M21-1MR

Part 1 - Duty to Assist
Part 3 - General Claims Process

Part 4 - Compensation, DIC, and Death Compensation Benefits

 

Subparti - Claims Processing Improvement Model

Subpartii - Compensation

Subpartiii - Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Death Compensation

Part 5 - Pension and Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

 

Subparti - Eligibility and Development

Subpartii - Rating

Subpartiii - Authorization Issues

Subpartiv - Pension Maintenance Centers

Part 6 - Chapter 18 Benefits
Part 7 - Burial Benefits
Part 8 - Accrued Benefits
Part 9 - Ancillary and Special Benefits

 

Subparti - Ancillary Benefits

Subpartii - Special Benefits

Part 10 - Matching Programs
Part 11 - Fiduciary Program

 

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Part 1. Duty to Assist

 

Back to Top

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 8/1/02

Chapter 1 - Duty to Assist

Table of Contents - Last Updated 4/25/07

Section A - Description and General Information, Last Updated 4/25/07

Section B - Handling Claims Under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA), Last Updated 6/20/08

Section C - Requesting Records, Last Updated 6/20/08

Chapter 2 - Due Process

Table of Contents - Last Updated 6/19/06

Section A - General Information on Due Process, Last Updated 6/19/06

Section B - Notice of Proposed Adverse Action, Last Updated 8/19/05

Section C - Adverse Action Proposal Period, Last Updated 8/19/05

Section D - Contemporaneous Notice, Last Updated 8/19/05

Section E - Exhibits, Last Updated 8/19/05

Chapter 3 - Power of Attorney

Table of Contents - Last Updated 4/25/07

Section A - General Information on Power of Attorney (POA), Last Updated 4/25/07

Section B - Handling Power of Attorney (POA) Appointments, Last Updated 4/25/07

Section C - Payment of Attorney Fees, Last Updated 6/19/06

Chapter 4 - Hearings, Last Updated 5/6/05

Chapter 5 - Appeals, Last Updated 8/19/05

Table of Contents - Last Updated 6/19/06

Section A - General Information on Appeals, Last Updated 8/19/05

Section B - Notice of Disagreement (NOD), Last Updated 4/25/07

Section C - Decision Review Office (DRO) Review Process, Last Updated 6/19/06

Section D - Statement of the Case (SOC) and Supplement Statement of the Case (SSOC), Last Updated 6/19/06

Section E - Filing a Substantive Appeal, Last Updated 6/19/06

Section F - Docketing Certification and Claims Folder Transfer, Last Updated 4/25/07

Section G - Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) Decisions and Remands, Last Updated 8/19/05

Section H - Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) Hearings, Last Updated 8/19/05

Section I - Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), Last Updated 8/19/05

Section J - Special Appeal Issues and Cases, Last Updated 8/19/05

Section K - Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System (VACOLS), Last Updated 8/19/05

 

Changes

05/06/05   08/19/05   06/19/06   02/16/07   04/25/07   06/20/08  

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Part 3 - General Claims Process

SubptI - Claims Processing Improvement Model

Table of Contents - Chapter 1, Table of Contents, Last Updated 10/24/05

Chapter 1 - Structure of the Veterans Service Center (VSC), Last Updated 10/24/05

Chapter 2 - Pre-Discharge Claims

Table of Contents Last Updated 11/6/07

Section A - General Information on Pre-Discharge Claims, Last Updated 11/6/07

Section B - Responsiblities of Regional Offices (ROs) and Benefits Delivery at Discharge, Last Updated 11/6/07

Section C - Ancillary Claims and Miscellancous Pre-Discharge Issues, Last Updated 11/6/07

Transmittal

 

Changes

 

10-24-05    11-06-07

SubptII - Initial Screening and Determining Veterans Status

Chapter 1 - Initial Screening Process, Last Updated 9/5/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 06/3/08

Section A - Process Overview, Last Updated 9/5/05

Section B - Mail Management, Last Updated 6/3/08

Section C - Initial Screening Policies, Last Updated 9/5/05

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Chapter 2 - Benefit Programs and Types of Claims, Last Updated 10/05/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section A - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefit Programs, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section B - Original Disability Claims, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section C - Original Death Claims, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section D - Informal Claims, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section E - Reopened Claims, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section F - Claims for Increase, Last Updated 10/5/05

