38 CFR: VA Disability Regulations Explained: Page 6
Browse laws, regulations, and VA manual guidance alongside Claim Raven explanations. Choose a collection or search the laws and regulations below.
This collection: 201 CFR sections and 68 U.S. Code sections for disability claims and reviews. Search covers this collection. Browse or search M21 separately.
Browse this collection
- 38 CFR § 4.66
Regulation2026-09-03Sacroiliac joint findings in VA ratings
This rule addresses evaluation of the sacroiliac region, where the spine meets the pelvis. It directs VA to consider the lumbosacral and sacroiliac joints as one anatomical segment for rating purposes.
- 38 CFR § 4.67
Regulation2026-09-03VA ratings for pelvic fracture residuals
Pelvic fractures can leave different kinds of residual disability. This section directs evaluation toward the specific lasting effects, such as posture changes, limited movement, muscle injury, or nerve involvement.
- 38 CFR § 4.68
Regulation2026-09-03The VA amputation rule explained
The combined rating for disabilities of an extremity cannot exceed the rating for amputation at the applicable level. This is a limit on combining evaluations for that part of the limb.
- 38 CFR § 4.69
Regulation2026-09-03Dominant hand and VA upper-limb ratings
Some upper-extremity diagnostic codes distinguish the dominant and nondominant side. VA determines handedness from the evidence or examination testing, and only one hand is treated as dominant.
- 38 CFR § 4.70
Regulation2026-09-03Supplementing an inadequate VA examination
When an examination does not provide an adequate basis for considering service connection and evaluation, VA may ask the examiner for a supplementary report. The additional detail can address ordinary activity and prospects for useful work.
- 38 CFR § 4.71
Regulation2026-09-03How VA measures joint range of motion
This section supplies standard positions and diagrams for measuring joint motion and ankylosis. Ankylosis means fixation of a joint, and its position can affect the applicable evaluation.
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
Regulation2026-09-03VA musculoskeletal rating criteria
This section contains rating criteria for bones, joints, the spine, amputations, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Individual diagnostic codes describe the findings used to evaluate each condition or residual.
- 38 CFR § 4.73
Regulation2026-09-03VA muscle injury rating criteria
The muscle injury schedule identifies muscle groups, the functions they perform, and the evaluations associated with different levels of injury. Some groups also distinguish the dominant and nondominant side.
- 38 CFR § 4.75
Regulation2026-09-03How VA evaluates vision impairment
VA evaluates visual impairment through visual acuity, visual fields, and eye-muscle function when applicable. The examination must identify the disease or injury responsible and meet the professional requirements in the rule.
- 38 CFR § 4.76
Regulation2026-09-03Visual acuity and VA eye ratings
This section explains how central visual acuity is examined and evaluated. The examination includes corrected and uncorrected near and distance vision, while the rating rules specify which measurements control in particular circumstances.
- 38 CFR § 4.76a
Regulation2026-09-03VA visual-field calculations explained
This section provides the normal visual-field extent at eight principal directions and the method for calculating average concentric contraction. The result helps translate field loss into a figure used by the rating schedule.
- 38 CFR § 4.77
Regulation2026-09-03Visual-field testing for VA disability
This rule describes the testing and recording requirements for evaluating visual fields. It explains how the field findings are documented and used with the relevant eye-rating criteria.
- 38 CFR § 4.78
Regulation2026-09-03Double vision and VA eye-muscle ratings
This section addresses evaluation of eye-muscle function, including diplopia, or double vision. The location and extent of double vision affect how the rule translates it into an evaluation.
- 38 CFR § 4.79
Regulation2026-09-03VA eye disability rating criteria
This is the schedule of evaluations for eye diseases and visual impairment. Different conditions may be rated through visual findings, qualifying treatment-related episodes, or specific instructions in their diagnostic codes.
- 38 CFR § 4.85
Regulation2026-09-03How VA rates hearing loss
Hearing-loss evaluations use specified audiological testing and the rating tables in this section. The tables translate the relevant speech-discrimination and puretone-threshold findings into levels of hearing impairment and an evaluation.
- 38 CFR § 4.86
Regulation2026-09-03Exceptional hearing-loss patterns in VA ratings
Certain patterns of puretone thresholds receive special consideration under this rule. When the specified pattern is present, VA uses the table comparison or adjustment described for that pattern.
- 38 CFR § 4.87
Regulation2026-09-03VA ear conditions and tinnitus rating criteria
This section contains criteria for ear conditions, including recurrent tinnitus and certain vestibular and ear diseases. Each code addresses a particular disability picture and may include important combination instructions.
- 38 CFR § 4.87a
Regulation2026-09-03VA ratings for loss of smell or taste
This short schedule addresses loss of the senses of smell and taste. It states the relevant evaluations and includes a note about the anatomical or pathological basis required for an evaluation.
- 38 CFR § 4.88a
Regulation2026-09-03VA's definition of chronic fatigue syndrome
This section sets out the requirements used for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome for VA purposes. It includes sustained disabling fatigue, exclusion of other clinical causes, and the specified accompanying findings.
- 38 CFR § 4.88b
Regulation2026-09-03VA ratings for infectious and immune conditions
This schedule covers infectious diseases, immune disorders, and nutritional deficiencies. It includes condition-specific ratings, notes, and instructions for evaluating active disease or lasting residuals.
- 38 CFR § 4.88c
Regulation2026-09-03Inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis: later entitlement
This section addresses inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis where initial entitlement occurred after August 19, 1968. The date of initial entitlement is part of choosing the applicable rule.
- 38 CFR § 4.89
Regulation2026-09-03Protected older tuberculosis rating rules
This section preserves specified graduated ratings for inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis that were in effect on August 19, 1968. It is a rule for a particular older entitlement group.
- 38 CFR § 4.96
Regulation2026-09-03Special rules for VA respiratory ratings
This section gives instructions that work alongside the respiratory diagnostic codes. It addresses matters such as combining certain respiratory conditions and using pulmonary function tests for specified codes.
- 38 CFR § 4.97
Regulation2026-09-03VA respiratory and sleep apnea rating criteria
This section contains the respiratory rating schedule, including asthma, chronic lung conditions and sleep apnea. Each diagnostic code has its own criteria and notes.
- 38 CFR § 4.100
Regulation2026-09-03Heart examinations and VA rating requirements
This section identifies findings needed when applying the general heart-disease rating formula. It addresses continuous medication, evidence of enlargement or dilation of the heart, and METs testing.