VA Laws & Regulations: Disability Claim Rules: Page 13
Browse laws, regulations, and VA manual guidance alongside Claim Raven explanations. Choose a collection or search the laws and regulations below.
This collection: 268 CFR sections and 118 U.S. Code sections for disability claims and reviews. Search covers this collection. Browse or search M21 separately.
Start with the question you have
- 38 CFR § 3.450
Regulation2026-09-17Which VA apportionment rules apply to a claim
Sections 3.450 through 3.459 apply to apportionment claims VA receives on or after February 9, 2026. Existing apportionments being paid on that date continue until the circumstances supporting them end.
- 38 CFR § 3.451
Regulation2026-09-17When VA benefits may be apportioned under the current rule
This section permits apportionment in specific circumstances involving an incompetent veteran in government care, incarceration, certain dependent parents, or children of an incarcerated surviving spouse.
- 38 CFR § 3.452
Regulation2026-09-17Apportionment while a veteran receives government care
A veteran’s benefits may be apportioned in listed circumstances while the veteran receives hospital, nursing-home, or domiciliary care provided by a government entity, including while a fiduciary appointment is pending.
- 38 CFR § 3.453
Regulation2026-09-17When VA will not apportion benefits
VA will not apportion benefits without a claim filed by or for the spouse or child, and it bars apportionment in the forfeiture, treason, and subversive-activity circumstances listed here.
- 38 CFR § 3.650
Regulation2026-09-17How an additional dependent can change benefit rates
When another dependent claims entitlement that could reduce payments to someone already receiving benefits, VA coordinates the reduction, resumption, and new award under this section.
- 38 CFR § 3.651
Regulation2026-09-17Benefit changes when another dependent’s status ends
A person who becomes entitled to a benefit or higher rate because another payee’s award was reduced or stopped can receive the change without filing a new claim, subject to timely evidence.
- 38 CFR § 3.652
Regulation2026-09-17Responding to VA’s continued-eligibility certification
A beneficiary must certify continued eligibility when VA requests it. The request gives 60 days to respond, followed by a proposed reduction or termination notice and an additional 60-day response period if certification is still missing.
- 38 CFR § 3.807
Regulation2026-09-17Basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance
A qualifying child, spouse, or surviving spouse can have basic Chapter 35 education eligibility based on a veteran’s permanent total service-connected disability, service-connected death, or specified active-duty circumstances.
- 38 CFR § 3.808
Regulation2026-09-17VA automobile and adaptive-equipment eligibility
VA can certify eligible veterans and active-duty members for automobile assistance and necessary adaptive equipment when a listed service-connected or line-of-duty disability is present. Separate statutory limits govern repeat vehicle grants.
- 38 CFR § 3.809
Regulation2026-09-17Eligibility for specially adapted housing
Specially adapted housing eligibility requires compensation or line-of-duty status for one of the listed severe permanent disabilities, such as specified loss of use, blindness, burn contractures, or qualifying ALS.
- 38 CFR § 3.809a
Regulation2026-09-17Eligibility for a special home adaptation grant
A special home adaptation grant is a separate housing-adaptation route for specified permanent total disabilities when the person is not entitled to specially adapted housing under section 3.809 and has not previously received that assistance.
- 38 CFR § 3.810
Regulation2026-09-17VA clothing allowance eligibility
A clothing allowance can apply when a qualifying appliance used for a service-connected disability wears or tears clothing, or prescribed medication for a service-connected skin condition irreparably damages outergarments.
- 38 CFR § 3.1000
Regulation2026-09-17Accrued VA benefits due and unpaid at death
Accrued benefits are qualifying periodic VA payments that were due and unpaid when a beneficiary died, based on existing decisions or evidence VA possessed by the date of death.
- 38 CFR § 14.629
Regulation2026-09-17Who VA accredits to represent claimants
This section sets the accreditation requirements for veterans service organization representatives, claims agents, and attorneys who prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefit claims.
- 38 CFR § 14.630
Regulation2026-09-17One-time representation by a non-accredited person
VA may authorize a person to help with one particular claim without regular accreditation when the required appointment and no-fee statement are filed.
- 38 CFR § 14.631
Regulation2026-09-17VA powers of attorney and access to claimant information
A valid VA power of attorney appoints a representative and authorizes VA to disclose claimant information to that representative. The correct form, signatures, and filing are required.
- 38 CFR § 14.636
Regulation2026-09-17Fees for VA-accredited agents and attorneys
This section governs when accredited agents and attorneys may charge fees, what fee agreements must contain, when VA can pay a fee directly from past-due benefits, and how fee disputes are reviewed.
- 38 CFR § 19.21
Regulation2026-09-17Notice of Disagreement rules for legacy appeals
In the legacy appeal system, a claimant generally must use the Notice of Disagreement form VA supplied with the decision and identify the disputed issues as the form requires.
- 38 CFR § 19.30
Regulation2026-09-17What VA sends with a legacy Statement of the Case
In a legacy appeal, VA sends the Statement of the Case to the appellant’s latest address and separately to the representative, together with instructions and VA Form 9.
- 38 CFR § 19.34
Regulation2026-09-17Appealing a finding that a legacy appeal was late
Whether a legacy Notice of Disagreement or substantive appeal was timely filed is itself an appealable issue.
- 38 CFR § 19.37
Regulation2026-09-17New evidence after a legacy appeal begins
In a legacy appeal, the agency of original jurisdiction reviews relevant evidence received before the record transfers to the Board and usually issues a Supplemental Statement of the Case when the evidence is new and pertinent.
- 38 CFR § 19.38
Regulation2026-09-17What VA does after a legacy Board remand
After the Board remands a legacy appeal, the agency of original jurisdiction completes the ordered development, reviews the whole record, and either grants the benefits or issues a Supplemental Statement of the Case for issues still denied.
- 38 CFR § 19.54
Regulation2026-09-17New evidence usually does not extend a legacy appeal deadline
Submitting additional evidence after an adverse decision generally does not extend the time to start or complete a legacy appeal.
- 38 CFR § 20.5
Regulation2026-09-17The right to representation in a Board appeal
An appellant has the right to representation at every stage of an appeal by a recognized organization, accredited attorney or agent, or another person authorized under VA’s rules.
- 38 CFR § 20.6
Regulation2026-09-17When a representative may withdraw from a Board appeal
After an appeal is filed with the Board, a representative generally must show good cause in a written motion before withdrawing.