M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 1 – General Information on the Rating Activity

In This Chapter

Introduction

• definition of the rating actvity
• specific issues requiring a rating decision
• rating activity leadership, and
• responsibilities of the Veterans Service Center Manager (VSCM)/Pension Management Center Manager (PMCM) relating to the rating activity.

Change Date

III.iv.1.1.a.  Definition:  Rating Activity

III.iv.1.1.b. Specific Issues Requiring a Rating Decision

• service connection of diseases and injuries
• evaluation of disabilities
• relationship of service-connected (SC) diseases or injuries to causes of death, including suicide
• competency or incompetency
• whether or not a Veteran was insane at the time of the commission of offenses resulting in an other-than-honorable, undesirable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge
• whether a potential beneficiary was insane at the time of a murder, in cases involving a homicide
• permanent incapacity of a child for self-support
• incurrence of additional disability or death under 38 U.S.C. 1151 due to
  • hospital, medical or surgical treatment, or
  • vocational rehabilitation or examination
• if required by the need for retroactive determination for a period prior to July 1, 1973, whether or not a disability incurred or aggravated in peacetime was a direct result of the Veteran being engaged in
  • armed conflict, or
  • extra-hazardous service
• if the Veteran served fewer than 90 days, whether release was due to an SC disability or if, at the time of discharge, the Veteran had an SC disability which would have justified discharge for disability under 38 CFR 3.3
• permanent and total disability in claims for pension, as well as entitlement to housebound or aid and attendance (A&A) benefits under 38 CFR 3.3and 38 CFR 3.351, and
• entitlement to allowance for
  • A&A if claimed by a surviving spouse or surviving parent, and
  • housebound for surviving spouses in receipt of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Survivors Pension in accordance with M21-1, Part IV, Subpart iii, 2.B.2.

III.iv.1.1.c.  Rating Activity Leadership

III.iv.1.1.d.  Responsibilities of the VSCM/PMCM Relating to the Rating Activity

• determines which employees will serve as part of the rating activity (to include on temporary detail) to the extent consistent with personnel requirements.
• monitors the quality of rating decisions
• determines which members of the rating activity are eligible or ineligible for single-signature authority.
• determines which rating issues require a second signature by reason of being special or complex
• signs rating decisions himself/herself as necessary, and
• establishes suitable controls to ensure that the rating workload is distributed efficiently and equitably.