M21-1 Manual / Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 6, Section J
Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Final Ratings
M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 6, Section J
Overview
In This Section | | This section contains the topic “Final Rating Decisions.” |
1. Final Rating Decisions
Introduction | | This topic contains information about final rating decisions, including- requirement for verification of service
- establishing rating end products (EPs) for final rating decisions
- content of final rating decisions
- Codesheet entries on final rating decisions
- final rating decisions with deferred issues
- Disability Rating Activity Site (DRAS) actions after completing a final rating decision, and
- responsibility for higher-level reviews (HLRs) and appeals of final IDES rating decisions.
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Change Date | | January 21, 2026 |
X.i.6.J.1.a. Requirement for Verification of Service | | Before the Disability Rating Activity Site (DRAS) prepares a final rating decision for an Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) participant on active duty at the time of the referral into IDES, it must verify the participant’s- character of service, and
- date of discharge.
A DD Form 214, Certificate of Uniformed Service, satisfies the requirement for verification. If a DD Form 214 is not of record, use all available resources to obtain verification. These include the- participant’s Military Services Coordinator
- DATE OF SEPARATION (DD214 OR SEP/RO/LTR) and DD214 IN VBMS fields on the RO RATING ACTIVITY tab in Veterans Tracking Application (VTA)
- Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System (DPRIS)
- Veterans Information Solution (VIS), and
- Service Treatment Record (STR) Assist (if applicable).
References: For more information on- DPRIS, see the DPRIS User Guide
- VIS, see the VIS User Guide, and
- STR Assist, see the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) User Guide.
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X.i.6.J.1.b. Establishing Rating EPs for Final Rating Decisions | | The DRAS must establish the appropriate rating end product (EP) and enter contentions in VBMS in accordance with M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 3.A. When establishing the rating EP, the DRAS must use:- the day after the participant’s discharge as the date of claim, and
- the applicable IDESclaim label.
Important:Before establishing rating EPs in IDES cases, the DRAS must ensure the participant’s service is verified and the EP 689 has been cleared. Exception: If the participant is a member of National Guard or Reserves, and participated in IDES as a Veteran who was not on active duty, the rating EP should be established in accordance with M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.K.2.d.References: For more information on actions to take when the IDES participant- has accepted the Physical Evaluation Board decision that the participant is unfit for duty, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.I.2.e, and
- meets retention standards, is fit for duty, or has been disenrolled, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.I.2.a.
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X.i.6.J.1.c. Content of Final Rating Decisions | | The final rating decision must mirror the decisions set forth in the corresponding proposed rating decision. Exception: The decisions reflected in the final rating decision may differ from those set forth in the proposed rating decision only if- a clear and unmistakable error exists in the proposed rating decision
- a change in policy and/or rating criteria is implemented before the final rating is completed, and/or
- the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receives new evidence after issuing the proposed rating decision that justifies changing one or more of the decisions set forth in it.
Important:- Under no circumstances may the DRAS make a different decision based solely on a difference of opinion or a different interpretation of rating criteria.
- When a final rating decision differs from the corresponding proposed rating decision based on the exceptions described above, the decision maker must add a note in VTA.
- The note must describe the reason(s) for changing the decision.
- No note is required if a final rating decision addresses additional disabilities that were not at issue in the proposed rating decision.
Reference: For more information on post-separation revisions of IDES-related rating decisions, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.K.8. |
X.i.6.J.1.d. Codesheet Entries on Final Rating Decisions | | When preparing a final rating decision, on the Codesheet, note those disabilities for which a participant received/will receive disability severance pay. Service departments provide this information to the DRAS in the NOTES field on the PEB ADMIN tab in VTA. Notes: - When information in the NOTES field is used for the purpose described above, save a screen shot of the PEB ADMIN tab and upload a copy of the screen shot into the participant’s electronic claims folder (eFolder).
- When converting to the final rating decision, add special issue flashes for referred conditions only, including when these flashes were not included on the proposed rating previously. Use the special issue PEB Referred when preparing the final rating. This is required for data collection purposes.
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X.i.6.J.1.e.
Final Rating Decisions With Deferred Issues | | If any issue is deferred in a final IDES rating decision, the DRAS must- continue the pending rating EP (110, 010, or 020) after promulgating the final rating decision
- apply the IDES Deferral special issue to the first deferred contention, and
- enter the date of the decision notice in the VA BENEFITS DATE field on the RO/RATING ACTIVITY tab in VTA.
Note: The National Work Queue will recall and distribute the claim to a Veterans Service Center for development and processing of the deferred decision. |
X.i.6.J.1.f. DRAS Actions After Completing a Final Rating Decision | | The table below lists the steps and associated actions that DRAS claims processors must take after completing a final rating decision. Timeliness goals for completion of the VA benefits stage of IDES claims processing, as applicable, are listed in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.E.1.j.| Step | Action |
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| 1 | - Establish a claim-level suspense in VBMS that expires five days in the future.
- Change the suspense reason in VBMS to Special Project Team Claim, Awaiting: Promg.
| | 2 | Ensure the IDES Participant corporate flash remains attached to the participant’s electronic record. | | 3 | Follow the instructions in M21-1, Part VI, Subpart i, 1.A and B for- promulgating the final rating decision, and
- preparing a decision notice.
Important: If the participant or participant’s spouse or mother is entitled to a civil service preference letter, the DRAS must notify the participant that the civil service preference letter can be obtained through VA claims submission service websites. Reference: For more information on civil service preference letters, see M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart ii, 2.A. | | 4 | Change the suspense reason in VBMS to Special Project Team Claim, Awaiting: Auth. | | 5 | Authorize/approve the award and decision notice. Important: If a decision on any claimed or referred disability is deferred, the deferral must be handled in accordance with M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.J.1.e. | | 6 | Send the decision notice and its attachments to the participant. | | 7 | - Enter the date of the decision notice in the VA BENEFITS DATE field on the RO/RATING ACTIVITY tab in VTA.
- Ensure the other fields under the RO/RATING ACTIVITY tab contain accurate dates.
| | 8 | Ensure all relevant documents are uploaded into the participant’s eFolder. References: For more information on |
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X.i.6.J.1.g. Responsibility for HLRs and Appeals of Final IDES Rating Decisions | | Higher-level reviews (HLRs) and appeals of final IDES ratings are not considered part of IDES and the DRAS is not involved in either review option. References: For more information on- HLRs, see M21-5, Chapters 4 and 5
- modernized appeals, see M21-5, Chapter 4, and
- legacy appeals, see M21-5, Chapter 7.
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Source: VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 6, Section J (U.S. government work, reproduced for reference). Browse all sections →