claim for increase. However, if the evidence establishes entitlement to a hospitalization rating, the assignment of a post-hospitalization evaluation is a part of the process of rating the hospitalization issue. An increased evaluation may be warranted and awarded following the period of hospitalization. A reduced evaluation may be warranted by the evidence following the period of hospitalization, and reduction action should be taken in compliance with as warranted. If the medical evidence does not establish that a change in the evaluation is warranted, assign the evaluation in effect prior to hospitalization. If the medical evidence suggests improvement may occur but such improvement is not definitively established, consider scheduling a routine future examination . The assigned evaluation prior to the hospitalization is not subject to review as a part of the hospitalization rating. When a claim for hospitalization for a SC issue must be denied, do not routinely address the evaluation of the SC issue unless a separate claim for increase has been received. Even when hospital admission is for a nonservice-connected (NSC) disability, c. Awarding Hospitalization hospitalization benefits are payable if, during the hospitalization, treatment Benefits When for an SC disability is initiated and continues in excess of 21 days. Admission Is for a NSC Treatment for a service-connected disability that is only Exception: Disability coincidental in nature and would not require hospitalization by itself does not qualify. Medication management for a condition when treatment could Example: otherwise occur outside of hospitalization does not warrant benefits under . For more information on hospitalization ratings when admission Reference: is for treatment of a NSC disability, see . If an incarcerated Veteran is confined to a prison hospital for treatment of an d. Awarding a Hospitalization SC disability in excess of 21 days, the Veteran may be eligible for Rating for hospitalization benefits. Admission of an Incarcerated For information on the effect of imprisonment on benefit Reference: Veteran payments, see M21-1 Part III, Subpart v, 8.A. e. Awarding a In cases in which two or more SC disabilities exist for which the provisions of Hospitalization would apply, increase the evaluation of only of the disabilities to100 one Rating for percent. Multiple SC Conditions
claim for increase. However, if the evidence establishes entitlement to a hospitalization rating, the assignment of a post-hospitalization evaluation is a part of the process of rating the hospitalization issue. An increased evaluation may be warranted and awarded following the period of hospitalization. A reduced evaluation may be warranted by the evidence following the period of hospitalization, and reduction action should be taken in compliance with as warranted. If the medical evidence does not establish that a change in the evaluation is warranted, assign the evaluation in effect prior to hospitalization. If the medical evidence suggests improvement may occur but such improvement is not definitively established, consider scheduling a routine future examination . The assigned evaluation prior to the hospitalization is not subject to review as a part of the hospitalization rating. When a claim for hospitalization for a SC issue must be denied, do not routinely address the evaluation of the SC issue unless a separate claim for increase has been received. c. Awarding Hospitalization Benefits When Admission Is for a NSC Disability Even when hospital admission is for a nonservice-connected (NSC) disability, hospitalization benefits are payable if, during the hospitalization, treatment for an SC disability is initiated and continues in excess of 21 days. Exception: Treatment for a service-connected disability that is only coincidental in nature and would not require hospitalization by itself does not qualify. Example: Medication management for a condition when treatment could otherwise occur outside of hospitalization does not warrant benefits under . Reference: For more information on hospitalization ratings when admission is for treatment of a NSC disability, see . d. Awarding a Hospitalization Rating for Admission of an Incarcerated Veteran If an incarcerated Veteran is confined to a prison hospital for treatment of an SC disability in excess of 21 days, the Veteran may be eligible for hospitalization benefits. Reference: For information on the effect of imprisonment on benefit payments, see M21-1 Part III, Subpart v, 8.A. e. Awarding a Hospitalization Rating for Multiple SC Conditions In cases in which two or more SC disabilities exist for which the provisions of would apply, increase the evaluation of only one of the disabilities to100 percent.