PEBs take into account an Rationale: RVSR’s determination that a future examination of a disability is necessary when deciding whether to place a participant on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) or the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). This information must be included in the proposed rating decision because PEBs do not receive copies of final rating decisions. Coexisting When preparing a proposed rating decision, DRAS Claimed and RVSRs must take the additional actions described in Referred M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.D.10.h if Disabilities coexisting disabilities exist to which the rating schedule requires the assignment of a disability single rating one of the disabilities is a disability the IDES participant claimed, and the other disability is one that the service participant’s department referred to VA. If an IDES participant has coexisting and disabilities to h. Decisions claimed referred Involving which the rating schedule requires the assignment of a disability rating, single Coexisting DRAS RVSRs must Claimed and Referred determine the appropriate disability rating for the disability alone referred Disabilities (as if the coexisting disability did not exist), and claimed note the separate disability rating and the rationale for its assignment in the part of the rating decision that discusses the Reasons for Decision coexisting disabilities. PEBs may consider the disability ratings VA assigns to Rationale: only disabilities when deciding a final disposition. referred participant’s Example: Scenario: A participant claimed SC for sleep apnea. Asthma is among the disabilities the service department participant’s referred to VA. The results of pulmonary function testing warrant the assignment of a percent disability rating. However, the participant also uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. VA awards SC for asthma and sleep apnea as coexisting disabilities and assigns a disability rating of 50 percent. The RVSR who prepares the proposed rating decision indicate Result: must in the corresponding that the asthma, if Reasons for Decision participant’s
Rationale: PEBs take into account an RVSR’s determination that a future examination of a disability is necessary when deciding whether to place a participant on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) or the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). This information must be included in the proposed rating decision because PEBs do not receive copies of final rating decisions. Coexisting Claimed and Referred Disabilities When preparing a proposed rating decision, DRAS RVSRs must take the additional actions described in M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.D.10.h if coexisting disabilities exist to which the rating schedule requires the assignment of a single disability rating one of the disabilities is a disability the IDES participant claimed, and the other disability is one that the participant’s service department referred to VA. h. Decisions Involving Coexisting Claimed and Referred Disabilities If an IDES participant has coexisting claimed and referred disabilities to which the rating schedule requires the assignment of a single disability rating, DRAS RVSRs must determine the appropriate disability rating for the referred disability alone (as if the coexisting claimed disability did not exist), and note the separate disability rating and the rationale for its assignment in the Reasons for Decision part of the rating decision that discusses the coexisting disabilities. Rationale: PEBs may consider only the disability ratings VA assigns to referred disabilities when deciding a participant’s final disposition. Example: Scenario: A participant claimed SC for sleep apnea. Asthma is among the disabilities the participant’s service department referred to VA. The results of pulmonary function testing warrant the assignment of a disability rating. However, the participant also uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. VA awards SC for asthma and sleep apnea as coexisting disabilities and assigns a disability rating of 50 percent. Result: The RVSR who prepares the proposed rating decision must indicate in the corresponding Reasons for Decision that the participant’s asthma, if percent