skills/complete-veteran-benefits/references/issue-router.md

# Issue Router

Use this file to decide which source families to retrieve first.

## VA disability service connection

Start with:
- Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 11
- 38 C.F.R. Part 3

Common starting points:
- 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110 and 1131
- 38 C.F.R. § 3.303

Then route by theory.

### Secondary service connection
Research:
- 38 C.F.R. § 3.310
- binding precedent on causation/aggravation
- medical nexus evidence

### Presumption of soundness / aggravation
Research:
- 38 U.S.C. § 1111
- 38 U.S.C. § 1153
- implementing regulation
- binding precedent

### Chronic disease presumptions
Research:
- applicable Title 38 provisions
- 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307 and 3.309
- condition-specific precedent when needed

### Toxic exposure / PACT Act
Research:
- current Title 38 toxic-exposure provisions
- 38 C.F.R. Part 3
- current official VA implementation
- M21-1 development guidance when useful
- ILER/service/deployment evidence when available

### Gulf War
Research:
- 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and related provisions
- 38 C.F.R. § 3.317
- current M21-1 development guidance
- binding precedent when interpretation matters

### Herbicide exposure
Research:
- current statutory presumptions
- 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.307 and 3.309
- current official exposure-location rules
- service/deployment records

## Ratings

Start with:
- 38 U.S.C. § 1155
- applicable version of 38 C.F.R. Part 4
- body-system criteria
- Diagnostic Code
- relevant general rating provisions

Then add:
- applicable DBQ
- binding precedent if rating terminology needs interpretation
- M21-1 only for useful adjudication procedure

Potential general rules:
- §§ 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7, 4.10, 4.14
- § 4.16
- §§ 4.25 and 4.26
- §§ 4.40, 4.45, 4.59

Verify current/historical text before applying.

## TDIU

Research:
- 38 C.F.R. § 4.16
- current procedural forms when needed
- precedential cases on substantially gainful employment, marginal employment,
  protected environments, functional impact, and referral

Evidence:
- service-connected limitations
- employment history
- earnings
- education
- occupational history

## SMC

Research:
- 38 U.S.C. § 1114
- implementing regulations
- binding precedent when interpretation matters

Check when facts raise:
- loss/loss of use
- aid and attendance
- housebound
- blindness
- deafness
- anatomical loss
- qualifying disability combinations

## Effective dates

Start with:
- 38 U.S.C. § 5110
- applicable 38 C.F.R. effective-date provisions

Build a procedural timeline:
- Intent to File
- claim
- decision
- review/appeal
- continuous pursuit
- increase
- liberalizing law
- dependency event
- historical rating period

## Duty to assist

Research:
- 38 U.S.C. § 5103A
- implementing regulation
- binding precedent
- M21-1 development instructions when relevant

Distinguish the legal duty from internal workflow.

## Benefit of the doubt

Research:
- 38 U.S.C. § 5107
- 38 C.F.R. § 3.102
- binding precedent when needed

Do not state that any favorable evidence automatically triggers an award.

## Appeals and review

Research:
- Title 38 Chapters 51 and 71
- applicable 38 C.F.R. procedures
- current official forms and instructions

AMA lanes:
- Supplemental Claim
- Higher-Level Review
- Board Appeal

Match lane to defect/evidence posture.

## CUE

Research:
- applicable statute/regulation
- binding CAVC/Federal Circuit precedent
- law and record existing at the time of challenged decision

## DIC and survivor benefits

Research:
- Title 38 Chapter 13
- implementing regulations
- current official forms

Check:
- relationship
- cause of death
- service connection
- pending/accrued matters
- effective date
- ancillary survivor benefits

## VA pension

Research:
- Title 38 Chapter 15
- implementing regulations
- current rates, net worth, income, medical-expense rules
- current forms

## VA healthcare

Research:
- Title 38 Chapter 17
- 38 C.F.R. Part 17
- current VA eligibility rules

## Education / VR&E

Identify exact program:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill
- DEA
- Fry Scholarship
- Yellow Ribbon
- VR&E

Research current Title 38 authority and VA implementation.
For transfer of entitlement, include DoD rules.

## VA home loan

Research:
- Title 38 Chapter 37
- 38 C.F.R. Part 36
- current Loan Guaranty guidance
- current funding fee/exemption rules

## MEB / PEB / IDES

Research:
- Title 10
- current DoDI 1332.18
- applicable DoD manuals
- service-specific rules
- VA rating criteria when VA examinations/ratings are part of IDES

Separate fitness from VA compensation.

## Military retirement / CRDP / CRSC / SBP

Research:
- Title 10
- Title 37 when applicable
- DoD FMR
- current DFAS guidance
- Title 38 where VA compensation interacts

## TRICARE

Research:
- Title 10 Chapter 55 when underlying law matters
- 32 C.F.R. Part 199 when applicable
- current TRICARE guidance
- TRICARE manuals
- DEERS eligibility

## Guard / Reserve

First determine:
- component
- legal duty authority
- dates
- ADT/IDT
- federal versus state duty

Then research Title 10, Title 32, Title 38 eligibility, and service records.

## USERRA

Research:
- 38 U.S.C. Chapter 43
- DOL VETS guidance
- binding precedent when needed

## SCRA

Research:
- 50 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq.
- DOJ servicemember guidance
- issue-specific precedent when needed

## Federal employment

Research:
- Title 5
- OPM guidance
- USERRA where military leave/reemployment overlaps

## Tax

Research:
- Title 26
- current IRS guidance
- specific treatment of the benefit involved

Do not assume VA compensation, retired pay, CRSC, CRDP, severance, and SBP
receive identical tax treatment.

## State/local benefits

Retrieve current official state statute and agency guidance.

For local-option benefits, verify local implementation.

## VA and military life insurance

Identify the actual program: SGLI, FSGLI, TSGLI, VGLI, VALife, or a legacy policy.
Research Title 38 Chapter 19, current VA/OSGLI administration, eligibility,
conversion/application periods, underwriting or waiting-period rules, coverage,
premiums, exclusions, and beneficiaries as relevant. Distinguish insurance from
SBP and DIC. Do not assume that a VA rating automatically establishes coverage.

## Discharge character and corrections

Distinguish VA character-of-discharge eligibility from a military discharge
upgrade or records correction. Retrieve current 38 C.F.R. § 3.12 and applicable
Title 10 correction/review-board authority and service procedures. Identify
the remedy, forum, dates, and potential bars or exceptions before advising.