# 38 CFR § 3.326: Examinations

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.326

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 CFR § 3.326
- **Heading:** Examinations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 38—Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief > CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS > PART 3—ADJUDICATION > Subpart A—Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation > Ratings and Evaluations › Service Connection

## Text

For purposes of this section, the term examination includes periods of hospital observation when required by VA.
(a) Where there is a claim for disability compensation or pension but medical evidence accompanying the claim is not adequate for rating purposes, a Department of Veterans Affairs examination will be authorized. This paragraph applies to original and supplemental claims as well as claims for increase submitted by a veteran, surviving spouse, parent, or child. Individuals for whom an examination has been scheduled are required to report for the examination.
(b) Provided that it is otherwise adequate for rating purposes, any hospital report, or any examination report, from any government or private institution may be accepted for rating a claim without further examination. However, monetary benefits to a former prisoner of war will not be denied unless the claimant has been offered a complete physical examination conducted at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital or outpatient clinic.
(c) Provided that it is otherwise adequate for rating purposes, a statement from a private physician may be accepted for rating a claim without further examination.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5107(a))
Cross Reference:
Failure to report for VA examination. See § 3.655.
[60 FR 52864, Oct. 11, 1995, as amended at 66 FR 45632, Aug. 29, 2001; 84 FR 170, Jan. 18, 2019]

## Nearby sections

- [38 CFR § 3.1 § 3.1 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.1.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.2 § 3.2 Periods of war.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.2.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.3 § 3.3 Pension.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.3.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.4 § 3.4 Compensation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.4.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.5 § 3.5 Dependency and indemnity compensation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.5.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.6 § 3.6 Duty periods.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.6.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.7 § 3.7 Individuals and groups considered to have performed active military, naval, air, or space service.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.7.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.10 § 3.10 Dependency and indemnity compensation rate for a surviving spouse.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.10.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.11 § 3.11 Homicide.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.11.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.12 § 3.12 Benefit eligibility based on character of discharge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.12.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.12a § 3.12a Minimum active-duty service requirement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.12a.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.13 § 3.13 Discharge to change status.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.13.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.14 § 3.14 Validity of enlistments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.14.md)
- [38 CFR § 3.15 § 3.15 Computation of service.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.15.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-38-3.326. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.