Chapter 3 - Folder Establishment, Last Updated 4/19/05

Chapter 4 - Files and Folder Control, Last Updated 10/05/05

Table of Contents - Chapter 4 Table of Contents, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section A - Folder Storage, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section B - Handling Mail, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section C - Delivery and Recharge of Folders, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section D - Lost Folders, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section E - Duplicate Claim (DUPC) Transactions, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section F - Segregated Folders and Deceased Veterans’ Claims Folders, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section G - Folder Maintenance, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section H - File Types (DUPC) Transactions, Last Updated 10/5/05

Section I - Folders Meeting the Criteria for Review by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), Last Updated 10/5/05

Section J - Exhibits, Last Updated 10/5/05

Chapter 5 - Jurisdiction and Transfer, Last Updated 11/15/04

Table of Contents - Chapter 5 Table of Contents, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section A - Jurisdiction Over Claims Folders, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section B - Jurisdiction Over Deceased Veterans Claims Folders, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section C - Jurisdiction Over Education and Rehabilitation calims, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section D - General Policies for Permanent Transfer, Last Updated 10/24/05

Section E - Permanent Transfer Out or Transfer In of Claims Folders, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section F - Temporary Transfer, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section G - Transfer of Folders Subject to Review by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), Last Updated 11/15/04

Chapter 6 - Determining Veteran Status and Eligibility for Benefits, Last Updated 4/19/05

Chapter 7 - Referrals to the Rating Activity, Last Updated 4/19/05

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Chapter 8 - First Notice of Death (FNOD) Processing

Table of Contents - Last Updated 5/11/06

Section A - General Policies for PNOD Processing, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section B - System Information, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section C - FNOD Claims Folders and Lightweight Folders, Last Updated 11/15/04

Section D - Interaction with the Records Management Center (RMC), Last Updated 11/15/04

Section E - Service Verification and Related Issues, Last Updated 4/19/05

Section F - Miscellaneous (FNOD) Issues, Last Updated 5/11/06

 

Changes

11/15/04    01/19/05    04/19/05    09/05/05    10/05/05    10/24/05   

05/11/06    06/03/08

SubptIII - General Development and Dependency Issues

 

Chapter 1 - Rules and Process, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - Initial Considerations Regarding the Development Process, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Evidence Requested from the Claimant, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Requesting Evidence from Other Sources, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 2 - Developing for service records, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - General Information on Service Records, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Service Record Migration, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS), Records Management Center (RCM) and the Service Medical Record (SMR) Folder, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section D - Information on Personnel Information Exchange System (PIES) Requests, Reports and Codes, Last Updated 12/13/05

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Section E - Alternative Sources of Service Records and Special Situations, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section F - Merchant Marine Service Records, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section G - Prisoners of War (POW) Service Records, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section H - Record Exchanges between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Service Departments, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section I - Control and Follow-up on Record Requests, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section J - Service Department Organzational Structures and service Record Address Codes, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section K - Other Contact and Reference Information, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 3 - Information Requests to and from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - Department of veterans Affairs (VA) Requests for Information from the SSA, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - SSA Requests for Information from VA, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 4 - Information Requests to or from Other Federal and State Agencies, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 5 - Relationship and Dependency, Last Updated 08/14/06

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section A - General Information on Relationship and Dependency, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section B - General Information on Establishing Marital Relationship, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section C - Establishing Common Law Marriages, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section D - Establishing Other Types of Marriages, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section E - Establishing Marital Relationship in Death Cases, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section F - Establishing Child relationship, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section G - Establishing relationship for a Biological Child, Adopted Child, and Stepchild, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section H - Marriage of a Child, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section I - Establishing Parental Relationship, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section J - Establishing Parental Dependency, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section K - Verification of Dependent Status, Last Updated 08/14/06

Chapter 6 - School Attendance, Last Updated 11/26/07

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 11/26/07

Section A - Eligibility Notification and School Attendance, Last Updated 11/26/07

Section B - Awards and Adjustments Based Upon School Attendance, Last Updated 11/26/06

Section C - Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), Last Updated 11/26/07

Section D - Exhibits, Last Updated 11/26/07

Chapter 7 - A Childs Permanent Incapacity for Self Support, Last Updated 08/13/07

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/13/07

 

Changes

12/13/05    08/14/06    08/13/07    11/26/07   

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SubptIV - General Rating Process

