2-F-3
26.Evaluating Evidence of Self-Employment or Employment With a Tightly
Held Corporation...... 2-F-8
27.Preparing a Rating Decision Addressing the Issue of IU...... 2-F-10
28.Special Considerations in IU Claims...... 2-F-16
29.Exhibit 1: Rating Decision Addressing Veteran’s Failure to Complete a Field
Examination...... 2-F-25
- Exhibit 2: Rating Decision Addressing Veteran’s Failure to Respond to a
Notice of Proposed Adverse Action After Failure to Complete a Field
Examination...... 2-F-26
31.Exhibit 3: Rating Decision Addressing the Subsequent Receipt of Evidence That
Restores IU After Failure to Complete a Field Examination...... 2-F-27
32.Exhibit 4: Poverty Threshold Information...... 2-F-29
Section G: Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. 1151
Overview...... 2-G-1
33.General Information on Entitlement to Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. 1151...... 2-G-2
34.Determining Entitlement to Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. 1151...... 2-G-9
- Preparing a Rating Decision Involving a Claim for Benefits Under
38 U.S.C. 1151...... 2-G-12
Continued on next page
Table of Contents, Continued
Section H: Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Overview...... 2-H-1
36.General Information on SMC...... 2-H-2
37.Combining Disabilities When Entitlement to SMC is at Issue...... 2-H-5
38.Hospital Adjustments Under 38 CFR 3.552...... 2-H-8
39.Entitlement to SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k)...... 2-H-10
- SMC for Blindness With Other Disabilities Affecting Hearing and the
Extremities...... 2-H-16
41.SMC for Additional 50- and 100-Percent Evaluations Under 38 CFR 3.50(f)(3)
and 38 CFR 3.350(f)(4)...... 2-H-24
42.Additional SMC for L/LOU of Three Extremities Under 38
CFR 3.350(f)(5)...... 2-H-28
43.Entitlement to Specially Adapted Housing Under 38 U.S.C. 2101 Based on the
L/LOU of Both Lower Extremities...... 2-H-31
44.Entitlement to SMC Based on the Need for Aid and Attendance (A&A)...... 2-H-32
45.Entitlement to a Higher A&A Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(r)(2)...... 2-H-37
46.Entitlement to Housebound Benefits...... 2-H-40
Section I: History of SMC
Overview...... 2-I-1
47.General Information on the History of SMC...... 2-I-2
48.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k)...... 2-I-4
49.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(l)...... 2-I-7
50.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(m)...... 2-I-9
51.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(n)...... 2-I-11
52.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(o)...... 2-I-13
53.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(p)...... 2-I-15
54.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(q)...... 2-I-21
55.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(r)...... 2-I-22
56.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(s)...... 2-I-24
57.SMC Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(t)...... 2-I-25
58.Considering Maximum Allowable Rates Under 38 U.S.C. 1114(p)...... 2-I-26
Continued on next page
Table of Contents, Continued
Section J: Compensation Under 38 CFR 4.28, 38 CFR 4.29, and 38 CFR 4.30
Overview...... 2-J-1
59.Prestabilization Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.28...... 2-J-2
60.General Information on Hospitalization Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.29...... 2-J-6
61.Preparing the Rating Decision for Hospitalization Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.29..2-J-10
62.General Information on Convalescent Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.30...... 2-J-12
63.Preparing the Rating Decision for Convalescent Ratings Under 38 CFR 4.30....2-J-15
64.Diagnostic Codes (DC) That Provide for Periods of Convalescence...... 2-J-16
Section K: Other Compensation Considerations
Overview...... 2-K-1
65.Compensation for Paired Organs or Extremities...... 2-K-2
66.Disability or Death From Use of Alcohol...... 2-K-5
67.Disability or Death From Use of Drugs...... 2-K-9
68.Disability or Death From Use of Tobacco Products...... 2-K-11
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