## Section E. Other Due Process Concerns

#### Overview

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > This section contains the following topics:           |
| #### In th |                                                         |
| is Section |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------
  Topic        Topic Name                                     See Page

  16           Failure to Report for Examination Under 38 CFR 8-E-2
               3.655                                          

  17           Severance of Service Connection                8-E-5

  18           Reversal of Prior Determinations Related to    8-E-9
               Character of Discharge, Line of Duty, or       
               Willful Misconduct.                            
  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------

#### 16. Failure to Report for Examination Under 38 CFR 3.655

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information about                 |
| troduction |                                                         |
|            | -   handling failure to report for an examination with  |
|            |     good cause                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   considering static disabilities when a veteran      |
|            |     fails to report without good cause                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   addressing the issue of good cause when a veteran   |
|            |     fails to report                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling failure to report for examination by a     |
|            |     veteran receiving pension, and                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling failure to respond to a notice of proposed |
|            |     adverse action.                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 29, 2007                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a    | > A veteran may fail to report for a VA examination, or |
| . Handling | > a scheduled hospitalization for observation and       |
|  Failure t | > examination, in connection with a running             |
| o Report f | > compensation or pension award. If he/she furnishes a  |
| or Examina | > good reason for missing the examination, defer        |
| tion With  | > adverse action and reschedule the examination.        |
| Good Cause | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Examples***: Good cause for not reporting to an    |
|            | > examination includes, but is not limited to           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   illness or hospitalization of the claimant, or      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   death of an immediate family member                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > Authorization notifies the veteran that failure to    |
|            | > report for the *re*scheduled examination is cause for |
|            | > *immediate* termination or reduction of payment.      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information on a veteran's       |
|            | > refusal to report for examination because he/she      |
|            | > claims to have submitted medical evidence adequate    |
|            | > for rating purposes, see                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iv,                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            |  3.B.15.e](../pt03_sp04_ch03_secB.xml#III.iv.3.B.15.e), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *[Kowalski v.                                       |
|            |     Nicholson](h                                        |
|            | ttp://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/Advisory/CAVCDAD.htm#bmk),* |
|            |     No. 02-1284, June 8, 2005.                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

16\. Failure to Report for Examination Under 38 CFR 3.655, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. C | > When a veteran fails to report for an examination     |
| onsidering | > without good cause, the rating activity must review   |
|  Static Di | > the claims folder for static disabilities.            |
| sabilities | >                                                       |
|  When a Ve | > On the rating decision                                |
| teran Fail |                                                         |
| s to Repor | -   if there are                                        |
| t Without  |                                                         |
| Good Cause | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   no static disabilities, state in the *Reasons for   |
|            |     Decision* "the veteran failed to report for a       |
|            |     review examination, and there are no static         |
|            |     disabilities," or                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   static disabilities, provide the proposed new or    |
|            |     continuing evaluations for all disabilities         |
|            |     considered and the proposed combined evaluation,    |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   do *not* enter the effective date of the proposed   |
|            |     reduction or termination.                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Static disabilities include disabilities  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   protected under [38 CFR                             |
|            |     3.951(b)](http://                                   |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_950.DOC) |
|            |     and [38 CFR                                         |
|            |     3.952](http://w                                     |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_952.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   for which no examination was scheduled or will be   |
|            |     scheduled.                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on a veteran's  |
|            | > failure to report for an examination, see [M21-1MR,   |
|            | > Part III, Subpart iv,                                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            |  3.B.15.e](../pt03_sp04_ch03_secB.xml#III.iv.3.B.15.e). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > In every case where a veteran fails to report for an  |
|  c. Addres | > examination, the rating decision must document VA's   |
| sing the I | > attempts to examine the veteran and address the issue |
| ssue of Go | > of good cause.                                        |
| od Cause W | >                                                       |
| hen a Vete | > Use the table below to determine how to address the   |
| ran Fails  | > issue of a veteran's failure to report for an         |
| to Report  | > examination without good cause.                       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  If the veteran offered ...          Then state in the Reasons for Decision ...

