2. Considering Additional Service Records This topic contains general information on considering additional service Introduction records after VA issues a decision on a claim including reconsidering additional service records service records that warrant reconsideration under service records that do not justify reconsideration under effective dates under , and procedures for rating activity review. Change Date June 25, 2015 a. If VA receives or associates with the claims folder additional qualifying Reconsidering service records that existed and had not been associated with the claims folder Additional when VA first decided a claim, VA will reconsider the claim under the Service Records provisions of . See M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 2.B.2.b for what is considered service “qualifying records.” The qualifying service records discussed under this Topic are not Important: to be analyzed under or . For more information on the effective date rule that applies when Reference: records received under result in favorable reconsideration, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 2.B.2.d. b. Service Qualifying service records for the purpose of are any service records Records That forwarded to VA from the Department of Defense (DoD) or service Warrant departments, including Reconsideration under 38 CFR records related to a claimed in-service event, injury, or disease, regardless of 3.156(c)(1) whether such records mention the Veteran by name, and declassified records that could not have been obtained because they were classified when VA decided the claim. Records identified in M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 2.B.2.c are not Exception: qualifying records for the purpose of . The receipt of service records in the following two scenarios trigger c. Service will not Records That reconsideration under the provisions of Do Not Justify the service records did not exist when VA decided the claim, or under 38 the claimant failed to provide sufficient information to enable VA to
2. Considering Additional Service Records Introduction This topic contains general information on considering additional service records after VA issues a decision on a claim including reconsidering additional service records service records that warrant reconsideration under service records that do not justify reconsideration under effective dates under , and procedures for rating activity review. Change Date June 25, 2015 a. Reconsidering Additional Service Records If VA receives or associates with the claims folder additional qualifying service records that existed and had not been associated with the claims folder when VA first decided a claim, VA will reconsider the claim under the provisions of . See M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 2.B.2.b for what is considered “qualifying service records.” Important: The qualifying service records discussed under this Topic are not to be analyzed under or . Reference: For more information on the effective date rule that applies when records received under result in favorable reconsideration, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 2.B.2.d. b. Service Records That Warrant Reconsideration under 38 CFR 3.156(c)(1) Qualifying service records for the purpose of are any service records forwarded to VA from the Department of Defense (DoD) or service departments, including records related to a claimed in-service event, injury, or disease, regardless of whether such records mention the Veteran by name, and declassified records that could not have been obtained because they were classified when VA decided the claim. Exception: Records identified in M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 2.B.2.c are not qualifying records for the purpose of . c. Service Records That Do Not Justify under 38 The receipt of service records in the following two scenarios will not trigger reconsideration under the provisions of the service records did not exist when VA decided the claim, or the claimant failed to provide sufficient information to enable VA to