[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 38, Volume 1]

[Revised as of July 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 38CFR4.13]



[Page 366-367]

 

            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. 4.13  Effect of change of diagnosis.



    The repercussion upon a current rating of service connection when 

change is made of a previously assigned diagnosis or etiology must be 

kept in mind. The aim should be the reconciliation and continuance of 

the diagnosis or etiology upon which service connection for the 

disability had been granted. The relevant principle enunciated in Sec. 

4.125, entitled ``Diagnosis of mental disorders,'' should have careful 

attention in this connection. When any change in evaluation is to be 

made, the rating agency should assure itself that there has been an 

actual change in the conditions, for better or worse, and not



[[Page 367]]



merely a difference in thoroughness of the examination or in use of 

descriptive terms. This will not, of course, preclude the correction of 

erroneous ratings, nor will it preclude assignment of a rating in 

conformity with Sec. 4.7.



[29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 61 FR 52700, Oct. 8, 1996]