 

Chapter 1 - - General Information on the rating Activity,Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 2 - Reviewing Claims, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - Preliminary Review of Claims, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Reviewing for new and material Evidence, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 3 - Examinations, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section A - Examination Request, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section B - Scheduling Examinations, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Control of Examinations, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section D - Examination Reports, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section E - VA Medical Facilities, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 4 - Rating Specific Disabilities, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section A - Musculoskeletal Conditions, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Conditions of the Organs of Special Sense, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section D - Respiratory Conditions, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section E - Cardiovascular System Conditions, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section F - Endocrine Conditions, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section G - Neurological Conditionals and Convulsive Disorders, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section H - Mental Disorders, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section I - Conditions of Other Systems, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 5 - Evaluating Evidence and making a Decision, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

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Chapter 6 - The Rating Decision, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - Partial and Deferred Rating Decisions, Last Updated 6/20/08

Section B - Determining the Issues, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section C - Documenting the Decision, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section D - Codesheet Section, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section E - Coded Conclusion, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 7 - Finalizing and Reviewing the Rating Decision, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - Finalizing the Rating Decision, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Reviewing the Rating Decision, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 8 - Competency, Due Process and Protected Ratings, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - Evaluating Competency, Last Updated 08/01/06

Section B - Proposed rating Decisions, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Protected Ratings, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section D - Reductions in Awards, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section E - Other Due Process Concerns, Last Updated 08/01/06

 

Changes

12/13/05   

08/01/06    06/20/08

SubptV - General Authorization Issues and Claimant Notifications

 

Chapter 1 - Administration Decisions

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section A - General Information, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section B - Statutory Bar to Benefits and Character of Discharge, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section C - Former Prisioner of War (POW) Status, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section D - Willful Misconduct and Line of Duty, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section E - Insanity, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section F - Homicide, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section G - Presumption of Death, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section H - Finding of Fact and Date of Death, Last Updated 03/07/06

Section I - Reversal of Prior Determinations and Administrative Errors, Last Updated 03/07/06

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Chapter 2 - Award and Denial Authorization and Notification

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/11/06

Section A - Award and Denial Authorization, Last Updated 05/11/06

Section B - Award and Denial Notification, Last Updated 05/11/06

Chapter 3 - Apportionments

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 06/06/06

Section A - Apportionment Process, Last Updated 06/06/06

Section B - Adjusting Apportioned Awards, Last Updated 06/06/06

Section C - Special Issues in Apportionment cases, Last Updated 06/06/06

Chapter 4 - Elections, Waivers, and Recoupments

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 01/12/07

Section A - General Information on Elections, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section B - Recoupment of Readjustment, Separation, and Severance Pay, Last Updated 01/12/07

Section C - Waiver of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits During Reserve Training of Guard Drill, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section D - Federal Employees' Compensation (FEC), Last Updated 08/14/06

Section E - Two Parent Cases, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section F - Miscellaneous Election Issues, Last Updated 08/14/06

 

Chapter 5 - Military retirement Pay

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 11/21/06

Section A - Elections and Waivers in Military Retirement Pay cases, Last Updated 11/21/06

Section B - Preparing and Adjusting Awards in Military Retirement Pay Cases, Last Updated 11/21/06

Section C - Coordinating Military retirement Pay Cases With retired Pay Centers and Service Departments, Last Updated 11/21/06

Section D - Reconciliation of Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of Transportation (DoT) Records, Last Updated 11/21/06

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Chapter 6 - Hospitalization at Department of veterans Affairs (VA) Expense

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 04/10/07

Section A - Information Exchange Between VA Regional Offices (ROs) and Medical Facilities, Last Updated 04/10/07

Section B - Adjustments Under 38 CFR 3.551 and 3.556, Last Updated 04/10/07

Section C - Adjusting Awards Involving Aid & Attendance (A&A) Allowance, Last Updated 04/10/07

Section D - Adjusting Compensating When a Veteran is Hospitalized in Excess of 21 Days, Last Updated 04/10/07

Section E - Institutional Awards Specific to Incompetent Veterans, Last Updated 04/10/07

Section F - Estate limitations, Last Updated 04/10/07

Section G - The Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE) System and Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI), Last Updated 04/10/07

Section H - Exhibits, Last Updated 04/10/07

 

