requires an be at least one of the following e. alternate signer Requirements for an a court-appointed representative Alternate an individual responsible for the care of the claimant or beneficiary, Signer including a spouse or other relative an attorney-in-fact or agent authorized to act on behalf of the claimant or beneficiary under a durable POA, or agent including the manager or principal officer acting on behalf of an institution caring for the claimant. When an alternate signer certifies or represents that he or she is an appropriate f. Handling a Form or signer under the criteria set forth in , VA will generally accept the alternate Application signature in the absence of discrepant information. With an Alternate Upon discovery of any discrepant information, send a development letter to Signature the claimant and/or alternate signer for clarification, to include the sample language provided in M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.h. For more information on the requirements for an alternate signer, Reference: see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.e. g. Handling VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related VA Form includes an alternate signer certification and Compensation Benefits, With an acknowledgement paragraph. Alternate Signature Send a development letter to the claimant and/or alternate signer for clarification, to include the sample language in M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.h, when a completed is received that does contain the VA Form 21-526EZ not required certification, and the evidence or information before VA is unclear as to whether an alternate signer is appropriate under and . PL 112-154 Develop to the alternate signer, claimant and/or beneficiary using the sample h. Sample Development language below if the signature on the form clearly belongs to someone other Language for than the claimant or beneficiary, there is not a completed VA Form and Alternate that includes the required alternate signer certification, there is and Signer evidence or information of record that would allow VA to ascertain the no basis for the alternate signer designation, or there is discrepant information that is questionable or conflicting in establishing the authority of the alternate signer of the form.
e. Requirements for an Alternate Signer requires an alternate signer be at least one of the following a court-appointed representative an individual responsible for the care of the claimant or beneficiary, including a spouse or other relative an attorney-in-fact or agent authorized to act on behalf of the claimant or beneficiary under a durable POA, or agent including the manager or principal officer acting on behalf of an institution caring for the claimant. f. Handling a Form or Application With an Alternate Signature When an alternate signer certifies or represents that he or she is an appropriate signer under the criteria set forth in , VA will generally accept the alternate signature in the absence of discrepant information. Upon discovery of any discrepant information, send a development letter to the claimant and/or alternate signer for clarification, to include the sample language provided in M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.h. Reference: For more information on the requirements for an alternate signer, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.e. g. Handling VA Form With an Alternate Signature VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, includes an alternate signer certification and acknowledgement paragraph. Send a development letter to the claimant and/or alternate signer for clarification, to include the sample language in M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.h, when a completed VA Form 21-526EZ is received that does not contain the required certification, and the evidence or information before VA is unclear as to whether an alternate signer is appropriate under PL 112-154 and . h. Sample Development Language for Alternate Signer Develop to the alternate signer, claimant and/or beneficiary using the sample language below if the signature on the form clearly belongs to someone other than the claimant or beneficiary, and there is not a completed VA Form that includes the required alternate signer certification, and there is no evidence or information of record that would allow VA to ascertain the basis for the alternate signer designation, or there is discrepant information that is questionable or conflicting in establishing the authority of the alternate signer of the form.