Since incapacitating episodes are used to evaluate IVDS, the associated LOM and neurological signs and symptoms will not be assigned a separate evaluation. For additional information on References: evaluating spinal conditions, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 4.A.3.a, and determining whether evidence is sufficient to evaluate on incapacitating episodes of IVDS, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 4.A.3.b. d. Evaluating Ankylosing spondylitis may be evaluated as an active disease process or Ankylosing upon LOM of the spine. Spondylitis The following table describes appropriate action for evaluating ankylosing spondylitis. If ankylosing spondylitis is... Then ... an active process evaluate under (using the criteria in ). inactive evaluate under based on chronic residuals affecting the spine, and separately evaluate other affected joints or body systems under the appropriate DC. e. Evaluating Evaluate a noncompensable knee condition by analogy to if Knee is no associated arthritis Conditions the schedular criteria for a noncompensable evaluation under or are not met, and the condition cannot be appropriately evaluated under . For more information on References: analogous DCs, see , and when to assign a zero-percent evaluation, see . f. Separate A separate evaluation for knee instability may be assigned in addition to any Evaluations for evaluation(s) assigned based on limitation of knee motion. OGC has issued Knee Instability Precedent Opinions that an evaluation under , does not pyramid with and LOM evaluations based on LOM. refers to subluxation or lateral instability, but Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) policy is that evaluations based on posterior or anterior
Since incapacitating episodes are used to evaluate IVDS, the associated LOM and neurological signs and symptoms will not be assigned a separate evaluation. References: For additional information on evaluating spinal conditions, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 4.A.3.a, and determining whether evidence is sufficient to evaluate on incapacitating episodes of IVDS, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 4.A.3.b. d. Evaluating Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis may be evaluated as an active disease process or upon LOM of the spine. The following table describes appropriate action for evaluating ankylosing spondylitis. If ankylosing spondylitis is... Then ... an active process evaluate under (using the criteria in ). inactive evaluate under based on chronic residuals affecting the spine, and separately evaluate other affected joints or body systems under the appropriate DC. e. Evaluating Knee Conditions Evaluate a noncompensable knee condition by analogy to if is no associated arthritis the schedular criteria for a noncompensable evaluation under or are not met, and the condition cannot be appropriately evaluated under . References: For more information on analogous DCs, see , and when to assign a zero-percent evaluation, see . f. Separate Evaluations for Knee Instability and LOM A separate evaluation for knee instability may be assigned in addition to any evaluation(s) assigned based on limitation of knee motion. OGC has issued Precedent Opinions that an evaluation under , does not pyramid with evaluations based on LOM. refers to subluxation or lateral instability, but Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) policy is that evaluations based on posterior or anterior