M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 3, Section E – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Facilities Liaison

Introduction

• personnel who are designated as Medical Examination Coordinators
• responsibilities of the Medical Examination Coordinators
• scheduling joint conferences between Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• purpose of joint conferences
• topics that should be discussed at joint conferences
• who maintains the minutes of joint conferences, and
• role of Quality Review Specialists.

Change Date

III.iv.3.E.1.a.  Personnel Designated as Medical Examination Coordinators

• the Veterans Service Center Manager (VSCM) or the appropriate designee, at each regional office (RO), and
• an employee at each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center.

III.iv.3.E.1.b.  Responsibilities of the Medical Examination Coordinators

• examinations meet quality and timeliness standards, and
• appropriate action is taken to correct any deficiencies.

III.iv.3.E.1.c.  Scheduling Joint Conferences Between VBA and VHA

III.iv.3.E.1.d.  Purpose of Joint Conferences

III.iv.3.E.1.e.  Topics That Should Be Discussed at Joint Conferences

• sufficiency of Disability Benefits Questionnaires and Compensation and Pension examination requests for rating purposes
• adequacy of medical opinions and requests for medical opinions
• timeliness of examination reports
• administrative procedures to include access to appropriate personnel to clarify exam requests from ROs and examination reports from the medical facility
• sufficiency of the Acceptable Clinical Evidence process
• logistical concerns for co-located VHA and/or VBA personnel at facilities, and
• other issues of mutual interest to both VBA and VHA employees.

III.iv.3.E.1.f.  Who Maintains Minutes of the Joint Conferences

III.iv.3.E.1.g. Role of Quality Review Specialists