  some excuse or justification for    specifically why this does not constitute "good cause" under [38 CFR
  failure to report                   3.655(a)](http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_655.DOC).

  no excuse or justification for      that the evidence of record showed no good cause for the failure to report.
  failure to report                   
  ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Continued on next page

16\. Failure to Report for Examination Under 38 CFR 3.655, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Use the table below if a veteran is rated permanently |
| ### d. Han | > and totally disabled for pension purposes and fails   |
| dling Fail | > to report for a scheduled review examination.         |
| ure to Rep |                                                         |
| ort for Ex |                                                         |
| amination  |                                                         |
| by a Veter |                                                         |
| an Receivi |                                                         |
| ng Pension |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
  If ...                              Then prepare a ...

  the veteran does not continue to be "*failure to report*" rating and notice of proposed
  permanently and totally disabled    adverse action as required by [M21-1MR, Part III,
                                      Subpart iv,
                                      8.E.16.b](../pt03_sp04_ch08_secE#III.iv.8.E.16.b).

  the veteran remains permanently and rating showing the disabilities at the static level.
  totally disabled                    
  ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > ***Note***: If there is no response within 60 days, the case is     |
| > sent to authorization for appropriate action.                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > If the veteran fails to respond to the notice of      |
|  e. Handli | > proposed adverse action provided under [M21-1MR, Part |
| ng Failure | > IV, Subpart ii,                                       |
|  to Respon | > 3.B](../pt04_sp02_ch03_secB.xml#IV.ii.3.B),           |
| d to a Not | > authorization discontinues or reduces the veteran's   |
| ice of Pro | > benefits in accordance with [38 CFR                   |
| posed Adve | > 3.655(c)(2)](http://w                                 |
| rse Action | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_655.DOC). |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > After the award has been processed and the veteran    |
|            | > has been informed of the action taken in the          |
|            | > decision, prepare a rating decision for those cases   |
|            | > in which there are static disabilities.               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > On the decision                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   code all disabilities with their new, continuing    |
|            |     and/or combined evaluations                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   include noncompensable service-connected (SC)       |
|            |     disabilities                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   consider a compensable rating under [38 CFR         |
|            |     3.324](http://w                                     |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_323.DOC), |
|            |     if applicable, and                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   use the effective date the award was reduced as the |
|            |     effective date of the new combined evaluation based |
|            |     on static and/or protected disabilities.            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 17. Severance of Service Connection

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information about severance of    |
| troduction | > service connection, such as                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   applying 38 CFR 3.105(a) and 38 CFR 3.105(d)        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   severing service connection due to diagnosis change |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   severing service connection for a psychosis         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling severance of service connection            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling multiple issues                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling increases in compensation                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   preparing the final rating decision, and            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   severance after veteran's death.                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 1, 2006                                        |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Do not take action to sever service connection        |
| ## a. Appl | > pursuant to [38 CFR                                   |
| ying 38 CF | > 3.105(a)](http://                                     |
| R 3.105(a) | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC) |
|  and 38 CF | > and [38 CFR                                           |
| R 3.105(d) | > 3.105(d)](http://                                     |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC) |
|            | > unless all available relevant evidence, including     |
|            | > complete service medical data and autopsy findings    |
|            | > (if pertinent in death cases)                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   is of record, and                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   shows that establishment was clearly and            |
|            |     unmistakably erroneous.                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on the ten-year |
|            | > protection even when service connection is erroneous, |
|            | > see [M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iv,                   |
|            | > 8.C.9](../pt03_sp04_ch08_secC.xml#III.iv.8.C.9).      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. S | > A change in diagnosis may be accepted as a basis for  |
| evering Se | > severance if there is certification that the          |
| rvice Conn | > diagnosis on which service connection was based was   |
| ection Due | > clearly erroneous under [38 CFR                       |
|  to Diagno | > 3.105(d)](http://w                                    |
| sis Change | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

