1. WELCOME WEEK 2

2. Background of the Rating Schedule

3. 38 CFR 4.1 The Rating Schedule as a guide.

4. 38 CFR 4.21 Application of Rating Schedule

5. 38 CFR 4.23 Attitude of Rating Officers

6. 38 CFR 4.2 Examination Reports

7. 38 CFR 4.3 Reasonable Doubt

8. 38 CFR 4.9 Congenital Defects

9. 38 CFR 4.10 Functional Impairment

10. 38 CFR 4.14 PYRAMIDING

11. 38 CFR 4.15 Total Disability Ratings

12. 38 CFR 4.16 Individual Unemployability 38 CFR 4.18 Unemployability

13. 38 CFR 4.19 Consideration of Age

14. 38 CFR 4.26 Bilateral Factor

15. 38 CFR 4.27 Diagnostic Code Numbers

16. 38 CFR 4.20 Analogous Ratings

17. 38 CFR 4.29 Ratings for Hospital Treatment

18. 38 CFR 4.30 Convalescent Ratings

19. 38 CFR 4.31 Zero Percent Evaluations

20. 38 CFR 4.40 Functional Loss

21. 38 CFR 4.44 The Bones

22. 38 CFR 4.45 The Joints

23. 38 CFR 4.55 38 CFR 4.56 Muscle Evaluations

24. 38 CFR 4.58 Arthritis Due to Strain

25. 38 CFR 4.59 Painful Motion

26. 38 CFR 4.68 Amputation Rule

27. 38 CFR 4.69 Dominant Hand

28. 38 CFR 4.71 Measurement of Joint Motion

29. EXAMPLES

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

31. 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%

32. Whole Man Concept – a man is 100% whole 40% of 100 = 40100-40= 60 30% of 60 = 1818+40=58100-58 = 42 20% of 42 = 858+8=66100-66 = 34 10% of 34 = 366+3=69100-69 = 31 10% of 31 = 369+3=72100-72 = 28 10% of 28 = 372+3=75100-75 = 25 10% of 25 = 375+3=78100-78 = 22 10% of 22 = 278+2=80

33. QUESTIONS?

34. 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).

35. 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

36. QUESTIONS ?