Part III General Claims Process
- M21-1
- Part III General Claims Process
Subpart i Overview of Claims Processing and Structure of the Veterans Service Center (VSC)
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Subpart ii Initial Screening and Determining Veteran Status
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Subpart iii General Development and Dependency Issues
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Subpart iv General Rating Process
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Subpart v General Authorization Issues and Claimant Notification
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Subpart vi Special Authorization Issues
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- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 1 – Structure of the Veterans Service Center (VSC)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section A – General Information on Pre-Discharge Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section A – General Information About the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 4, Section A – The Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) Direct Connect (VDC) Program and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Claims-Submission Service Websites
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 5- Rescinded
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section A – Process Overview
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section A – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefit Programs
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section A – Assignment of Claims Folder Numbers
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section A – Paper Claims Folders Storage and Control
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section A – Jurisdiction Over Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 6, Section A – Establishing Veteran Status
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 7 – Referrals to the Rating Activity
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 8, Section A – General Policies for Veteran First Notice of Death (FNOD) Processing
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section A – General Considerations Regarding the Development Process
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section A – General Information on Service Records
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 3, Section A – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Requests for Information From the Social Security Administration (SSA)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 4 – Information Requests to or From Other Federal and State Agencies
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section A – General Information on Relationship and Dependency
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 6, Section A – Notification of Potential Entitlement and School Attendance Policies
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 7 – A Child’s Permanent Incapacity for Self-Support
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 8 – Evidence Required to Change or Correct Existing Vital Information About a Beneficiary
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 1 – General Information on the Rating Activity
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 2, Section A – Pre-Rating Review of Claims by the Rating Activity
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 3, Section A – Examination Requests Overview
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section A – Musculoskeletal Conditions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 5, Section A – Principles of Reviewing Evidence and Decision Making
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 6, Section A – Partial Rating Decisions and Deferred Issues
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 7, Section A – Finalizing the Rating Decision
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 8, Section A – Evaluating Competency
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section A – General Information
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 2, Section A – Decision Authorization
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 3, Section A – Apportionment Process
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 4, Section A – General Information on Elections
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 5, Section A – Elections and Waivers in Military Retired Pay (MRP) Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 6, Section A – Information Exchange Between Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Offices (ROs) and Medical Facilities
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 7, Section A – Eligibility for Hospital, Nursing Home, Domiciliary, and Medical Care
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 8, Section A – Effects of a Beneficiary’s Incarceration on His or Her Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 9, Section A – General Information on Incompetency and Fiduciary Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 10, Section A – 800 Series Work Items and Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) Adjustments
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 1, Section A – Compensation Service and Pension and Fiduciary (P&F) Service Guidance
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 2, Section A – Simultaneous Award Adjustments
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 3, Section A – Jurisdiction
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 4, Section A – General Information on Philippine Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 5, Section A – Fraud
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 6, Section A – General Information on Contested Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 7 – Certifications for Special Purposes
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 8 – Miscellaneous Authorization Issues
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section B – Division of Responsibilities for Processing Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) and BDD-Excluded Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section C – Ancillary Benefits and Other Issues Involving Pre-Discharge Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section D – Overview of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) and Initial Claims Development
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section E – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Responsibilities Based on Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) Outcomes
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section F – Special Situations Related to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section B – Processing Fully Developed Claims (FDCs)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section C – General Information About the Decision Ready Claim (DRC) Initiative
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section D – Processing Decision Ready Claims (DRCs)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 4, Section B – The Stakeholder Enterprise Portal (SEP) Role in the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) Direct Connect (VDC) Process
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 4, Section C – Overview of Veterans Online Application (VONAPP) Direct Connect (VDC) Rating Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 4, Section D – Claims to Add a Dependent That Are Filed Through eBenefits or Processed by a Contractor
