consult a Rating Veterans Service Representative the claimant does not (RVSR) to determine which medical records are indicate whether the relevant to a pending claim. records identified on the VA Form 21-4142 or equivalent form are relevant to the pending claim, and it is unclear whether the records could help substantiate the claim The Veteran Example: claims service connection for anxiety, and the records identified are from a chiropractor. If necessary, a claimant must authorize the release of existing records in a j. Claimant’s Duty to form acceptable to the person, company, agency, or other custodian holding Authorize the the records. Release of Existing If the claimant does provide the necessary authorization, inform him/her not Records that VA will be unable to consider the records when deciding his/her claim unless the claimant obtains and submits the records to VA him/herself. Follow the instructions in if a private medical care provider refuses to Note: give VA a copy of a medical records because claimant’s the medical care provider requires completion of a special, signed consent form, or the included in initial request to the medical care VA Form 21-4142 VA’s provider did not have an original signature. For more information about authorizing the release of records, Reference: see . In cases where the evidence of record is sufficient to substantiate a claim and k. Exception to the Notification grant the benefit sought, it is unnecessary to provide Section 5103 notice to Requirement the claimant. This exception applies in cases where the evidence of record (to include only VA medical center (VAMC) records available through the Compensation and
the claimant does not indicate whether the records identified on the VA Form 21-4142 or equivalent form are relevant to the pending claim, and it is unclear whether the records could help substantiate the claim Example: The Veteran claims service connection for anxiety, and the records identified are from a chiropractor. consult a Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) to determine which medical records are relevant to a pending claim. j. Claimant’s Duty to Authorize the Release of Existing Records If necessary, a claimant must authorize the release of existing records in a form acceptable to the person, company, agency, or other custodian holding the records. If the claimant does not provide the necessary authorization, inform him/her that VA will be unable to consider the records when deciding his/her claim unless the claimant obtains and submits the records to VA him/herself. Note: Follow the instructions in if a private medical care provider refuses to give VA a copy of a claimant’s medical records because the medical care provider requires completion of a special, signed consent form, or the VA Form 21-4142 included in VA’s initial request to the medical care provider did not have an original signature. Reference: For more information about authorizing the release of records, see . k. Exception to the Notification Requirement In cases where the evidence of record is sufficient to substantiate a claim and grant the benefit sought, it is unnecessary to provide Section 5103 notice to the claimant. This exception only applies in cases where the evidence of record (to include VA medical center (VAMC) records available through the Compensation and