38 CFR § 21.188 - “Extended evaluation” status.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t38/s21.188"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "38 CFR § 21.188 - “Extended evaluation” status."
title_number: 38
title_name: "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief"
section_number: "21.188"
section_name: "“Extended evaluation” status."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS"
part_number: "21"
part_name: "VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
cfr_part: "21"
---


# 21.188 “Extended evaluation” status.

(a) *Purpose.* The purposes of *extended evaluation* status are to:

(1) Identify a veteran for whom a period of *extended evaluation* is needed; and

(2) Assure that necessary services are provided by VA during the extended evaluation.

(b) *Assignment to extended evaluation* status. A veteran's case may be assigned or reassigned to *extended evaluation* status under provisions of § 21.57, § 21.74, § 21.86, § 21.94, or § 21.96.

(c) *Continuation in extended evaluation* status. A veteran's case will be in *extended evaluation* status during periods in which:

(1) The veteran is pending induction into the facility at which rehabilitation services will be provided;

(2) The veteran is receiving rehabilitation services prescribed in the IEEP (§ 21.86); or

(3) The veteran is on authorized leave of absence during an extended evaluation.

(d) *Termination of extended evaluation status.* A veteran in *extended evaluation* status will remain in that status until one of the following events occur:

(1) Following notification of necessary arrangements to begin an extended evaluation, the date the extended evaluation begins, and instructions as to the next steps to be taken, the veteran:

(i) Fails to report and does not respond to followup contact by the case manager;

(ii) Declines or refuses to enter the program; or

(iii) Defers induction for a period exceeding 30 days beyond the scheduled date of induction, except where the deferment is due to illness or other sufficient reason;

(2) VA determines the reasonable feasibility of a vocational goal for the veteran before completion of all of the planned evaluation because the decision does not require the further evaluation;

(3) The veteran completes the extended evaluation;

(4) Either the veteran or VA interrupts the extended evaluation;

(5) Either the veteran or VA discontinues the extended evaluation; or

(6) Service-connection for the veteran's service-connected disability is severed by VA or his or her continued eligibility otherwise ceases.

See §§ 21.57 Extended evaluation, 21.322 Commencing dates, 21.324 Reduction or termination.

[49 FR 40814, Oct. 18, 1984, as amended at 84 FR 193, Jan. 18, 2019]