Department of Veterans Affairs M21-1, Part III, Subpart v Veterans Benefits Administration November 19, 2015 Washington, DC 20420 Key Changes Changes The below describes the changes included in this revision of Veterans Included in Benefits Manual M21-1, Part III, Claims Process,” Subpart v, “General This Revision Authorization Issues and Claimant Notifications.” “General Notes: The term office” (RO) also includes pension management center “regional (PMC), where appropriate. Unless otherwise the term folder” refers to the official, “claims 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. editorial changes have also been made to update incorrect or obsolete references update section and topic titles to more accurately reflect their content clarify block labels and/or block text, and bring the document into conformance with M21-1 standards. Reason(s) for the Change Citation To add that a signed statement from the Veteran or his/her M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, fiduciary must be taken as a valid election or waiver of military Chapter 5, Section A, retirement pay. Topic 2, Block d (III.v.5.A.2.d) To add that a signed statement from the Veteran or his/her fiduciary must be taken as a valid election or waiver of military retirement pay. To revise Step 1 to include system instructions for denying entitlement and to add a note highlighting the importance that an award must be processed in order for the rating decision data to be in the Veteran’s corporate record To remove duplicate instructions from Step 3 furnishing VA Form 21-651, Election of Compensation in Lieu of Retired Pay or Waiver of Retired Pay to Secure Compensation From to Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 5304(a)-5305, the Veteran. These instructions are contained in III.v.5.A.3.c and are cross referenced in Step 3. To add that the actions described in Block c should be taken when notifying the Veteran of the determination made on his/her claim. Rescissions None
Department of Veterans Affairs M21-1, Part III, Subpart v Veterans Benefits Administration November 19, 2015 Washington, DC 20420 Key Changes Changes Included in This Revision The below describes the changes included in this revision of Veterans Benefits Manual M21-1, Part III, “General Claims Process,” Subpart v, “General Authorization Issues and Claimant Notifications.” Notes: The term “regional office” (RO) also includes pension management center (PMC), where appropriate. Unless otherwise 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. editorial changes have also been made to update incorrect or obsolete references update section and topic titles to more accurately reflect their content clarify block labels and/or block text, and bring the document into conformance with M21-1 standards. Reason(s) for the Change Citation To add that a signed statement from the Veteran or his/her fiduciary must be taken as a valid election or waiver of military retirement pay. M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, Chapter 5, Section A, Topic 2, Block d (III.v.5.A.2.d) To add that a signed statement from the Veteran or his/her fiduciary must be taken as a valid election or waiver of military retirement pay. To revise Step 1 to include system instructions for denying entitlement and to add a note highlighting the importance that an award must be processed in order for the rating decision data to be in the Veteran’s corporate record To remove duplicate instructions from Step 3 furnishing VA Form 21-651, Election of Compensation in Lieu of Retired Pay or Waiver of Retired Pay to Secure Compensation From Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 5304(a)-5305, to the Veteran. These instructions are contained in III.v.5.A.3.c and are cross referenced in Step 3. To add that the actions described in Block c should be taken when notifying the Veteran of the determination made on his/her claim. Rescissions None
11-19-15_Key%20Changes_M21-1III_v_5_SecA.docx