Chapter 7 - Eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical and Dental Treatment

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 04/12/07

Section A - Eligibility for Hospital, Nursing Home, Domiciliary, and Medical Care, Last Updated 04/12/07

Section B - Overview of Classes of Eligibility for Dental treatment, Last Updated 04/12/07

Section C - Processing Dental Claims, Last Updated 04/12/07

 

Chapter 8 - Incarceration

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/14/07

Section A - General Information on the Payment of Benefits During Incarceration, Last Updated 05/14/07

Section B - Apportioning Benefits of an Incarcerated Veteran, Last Updated 05/14/07

Section C - Incarceration of a Dependent, Last Updated 05/14/07

 

Chapter 9 - Authorizing Awards for Incompetency and Fiduciary Cases

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 07/26/07

Section A - General Information on Incompetency and Fiduciary Cases, Last Updated 07/26/07

Section B - Authorizing Awards for Incompentency Cases, Last Updated 07/26/07

Section C - Authorizing Awards for Fiduciary cases, Last Updated 07/26/07

 

 

Changes

03/07/06    05/11/06    06/06/06    08/14/06    11/21/06    01/12/07   

04/10/07    04/12/07    05/14/07    07/26/07

 

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SubptVI - Special Authorization Issues

 

Chapter 1 - Central Office Guidance, Equitable Relief, and Other Requests

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section A - Compensation and Pension (C&P) Service Guidance, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section B - Equitable Relief and Other Request, Last Updated 08/14/06

Chapter 2 - Processing Awards Involving Indebtedness

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section A - Simultaneous Award Adjustments, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section B - Fiscal Authorization (FISA), Last Updated 08/14/06

Section C - Debt Collection, Last Updated 08/14/06

Chapter 3 - Special Act and Foreign Resident Beneficiaries

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section A - Jurisdiction, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section B - Awards in Foreign Resident Beneficiaries, Last Updated 08/14/06

Chapter 4 - Philippine Cases

 

Table of Contents - Table of Contents, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section A - General Information on Philippine Cases, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section B - Eligibility for Benefits, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section C - Development of Philippine Cases, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section D - Awards and Payments, Last Updated 08/14/06

Section E - Unique Circumstances, Last Updated 08/14/06

Chapter 5 - Fraud and Forfeiture

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/10/07

Section A - Fraud, Last Updated 05/10/07

Section B - Forfeiture Discontinuance Provisions, Last Updated 05/10/07

Chapter 6 - Contested Claims

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/10/07

Section A - General Information on Contested Claims, Last Updated 05/10/07

Section B - Contested Claims Development, Last Updated 05/10/07

Section C - Authorization and Notification, Last Updated 05/10/07

Chapter 7 - Certifications for Special Purposes, Last Updated 05/10/07

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/10/07

Chapter 8 - Miscellaneous Authorization Issues, Last Updated 05/10/07

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/10/07

 

Changes

08/14/06   |   05/10/07

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Part 4. Compensation DIC, and Death Compensation benefits

SubptI - Claims Processing Improvement Model

 

 

Chapter 1 - Compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and Death Compensation Overview, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents - Chapter 1, Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Changes

12/13/05

SubptII - Compensation

 

 

Chapter 1 - Development

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section A - Developing for Compensation Claims, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section B - Claims for service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 U.S.C. 1112, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section C - Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting from Ionizing Radiation Exposure Under 38 CFR 3.311, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section D - Claims for service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Last Updated 09/29/06

Section E - Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Associated with Gulf War (GW) Service, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section F - Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting from Exposure to Mustard Gas and Lewisite, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section G - Claims Based on Former Prisoner of war (POW) Status, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section H - Claims for Service Connection for Other Diseases and Disabilities, Last Updated 09/29/06

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Chapter 2 - Rating

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 10/2/07

Section A - Evaluating Compensation Claims, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section B - Determining Service Connection, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting from Exposure to Environmental Hazards, Last Updated 06/20/08

Section D - Service Connection for certain Disabilities Associated with Gulf war (GW) Service, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section E - Service Connection for Disabilities Incurred as a Prisoner of war (POW), Last Updated 12/13/05

Section F - Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability (IU), Last Updated 09/29/06

Section G - Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. 1151, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section H - Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Last Updated 09/29/06

