Change Date March 9, 2016 a. A The Department of Veterans policy is that all claimants have Affairs’ (VA’s) the right to representation before the department in claims affecting the Claimant’s Right to payment of benefits or relief. Representation Claimants before VA are provided representation by Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), attorneys, agents and other accredited individuals to ensure that such claimants have responsible, qualified representation to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for Veterans’ benefits. For more information on References: a right to representation before VA, see , and claimant’s the purpose of representation before VA, see . Unless representation is limited by the claimant, power of attorney (POA) b. Notices That Must be representatives are entitled to notice of any VA decisions affecting the Provided to the payment of benefits or relief sought by claimants whom they represent. Representative Representatives also must receive other forms of correspondence sent to claimants. These include decision notices statements of the case and supplemental statements of the case notice of certification and transfer of appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) intent to file a claim notices incomplete application notices, and requests for information and evidence needed to substantiate a claim (e.g. development letters). Release of Federal tax information (FTI) requires special Important: considerations as noted in M21-1, Part X, 9.B.3.c. For more information, on References: limited attorney representation, see M21-1, Part I, 3.A.2.d records protected by , see M21-1, Part I, 3.B.2.d VSO review of rating decisions, see M21-1, Part I, 3.B.3 intent to file a claim notices, see notice of decisions, see incomplete applications, see , and information and evidence needed to substantiate a claim, see . policy in working with POA representatives is that of an equal c. VA’s VA’s
Change Date March 9, 2016 a. A Claimant’s Right to Representation The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) policy is that all claimants have the right to representation before the department in claims affecting the payment of benefits or relief. Claimants before VA are provided representation by Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), attorneys, agents and other accredited individuals to ensure that such claimants have responsible, qualified representation to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for Veterans’ benefits. References: For more information on a claimant’s right to representation before VA, see , and the purpose of representation before VA, see . b. Notices That Must be Provided to the Representative Unless representation is limited by the claimant, power of attorney (POA) representatives are entitled to notice of any VA decisions affecting the payment of benefits or relief sought by claimants whom they represent. Representatives also must receive other forms of correspondence sent to claimants. These include decision notices statements of the case and supplemental statements of the case notice of certification and transfer of appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) intent to file a claim notices incomplete application notices, and requests for information and evidence needed to substantiate a claim (e.g. development letters). Important: Release of Federal tax information (FTI) requires special considerations as noted in M21-1, Part X, 9.B.3.c. References: For more information, on limited attorney representation, see M21-1, Part I, 3.A.2.d records protected by , see M21-1, Part I, 3.B.2.d VSO review of rating decisions, see M21-1, Part I, 3.B.3 intent to file a claim notices, see notice of decisions, see incomplete applications, see , and information and evidence needed to substantiate a claim, see . c. VA’s VA’s policy in working with POA representatives is that of an equal
3-9-16_Key%20Changes_M21-1I_3_SecB.docx