17\. Severance of Service Connection, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > If service connection is severed for a psychosis,     |
| ### c. Sev | > make a determination of entitlement under [38 U.S.C.  |
| ering Serv | > 1702](http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/              |
| ice Connec | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00001702----000-.html). |
| tion for a |                                                         |
|  Psychosis |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > The table below describes how to handle severing      |
| Handling S | > service connection.                                   |
| everance o |                                                         |
| f Service  |                                                         |
| Connection |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------+---------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| S    | Who is        | Description                                   |
| tage | Responsible   |                                               |
+------+---------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 1    | RVSR          | Refers all ratings proposing severance of     |
|      |               | service connection to the Veterans Service    |
|      |               | Center Manager (VSCM) for approval or         |
|      |               | disapproval under [38 CFR                     |
|      |               | 3.105(a)](http://www.warms.v                  |
|      |               | ba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC). |
+------+---------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 2    | VSCM          | Is the rating approved?                       |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | -   If *yes*                                  |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | ```{=html}                                    |
|      |               | <!-- -->                                      |
|      |               | ```                                           |
|      |               | -   signs the rating, and                     |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | -   forwards the rating to authorization.     |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | ```{=html}                                    |
|      |               | <!-- -->                                      |
|      |               | ```                                           |
|      |               | -   If *no*                                   |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | ```{=html}                                    |
|      |               | <!-- -->                                      |
|      |               | ```                                           |
|      |               | -   clearly marks the rating disapproved      |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | -   signs the rating, and                     |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | -   returns the rating to the rating          |
|      |               |     activity.                                 |
+------+---------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 3    | RVSR          | -   Revises the rating, if required, to       |
|      |               |     reflect the current evaluation of all SC  |
|      |               |     disabilities and disposing of all other   |
|      |               |     matters at issue, and                     |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | -   files the rating in the claims folder.    |
|      |               |                                               |
|      |               | ***Note***: Each regional office (RO)         |
|      |               | maintains a list of the names and claim       |
|      |               | numbers of all cases in which a monetary      |
|      |               | benefit or service connection is affected     |
|      |               | pursuant to [38 CFR                           |
|      |               | 3.105(a)](http://www.warms.v                  |
|      |               | ba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC). |
+------+---------------+-----------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

17\. Severance of Service Connection, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Prepare a single rating decision identifying both     |
| ## e. Hand | > issues if a decision involves severance of service    |
| ling Multi | > connection for one disability and a reduction of      |
| ple Issues | > evaluation for another disability.                    |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Notify the veteran concerning both the reduction and  |
|            | > the proposed severance.                               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on notifying    |
|            | > the veteran of severance of service connection, see   |
|            | > [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii,                        |
|            | > 3.A.2](../pt04_sp02_ch03_secA.xml#IV.ii.3.A.2).       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Award increased compensation if severance of service  |
| ## f. Hand | > connection is proposed for one or more disabilities   |
| ling Incre | > but one or more other disabilities have increased in  |
| ases in Co | > severity.                                             |
| mpensation | >                                                       |
|            | > Notify the veteran concerning                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the proposed severance action                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the increased evaluation, and                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   any reduction that will result from the severance   |
|            |     action.                                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > After the 60-day period of notice during which the    |
| # g. Prepa | > claimant could have submitted additional evidence,    |
| ring the F | > the case is referred to the rating activity for       |
| inal Ratin | > preparation of the final rating severing service      |
| g Decision | > connection.                                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Include in the new combined SC evaluation only those  |
|            | > evaluations for disabilities that remain SC.          |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: This will ensure that no retroactive      |
|            | > increase or benefit attributable to the severed       |
|            | > disability will be awarded after basic entitlement is |
|            | > terminated.                                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Refer the final rating severing service connection to |
|            | > the VSCM or VSCM-designee for approval only if new    |
|            | > evidence has been received since the proposed         |
|            | > decision was approved.                                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on the          |
|            | > effective date of the reduced evaluation after        |
|            | > severance of service connection, see [38 CFR          |
|            | > 3.500(r)](http://w                                    |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_500.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

