[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 38, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 38CFR4.13]

[Page 372]
 
            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 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]