# Exceptions to Applying the Bilateral Factor in VA Disability Calculations
> **US Department of Veterans Affairs** · Interim final rule. · Published 2023-04-14 · Effective 2023-04-16 · 88 FR 22914
## Document
- **Document number:** 2023-07426
- **Category:** va-other
- **Agency:** US Department of Veterans Affairs
- **Federal Register citation:** 88 FR 22914
- **CFR reference:** 38 CFR 4
- **Publication date:** 2023-04-14
- **Effective date:** 2023-04-16
## Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule to amend the regulation governing the bilateral factor for diseases and injuries of both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. More specifically, this interim final rule will allow VA adjudicators to exclude certain disabilities that would be calculated using the bilateral factor to determine the combined evaluation if, by their exclusion, a higher combined evaluation can be achieved.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/14/2023-07426/exceptions-to-applying-the-bilateral-factor-in-va-disability-calculations)
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