[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 38, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 38CFR4.1]

[Page 361-363]
 
            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF
 
                CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
 
PART 4_SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart A_General Policy in Rating
 
Sec. 4.1  Essentials of evaluative rating.




                   Subpart A_General Policy in Rating

Sec.
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.

                      Subpart B_Disability Ratings

                       The Musculoskeletal System

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.
4.47-4.54 [Reserved]
4.55 Principles of combined ratings for muscle injuries.
4.56 Evaluation of muscle disabilities.

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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.

                       The Organs of Special Sense

4.75 Examination of visual acuity.
4.76 Examination of field vision.
4.76a Computation of average concentric contraction of visual fields.
4.77 Examination of muscle function.
4.78 Computing aggravation.
4.79 Loss of use of one eye, having only light perception.
4.80 Rating of one eye.
4.81-4.82 [Reserved]
4.83 Ratings at scheduled steps and distances.
4.83a Impairment of central visual acuity.
4.84 Differences between distant and near visual acuity.
4.84a Schedule of ratings--eye.

                      Impairment of Auditory Acuity

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.

   Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies

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.

                         The Respiratory System

4.96 Special provisions regarding evaluation of respiratory conditions.
4.97 Schedule of ratings--respiratory system.

                        The Cardiovascular System

4.100-4.103 [Reserved]
4.104 Schedule of ratings--cardiovascular system.

                          The Digestive System

4.110 Ulcers.
4.111 Postgastrectomy syndromes.
4.112 Weight loss.
4.113 Coexisting abdominal conditions.
4.114 Schedule of ratings--digestive system.

                        The Genitourinary System

4.115 Nephritis.
4.115a Ratings of the genitourinary system--dysfunctions.
4.115b Ratings of the genitourinary system--diagnoses.

          Gynecological Conditions and Disorders of the Breast

4.116 Schedule of ratings--gynecological conditions and disorders of the 
          breast.

                     The Hemic and Lymphatic Systems

4.117 Schedule of ratings--hemic and lymphatic systems.

                                The Skin

4.118 Schedule of ratings--skin.

                          The Endocrine System

4.119 Schedule of ratings--endocrine system.

            Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders

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.

                            Mental Disorders

4.125 Diagnosis of mental disorders.
4.126 Evaluation of disability from mental disorders.
4.127 Mental retardation 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.

                       Dental and Oral Conditions

4.149 [Reserved]
4.150 Schedule of ratings--dental and oral conditions.

Appendix A to Part 4--Table of Amendments and Effective Dates Since 1946

[[Page 363]]

Appendix B to Part 4--Numerical Index of Disabilities
Appendix C to Part 4--Alphabetical Index of Disabilities

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155, unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, unless otherwise noted.



    This rating schedule is primarily a guide in the evaluation of 
disability resulting from all types of diseases and injuries encountered 
as a result of or incident to military service. The percentage ratings 
represent as far as can practicably be determined the average impairment 
in earning capacity resulting from such diseases and injuries and their 
residual conditions in civil occupations. Generally, the degrees of 
disability specified are considered adequate to compensate for 
considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses 
proportionate to the severity of the several grades of disability. For 
the application of this schedule, accurate and fully descriptive medical 
examinations are required, with emphasis upon the limitation of activity 
imposed by the disabling condition. Over a period of many years, a 
veteran's disability claim may require reratings in accordance with 
changes in laws, medical knowledge and his or her physical or mental 
condition. It is thus essential, both in the examination and in the 
evaluation of disability, that each disability be viewed in relation to 
its history.

[41 FR 11292, Mar. 18, 1976]