Section I - History of SMC, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section J - Compensation Under 38 CFR 4.28, 38 CFR 4.29, and 38 CFR 4.30, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section K - Other Compensation Considerations, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 3 - Authorization Issues and Claimant Notification

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section A - General Authorization and Claimant Notification Issues, Last Updated 09/29/06

Section B - Failure to report for Review Examination, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Compensation for certain Paired Organs and Extremities Under 38 CFR 3.383, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section D - Disability Compensation Under 38 U.S.C. 1151, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Changes

12/13/05   |   03/07/06   |   03/14/06   |   09/29/06   |   10/02/07   |   06/20/08

 

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SubptIII - Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Death Compensation

 

 

Chapter 1 - Developing Claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Death Compensation,Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 2 - Rating DIC and Death Compensation Claims, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 3 - Authorization and Notification in DIC and Death Compensation Claims

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 07/01/08

Section A - General Authorization and Notification Issues, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Initial Awards to Dependents, Last Updated 07/01/08

Section C - Awards to Survivors Upon the Death of a Dependent of a Deceased Veteran, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section D - DIC in Nonservice-Connected (NSC) Death cases, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section E - DIC to Children Pending Determination of a Surviving Spouse's Entitlement, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section F - Remarriage of a Surviving Spouse, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section G - DIC and Death Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. 1151, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section H - Elections Between DIC and Death Compensation Benefits, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section I - Survivor Benefit Plan, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section J - Awards barred by Receipt of Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Last Updated 12/13/05

Section K - Allowance, Allotments, or Service pay Under 38 U.S.C. 5110(j), Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Changes

12/13/05   |   07/01/08

 

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Part 5. Pension and Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

SubptI - Eligibility and Development

 

 

Chapter 1 Overview of Eligibility and Development Requierments for Pension and Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) - Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 2 - Original Disability Pension Claims,Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 3 - Income and Net Worth Development, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - General Information on Income and Net Worth Development, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Income and Net Worth Development Forms and Acceptable Statements, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section C - Income development, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section D - Reduction of Income Due to Unreimbursed Expenses, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section E - Social Security Number (SSN) Development, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Changes

12/13/05

SubptII - Rating

 

 

Chapter 1 - Live Pension Rating, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section A - Requirements for Live Pension Ratings, Last Updated 12/13/05

Section B - Determining Disability, Unemployability, and Marginal Employment, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 2 - Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 2 - Death Pension Rating, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 3 - Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/13/05

Chapter 3 - Special Monthly Pension (SMP) Ratings, Last Updated 12/13/05

 

Changes

12/13/05

 

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SubptIII - Authorization issues

 

 

Chapter 1 - The Effect of Income and New Worth on Pension and Parents Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section A - General Information on the Effect Income and Net Worth Have on Pension and Parents DIC, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section B - Social security Administration (SSA) Benefits Program, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section C - Section 306 Pension and Old Law Pension, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section D - Parents DIC, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section E - Improved Pension - Basic Rate Determination, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section F - Inproved Pension - Dependents, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section G - Improved Pension - Deductible Expenses, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section H - Improved Pension - Adjustments based on Changes in Status, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section I - Improved Pension - Counting Specigic Types of Income, Last Updated 02/13/07

Section J - Net Worth, Last Updated 02/13/07

Chapter 2 - Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Status Under 38 CFR 3.351

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/14/07

Section A - General Information on Requirements for Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Status Under 38 CFR 3.351,
Last Updated 05/14/07

Section B - A&A Status for Beneficiaries Who Are Patients in a Qualified Nursing Home, Last Updated 05/14/07

Chapter 3 - Pension Reductions for Medicaid-Covered Nursing Facility Care, Last Updated 05/14/06

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/14/07

Chapter 4 - Pension Adjustments in Unusual Situations, Last Updated 05/14/06

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/14/07

Chapter 5 - Elections Between Pension Programs, Last Updated 05/14/06

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/14/07

Chapter 6 - Department of Defense (DoD) Survivor Annuities and Their Relationship to VA Death Pension and Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Last Updated 05/14/06

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 05/14/07

Chapter 7 - Eligibility Verification Reports (EVRs), Last Updated 09/21/06

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 09/21/06

Section A - EVR Selection Procedures, Last Updated 09/21/06

Section B - Initial Stages of EVR Processing, Last Updated 09/21/06

Section C - Second Stage EVR Processing by Veteran's Service Representative (VSRs), Last Updated 09/21/06

