[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: 38CFR4.41]

[Page 373]
 
            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF
 
                CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
 
PART 4_SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart B_Disability Ratings
 
Sec. 4.41  History of injury.

    In considering the residuals of injury, it is essential to trace the 
medical-industrial history of the disabled person from the original 
injury, considering the nature of the injury and the attendant 
circumstances, and the requirements for, and the effect of, treatment 
over past periods, and the course of the recovery to date. The duration 
of the initial, and any subsequent, period of total incapacity, 
especially periods reflecting delayed union, inflammation, swelling, 
drainage, or operative intervention, should be given close attention. 
This consideration, or the absence of clear cut evidence of injury, may 
result in classifying the disability as not of traumatic origin, either 
reflecting congenital or developmental etiology, or the effects of 
healed disease.