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section B – Mail Management
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section C – Initial Screening Policies
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section D – Claims That Require Priority Processing
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section E – Centralized Mail (CM) Intake
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section F – Veterans Claims Intake Program (VCIP) Shipping
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section B – Claims for Disability Compensation and-or Pension, and Claims for Survivors Benefits
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section C – Informal Claims Received Prior to March 24, 2015, Communication of an Intent to File (ITF), and Requests for Application
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section D – Supplemental Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section E – Claims for Increase
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section G – Withdrawal of Initial Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 2, Section H – Renouncements
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section B – Paper and Electronic Claims Folders (eFolders)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section C – System Updates
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section D – Claims Establishment
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section E – Establishing an Appellate Record
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 3, Section F – Handling and Routing of Waiver Requests and Survivor Benefit Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 3, Section B – Scheduling Examinations
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 3, Section C – Control of Examinations
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 3, Section D – Examination Reports
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 3, Section E – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Facilities Liaison
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 3, Section F – Examinations in Special Situations
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section B – Musculoskeletal Diseases and Muscle Injuries
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section C – Conditions of the Eyes
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section D – Conditions of the Auditory System
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section E – Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section F – Respiratory Conditions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section G – Cardiovascular System Conditions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section H – Digestive Conditions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section I – Genitourinary Disabilities
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section J – Disabilities of the Gynecological System and Breast
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section K- Hematologic and Lymphatic Systems
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section L- Skin Conditions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section M – Endocrine Conditions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section N – Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 4, Section O – Mental Disorders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 5, Section B – Principles of Disability Evaluation
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 5, Section C – Effective Dates
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 6, Section B – Determining the Issues
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 6, Section C – Completing the Rating Decision Narrative
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 6, Section D – Codesheet Section
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 6, Section E – Coded Conclusion
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 7, Section B – Reviewing the Rating Decision
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 8, Section B – Proposed Rating Decisions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 8, Section C – Protected Ratings
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 8, Section D – Reductions in Awards
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 8, Section E – Other Due Process Concerns
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section B – Statutory Bars to Benefits and Character of Discharge (COD)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section C – Former Prisoner of War (FPOW) Status
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section D – Willful Misconduct and Line of Duty (LOD)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section E – Determinations of Insanity
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section F – Considering Eligibility When Homicide Is Involved
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section G – Presumption of Death
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section H – Finding of the Fact and Date of Death
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 2, Section B – Decision Notices
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 3, Section B – Adjusting Apportioned Awards
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 3, Section C – Special Issues in Apportionment Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 3, Section D – Garnishment of Disability Compensation in Lieu of Military Retired Pay (MRP) to Pay Alimony or Child Support
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 4, Section B – Recoupment of Separation Benefits
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 4, Section C – Adjusting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits Based on a Veteran’s Receipt of Active Service Pay
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 4, Section D – Federal Employees’ Compensation (FEC)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 4, Section E – Children With Two Veteran-Parents
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 4, Section F – Miscellaneous Election Issues
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 5, Section B – Preparing and Adjusting Awards in Military Retired Pay (MRP) Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 5, Section C – Coordinating Military Retired Pay (MRP) Cases With Retired Pay Centers and Service Departments
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 5, Section D – Reconciliation of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of Transportation (DoT) Records
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 6, Section B – Adjustments Under 38 CFR 3.551 and 3.556
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 6, Section C – Adjusting Awards Involving an Aid and Attendance (A&A) Allowance
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 6, Section D – Adjusting Compensation When a Veteran Is Hospitalized in Excess of 21 Days
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 6, Section E – Institutional Awards Specific to Incompetent Veterans
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 9, Section C – Authorizing Awards for Fiduciary Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 1, Section B – Equitable Relief and Other Requests
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 2, Section B – Fiscal Authorization (FISA)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 2, Section C – Debt Collection
