Notify the claimant that VA has not received requested records if reasonable g. Notifying the Claimant When efforts have been made to obtain relevant non-Federal records, but VA’s Reasonable some or all of them have not been received, and Efforts to a follow-up request for them is being made. Obtain Notify the claimant at the time of the follow-up request for the records, and Records Are Unsuccessful identify the records that were not obtained briefly explain the efforts made to obtain the records, and describe any further action that will be taken with respect to the claim including processing the claim based on the evidence of record. If neither Federal nor non-Federal records have been received within Note: their respective response periods, notice about the status of both requests may be included in a single letter, but the letter must clearly differentiate between the actions we will take concerning these two categories of records. VA must request relevant medical records from all sources that the claimant h. adequately identifies for the development of claims. VA’s Responsibility for Requesting Medical Records Continued on next page 6. Requesting Non-Federal or Private Records, Continued Request that the claimant i. Identifying Medical Records identify the type of record being obtained custodian of the record and his/her address medical condition to which these records relate approximate time frame covered by these records, and complete a medical release, if necessary. These requirements apply to all types of non-Federal records. Note:
g. Notifying the Claimant When VA’s Reasonable Efforts to Obtain Records Are Unsuccessful Notify the claimant that VA has not received requested records if reasonable efforts have been made to obtain relevant non-Federal records, but some or all of them have not been received, and a follow-up request for them is being made. Notify the claimant at the time of the follow-up request for the records, and identify the records that were not obtained briefly explain the efforts made to obtain the records, and describe any further action that will be taken with respect to the claim including processing the claim based on the evidence of record. Note: If neither Federal nor non-Federal records have been received within their respective response periods, notice about the status of both requests may be included in a single letter, but the letter must clearly differentiate between the actions we will take concerning these two categories of records. h. VA’s Responsibility for Requesting Medical Records VA must request relevant medical records from all sources that the claimant adequately identifies for the development of claims. Continued on next page 6. Requesting Non-Federal or Private Records, Continued i. Identifying Medical Records Request that the claimant identify the type of record being obtained custodian of the record and his/her address medical condition to which these records relate approximate time frame covered by these records, and complete a medical release, if necessary. Note: These requirements apply to all types of non-Federal records.