Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01332:reg:3:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01332
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 2/8)
Character Range: 447623–450522

veteran, provided that the new rating is higher than the original self-assessed rating.

If a determining authority rejects a veteran's self-assessment on the ground that it is an overassessment, the veteran is to be given a second opportunity to complete a Lifestyle Questionnaire. If after having been given the opportunity the veteran completes a Lifestyle Questionnaire, the determining authority is to determine a new lifestyle rating by following the procedure described under "Option  3" below. If after having been given the opportunity the veteran does not complete a Lifestyle Questionnaire, the determining authority is to determine a new lifestyle  rating by following the procedure described under "Option  2" below.

 Option 2 is to be used if the veteran chooses not to self-assess or to complete a Lifestyle Questionnaire. Under this option the determining authority should generally allocate a lifestyle rating based on the level of medical impairment. This rating is not to be less than the higher of the ratings contained in the "shaded area" of Table 23.1 in Chapter 23 (Conversion To Degree Of Incapacity).

 In unusual cases the determining authority may, in the light of information available to it, decide to allocate a rating in excess of the higher of the ratings contained in the "shaded area" of Table 23.1 in Chapter 23 (Conversion To Degree Of Incapacity).

 Option 3 is to be used if the veteran completes a Lifestyle Questionnaire. The determining authority is to use the information in the completed Lifestyle Questionnaire, together with all other relevant information available to it, to allocate ratings in accordance with Tables 22.1 to 22.5. The ratings are to reflect the impact of the impairment from accepted conditions on the four key components of a person's lifestyle (personal relationships, mobility, recreational and community activities, and employment and domestic activities).

 How are lifestyle effects assessed?

 The effects of impairment on lifestyle are specific to a veteran and are determined by reference to four components of that veteran's life:
+ personal relationships,
+ mobility,
+ recreational and community activities, and
+ employment and domestic activities. All are of equal weight.
Pain, suffering, impaired memory or concentration, or interference with sleep or sleeping arrangements, that result from the accepted conditions must be taken into account. The rating that best accommodates the veteran's circumstances is to be selected from the descriptions in Tables 22.1 to 22.5.

 The criteria in the Lifestyle Rating Self-Assessment Form are the same as the criteria in Tables 22.1 to 22.5. Ratings are based on a progressive scale of 0-7 (with the exception of Table 22.5 in which the scale ranges from 0-5). A zero rating indicates that a veteran's lifestyle is only negligibly affected by the accepted conditions.  A