M21-1 Manual  /  Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B

Awards for Graduated Tuberculosis (TB)

M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B

Overview

In This Section

This section contains the topic, “Awards for Graduated TB.”

1. Awards for Graduated TB

Introduction

This topic contains information on awards for graduated TB, including
  • repeal of graduated ratings for inactive TB
  • definition of graduated rating
  • handling rating decisions involving a reduced disability evaluation for inactive TB
  • action to take when the graduation reaches 0 percent, and
  • notifying Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics of decisions involving service-connected (SC) TB.

Change Date

May 17, 2018

VIII.iii.2.B.1.a. Repeal of Graduated Ratings for Inactive TB

Public Law90-493repealed sections 38 U.S.C. 314(q) and 38 U.S.C. 356 that provided graduated ratings for inactive tuberculosis (TB). Important: The repealed sections still apply to any Veteran who was receiving, or was entitled to receive, disability compensation for TB on August 19, 1968, under 38 CFR 3.959.

VIII.iii.2.B.1.b. Definition: Graduated Rating

A graduated rating is a gradual reduction in a disability evaluation for a disease that has moved from the active to the inactive stage.

VIII.iii.2.B.1.c. Handling Rating Decisions Involving a Reduced Disability Evaluation for Inactive TB

If a rating decision reduces a Veteran’s disability evaluation for service-connected TB because it is inactive,
  • prepare an amended award to input the
    • two-year, 100-percent evaluation, and
    • graduated or residual disability evaluations assigned for the future
    • use the first day of the current month for the first entry of current award data, and
    • inform the Veteran of the award action and that the 100-percent disability evaluation may be reduced effective an earlier date if the Veteran fails to
      • report for an examination scheduled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and/or
      • follow the prescribed treatment.

VIII.iii.2.B.1.d. Action to Take When the Graduation Reaches 0 Percent

The monthly rate of disability compensation payable for TB drops to $67 (or to the peacetime-era rate of $54, if prior to July 1, 1973) on the effective date of graduation to the 0-percent disability evaluation. Use special monthly compensation code 36 in the rating decision.If other noncompensable disabilities exist, notify the Veteran that when the disability evaluation drops to 0 percent, the Veteran may submit evidence from a private physician to show that the TB warrants a compensable disability evaluation.Rationale: VA cannot award compensation in lieu of the protected amount unless the disabilities combine to provide an evaluation of at least 10 percent.

VIII.iii.2.B.1.e. Notifying VA Outpatient Clinics of Decisions Involving SC TB

If a Veteran is awarded the
  • two-year, 100-percent disability evaluation for inactive TB, notify the Chief, Medical Administration Services, or equivalent, of the outpatient clinic responsible for the Veteran’s follow-up care, or
  • one-year, 100-percent disability evaluation for inactive TB,
    • send the outpatient clinic responsible for the Veteran’s follow-up care a copy of the rating decision in which VA initially granted service connection for TB, and
    • do not send any other notice to the Chief, Medical Administration Services, of the outpatient clinic responsible for the Veteran’s follow-up care.
Reference: For more information on TB, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 4.B.

Source: VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B (U.S. government work, reproduced for reference). Browse all sections →