After a veteran files a claim and completes a C&P exam, a VA Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) reviews the evidence and assigns a disability percentage using the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4). Understanding this process helps veterans build stronger claims and identify errors in decisions.
The rater reviews the entire claims file, including service treatment records, VA and private medical records, C&P exam reports (DBQs), buddy statements, and any other submitted evidence. The rater then matches the documented symptoms and findings to the criteria in the rating schedule for the appropriate diagnostic code.
For most conditions, the rating schedule provides specific criteria at each percentage level. The rater must determine which level most closely matches the veteran's documented impairment. When the evidence supports symptoms that fall between two rating levels, the rater should assign the higher rating if the disability picture more nearly approximates the higher criteria (38 CFR 4.7).
The benefit of the doubt doctrine (38 CFR 3.102) is a critical principle: when the evidence for and against a claim is in approximate balance, the VA must resolve the doubt in the veteran's favor. This means the VA does not require absolute proof — a 50/50 split favors the veteran.
The rater also determines the effective date — typically the date the claim was received, or the date entitlement arose (whichever is later). If an Intent to File was submitted, the effective date can be up to one year earlier than the claim filing date.
Common rating errors include: applying the wrong diagnostic code, not considering the DeLuca factors for musculoskeletal conditions, overlooking favorable evidence in the record, not applying the benefit of the doubt, and assigning an effective date later than warranted. Reviewing the rating decision carefully and comparing it to the evidence in your file is essential.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).