9. Handling Representative Appointment Forms, Continued b. Endorsing If a claimant other than the Veteran appoints a representative, clearly endorse an the appointment form as to avoid erroneous referral of the Limited Veteran’s Appointment claims folder to the claimant’s representative. Form as Limited When reviewing a c. Reviewing a VA Form 21-22, Appointment of Veterans Service Submitted VA Organization as Representative: Claimant’s Form 21-22 check that the version of the form is current check that the form is complete process each copy of the properly completed and current form, and update electronic systems to reflect the appointment For more information on References: policies pertaining to see VA Form 21-22, handling an outdated see VA Form 21-22, handling an incomplete see VA Form 21-22, processing each copy of the see, and VA Form 21-22, updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN)/Share, see Continued on next page 9. Handling Representative Appointment Forms, Continued The following policies, specific to the apply: d. Policies VA Form 21-22, pertaining to VA Form 21-22 Do not update any VA electronic system to show appointment of a veterans service organization (VSO) unless/until you receive a complete and current VA Form 21-22. Accept only the current version of VA Form 21-22. Prior versions of the form are considered outdated and are not acceptable for new or changed appointments. Accept only a complete VA Form 21-22. For the form to be considered complete, each applicable item of information requested by the must be provided and both VA Form 21-22 the representative and the claimant must sign and date the form. Where an item on the form states that information such as an email – address for the claimant is optional, absence of that information does not – render the form incomplete. Where an item on the form requests information only conditionally, the
9. Handling Representative Appointment Forms, Continued b. Endorsing an Appointment Form as Limited If a claimant other than the Veteran appoints a representative, clearly endorse the appointment form as Limited to avoid erroneous referral of the Veteran’s claims folder to the claimant’s representative. c. Reviewing a Submitted VA Form 21-22 When reviewing a VA Form 21-22, Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant’s Representative: check that the version of the form is current check that the form is complete process each copy of the properly completed and current form, and update electronic systems to reflect the appointment References: For more information on policies pertaining to VA Form 21-22, see handling an outdated VA Form 21-22, see handling an incomplete VA Form 21-22, see processing each copy of the VA Form 21-22, see, and updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN)/Share, see Continued on next page 9. Handling Representative Appointment Forms, Continued d. Policies pertaining to VA Form 21-22 The following policies, specific to the VA Form 21-22, apply: Do not update any VA electronic system to show appointment of a veterans service organization (VSO) unless/until you receive a complete and current VA Form 21-22. Accept only the current version of VA Form 21-22. Prior versions of the form are considered outdated and are not acceptable for new or changed appointments. Accept only a complete VA Form 21-22. For the form to be considered complete, each applicable item of information requested by the VA Form 21-22 must be provided and both the representative and the claimant must sign and date the form. Where an item on the form states that information – such as an email address for the claimant – is optional, absence of that information does not render the form incomplete. Where an item on the form requests information only conditionally, the