38 CFR § 4.7 — Higher of two evaluations

Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations · full text below reproduced from the eCFR, revision of 2026-07-01.

In practice: When a disability picture sits between two ratings, the HIGHER applies if it more nearly approximates that level. One of the most cite-worthy sentences in Part 4.

Regulation text

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Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations shall be applied, the higher evaluation will be assigned if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned.

Amendment history

The eCFR versioner records no amendment to § 4.7 since 2016-12-14 (its point-in-time floor); the text above has been in force at least that long. Earlier amendments are listed in the section’s source note.

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