Section D - EVR Terminations and Related Issues, Last Updated 09/21/06

Section E - Miscellaneous EVR Issues, Last Updated 09/21/06

 

Changes

09/21/06    02/13/07    05/14/07

 

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SubptIV - Organization of the Pension Maintenance Centers

 

 

Chapter 1 - Organization of the Pension Maintenance Centers (PMCs), Last Updated 5/25/05

Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/22/04

Chapter 2 - Pension Maintenance Center (PMC) Procedures, Last Updated 5/25/05

Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/22/04

Transmittal

 

Changes

05/25/05

 

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Part 6. Chapter 18 Benefits

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 1/29/02

Chapter 1 - Last Updated 11/01/04 - General Chapter 18 Benefits Information

Table of Contents - Last Updated 11/01/04

Chapter 2 - Spina Bifida and Other Covered Birth Defects

Table of Contents, Last Updated 8/14/06

Section A - Process Overview, Last Updated 11/01/04

Section B - Eligibility and Development, Last Updated 8/14/06

Section C - Rating, Last Updated 8/14/06

Section D - Authorization Issues, Last Updated 11/01/04

 

Changes

01/29/02    05/27/05    08/14/06

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Part 7. Burial Benefits

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 1/29/02

Chapter 1 - Burial Benefits and Allowance

Table of Contents, Last Updated 4/26/05

Section A - General Information, Last Updated 4/26/05

Section B - Claimant Eligibility, Last Updated 4/26/05

Section C - Development, Last Updated 4/26/05

Section D - Authorization Payment Issues, Last Updated 8/14/06

Chapter 2 - Service Connected Death Burial Allowance

Table of Contents, Last Updated 4/26/05

Section A - Veteran Eligibility, Last Updated 8/14/06

Section B - Authorization Eligibility Issues, Last Updated 8/14/06

Chapter 3 - Transportation Allowance, Last Updated 8/14/06

Table of Contents, Last Updated 4/26/05

Chapter 4 - Plot Allowance, Last Updated 8/14/06

Table of Contents, Last Updated 8/14/06

Chapter 5 - Memorialization

Section A - Presidential Memorial Certificate, Last Updated 5/11/06

Section B - Flags, Last Updated 5/11/06

Section C - HeadStones and Markers, Last Updated 5/11/06

Chapter 6 - Exhibits, Last Updated 8/14/06

Table of Contents, Last Updated 8/14/06

 

Changes

4/26/05    4/28/06    5/11/06    8/14/06

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Part 8. Accrued Benefits

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 11/26/02

Chapter 1 - Eligibility

Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/01/06

Chapter 2 - Development

Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/01/06

Chapter 3 - Rating

Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/01/06

Chapter 4 - Authorization and Notification, Last Updated 3/01/06

Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/01/06

 

Change

03/01/06

 

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Part 9. Ancillary and Special Benefits

 

SubpartI Ancillary Benefits:

Chapter 1 - Vocational Rehabilitation, Last Updated 4/19/05

Chapter 2 - Automobile and Adaptive Equipment Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 39, Last Updated 4/19/05

Chapter 3 - Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grants, Last Updated 11/21/06

Table of Contents , Last Updated 11/21/06

Chapter 4 - Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), Last Updated 11/21/06

Table of Contents , Last Updated 11/16/04

Chapter 5 - Loan Guaranty Benefits

Table of Contents , Last Updated 11/21/06

Section A - General Information on Loan Guaranty Benefits, Last Updated 11/21/06

Section B - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Pension-Related Home Loans, Last Updated 11/16/04

Chapter 6 - Restored Entitlement Program For Survivors (REPS)

Table of Contents , Last Updated 12/06/04

Section A - General Information on REPS Benefits, Last Updated 12/06/04

Section B - Regional Office (RO) of Jurisdiction Action for REPS Benefits, Last Updated 4/19/05

Section C - General Information, Last Updated 11/21/06

Section D - REPS Master Record Inquiry, Last Updated 12/06/04

Chapter 7 - Clothing Allowance, Last Updated 4/19/05

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SubpartII Special Benefits:

Chapter 1 - Special Allowance Under 38 U.S.C. 1312 (a) and Medal of Honor Pension

