[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: 38CFR4.41]

[Page 380-381]
 
            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

[[Page 381]]

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.