Department of Veterans Affairs M21-1, Part I, Chapter 5 Veterans Benefits Administration September 28, 2015 Washington, DC 20420 Key Changes The table below describes the changes included in this revision of Veterans Changes Included in Benefits Manual M21-1, Part I, “Claimants Rights and Responsibilities,” This Revision Chapter 5, “Appeals.” Notes: The includes pension management center term “regional office” (RO) also (PMC), where appropriate. Unless otherwise noted, the term the official, “claims folder” refers to numbered, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) repository whether paper – or electronic for all documentation relating to claims that a Veteran and/or – his/her survivors file with VA. Minor editorial changes have also been made to clarify block labels and/or block text, and bring the document into conformance with M21-1 standards. Reason(s) for the Change Citation Part I, Chapter 5, To clarify that a claim for accrued benefits a request to substitute is or Section J, Topic necessary to act on a claim pending before VA at the time of the 3, Block b appellant’s death. (I.5.J.3.b) To direct that potential accrued claimants should be sent a VA Form Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant, when there is no evidence of accrued benefits and a claim or appeal was pending at the time of the death. original claimant’s To indicate that a substitute claimant may file a notice of disagreement (NOD), if the one-year period to file an NOD had not expired at the time of the death. original claimant’s None Rescissions By Direction of the Under Secretary for Benefits Authority Signature Thomas J. Murphy, Director Compensation Service
Department of Veterans Affairs M21-1, Part I, Chapter 5 Veterans Benefits Administration September 28, 2015 Washington, DC 20420 Key Changes Changes Included in This Revision The table below describes the changes included in this revision of Veterans Benefits Manual M21-1, Part I, “Claimants Rights and Responsibilities,” Chapter 5, “Appeals.” Notes: The term “regional office” (RO) also includes pension management center (PMC), where appropriate. Unless otherwise noted, the term “claims folder” refers to the official, numbered, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) repository – whether paper or electronic – for all documentation relating to claims that a Veteran and/or his/her survivors file with VA. Minor editorial changes have also been made to clarify block labels and/or block text, and bring the document into conformance with M21-1 standards. Reason(s) for the Change Citation To clarify that a claim for accrued benefits or a request to substitute is necessary to act on a claim pending before VA at the time of the appellant’s death. To direct that potential accrued claimants should be sent a VA Form Request for Substitution of Claimant Upon Death of Claimant, when there is no evidence of accrued benefits and a claim or appeal was pending at the time of the original claimant’s death. Part I, Chapter 5, Section J, Topic 3, Block b (I.5.J.3.b) To indicate that a substitute claimant may file a notice of disagreement (NOD), if the one-year period to file an NOD had not expired at the time of the original claimant’s death. Rescissions None Authority By Direction of the Under Secretary for Benefits Signature Thomas J. Murphy, Director Compensation Service