V.iii.1.A
Part V body-system and final-rating summaries
Rate the disability. Then prove the decision is ready to release.
These are the remaining 29 current Part V sections. They are working summaries: use the exact diagnostic-code criteria and source text before acting.
29 of 29 section summaries shownV.iii.1.B
Extremities and spine
Identify the joint or spine segment, required findings, neurologic effects, and avoid duplicate compensation.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.1.C
Arthritis
Confirm arthritis type and evidence, motion limits, painful motion, and applicable systemic or separate manifestations.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.1.D
Osteomyelitis
Determine active disease, recurrence, treatment, constitutional signs, and residual impairment.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.1.E
Muscle injuries
Classify muscle group and severity from wound history, signs, objective findings, and associated nerve/scar effects.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.1.F
Other musculoskeletal rules
Check dominant side, bilateral factors, amputation rules, scars, and separate neurologic manifestations.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.2.A
Eye conditions
Use required visual-acuity, field, muscle-function, episode, and other eye findings for the correct code.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.2.B
Auditory conditions
Use valid hearing tables for hearing loss; otherwise identify ear diagnosis, active disease, vestibular symptoms, and complications.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.3
Infectious, immune, nutritional conditions
Separate active disease from residuals; check treatment, recurrence, laboratory findings, and systemic effects.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.4.A
Respiratory conditions
Use the applicable diagnosis, pulmonary test, treatment, oxygen/episode data, and special testing rules.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.4.B
Tuberculosis
Determine active versus inactive status, treatment history, residuals, and any special protective provision.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.5
Cardiovascular conditions
Use the condition-specific testing and functional findings, treatment, episodes, and complications.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.6
Digestive disabilities
Classify the condition, assess symptoms and systemic effects, and apply rules for coexisting abdominal conditions.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.7
Genitourinary disabilities
Identify renal, voiding, infection, and reproductive impairment. Apply the predominant-dysfunction rule and the restrictions on separate evaluations; do not pay twice for the same impairment.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.8.A
Gynecological system
Identify diagnosis, treatment or surgery, residuals, and any special monthly compensation question.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.8.B
Breast disabilities
Check the condition, pathology, procedure, residuals, and special benefits. When the fibrocystic-breast table applies, use the appropriate scar and/or breast-surgery code; do not assume both evaluations are always required.
Source issue to check: The article cites DC 7630 in 1.a but DC 7627 in the cancer row of 1.c. Verify the applicable current rating-schedule criteria before assigning a code.
Reviewed changes and handling notes · 2026-09-06
The changed fibrocystic-breast table permits the appropriate diagnostic code or codes, including scars and/or breast-surgery residuals. It does not require both evaluations in every case.
- V.iii.8.B.1.b–c: Fibrocystic findings alone do not routinely establish service connection. Apply the table’s associated-pathology and medical-evidence conditions. Select the appropriate code(s) for the established residuals; the edit to “and/or” does not authorize automatic combined evaluations. DC 7800 remains limited to actual head, face, or neck disfigurement.
- V.iii.8.B.1.a and 1.c: The article’s active-breast-cancer paragraph cites DC 7630, while the atypical-hyperplasia/cancer table retains DC 7627. That inconsistency was already present before this update. Verify the current rating schedule for the specific condition before choosing a code; this orientation does not resolve the conflict.
Review covers the changes and their effect on existing guidance. It does not establish a complete decision path for this article.
Read captured manual article · Official article ↗V.iii.9
Hematologic and lymphatic systems
Determine active disease, treatment/remission status, required findings, and residual disability.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.10
Skin conditions
Check diagnosis, affected area, therapy type/frequency, active episodes, disfigurement, and scar manifestations.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.11
Endocrine conditions
Rate the endocrine disorder on required findings and determine whether recognized complications need separate evaluation.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.12.A
Neurological conditions
Identify nerve/system, dominant side, motor/sensory/reflex findings, severity, and functional effect.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.12.B
Traumatic brain injury
Use TBI facets while separating conditions that may be rated individually; never rate the same symptom twice.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.12.C
Progressive neurological disorders
Confirm diagnosis and current manifestations, treatment, functional impact, and special provisions.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.13
Mental disorders
Rate overall occupational and social impairment from the whole record—not a symptom checklist.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iii.14
Dental and oral conditions
Determine whether the condition is compensable, service-connectable, or treatment-only under the specialized rules.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iv.1.A
Rating narrative
Explain the issue, evidence, findings, governing basis, result, and effective date clearly.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iv.1.B
Codesheet
Verify codes, evaluations, dates, special benefits, future-exam controls, and consistency with the narrative.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iv.1.C
Coded conclusion
Match the conclusion code to the actual disposition—grant, denial, deferral, increase, reduction, or other action.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iv.1.D
Finalizing the rating
Check signatures, codesheet, narrative, related issues, controls, and downstream actions before release.
Read the captured Part V source →V.iv.1.E