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)
View All 16
Subpart ii Initial Screening and Determining Veteran Status
View All 43
Subpart iii General Development and Dependency Issues
View All 37
Subpart iv General Rating Process
View All 39
Subpart v General Authorization Issues and Claimant Notification
View All 41
Subpart vi Special Authorization Issues
View All 19
- 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- M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 5- Rescinded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