{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/regulation-changes/2026-10-05","generated_at":"2026-10-11T00:27:20.806Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-07","m21":"2026-10-07"},"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":"2026-10-05","changes":[{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 3 - Requesting Evidence From Private Health Providers (PHPs)","date":"2026-10-05","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000181428/M21-1-Part-III-Subpart-ii-Chapter-3-Requesting-Evidence-From-Private-Health-Providers-PHPs","formatting_only":false,"added":["October 5, 2026","The PMR Retrieval Program utilizes a contractor to provide development assistance by attempting to retrieve all PMRs that Veterans and their dependents have identified on the","with an original signature","prepare a letter notifying the claimant that VA cannot complete the request.","Ask the claimant to","send the form directly to the medical care provider, or","obtain the records and submit them directly to VA.","Note"],"removed":["August 28, 2025","PMR Retrieval Program","utilizes a contractor to provide development assistance by attempting to retrieve all PMRs that Veterans and their dependents have identified on the","with an original signature, and","VA Form 21-4142","in the claims folder has an original signature","make a photocopy of the","VA Form 21-4142"]},{"source":"M21-1","section":"Part VI, Subpart i, Chapter 1, Section A - Decision Authorization","date":"2026-10-05","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000179468/M21-1-Part-VI-Subpart-i-Chapter-1-Section-A-Decision-Authorization","formatting_only":false,"added":["The same Veteran is receiving Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.).","Disability compensation is countable income and will potentially cause a reduction to the Parents’ D.I.C.","award.","If the spouse is receiving pension or Parents’ D.I.C., the claims processor should","October 5, 2026","Rating decisions are routed directly to the authorization activity, which is responsible for processing rating decisions.",", VA may not pay monetary benefits based on an original, supplemental, or increased award of compensation, pension, or D.I.C.","for any period prior to the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the beneficiary became entitled to the benefit."],"removed":["The same Veteran is receiving Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).","Disability compensation is countable income and will potentially cause a reduction to the Parents’ DIC award.","If the spouse is receiving pension or Parents’ DIC, the claims processor should","June 5, 2026","After rating decisions are completed they are routed directly to the authorization activity, which is responsible for processing rating decisions.",", VA may not pay monetary benefits based on an original, supplemental, or increased award of compensation, pension, or DIC for any period prior to the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the beneficiary became entitled to the benefit.","For pension and Parents' DIC cases only","denying additional compensation for a dependent(s), or"]}]}}