{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/regulation-changes/2026-04-20","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:51.254Z","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":"2026-04-20","changes":[{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 6, Section B - Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) and Initial Processing","date":"2026-04-22","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000177950/M21-1-Part-X-Subpart-i-Chapter-6-Section-B-Benefits-Delivery-at-Discharge-BDD-and-Initial-Processing","formatting_only":false,"added":["April 22, 2026","penalize these service members (by removal from the BDD program) under these rare circumstances.","and STRs from the current period of service are available for the examiner to review, then, within 5 calendar days of the date the documents (to include STRs) are uploaded to VBMS","request a general medical examination, along with any necessary specialist examinations,","follow the procedures in","M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart ii, 1.B.2.o",", if the claim involves an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI) incurred during Gulf War era service.",", and"],"removed":["December 4, 2024","penalize these service members (by removing them from the BDD program) under these rare circumstances.",") and STRs from the current period of service are available for the examiner to review, request a general medical examination, along with any necessary specialist examinations, within 5 calendar days of the date the documents (to include STRs) are uploaded to VBMS.",", and","June 6, 2022","the suspense date is always the date following the anticipated discharge date.","the date of claim (DOC) to use for pre-discharge claims, see","Share User Guide"]},{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part IV, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section A - Examination Requests Overview","date":"2026-04-20","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180498/M21-1-Part-IV-Subpart-i-Chapter-2-Section-A-Examination-Requests-Overview","formatting_only":false,"added":["April 20, 2026","Note","When a claim is received that includes one or more automation-eligible contentions, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses automation tools to draft and submit examination requests for the automation-eligible contention(s) when warranted.","is a VA examination facility or contract examination provider","tool when requesting examinations in support of claims for service-connected (SC) compensation, Veterans Pension, and survivors benefits, absent any noted exception(s).","ERRA","tool’s use is","required for examination requests prepared by automation, as these will always be routed to a contract examination provider."],"removed":["February 15, 2024","is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) examination facility or contract examination provider","tool when requesting examinations in support of claims for service-connected (SC) compensation, Veterans Pension, and survivors benefits.","enter the examination request to the VHA or VA contract examination facility.","The medical examiner conducting the examination should confirm the existence of and evaluate","April 29, 2025",", and","When requesting medical opinions, RO employees should identify all relevant evidence for the examiner’s review, both favorable and unfavorable."]}]}}