| Web Automated Reference Materials System (WARMS) M21-1MR Part 1 - Duty to Assist Part 2 - Direct Services Part 3 - General Claims Process Subparti - Claims Processing Improvement Model Subpartii - Initial Screening and Determining Veterans Status Subpartiii - General Development and Dependency Issues Subpartiv - General Rating Process Subpartv - General Authorization Issues and Claimant Notifications Subpartvi - Special Authorization Issues 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1. Duty to Assist Back to Top Table of ContentsLast 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 05/6/05 08/19/05 06/19/06 02/16/07 04/25/07 06/20/08 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 2. Direct Services Chapter 1 - General Information on the Direct Services Program- Last Updated 12/19/08 Table of Contents - Last Updated 12/19/08 Chapter 2 - Customer Service - Last Updated 12/19/08 Table of Contents, Last Updated 12/19/08 Chapter 4 - Personal Interviews- Last Updated 12/17/08 Table of Contents - Last Updated 12/17/08 Chapter 8 - Reference Information - Last Updated 12/17/08 Table of Contents - Last Updated 12/17/08 Changes 12/17/08 12/19/08 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 - Responsibilities of Regional Offices (ROs) and Benefits Delivery at Discharge, Last Updated 11/6/07 Section C - Ancillary Claims and Miscellaneous Pre-Discharge Issues, Last Updated 11/6/07 Transmittal Changes 10/24/05 11/6/07 SubptII - Initial Screening and Determining Veterans Status Chapter 1 - Initial Screening Process, Last Updated 9/5/05 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 Back to Top Chapter 2 - Benefit Programs and Types of Claims, Last Updated 10/5/05 Table of ContentsLast 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 Back to Top 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 09/5/05 10/5/05 10/24/05 05/11/06 06/3/08 SubptIII - General Development and Dependency Issues Chapter 1 - Rules and Process, Last Updated 12/13/05 Table of Contents,Last Updated 12/13/05 Section A - Initial Considerations Regarding the Development Process, Last Updated 9/25/08 Section B - Evidence Requested from the Claimant, Last Updated 9/25/08 Section C - Requesting Evidence from Other Sources, Last Updated 9/25/08 Chapter 2 - Developing for service records, Last Updated 12/13/05 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 Back to Top 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 - 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 - Last Updated 12/13/05 Chapter 5 - Relationship and Dependency, Last Updated 08/14/06 Table of Contents - Last Updated 8/14/06 Section A - General Information on Relationship and Dependency, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section B - General Information on Establishing Marital Relationship, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section C - Establishing Common Law Marriages, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section D - Establishing Other Types of Marriages, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section E - Establishing Marital Relationship in Death Cases, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section F - Establishing Child relationship, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section G - Establishing relationship for a Biological Child, Adopted Child, and Stepchild, Last Updated 9/25/08 Section H - Marriage of a Child, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section I - Establishing Parental Relationship, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section J - Establishing Parental Dependency, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section K - Verification of Dependent Status, Last Updated 8/14/06 Chapter 6 - School Attendance, Last Updated 11/26/07 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 9/25/08 Table of Contents - Last Updated 08/13/07 Changes 12/13/05 8/14/06 8/13/07 11/26/07 9/25/08 Back to Top SubptIV - General Rating Process Chapter 1 - - General Information on the rating Activity,Last Updated 12/13/05 Table of Contents - Last Updated 12/13/05 Chapter 2 - Reviewing Claims, Last Updated 12/13/05 Table of Contents - Last Updated 12/29/07 Section A - Preliminary Review of Claims, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section B - Reviewing for new and material Evidence, Last Updated 12/29/07 Chapter 3 - Examinations, Last Updated 12/13/05 Table of Contents - Last Updated 12/29/07 Section A - Examination Request, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section B - Scheduling Examinations, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section C - Control of Examinations, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section D - Examination Reports, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section E - VA Medical Facilities, Last Updated 12/29/07 Chapter 4 - Rating Specific Disabilities, Last Updated 12/13/05 Table of Contents - Last Updated 12/29/07 Section A - Musculoskeletal Conditions, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section B - Conditions of the Organs of Special Sense, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section C - Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies, Last Updated 12/13/05 Section D - Respiratory Conditions, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section E - Cardiovascular System Conditions, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section F - Endocrine Conditions, Last Updated 12/29/07 Section G - Neurological Conditionals and Convulsive Disorders, Last Updated 12/13/05 Section H - Mental Disorders, Last Updated 12/29/07 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 - Last Updated 12/13/05 Back to Top Chapter 6 - The Rating Decision, Last Updated 12/13/05 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 8/1/06 Section C - Documenting the Decision, Last Updated 8/1/06 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 - 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 - 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 12/29/07 Changes 12/13/05 08/1/06 06/20/08 12/29/07 SubptV - General Authorization Issues and Claimant Notifications Chapter 1 - Administration Decisions Table of Contents - Last Updated 3/7/06 Section A - General Information, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section B - Statutory Bar to Benefits and Character of Discharge, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section C - Former Prisioner of War (POW) Status, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section D - Willful Misconduct and Line of Duty, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section E - Insanity, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section F - Homicide, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section G - Presumption of Death, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section H - Finding of Fact and Date of Death, Last Updated 3/7/06 Section I - Reversal of Prior Determinations and Administrative Errors, Last Updated 3/7/06 Back to Top Chapter 2 - Decision Authorization and Notification Table of Contents Last Updated 11/13/08 Section A - Decision Authorization, Last Updated 11/13/08 Section B - Award and Denial Notification, Last Updated 5/11/06 Chapter 3 - Apportionments Table of Contents - Last Updated 6/6/06 Section A - Apportionment Process, Last Updated 6/6/06 Section B - Adjusting Apportioned Awards, Last Updated 6/6/06 Section C - Special Issues in Apportionment cases, Last Updated 6/6/06 Chapter 4 - Elections, Waivers, and Recoupments Table of Contents Last Updated 1/12/07 Section A - General Information on Elections, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section B - Recoupment of Readjustment, Separation, and Severance Pay, Last Updated 1/12/07 Section C - Waiver of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits During Reserve Training of Guard Drill, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section D - Federal Employees' Compensation (FEC), Last Updated 8/14/06 Section E - Two Parent Cases, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section F - Miscellaneous Election Issues, Last Updated 8/14/06 Chapter 5 - Military retirement Pay 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 Back to Top Chapter 6 - Hospitalization at Department of veterans Affairs (VA) Expense Table of Contents - Last Updated 4/10/07 Section A - Information Exchange Between VA Regional Offices (ROs) and Medical Facilities, Last Updated 4/10/07 Section B - Adjustments Under 38 CFR 3.551 and 3.556, Last Updated 4/10/07 Section C - Adjusting Awards Involving Aid & Attendance (A&A) Allowance, Last Updated 4/10/07 Section D - Adjusting Compensating When a Veteran is Hospitalized in Excess of 21 Days, Last Updated 4/10/07 Section E - Institutional Awards Specific to Incompetent Veterans, Last Updated 4/10/07 Section F - Estate limitations, Last Updated 4/10/07 Section G - The Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE) System and Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI), Last Updated 4/10/07 Section H - Exhibits, Last Updated 4/10/07 Chapter 7 - Eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical and Dental Treatment Table of Contents - Last Updated 4/12/07 Section A - Eligibility for Hospital, Nursing Home, Domiciliary, and Medical Care, Last Updated 4/12/07 Section B - Overview of Classes of Eligibility for Dental treatment, Last Updated 4/12/07 Section C - Processing Dental Claims, Last Updated 4/12/07 Chapter 8 - Incarceration Table of Contents - Last Updated 5/14/07 Section A - General Information on the Payment of Benefits During Incarceration, Last Updated 5/14/07 Section B - Apportioning Benefits of an Incarcerated Veteran, Last Updated 5/14/07 Section C - Incarceration of a Dependent, Last Updated 5/14/07 Chapter 9 - Authorizing Awards for Incompetency and Fiduciary Cases Table of Contents - Last Updated 7/26/07 Section A - General Information on Incompetency and Fiduciary Cases, Last Updated 7/26/07 Section B - Authorizing Awards for Incompentency Cases, Last Updated 7/26/07 Section C - Authorizing Awards for Fiduciary cases, Last Updated 7/26/07 Changes 3/7/06 5/11/06 6/6/06 8/14/06 11/21/06 1/12/07 4/10/07 4/12/07 5/14/07 7/26/07 11/13/08 Back to Top SubptVI - Special Authorization Issues Chapter 1 - Central Office Guidance, Equitable Relief, and Other Requests Table of Contents - Last Updated 8/14/06 Section A - Compensation and Pension (C&P) Service Guidance, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section B - Equitable Relief and Other Request, Last Updated 8/14/06 Chapter 2 - Processing Awards Involving Indebtedness Table of Contents - Last Updated 8/14/06 Section A - Simultaneous Award Adjustments, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section B - Fiscal Authorization (FISA), Last Updated 8/14/06 Section C - Debt Collection, Last Updated 8/14/06 Chapter 3 - Special Act and Foreign Resident Beneficiaries Table of Contents - Last Updated 8/14/06 Section A - Jurisdiction, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section B - Awards in Foreign Resident Beneficiaries, Last Updated 8/14/06 Chapter 4 - Philippine Cases Table of Contents - Last Updated 8/14/06 Section A - General Information on Philippine Cases, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section B - Eligibility for Benefits, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section C - Development of Philippine Cases, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section D - Awards and Payments, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section E - Unique Circumstances, Last Updated 8/14/06 Chapter 5 - Fraud and Forfeiture Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/10/07 Section A - Fraud, Last Updated 5/10/07 Section B - Forfeiture Discontinuance Provisions, Last Updated 5/10/07 Chapter 6 - Contested Claims Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/10/07 Section A - General Information on Contested Claims, Last Updated 5/10/07 Section B - Contested Claims Development, Last Updated 5/10/07 Section C - Authorization and Notification, Last Updated 5/10/07 Chapter 7 - Certifications for Special Purposes, Last Updated 5/10/07 Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/10/07 Chapter 8 - Miscellaneous Authorization Issues, Last Updated 5/10/07 Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/10/07 Changes 08/14/06 05/10/07 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 9/5/08 Section A - Developing for Compensation Claims, Last Updated 9/5/08 Section B - Claims for service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 U.S.C. 1112, Last Updated 9/5/08 Section C - Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting from Ionizing Radiation Exposure Under 38 CFR 3.311, Last Updated 9/5/08 Section D - Claims for service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Last Updated 9/5/08 Section E - Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Associated with Gulf War (GW) Service, Last Updated 9/29/06 Section F - Claims for Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting from Exposure to Mustard Gas and Lewisite, Last Updated 9/29/06 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 9/5/08 Back to Top Chapter 2 - Rating Table of Contents, Last Updated 9/5/08 Section A - Evaluating Compensation Claims, Last Updated 9/5/08 Section B - Determining Service Connection, Last Updated 9/5/08 Section C - Service Connection for Disabilities Resulting from Exposure to Environmental Hazards, Last Updated 6/20/08 Section D - Service Connection for certain Disabilities Associated with Gulf war (GW) Service, Last Updated 9/5/08 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 9/5/08 Section G - Benefits Under 38 U.S.C. 1151, Last Updated 9/5/08 Section H - Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Last Updated 9/5/08 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 9/5/08 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 9/29/06 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 9/5/08 Changes 12/13/05 | 3/7/06 | 3/14/06 | 9/29/06 | 10/2/07 | 6/20/08 | 9/5/08 Back to Top 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 07/1/08 Section A - General Authorization and Notification Issues, Last Updated 12/13/05 Section B - Initial Awards to Dependents, Last Updated 07/1/08 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 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 5. Pension and Parents' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) SubptI - Eligibility and Development Chapter 1 Overview of Eligibility and Development Requirements 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 Back to Top 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 2/13/07 Section A - General Information on the Effect Income and Net Worth Have on Pension and Parents DIC, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section B - Social security Administration (SSA) Benefits Program, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section C - Section 306 Pension and Old Law Pension, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section D - Parents DIC, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section E - Improved Pension - Basic Rate Determination, Last Updated 02/13/07 Section F - Inproved Pension - Dependents, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section G - Improved Pension - Deductible