[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: 38CFR4.27]

[Page 370]
 
            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. 4.27  Use of diagnostic code numbers.

    The diagnostic code numbers appearing opposite the listed ratable 
disabilities are arbitrary numbers for the purpose of showing the basis 
of the evaluation assigned and for statistical analysis in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and as will be observed, extend from 
5000 to a possible 9999. Great care will be exercised in the selection 
of the applicable code number and in its citation on the rating sheet. 
No other numbers than these listed or hereafter furnished are to be 
employed for rating purposes, with an exception as described in this 
section, as to unlisted conditions. When an unlisted disease, injury, or 
residual condition is encountered, requiring rating by analogy, the 
diagnostic code number will be ``built-up'' as follows: The first 2 
digits will be selected from that part of the schedule most closely 
identifying the part, or system, of the body involved; the last 2 digits 
will be ``99'' for all unlisted conditions. This procedure will 
facilitate a close check of new and unlisted conditions, rated by 
analogy. In the selection of code numbers, injuries will generally be 
represented by the number assigned to the residual condition on the 
basis of which the rating is determined. With diseases, preference is to 
be given to the number assigned to the disease itself; if the rating is 
determined on the basis of residual conditions, the number appropriate 
to the residual condition will be added, preceded by a hyphen. Thus, 
rheumatoid (atrophic) arthritis rated as ankylosis of the lumbar spine 
should be coded ``5002-5289.'' In this way, the exact source of each 
rating can be easily identified. In the citation of disabilities on 
rating sheets, the diagnostic terminology will be that of the medical 
examiner, with no attempt to translate the terms into schedule 
nomenclature. Residuals of diseases or therapeutic procedures will not 
be cited without reference to the basic disease.

[41 FR 11293, Mar. 18, 1976]