c. Example of A Veteran’s IVDS is evaluated. Situation: Evaluating IVDS LOM warrants a 20-percent evaluation based under the general rating formula mild radiculopathy of the left lower extremity warrants a 10- as a neurological complication, and medical evidence shows incapacitating episodes requiring bedrest prescribed by a physician of four weeks duration over the past 12 months which would result in a 40-percent evaluation based on the incapacitating episode formula. Assign a 40-percent evaluation based on incapacitating episodes. Result: Explanation: Evaluating IVDS using incapacitating episodes results in the highest evaluation. 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 based 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 based 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 there is no associated arthritis Conditions the schedular criteria for a noncompensable evaluation under or are not met, and
c. Example of Evaluating IVDS Situation: A Veteran’s IVDS is evaluated. LOM warrants a 20-percent evaluation based under the general rating formula mild radiculopathy of the left lower extremity warrants a as a neurological complication, and medical evidence shows incapacitating episodes requiring bedrest prescribed by a physician of four weeks duration over the past 12 months which would result in a 40-percent evaluation based on the incapacitating episode formula. Result: Assign a 40-percent evaluation based on incapacitating episodes. Explanation: Evaluating IVDS using incapacitating episodes results in the highest evaluation. 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 based 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 based 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 there is no associated arthritis the schedular criteria for a noncompensable evaluation under or are not met, and 10-