What changed in VA's M21-1: March 2026

AI-summarized from official sources and checked against the source text. Each item links to the official page.

In this update: 5 procedural, 4 unclear.

The M21-1 is the manual VA claims processors follow. VA lists every update on its KnowVA "Changes by Date" page. These are the March 2026 updates that relate to benefits we cover.

These updates change how VA processes claims. They do not change the benefit amounts or rules on our pages; those come only from the law and official benefit pages.

Mar 9, 2026 · M21-1 VI.iv.1.B#Link to “Mar 9, 2026 · M21-1 VI.iv.1.B”

Unclear — check the official pageWho: Incarcerated beneficiaries' families, surviving spouses, and children receiving pension or DICWhy: We couldn't confirm the effect on veterans from the official text.

What changed. M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iv, Chapter 1, Section B - Incarceration of Dependents and Certain Survivors Updated to add a new section for relocation of content from old VI.iii.1.C and revise in accordance with regulatory updates for processing apportionments.

Official source (external site)

Mar 9, 2026 · M21-1 VI.iv.3#Link to “Mar 9, 2026 · M21-1 VI.iv.3”

Procedural / no direct effectWho: Veterans receiving disability compensation in lieu of military retired pay who are subject to alimony or child support garnishment ordersWhy: This is an internal VA manual update that moves garnishment-processing instructions into a new chapter and revises staff procedures. Veterans whose compensation is garnished for alimony or child support under an MRP waiver see no change in what is withheld or what rights they have.

What changed. M21-1, Part VI, Subpart iv, Chapter 3 - Garnishment of Disability Compensation in Lieu of Military Retired Pay (MRP) to Pay Alimony or Child Support Updated to add a new chapter for relocation of content from old VII.iii.1.C and revise in accordance with regulatory updates for processing apportionments.

Official source (external site)

Mar 9, 2026 · M21-1 XIII.i.2.B#Link to “Mar 9, 2026 · M21-1 XIII.i.2.B”

Procedural / no direct effectWhy: Only an internal e-mail address changed for staff forwarding VA Form 26-4555 to Loan Guaranty. SAH and SHA grant eligibility, amounts, and the application process for veterans stay the same.

What changed. M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section B - Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grants Updated an e-mail address used to forward VA Form 26-4555 to Loan Guaranty.

Official source (external site)

Mar 17, 2026 · M21-1 VIII.iv.1.A#Link to “Mar 17, 2026 · M21-1 VIII.iv.1.A”

Procedural / no direct effectWho: Veterans filing PTSD claims (internal VA processing only)Why: The change updates internal claims-processing instructions to say that a records-request system (PIES) is no longer used to send code O50 requests to the National Personnel Records Center. It changes how VA staff submit requests, not what veterans receive or must do in PTSD claims.

What changed. M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iv, Chapter 1, Section A - General Information and Development for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Claims Updated to reflect that PIES is no longer being used to submit code O50 requests to NPRC.

Official source (external site)

Mar 19, 2026 · M21-1 V.iii.7#Link to “Mar 19, 2026 · M21-1 V.iii.7”

Unclear — check the official pageWho: veterans with service-connected genitourinary conditionsWhy: We couldn't confirm the effect on veterans from the official text.

What changed. M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 7 - Genitourinary Disabilities Updated genitourinary rating guidance.

Official source (external site)

Mar 23, 2026 · M21-1 V.iv.1.B#Link to “Mar 23, 2026 · M21-1 V.iv.1.B”

Procedural / no direct effectWhy: This is an internal VA manual update about who must sign off on special monthly compensation (SMC) decisions on the codesheet. It changes how VA staff process these decisions, and the text gives no change to SMC eligibility, payment amounts, or what veterans must do.

What changed. M21-1, Part V, Subpart iv, Chapter 1, Section B - Codesheet Section Updated second-signature requirements for SMC decisions.

Official source (external site)

Mar 23, 2026 · M21-1 VIII.iv.4.A#Link to “Mar 23, 2026 · M21-1 VIII.iv.4.A”

Procedural / no direct effectWho: Veterans and survivors with SMC claims (internal VA processing)Why: This is an internal VA claims-processor manual update that adds a reminder that rating decisions granting or denying SMC at level (l) or higher need a second signature before issuance. It sets an internal approval step for VA raters and does not change what veterans are entitled to or must do.

What changed. M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section A - Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Updated to add information on second-signature requirements for SMC decisions.

Official source (external site)

Mar 25, 2026 · M21-1 V.iii.1.A#Link to “Mar 25, 2026 · M21-1 V.iii.1.A”

Unclear — check the official pageWho: veterans with joint or musculoskeletal disability claimsWhy: We couldn't confirm the effect on veterans from the official text.

What changed. M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section A - Painful Motion and Functional Loss Updated guidance on evaluating painful motion.

Official source (external site)

Mar 25, 2026 · M21-1 V.iii.1.B#Link to “Mar 25, 2026 · M21-1 V.iii.1.B”

Unclear — check the official pageWho: veterans claiming service-connected shin splintsWhy: We couldn't confirm the effect on veterans from the official text.

What changed. M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section B - Musculoskeletal Disabilities of the Extremities and Spine Updated shin splints rating guidance.

Official source (external site)

Full list: 2026 M21-1 Changes by Date on KnowVA (external site)