What this means
m21-1:IV.ii.1.B explains control of future examinations. In plain terms, the official guidance says use the table below for information on establishing future examination control in a rating decision completed using VBMS - Rating (VBMS-R). It also addresses it is necessary to control and conduct future review examinations, when deemed appropriate, in cases where no monetary benefits for compensable disability ratings are paid (for example, when a Veteran elects military retired pay (MRP) in lieu of disability compensation) because the protective provisions of 38 U.S.C.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-1:IV.ii.1.B as an internal VA audit trail for control of future examinations, not as a promise of a particular result. Compare the actions recorded in your claim file or decision notice with this source-specific detail: Use the table below for information on establishing future examination control in a rating decision completed using VBMS - Rating (VBMS-R). It is necessary to control and conduct future review examinations, when deemed appropriate, in cases where no monetary benefits for compensable disability ratings are paid (for example, when a Veteran elects military retired pay (MRP) in lieu of disability compensation) because the protective provisions of 38 U.S.C. If the record does not show the expected action, identify the missing step precisely when asking VA or an accredited representative to review the file.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: requirement for review examination control when benefits are not paid
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: action when the control period for the future examination matures, and
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: If a future examination … — Then, in the EXAMINATION INFORMATION section of the ISSUE MANAGEMENT tab and SPECIAL ISSUE & EXAMINATION INFORMATION chevron, …;
Important limits
m21-1:IV.ii.1.B is primarily internal workflow guidance about control of future examinations. It can help identify what VA was expected to document, but it does not by itself create a claimant deadline, a freestanding entitlement, or a guaranteed remedy. The source also states: Use the table below for information on establishing future examination control in a rating decision completed using VBMS - Rating (VBMS-R). An EP 310, Permanent and Total Determination, will generate on a recurring basis when the corporate record of a Veteran who has a combined 100-percent service-connected (SC) evaluation does not reflect either
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Control of Future Examinations
- m21-1:IV.ii.1.B
- Control Future Examinations
- types future examination controls
- establishing future examination control
- rating decision
- without rating decision
- requirement review examination control
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Overview
In This Section
This section contains the topic “ Control of Future Examinations.”
1. Control of Future Examinations
Introduction
This topic contains information about controlling future examinations, including
- types of future examination controls
- establishing future examination control
- in a rating decision, and
- without a rating decision
- requirement for review examination control when benefits are not paid
- action when the control period for the future examination matures, and
- reviewing end products (EPs) 310 for permanency.
Change Date
June 3, 2026
IV.ii.1.B.1.a. Types of Future Examination Controls
Future examination control may be established through
- completion of a rating decision
- establishment of a future, diary end product (EP) 310, or
- use of the DIARY function in the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS).
IV.ii.1.B.1.b. Establishing Future Examination Control in a Rating Decision
Use the table below for information on establishing future examination control in a rating decision completed using VBMS - Rating (VBMS-R).
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| If a future examination … | Then, in the EXAMINATION INFORMATION section of the ISSUE MANAGEMENT tab and SPECIAL ISSUE & EXAMINATION INFORMATION chevron, … |
|---|---|
| should be scheduled immediately, or during the current month | select AT ONCE. |
| should be scheduled at a later date | select FUTURE DATE, and enter the future examination date in the FUTURE DATE field. Note: The earliest date allowed is the first day of the following month. If an earlier examination is required, select AT ONCE. |
| is not warranted | select STATIC DISABILITY (NO EXAM). |
References: For more information on
- decisional entry in V BMS-R, see the VBMS Rating User Guide
- examination requests, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A, and
- determining the need for review examinations, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.A.
IV.ii.1.B.1.c. Establishing Future Examination Control Without a Rating Decision
Use the table below to determine how to establish future examination control when the rating activity determines that a review examination is necessary, but control is not established by a rating decision.
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| If... | Then establish control by using... |
|---|---|
| there is an active corporate record, and another future examination diary is not currently pending | the ADD NEW DIARY button in VBMS with a diary reason Future Physical Examination. Note: A future examination diary cannot be added for a date greater than five years in the future. |
| there is not an active corporate record, and the examination date is neither less than 10 days in the future, nor greater than one year in the future | a future pending issue under EP 310, established in VBMS. |
| the future examination cannot be controlled by either method described above | a local diary. Note: Individual regional offices may exercise discretion in the manner in which they control these cases. |
Reference: For more information on establishing future examination control in VBMS, see the VBMS Core User Guide.
