For every disability for which SC was considered, state the following in the b. Language for the Decision section of the rating decision: [disability] Decision Service connection for is Section of the or [disability] denied, Service connection for is awarded with an evaluation Rating Decision [percent] [date]. of percent effective The earliest effective date for entitlement to SC under the provisions of Note: is November 2, 1994. c. Referencing In the rating decision, explicitly refer to any date that is pertinent to the Relevant Dates decision. in the Rating Decision This particularly includes the dates during which the Veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, and earliest date that a qualifying chronic disability may have become manifest. For more information on documenting a decision see M21-1, Part Reference: III, Subpart iv, 6.C. Situations may arise that will require termination or reduction of payments d. Termination or Reduction of previously awarded under . Benefits Previously Follow the normal procedures for reduction of benefits or severance of SC Awarded outlined in M21-1, Part I, 2. Under 38 CFR 3.317 Notes: Termination or reduction of benefits paid under does not preclude continuation of payments if entitlement can be established for SC based on incurrence or aggravation under the provisions of and , respectively, or based on presumption under the provisions of . was amended by the addition of , which specifically requires that severance of SC or reduction of benefits under or be effective the first of the month, 60 days after final notice of the adverse action has been issued to the Veteran. A physician indicates that the condition, which had Example: Veteran’s previously been characterized as an undiagnosed illness that was compensated under , is now a clinically diagnosed condition with a clear etiology.
b. Language for the Decision Section of the Rating Decision For every disability for which SC was considered, state the following in the Decision section of the rating decision: Service connection for [disability] is denied, or Service connection for [disability] is awarded with an evaluation of [percent] percent effective [date]. Note: The earliest effective date for entitlement to SC under the provisions of is November 2, 1994. c. Referencing Relevant Dates in the Rating Decision In the rating decision, explicitly refer to any date that is pertinent to the decision. This particularly includes the dates during which the Veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, and earliest date that a qualifying chronic disability may have become manifest. Reference: For more information on documenting a decision see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 6.C. d. Termination or Reduction of Benefits Previously Awarded Under 38 CFR 3.317 Situations may arise that will require termination or reduction of payments previously awarded under . Follow the normal procedures for reduction of benefits or severance of SC outlined in M21-1, Part I, 2. Notes: Termination or reduction of benefits paid under does not preclude continuation of payments if entitlement can be established for SC based on incurrence or aggravation under the provisions of and , respectively, or based on presumption under the provisions of . was amended by the addition of , which specifically requires that severance of SC or reduction of benefits under or be effective the first of the month, 60 days after final notice of the adverse action has been issued to the Veteran. Example: A physician indicates that the Veteran’s condition, which had previously been characterized as an undiagnosed illness that was compensated under , is now a clinically diagnosed condition with a clear etiology.