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 3, Section B – Awards to Foreign Resident Beneficiaries
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 4, Section B – Eligibility for Benefits
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 4, Section C – Development of Philippine Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 4, Section D – Awards and Payments for Benefits Due to Philippine Service
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 5, Section B – Forfeiture Discontinuance Provisions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 6, Section B – Contested Claims Development
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 6, Section C – Authorizing and Notifying Claimants of a Decision on a Contested Claim
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section B – Handling Mail
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 6, Section F – Estate Limitations
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 7, Section B – Overview of Classes of Eligibility for Dental Treatment
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 7, Section C – Processing Dental Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 8, Section B – Paying Benefits to the Dependent(s) of an Incarcerated Veteran
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 8, Section C – Incarceration of Dependents and Certain Survivors
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 9, Section B – Processing Awards to Incompetent Beneficiaries
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section C – Processing Requests for the Delivery of Paper Claims Folders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section D – Lost Paper Claims Folders, Reconciliation of Duplicate Records in the Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS), and Misplaced Claims Documents
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section E – Consolidation of Duplicate Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Records and Corporate Records
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section F – Segregated Folders and Deceased Veterans’ Claims Folders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section G – Folder Maintenance
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section I – Folders Meeting the Criteria for Review by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 4, Section J – Exhibits
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section B – Jurisdiction Over Deceased Veterans’ Claims Folders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section C – Jurisdiction Over Education and Rehabilitation Claims
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section D – Permanent Transfer of Claims Folders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section E – Permanent Transfer-Out or Transfer-In of Paper Claims Folders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section F – Temporary Transfer of Claims Folders
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section G – Transferring Electronic Claims and Electronic Claims Folders (eFolders)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 5, Section H – Transfer of Paper Claims Folders Subject to Review by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 6, Section B – Service Requirements and Verification of Eligibility
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 8, Section B – System Information for Veteran Notice of Death (NOD) and Month of Death (MOD) Processing
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 8, Section C – Interaction with the Records Management Center (RMC) Related to Notice of Death (NOD) Processing
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, Chapter 8, Section D – Errors During Notice of Death (NOD) Processing
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section B – Evidence Requested From the Claimant
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section C – Requesting Evidence From Federal Record Custodians
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section D – Requesting Evidence From Private Healthcare Providers (PHPs)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section E – Resources for Claims and Evidence Involving Foreign Residency
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section F – Record Maintenance During the Development Process
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B – Migration of Service Records and the Procedures for Obtaining Them
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section C – Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS), Records Management Center (RMC), and the Service Treatment Record (STR) Folder
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section D – Requesting Information and Records Through the Personnel Information Exchange System (PIES)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section E – Unique Claims and Situations That Require Special Handling
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section F – Merchant Marine Service Records
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section G – Former Prisoner of War (FPOW) Service Records
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section H – Record Exchanges Between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Service Departments
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section I – Control and Follow-Up of Requests for Service Records
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section J – Service Department Organizational Structures and Service Record Address Codes
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section K – Other Contact and Reference Information
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 3, Section B – Social Security Administration (SSA) Requests for Information From Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section C – Establishing Common Law Marriages
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section B – Establishing the Validity of a Marriage for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Purposes
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section D – Establishing Other Types of Marriages
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section E – Establishing Marital Relationship in Survivors Cases
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section F – Establishing a Child’s Age and Relationship
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section G – Establishing a Biological Child, Adopted Child, or Stepchild as a Veteran’s Child for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Purposes
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section H – Marriage of a Child
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section I – Establishing Parental Relationship
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section J – Establishing Parental Dependency
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section K – Verification of Marital Status and the Status of Dependents
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 5, Section L – Adjusting Awards for Dependents
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 6, Section B – Awards and Adjustments Based Upon School Attendance
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 6, Section C – Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, Chapter 2, Section B – Revision of Decisions
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 1, Section I – Correcting the Erroneous Payment of Benefits to a Beneficiary
- M21-1, Part III, Subpart vi, Chapter 4, Section E – Unique Circumstances
