38 CFR § 21.6503 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t38/s21.6503"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "38 CFR § 21.6503 - Definitions."
title_number: 38
title_name: "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief"
section_number: "21.6503"
section_name: "Definitions."
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"
---


# 21.6503 Definitions.

(a) *Program period.* The term *program period* means the period beginning on February 1, 1985, and ending December 31, 1992.

(b) *Qualified veteran.* The term *qualified veteran* means a veteran who has a service-connected disability, or service-connected disabilities, not rated as total, but who has been awarded a rating of total disability by reason of inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of such disability or disabilities. Such a rating is referred to as an IU (individual unemployability) rating. See §§ 3.340, 3.341, and 4.16 of this title.

(c) *Receives an IU rating.* The phrase *receives an IU rating* refers to the date of the rating decision authorizing total disability compensation based upon individual unemployability.

[51 FR 19333, May 29, 1986. Redesignated at 53 FR 4397, Feb. 16, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 17272, Apr. 24, 1990; 58 FR 41637, Aug. 5, 1993]