Table of Contents , Last Updated 4/19/05

Section A - General Information, Last Updated 4/19/05

Section B - Eligibility, Last Updated 4/19/05

Section C - Development, Last Updated 4/19/05

Section D - Authorization and Notification, Last Updated 4/19/05

Section E - Medal of Honor, Last Updated 11/10/05

Chapter 2 - Ratings for Special Purpose, Last Updated 11/21/06

Table of Contents , Last Updated 11/21/06

Changes

11/16/04    12/06/04    4/19/05    06/02/05     11/10/05     11/21/06

 

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Part 10. Matching Programs

 

Chapter 1 - General Information on Matching Programs, Last Updated 4/5/05

Chapter 2 - Social Security (SS) Verification Match, Last Updated 8/10/05

Chapter 3 - Civil Service Verification Project, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 8/10/05

Chapter 3

Chapter 4 - Railroad Retirement (RR) Verification Report, Last Updated 8/10/05

Chapter 5 - Social Security (SS) Death Match, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/07/07

Chapter 5

Chapter 6- Semiannual Review of Potential Duplicate Payment Cases, Last Updated 2/07/07

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/07/07

Chapter 6

Chapter 7 - Total Disability Income Provision (TDIP) Review, Last Updated 7/23/04

Chapter 8 - Social Security Number (SSN) Verification, Last Updated 4/5/05

Chapter 9 - Income Verification Match (IVM): Basic Components, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/05/08

Chapter 9

Chapter 10 - Income Verification Match (IVM): Further Development, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/05/08

Chapter 10

Chapter 11 - Veterans on Active Duty in Receipt of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/07/07

Chapter 11

Chapter 12 - Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Match, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/07/07

Chapter 12

Chapter 13 - Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS), Master Record, and date of Death Reconciliation Project, Last Updated 4/5/05

Chapter 14 - 100 Year Old Review, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/05/08

Chapter 14

Chapter 15 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Prision Match, Last Updated 2/05/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/05/08

Chapter 15

Chapter 16 - Fugitive Felon Match, Last Updated 2/5/08

Table of Contents , Last Updated 3/20/07

Chapter 16

 

Changes

8/10/05    2/07/07    3/20/07    2/05/08

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Part 11. Fiduciary Program

 

Chapter 1 - Overview of the Fiduciary Program

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section A - Overview of the Fiduciary Program, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section B - Job Functions and Responsibilities, Last Updated 7/13/05

Chapter 2 - Field Examinations

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section A - Field Examinations Process, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section B - Field Examination Requests and Reports, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section C - Issues of Competency and Legal Disability, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section D - Guidelines for Conducting and Reporting Field Examinations for Adults, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section E - Determining Payees and Follow-up Actions for Adult Beneficiaries, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section F - Special Issues Relating to Field Examinations for Adults, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section G - Guidelines for Conducting and reporting Field Examinations for Minors, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section H - Determining Payees and Follow-up Actions for Minor Beneficiaries, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section I - Special Issues Relating to Field Examinations for Minors, Last Updated 7/13/05

Chapter 3 - Account Audits

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section A - Overview of the Accounting Analysis Process, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section B - General Guidelines for Protecting Beneficiary Funds, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section C - Requiring and Securing Accountings, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section D - Accounting Analysis, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section E - Bonds and Withdrawl Agreements, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section F - Accounting Approval, Last Updated 7/13/05

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Chapter 4 - Estate Administration and Supervision

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section A - Folder Management, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section B - Administrative Record Keeping and Control Responsibilies, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section C - Estate Administration Responsibilities, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section D - Issues regarding Beneficiary Funds, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section E - Closing Principal Guardianship Folders (PFGs), Last Updated 7/13/05

Chapter 5 - Misuse, Negligence, and Reissuance of Benefit Payments

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section A - Misuse, Negligence, and Reissuance Issues, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section B - Misuse Allegations, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section C - Misuse Investigations, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section D - Misuse determinations and Reconsiderations, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section E - Reissuance of Benefits and Negligence Determinations, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section F - Referrals to the Office of Inspector General, Last Updated 7/13/05

Chapter 6 - Onsite Reviews

 

Table of Contents, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section A - Onsite Reviews - General, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section B - Onsite Review Protocol, Last Updated 7/13/05

Section C - Onsite Review Findings Report, Last Updated 7/13/05

 

Changes

07/13/05

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