[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: 38CFR4.2]

[Page 371]
 
            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. 4.2  Interpretation of examination reports.

    Different examiners, at different times, will not describe the same 
disability in the same language. Features of the disability which must 
have persisted unchanged may be overlooked or a change for the better or 
worse may not be accurately appreciated or described. It is the 
responsibility of the rating specialist to interpret reports of 
examination in the light of the whole recorded history, reconciling the 
various reports into a consistent picture so that the current rating may 
accurately reflect the elements of disability present. Each disability 
must be considered from the point of view of the veteran working or 
seeking work. If a diagnosis is not supported by the findings on the 
examination report or if the report does not contain sufficient detail, 
it is incumbent upon the rating board to return the report as inadequate 
for evaluation purposes.

[41 FR 11292, Mar. 18, 1976]