**§3.356 Conditions which determine permanent incapacity for
self-support.**

\(a\) *Basic determinations.* A child must be shown to be permanently
incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at the
date of attaining the age of 18 years.

\(b\) *Rating criteria.* Rating determinations will be made solely on
the basis of whether the child is permanently incapable of self-support
through his own efforts by reason of physical or mental defects. The
question of permanent incapacity for self-support is one of fact for
determination by the rating agency on competent evidence of record in
the individual case. Rating criteria applicable to disabled veterans are
not controlling. Principal factors for consideration are:

\(1\) The fact that a claimant is earning his or her own support is
prima facie evidence that he or she is not incapable of self-support.
Incapacity for self-support will not be considered to exist when the
child by his or her own efforts is provided with sufficient income for
his or her reasonable support.

\(2\) A child shown by proper evidence to have been permanently
incapable of self-support prior to the date of attaining the age of 18
years, may be so held at a later date even though there may have been a
short intervening period or periods when his or her condition was such
that he or she was employed, provided the cause of incapacity is the
same as that upon which the original determination was made and there
were no intervening diseases or injuries that could be considered as
major factors. Employment which was only casual, intermittent, tryout,
unsuccessful, or terminated after a short period by reason of
disability, should not be considered as rebutting permanent incapability
of self-support otherwise established.

\(3\) It should be borne in mind that employment of a child prior or
subsequent to the delimiting age may or may not be a normal situation,
depending on the educational progress of the child, the economic
situation of the family, indulgent attitude of parents, and the like. In
those cases where the extent and nature of disability raises some doubt
as to whether they would render the average person incapable of
self-support, factors other than employment are for consideration. In
such cases there should be considered whether the daily activities of
the child in the home and community are equivalent to the activities of
employment of any nature within the physical or mental capacity of the
child which would provide sufficient income for reasonable support. Lack
of employment of the child either prior to the delimiting age or
thereafter should not be considered as a major factor in the
determination to be made, unless it is shown that it was due to physical
or mental defect and not to mere disinclination to work or indulgence of
relatives or friends.

\(4\) The capacity of a child for self-support is not determinable upon
employment afforded solely upon sympathetic or charitable considerations
and which involved no actual or substantial rendition of services.

\[26 FR 1590, Feb. 24, 1961, as amended at 38 FR 871, Jan. 5, 1973\]

**Cross reference:** Basic Pension and eligibility determinations. See
§3.314.