{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/regulation-changes/2026-05-25","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:33:46.928Z","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":"2026-05-25","changes":[{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part IV, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section A - Examination Requests Overview","date":"2026-05-27","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":["Certain diagnostic activities may require that the examiner be able to provide treatment or follow-up care and, as such, are considered outside of the scope of VA examination practice.","When an examination cannot be performed by a contract examiner, include a note in the REMARKS field in the Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI) examination request.","Example","reviewing evidence before determining whether an examination or opinion is necessary, see","routing location comments","examination type comments, and","tool’s recommendations must be explained as a remark in the examination request.","inputting examination requests, see"],"removed":["Certain diagnostic activities may require the examiner be able to provide treatment or follow-up care and, as such, are considered outside of the scope of VA examination practice.","Annotate in the Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI) REMARKS section when an examination cannot be performed by a contract examiner.","Example of required annotation","reviewing evidence before determining an examination or opinion is necessary, see","routing location and examination list comments","examination type details, and","tool’s recommendations must be explained as a remark in the examination request’s body.","steps to inputting examination requests, see"]},{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 13 - Mental Disorders","date":"2026-05-27","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180520/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-13-Mental-Disorders","formatting_only":false,"added":["May 27, 2026","limit consideration only to a particular mental disorder diagnosis or theory of SC identified by the claimant, and","sympathetically read the claim as including any chronic acquired mental disorder consistent with the analysis described in the previous block.",", 23 Vet.App.","M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iv, 1.D.2.j","M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.A.2.f","handling a change in diagnosis of an SC disability, see","M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 3.D.1.f"],"removed":["removal of the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score from the","Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders","(DSM) and assigning evaluations based on prior GAF score","November 26, 2024","limit consideration only to a particular mental disorder diagnosis or theory of SC identified by the claimant;","sympathetically read the claim as including any chronic acquired mental disorder consistent with the analysis above.",", 23 Vet.","App."]}]}}