the definition of a substantially complete application, see M21-1, Part I, 1.A.3.f criteria for substantially complete applications, see M21-1, Part I, 1.B.1.b notification requirements for a complete application, see M21-1, Part I, 1.B.1.c soliciting a claim for unclaimed disabilities, see actions to take when unassociated or supplemental STRs are received, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 2.A.2, and the types of issues that a compensation claim may involve, see The mere existence of medical records does not constitute a claim. There b. The Mere Existence of must be some intent by the claimant to apply for a benefit. Medical Records Does Notes: Not Constitute Claims for an increased rating were previously an exception to that rule a Claim under the historical provisions of . The Standard Claims and Appeals Form regulation eliminated section and requires submission of claims on prescribed forms effective March 24, 2015. c. Claims A claim mentioning an exposure but not specifying a disability from the Mentioning exposure is not substantially complete. Exposure but Not Specifying For more information on claims that do not specify a disability References: a Disability but allege exposure to radiation, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.2.d environmental hazards, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.E.1.a mustard gas or Lewisite, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.F.1.e herbicide agents, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.H.1.h, and asbestos, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.I.3.b. Do not solicit a claim based merely on abnormal laboratory findings d. Abnormal Laboratory discovered in the STRs. Findings Discovered in Abnormal laboratory findings, even if diagnosed, are themselves not STRs Without disabilities for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) purposes. Such findings a Claim include, but are not limited to, elevated blood sugar hyperlipidemia elevated triglycerides, or elevated cholesterol. Clarification may be necessary when there is a claim for a benefit based upon
the definition of a substantially complete application, see M21-1, Part I, 1.A.3.f criteria for substantially complete applications, see M21-1, Part I, 1.B.1.b notification requirements for a complete application, see M21-1, Part I, 1.B.1.c soliciting a claim for unclaimed disabilities, see actions to take when unassociated or supplemental STRs are received, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 2.A.2, and the types of issues that a compensation claim may involve, see b. The Mere Existence of Medical Records Does Not Constitute a Claim The mere existence of medical records does not constitute a claim. There must be some intent by the claimant to apply for a benefit. Notes: Claims for an increased rating were previously an exception to that rule under the historical provisions of . The Standard Claims and Appeals Form regulation eliminated section and requires submission of claims on prescribed forms effective March 24, 2015. c. Claims Mentioning Exposure but Not Specifying a Disability A claim mentioning an exposure but not specifying a disability from the exposure is not substantially complete. References: For more information on claims that do not specify a disability but allege exposure to radiation, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.2.d environmental hazards, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.E.1.a mustard gas or Lewisite, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.F.1.e herbicide agents, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.H.1.h, and asbestos, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.I.3.b. d. Abnormal Laboratory Findings Discovered in STRs Without a Claim Do not solicit a claim based merely on abnormal laboratory findings discovered in the STRs. Abnormal laboratory findings, even if diagnosed, are not themselves disabilities for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) purposes. Such findings include, but are not limited to, elevated blood sugar hyperlipidemia elevated triglycerides, or elevated cholesterol. Clarification may be necessary when there is a claim for a benefit based upon