{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/regulation-changes/2026-03-23","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:46.909Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"week_of":"2026-03-23","changes":[{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section A - Painful Motion and Functional Loss","date":"2026-03-25","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014407/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-1-Section-A-Painful-Motion-and-Functional-Loss","formatting_only":false,"added":["March 25, 2026","Important","Important","If pain is associated with movement,","the examiner must give an opinion on whether pain could significantly limit functional ability during flare-ups or when the joint is used repeatedly over a period of time, and","Important","Important","Lay evidence or subjective reporting of painful motion is sufficient, if found credible as discussed at"],"removed":["September 15, 2021","Impact on application of","38 CFR 4.59","Impact on application of","38 CFR 4.59","Furthermore","if pain is associated with movement, the examiner must give an opinion on whether pain could significantly limit functional ability during flare-ups or when the joint is used repeatedly over a period of time, and","Impact on application of"]},{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section B - Musculoskeletal Disabilities of the Extremities and Spine","date":"2026-03-25","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014410/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-1-Section-B-Musculoskeletal-Disabilities-of-the-Extremities-and-Spine","formatting_only":false,"added":["M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 4.A.5.e","evaluating impairment of the tibia and fibula","March 25, 2026","M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 1.A.3.h-l","Evaluating Impairment of the Tibia and Fibula","for evaluating impairment of the tibia and fibula including nonunion, malunion (evaluated under the corresponding knee or ankle codes based on associated impairment), medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) , or shin splints.","Evaluations for shin splints may be based on the use of conservative treatment.","Notes"],"removed":["M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 4.A.1.g","conservative therapy for shin splints","April 25, 2022","M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 1.A.3.h-j","Conservative Therapy for Shin Splints","for evaluating impairment of the tibia and fibula including nonunion, malunion (evaluated under the corresponding knee or ankle codes based on associated impairment), or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS).","Evaluations for MTSS may be based on the use of conservative treatment.","Note"]},{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part V, Subpart iv, Chapter 1, Section B - Codesheet Section","date":"2026-03-23","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180524/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iv-Chapter-1-Section-B-Codesheet-Section","formatting_only":false,"added":["March 23, 2026","SMC at the SMC (l) rate or greater","M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 12.B.1.g"],"removed":["December 18, 2024","SMC at a rate greater than SMC (l)","M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 12.B.1.o"]}]}}