skills/complete-veteran-benefits/references/change-control.md

# Change Control and Historical Law

Use this file whenever the applicable rule may have changed.

## Sources that frequently change
- 38 C.F.R. Part 4 rating criteria
- M21-1
- DBQs
- VA forms
- compensation/pension/DIC rates
- education rates
- PACT Act implementation
- exposure presumptions
- DoD instructions/manuals
- DoD FMR
- TRICARE manuals and premiums
- DFAS operational guidance
- IRS guidance
- state/local benefit law

## Version protocol

For any time-sensitive source:

1. identify the relevant date/period;
2. locate the official current version;
3. identify revision/effective date;
4. determine whether an earlier version governed part of the period;
5. retrieve historical text if outcome could differ;
6. record which version is being applied;
7. cite effective dates when material.

## Rating-schedule changes

When rating criteria changed:

- do not assume revised criteria apply retroactively;
- identify the effective date of the amendment;
- analyze the period before and after separately as required by applicable law;
- check binding precedent governing application of revised rating criteria.

## Liberalizing laws

When a new law or presumption expands eligibility:

- identify statutory/regulatory effective date;
- identify special effective-date provisions;
- do not assume the award can always reach the original diagnosis date;
- check whether special legislation created unique review rules.

## Forms and DBQs

Use current forms for current filings.

When analyzing an old C&P exam or decision, a historical DBQ may be useful to
understand what the examiner was asked at the time, but the legally applicable
rating criteria control the rating analysis.

## Manual guidance

For M21-1 or DoD manuals:

- record section/chapter;
- record revision/change date where available;
- distinguish current guidance from what existed at the time of the challenged
  decision if that distinction matters.

## State/local benefits

Always verify:
- current tax year;
- filing deadline;
- local-option adoption;
- rating threshold;
- residency/ownership requirement;
- whether the benefit is automatic or application-based.