17\. Severance of Service Connection, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Upon the veteran's death                              |
| # h. Sever |                                                         |
| ance After | -   discontinue all action on severance proposals not   |
|  the Veter |     finalized, unless the severance would affect death  |
| an's Death |     benefits, or                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   make a proposal to sever service connection only if |
|            |     such a proposal, if finalized, will result in       |
|            |     entitlement to a lesser benefit or the complete     |
|            |     disallowance of a claim for death benefits.         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Proposals initiated but not finalized prior to      |
|            |     notice of the veteran's death, upon notice of the   |
|            |     veteran's death, will be reconsidered *de novo*     |
|            |     taking into consideration all available new         |
|            |     evidence, such as medical reports of last illness,  |
|            |     death certificate, and autopsy report, if           |
|            |     indicated.                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The claimant is notified of the severance proposal  |
|            |     and given 60 days to submit further evidence, even  |
|            |     though the veteran was given a prior 60-day notice. |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 18. Reversal of Prior Determinations Related to Character of Discharge, Line of Duty, or Willful Misconduct

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information about reversal of     |
| troduction | > prior decisions, such as                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   jurisdiction in clear and unmistakable error (CUE)  |
|            |     cases that sever service connection                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   preparing the rating decision, and                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling cases of disagreement between the          |
|            |     authorization and rating activities.                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 1, 2006                                        |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | Prepare an administrative decision if the authorization |
| # a. Juris | activity, rather than the rating activity, has initial  |
| diction in | jurisdiction of a                                       |
|  CUE Cases |                                                         |
|  That Seve | -   statutory bar to benefits and                       |
| r Service  |     character-of-discharge determination under          |
| Connection |     [M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v,                      |
|            |     1.B](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M2                |
|            | 1-1MR/pt03/sp04/ch08/pt03_sp05_ch01_secB.xml#III.v.1.B) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   line-of-duty determination under [M21-1MR, Part     |
|            |     III, Subpart v,                                     |
|            |     1.D.19](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M21-1M         |
|            | R/pt03/sp04/ch08/pt03_sp05_ch01_secD.xml#III.v.1.D.19), |
|            |     or                                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   willful misconduct determination under [M21-1MR,    |
|            |     Part III, Subpart v,                                |
|            |     1.D](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M2                |
|            | 1-1MR/pt03/sp04/ch08/pt03_sp05_ch01_secD.xml#III.v.1.D) |
|            |                                                         |
|            |     and finds that there is clear and unmistakable      |
|            |     error (CUE) in a prior determination which will     |
|            |     result in the severance of service connection.      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ***Note***: The decision must contain a summary of      |
|            | findings and a statement as to the specific CUE that    |
|            | was identified.                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ***References***: For more information on               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the preparation and approval of authorization       |
|            |     determinations, see [M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v,  |
|            |     1.A.2](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M21-1           |
|            | MR/pt03/sp04/ch08/pt03_sp05_ch01_secA.xml#III.v.1.A.2), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   CUE, see [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii,             |
|            |     3.A.2](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M21-1           |
|            | MR/pt03/sp04/ch08/pt04_sp02_ch03_secA.xml#IV.ii.3.A.2). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b.   | > Refer the claims folder, if in order, to the rating   |
|  Preparing | > activity for appropriate action including the         |
|  the Ratin | > preparation of a rating decision proposing the        |
| g Decision | > severance of service connection under [38 CFR         |
|            | > 3.105(c)](http://                                     |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC) |
|            | > and [38 CFR                                           |
|            | > 3.105(d)](http://                                     |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_105.DOC) |
|            | > on the basis of the determination by the              |
|            | > authorization activity.                               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

18\. Reversal of Prior Determinations Related to Character of Discharge,
Line of Duty, or Willful Misconduct, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > Refer the case by memorandum to the VSCM for          |
|  Handling  | > resolution of an issue if the rating activity         |
| Cases of D | > disagrees with the determination by the authorization |
| isagreemen | > activity as to character of discharge, line of duty,  |
| t Between  | > or willful misconduct.                                |
| the Author |                                                         |
| ization an |                                                         |
| d Rating A |                                                         |
| ctivities  |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+