Expenses, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section H - Improved Pension - Adjustments based on Changes in Status, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section I - Improved Pension - Counting Specigic Types of Income, Last Updated 2/13/07 Section J - Net Worth, Last Updated 2/13/07 Chapter 2 - Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Status Under 38 CFR 3.351 Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/14/07 Section A - General Information on Requirements for Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Status Under 38 CFR 3.351, Last Updated 5/14/07 Section B - A&A Status for Beneficiaries Who Are Patients in a Qualified Nursing Home, Last Updated 5/14/07 Chapter 3 - Pension Reductions for Medicaid-Covered Nursing Facility Care, Last Updated 5/14/06 Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/14/07 Chapter 4 - Pension Adjustments in Unusual Situations, Last Updated 5/14/06 Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/14/07 Chapter 5 - Elections Between Pension Programs, Last Updated 5/14/06 Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/14/07 Chapter 6 - Department of Defense (DoD) Survivor Annuities and Their Relationship to VA Death Pension and Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Last Updated 5/14/06 Table of Contents, Last Updated 5/14/07 Chapter 7 - Eligibility Verification Reports (EVRs), Last Updated 9/21/06 Table of Contents, Last Updated 9/21/06 Section A - EVR Selection Procedures, Last Updated 9/21/06 Section B - Initial Stages of EVR Processing, Last Updated 9/21/06 Section C - Second Stage EVR Processing by Veteran's Service Representative (VSRs), Last Updated 9/21/06 Section D - EVR Terminations and Related Issues, Last Updated 9/21/06 Section E - Miscellaneous EVR Issues, Last Updated 9/21/06 Changes 9/21/06 2/13/07 5/14/07 Back to Top 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 5/25/05 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 11/1/04 Section B - Eligibility and Development, Last Updated 9/26/08 Section C - Rating, Last Updated 8/14/06 Section D - Authorization Issues, Last Updated 11/1/04 Changes 1/29/02 5/27/05 8/14/06 9/26/08 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 8. Accrued Benefits Table of Contents, Last Updated 11/26/02 Chapter 1 - Eligibility Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/1/06 Chapter 2 - Development Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/1/06 Chapter 3 - Rating Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/1/06 Chapter 4 - Authorization and Notification, Last Updated 3/1/06 Table of Contents, Last Updated 3/1/06 Change 3/1/06 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 8/6/08 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 12/6/04 Section A - General Information on REPS Benefits, Last Updated 12/6/04 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 12/6/04 Chapter 7 - Clothing Allowance, Last Updated 4/19/05 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 12/6/04 4/19/05 6/2/05 11/10/05 11/21/06 8/6/08 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 2/7/07 Chapter 5 Chapter 6- Semiannual Review of Potential Duplicate Payment Cases, Last Updated 2/7/07 Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/7/07 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 2/5/08 Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/5/08 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 - Income Verification Match (IVM): Further Development, Last Updated 2/5/08 Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/5/08 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 - Veterans on Active Duty in Receipt of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits, Last Updated 2/5/08 Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/7/07 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 - Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Match, Last Updated 2/5/08 Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/7/07 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 2/5/08 Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/5/08 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Prision Match, Last Updated 2/5/08 Table of Contents , Last Updated 2/5/08 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 2/7/07 3/20/07 2/5/08 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Withdraw Agreements, Last Updated 7/13/05 Section F - Accounting Approval, Last Updated 7/13/05 Back to Top 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 Back to Top Compensation and Pension | GI Bill | Vocational Rehabilitation | Home Loans | Life Insurance Regional Office Homepages | Manuals & Regulations | Reports & Surveys Survivors' Benefits | If You Owe VA Money | GovBenefits.gov | USA Services Español | VA Forms | Facilities Locator | Contact the VA | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Privacy Policy | Web Policies & Important Links | Annual Performance and Accountability Report Freedom of Information Act | Small Business Contacts | Site Map USA.gov | White House | USA Freedom Corps Reviewed/Updated Date: March 10, 2009 |