**§3.344 Stabilization of disability evaluations.**

\(a\) *Examination reports indicating improvement.* Rating agencies will
handle cases affected by change of medical findings or diagnosis, so as
to produce the greatest degree of stability of disability evaluations
consistent with the laws and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations
governing disability compensation and pension. It is essential that the
entire record of examinations and the medical-industrial history be
reviewed to ascertain whether the recent examination is full and
complete, including all special examinations indicated as a result of
general examination and the entire case history. This applies to
treatment of intercurrent diseases and exacerbations, including hospital
reports, bedside examinations, examinations by designated physicians,
and examinations in the absence of, or without taking full advantage of,
laboratory facilities and the cooperation of specialists in related
lines. Examinations less full and complete than those on which payments
were authorized or continued will not be used as a basis of reduction.
Ratings on account of diseases subject to temporary or episodic
improvement, e.g., manic depressive or other psychotic reaction,
epilepsy, psychoneurotic reaction, arteriosclerotic heart disease,
bronchial asthma, gastric or duodenal ulcer, many skin diseases, etc.,
will not be reduced on any one examination, except in those instances
where all the evidence of record clearly warrants the conclusion that
sustained improvement has been demonstrated. Ratings on account of
diseases which become comparatively symptom free (findings absent) after
prolonged rest, e.g. residuals of phlebitis, arteriosclerotic heart
disease, etc., will not be reduced on examinations reflecting the
results of bed rest. Moreover, though material improvement in the
physical or mental condition is clearly reflected the rating agency will
consider whether the evidence makes it reasonably certain that the
improvement will be maintained under the ordinary conditions of life.
When syphilis of the central nervous system or alcoholic deterioration
is diagnosed following a long prior history of psychosis,
psychoneurosis, epilepsy, or the like, it is rarely possible to exclude
persistence, in masked form, of the preceding innocently acquired
manifestations. Rating boards encountering a change of diagnosis will
exercise caution in the determination as to whether a change in
diagnosis represents no more than a progression of an earlier diagnosis,
an error in prior diagnosis or possibly a disease entity independent of
the service-connected disability. When the new diagnosis reflects mental
deficiency or personality disorder only, the possibility of only
temporary remission of a super-imposed psychiatric disease will be borne
in mind.

\(b\) *Doubtful cases.* If doubt remains, after according due
consideration to all the evidence developed by the several items
discussed in paragraph (a) of this section, the rating agency will
continue the rating in effect, citing the former diagnosis with the new
diagnosis in parentheses, and following the appropriate code there will
be added the reference "Rating continued pending reexamination ---------
months from this date, §3.344." The rating agency will determine on the
basis of the facts in each individual case whether 18, 24 or 30 months
will be allowed to elapse before the reexamination will be made.

\(c\) *Disabilities which are likely to improve.* The provisions of
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply to ratings which have
continued for long periods at the same level (5 years or more). They do
not apply to disabilities which have not become stabilized and are
likely to improve. Reexaminations disclosing improvement, physical or
mental, in these disabilities will warrant reduction in rating.

\[26 FR 1586, Feb. 24, 1961, as amended at 58 FR 53660, Oct. 18, 1993\]

**Supplement *Highlights* reference**: 9(2)

*Next Section is §3.350*