Overview
In This Section |
This section contains the following topics:
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1. MRP Coordinator
Introduction |
This topic contains information on the MRP coordinator, including information on
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Change Date |
March 12, 2018
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III.v.5.C.1.a. Appointing an MRP Coordinator |
Regional offices (ROs) should appoint someone to act as Military Retired Pay (MRP) Coordinator and serve as the authorization activity’s single point of contact (POC) for telephone inquiries to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Notes:
Reference: For more information on retired pay centers (RPCs), see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.C.2.f.
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2. Obtaining MRP Information from DFAS
Introduction |
This topic contains information on obtaining retired pay information from DFAS, including
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Change Date |
April 28, 2017
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III.v.5.C.2.a.Using VIS as a Source for MRP Information |
Use the Veterans Information Solution (VIS) to obtain information about a Veteran’s MRP. This information is located in the RETIRED PAY INFORMATION section on the DFAS PAYMENTS tab in VIS.
Document the information obtained from VIS by
Reference: For more information about accessing and using VIS, see the VIP VIS – Veterans Information Portal (VIP) VIS Access Procedure and User Guide.
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III.v.5.C.2.c. Documenting Contact With DFAS |
For each attempt made to secure information from DFAS by telephone, RO personnel must prepare a VA Form 27-0820, Report of General Information, listing the
Note: For security purposes, in order to confirm the identity of the caller, DFAS personnel may, at times, choose to return a call rather than answer questions directly.
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III.v.5.C.2.e. POC for SBP Entitlement Problems |
RO personnel should contact their local finance activity’s SBP Issues POC if they encounter unresolvable SBP entitlement issues.
Reference: For a list of SBP Issues POCs by RO, see the VBA Field Station Points of Contact webpage.
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3. Exchange of Information Between VA and the RPCs
Introduction |
This topic contains information on the exchange of information between VA and the RPCs, including
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Change Date |
March 12, 2018
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III.v.5.C.3.a. Automatic Transmission of VA Award-Adjustment Data to RPCs |
Whenever an RO adjusts an award, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) computer systems automatically transmit data regarding the award adjustment to the appropriate RPC, regardless of the number of prior periods on the award.
Reference: For more information on identifying an award requiring a waiver of MRP, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.B.1.a.
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III.v.5.C.3.b. How RPCs Notify ROs of Necessary Award Adjustments |
RPCs use letters and forms to advise ROs of any necessary award adjustments.
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4. Handling Legislative Increases in Compensation
Introduction |
This topic contains information on handling legislative increases in compensation, including
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Change Date |
February 27, 2019
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III.v.5.C.4.a. Service Department Responsibility With Regard to a Legislative Increase in Compensation |
Service departments
Note: This restriction applies to traditional payments of MRP. Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) and Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) are paid under separate laws.
References: For additional information about
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III.v.5.C.4.b. How RPCs Are Notified of Award Adjustments Necessitated by a Legislative Increase in Compensation |
Most award adjustments that are necessitated by a legislative increase in VA benefits occur automatically. When such adjustments occur, VA’s computer systems transmit data concerning the adjustment to the appropriate RPC.
Upon receipt of the data, RPCs update their records and make any adjustments to MRP that are necessitated by the increase in VA benefits.
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III.v.5.C.4.c. Determining Who Has Responsibility for Recouping an Overpayment Resulting From a Legislative Increase |
To avoid overpayments by either a service department or VA, ROs must make every effort to process work item 850A, Legislative Adjustment Required, when it appears in their inventory.
Use the table below to determine who is responsible for recouping an overpayment resulting from a legislative increase.
Note: An Office of General Counsel (OGC) memorandum for file, dated September 18, 1972, determined that 38 U.S.C. 3104(a) (now 38 U.S.C. 5304(a)), prohibiting concurrent payment of VA benefits and MRP, does not preclude the application of 38 U.S.C. 3012(b)(10) (now 38 U.S.C. 5112(b)(10)), which permits a reduction of VA benefits effective the first of the month following the month for which VA last paid the Veteran if the previous payment was solely VA error. That OGC memorandum was found to be consistent with the decision in VAOPGCPREC 2-1990.
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III.v.5.C.4.d. Handling Cases that Appear on the NRPS VA Legislative Increase Nonreceipt Report |
Forty-five days after automatic award adjustments to reflect a legislative increase in VA benefits should have taken place, RPCs generate an NRPS VA Legislative Increase Nonreceipt Report.
Upon receipt of an NRPS VA Legislative Increase Nonreceipt Report,
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III.v.5.C.4.e.Actions to Take When VA Has Awarded Compensation Without Obtaining a Waiver |
Occasionally, review of the NRPS VA Legislative Increase Nonreceipt Reportreferenced in M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.C.4.d, will reveal a case in which VA awarded compensation to a Veteran without first obtaining a waiver from him/her. When this occurs,
Upon receipt of the signed VA Form 21-651 or expiration of the 65-day response period,
Important:
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III.v.5.C.4.f. Determining the Effective Date for an Award Adjustment That Is Necessitated by a Legislative Increase in Compensation |
Use the table below to determine the effective date for an award adjustment that is necessitated by a legislative increase in benefits.
Examples: The retired pay cutoff date for February 2014, as shown onCompensation Service’s online calendar, was February 12, 2014. (Compensation Service added cutoff times to the calendar starting March 2016.)
Reference: M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.B.2.b contains instructions for determining the cutoff date/time for authorizing awards affected by a Veteran’s receipt of MRP.
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5. Handling Errors and Discrepancies Involving the Payment of VA Benefits to Veterans That Are Eligible for MRP
Introduction |
This topic contains instructions for handling errors and discrepancies involving the payment of VA benefits to Veterans that are eligible for MRP, including
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Change Date |
March 12, 2018
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III.v.5.C.5.a. How RPCs Handle a VA Error in the Assignment of an Effective Date |
If an RPC identifies a VA award action with an effective date of payment or increase other than the date authorized under M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.B.2, the RPC
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III.v.5.C.5.b. Actions to Take Upon Receipt of Notice From an RPC of a VA Error in the Assignment of an Effective Date |
SOOs must take the actions described in the table below upon receipt of the notice from an RPC that is referenced in M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.C.5.a.
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III.v.5.C.5.c. RO Action Upon Discovery of an Error in the Assignment of an Effective Date |
If an RO discovers an award action with an effective date of payment or increase other than the date authorized under M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.B.2, the RO must follow the instructions in M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 5.C.5.b.
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3-12-18_Key-Changes_M21-1III_v_5_SecC.docx | May 16, 2019 | 67 KB |
Historical_M21-1III_v_5_SecC_11-30-16.doc | May 16, 2019 | 166 KB |
Historical_M21-1III_v_5_SecC_11-30-16-1.doc | May 16, 2019 | 166 KB |
Historical_M21-1III_v_5_SecC_11-20-15.doc | May 16, 2019 | 150 KB |
2-27-19_Key-Changes_M21-1III_v_5_SecC.docx | May 16, 2019 | 51 KB |
Change-April-28-2015-Transmittal-Sheet-M21-1III_v_5_SecC_TS.docx | May 16, 2019 | 44 KB |
11-20-15_Key-Changes_M21-1III_v_5_SecC.docx | May 16, 2019 | 60 KB |
Transmittal-Sheet-M21-1MRIII_v_5_SecC_TS.docx | May 16, 2019 | 39 KB |
in Chapter 5 Military Retirement Pay, Part III General Claims Process, Subpart v General Authorization Issues and Claimant Notification
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