IV.ii.1.B.1.d. Requirement for Review Examination Control When Benefits Are Not Paid
It is necessary to control and conduct future review examinations, when deemed appropriate, in cases where no monetary benefits for compensable disability ratings are paid (for example, when a Veteran elects military retired pay (MRP) in lieu of disability compensation) because the protective provisions of 38 U.S.C. 110 and 38 CFR 3.951 do not require a concurrent award of monetary benefits.
References: For more information on
- determining the need for review examinations, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.A, and
- elections or waivers of MRP, see M21-1, Part VI, Subpart ii, 4.A.3.
IV.ii.1.B.1.e. Action When the Control Period for the Future Examination Matures
Upon maturation of any future review examination control, refer the claims folder for review by
- the rating activity, or
- a locally designated claims processor with expertise in review examination ordering.
Note: The future review examination control described above may include any of the following:
- an 810 series work item
- a locally established diary, or
- an automatically established EP 310, Routine Future Exam.
Follow the steps in the table below upon review of matured review examination controls.
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| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Is it necessary to advance the date of the examination(s) in question? If yes, go to the next step. If no, go to Step 3. |
| 2 | Use the table below to determine the appropriate action. |
| 3 | Use the table below to determine the appropriate action. Notes: Do not establish a separate EP 310 if another rating EP is already pending for the specific disability under review. Instead, complete all necessary action under the existing EP. If a beneficiary submits a claim for the same specific disability under review while EP 310 is pending for reexamination purposes, cancel EP 310, and establish the appropriate alternative rating EP for control and completion of all necessary development actions. |
| 4 | Is it necessary to proceed with the examination(s) in question? If yes, request any and all examinations needed. If no, prepare or refer for a rating decision to establish permanency in accordance with procedures outlined in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 2.A. |
References: For more information on
- disposition of an 800 series work item after review, see M21-4, Appendix B, 4.c, and
- determining the need for review examination, see
- M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.A, and
- 38 CFR 3.327.
IV.ii.1.B.1.f. Reviewing EPs 310 for Permanency
An EP 310, Permanent and Total Determination, will generate on a recurring basis when the corporate record of a Veteran who has a combined 100-percent service-connected (SC) evaluation does not reflect either
- eligibility to Chapter 35 benefits, or
- a future review examination diary/control.
If an EP 310 is pending for this situation, the claims folder must be reviewed to determine if
- a review examination is needed, or
- the specific disability can be identified as permanent and total, and Chapter 35 eligibility addressed in a rating decision.
Use the table below to determine what actions to take in response to EPs 310 generated in these circumstances.
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| If the absence of Chapter 35 eligibility and/or routine future examination... | Then... |
|---|---|
| has been resolved by rating action since the time of the EP 310’s generation | cancel EP 310, and add a permanent note in VBMS, explaining why no action was necessary. |
| exists because the 100-percent disability in question has been granted under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1151 | activate the 1151 P&T corporate flash to prevent the unnecessary generation of future review tasks, and cancel EP 310. Reference: For more information on accessing corporate flashes, see the VBMS Core User Guide. |
| leads to the conclusion, upon review, that additional future examination(s) of one or more SC disabilities is/are required before the case may be rated as to permanency | establish future examination control in accordance with procedures discussed in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.1.c cancel EP 310, and add a permanent note in VBMS to explain the actions taken. |
| involves none of the variables outlined in rows above | order any examinations deemed necessary, and complete a rating decision under EP 310, addressing the targeted disability's evaluation and/or permanency, as appropriate. |
Notes:
- EPs 310 will continue to be generated for cases that have no existing controls in place and will appear on monthly reports.
- Prepare a rating decision whenever permanency is established, whether based on new evidence and/or cancellation of a future examination.
- Notify the Veteran whenever Chapter 35 is granted for the first time.
References: For more information on
- rating considerations under Chapter 35, see M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, 1.A, and
- former use of EP 684 in connection with permanency reviews, see the attachment, Historical_M21-1III_iv_3_SecC_2-20-19.docx.