a. Purpose of The purpose of a VSO review of new rating decisions is to provide VSOs an VSO Review of opportunity to review the decision and discuss the case with VA personnel New Rating prior to promulgation. This review may result in the correction of errors in Decisions rating decisions, discussion of differing points of view, and more favorable decisions for VA claimants. Local policy determines whether to make deferred ratings and Note: examination requests available for VSO review. ROs will provide VSOs a of two business (see below) b. Establishing minimum Important Time Limits for days to review a rating decision before promulgation. The two business days VSO Review will begin on the date the claims folder is placed on the VSO review table. Cases not reviewed after two business days will be released to the authorization activity for promulgation. Station management and VSOs may negotiate a longer Important: review time period, but it will not be less than two business days. Consideration of special circumstances will be allowed when negotiating an extended review period. The VSO must comply with these controls to ensure that the review does not cause unnecessary delays in processing the rating decision. This policy applies to rating decisions completed in the RO of Note: jurisdiction and at brokered-work sites. Continued on next page 12. Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Review of New Rating Decisions, Continued If no authorized VSO is available at the brokered-work site c. VSO Review at Sites promulgate the completed rating decision without VSO review, and return the case to the RO of jurisdiction. Resource Centers may return completed rating decisions to the RO of Note: jurisdiction without promulgating the decision. The table below describes the process for VSO representatives to review new d. Process for VSO Rating rating decisions. Decision Review Stage Description
a. Purpose of VSO Review of New Rating Decisions The purpose of a VSO review of new rating decisions is to provide VSOs an opportunity to review the decision and discuss the case with VA personnel prior to promulgation. This review may result in the correction of errors in rating decisions, discussion of differing points of view, and more favorable decisions for VA claimants. Note: Local policy determines whether to make deferred ratings and examination requests available for VSO review. b. Establishing Time Limits for VSO Review ROs will provide VSOs a minimum of two business (see Important below) days to review a rating decision before promulgation. The two business days will begin on the date the claims folder is placed on the VSO review table. Cases not reviewed after two business days will be released to the authorization activity for promulgation. Important: Station management and VSOs may negotiate a longer review time period, but it will not be less than two business days. Consideration of special circumstances will be allowed when negotiating an extended review period. The VSO must comply with these controls to ensure that the review does not cause unnecessary delays in processing the rating decision. Note: This policy applies to rating decisions completed in the RO of jurisdiction and at brokered-work sites. Continued on next page 12. Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Review of New Rating Decisions, Continued c. VSO Review at Sites If no authorized VSO is available at the brokered-work site promulgate the completed rating decision without VSO review, and return the case to the RO of jurisdiction. Note: Resource Centers may return completed rating decisions to the RO of jurisdiction without promulgating the decision. d. Process for VSO Rating Decision Review The table below describes the process for VSO representatives to review new rating decisions. Stage Description