WELCOME WEEK 2

Background of the Rating Schedule

38 CFR 4.1 The Rating Schedule as a guide.

38 CFR 4.21 Application of Rating Schedule

38 CFR 4.23 Attitude of Rating Officers

38 CFR 4.2 Examination Reports

38 CFR 4.3 Reasonable Doubt

38 CFR 4.9 Congenital Defects

38 CFR 4.10 Functional Impairment

38 CFR 4.14 PYRAMIDING

38 CFR 4.15 Total Disability Ratings

38 CFR 4.16 Individual Unemployability 38 CFR 4.18 Unemployability

38 CFR 4.19 Consideration of Age

38 CFR 4.26 Bilateral Factor

38 CFR 4.27 Diagnostic Code Numbers

38 CFR 4.20 Analogous Ratings

38 CFR 4.29 Ratings for Hospital Treatment

38 CFR 4.30 Convalescent Ratings

38 CFR 4.31 Zero Percent Evaluations

38 CFR 4.40 Functional Loss

38 CFR 4.44 The Bones

38 CFR 4.45 The Joints

38 CFR CFR 4.56 Muscle Evaluations

38 CFR 4.58 Arthritis Due to Strain

38 CFR 4.59 Painful Motion

38 CFR 4.68 Amputation Rule

38 CFR 4.69 Dominant Hand

38 CFR 4.71 Measurement of Joint Motion

EXAMPLES

Combination of Multiple Disabilities The VA does not add! The VA Combines individual disabilities using a concept known as the “Whole Man Concept”

Combined Ratings 38CFR 4.25 – whole man concept Below knee amputation40% Depression30% Bilateral hearing loss20% Arthritis, shoulder10% Headaches10% Hypertension10% Spinal Disc syndrome10% Peptic Ulcer10% Combined disability80%

Whole Man Concept – a man is 100% whole 40% of 100 = = 60 30% of 60 = = = 42 20% of 42 = 858+8= = 34 10% of 34 = 366+3= = 31 10% of 31 = 369+3= = 28 10% of 28 = 372+3= = 25 10% of 25 = 375+3= = 22 10% of 22 = 278+2=80

QUESTIONS?

COMPENSATION RATES Compensation Chart The VA pays compensation in 10% increments from 10% to 100% based on the combined rating of all service connected disability evaluations. An additional amount may be paid due to special provisions to compensate for certain losses of functional impairment, Special Monthly Compensation (week 5).

Dependents Allowance The VA may pay an additional amount for: Spouse Child (minor, disabled, school) Natural Child Step Child Illegitimate Child Adopted Child Parent - Dependent

QUESTIONS ?