b. Verifying All contentions must be verified in order for them to be available via Contentions eBenefits. Contentions automatically entered by the system will not be verified until an employee reviews the contention and checks the verified box. All employees reviewing a claim are responsible for ensuring all contentions are correct and verified. c. Classifying The CLASSIFICATION is a required component when entering a Contentions contention. When selecting a classification, use appropriate medical verbiage that corresponds to the claimed medical condition, instead of the claimant’s original language. Classifying a contention is required if the MEDICAL field is set to Note: Yes. If the MEDICAL field is set to adding a classification is optional. No, is a classification that must be applied to an Exception: Unemployability individual unemployability contention in to complete necessary specific development actions in VBMS. d. Associating Each contention must have the correct claim type associated with it. The Claims Types contention claim types are to Contentions New Increase Secondary, and Reopen. A Veteran claims an increase in her service-connected (SC) Example: peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The condition was previously granted on a secondary basis associated with the Veteran’s SC diabetes mellitus, type II. Although the condition was originally granted on a secondary basis, the current claim is for an increased evaluation. Therefore, the correct contention claim type is Increase. e. Entering a The RO has a responsibility to identify any contention that may have a special Claim-Specific issue associated to it. Once the RO identifies the contention as having a Special Issue special issue, the RO must enter a claim-specific special issue indicator that provides additional details about the contention and claim. Use of special issues is mandatory with every claim. ROs are responsible for identifying and inputting special issues where required. If a special issue exists and applies to the claim, it is required.
b. Verifying Contentions All contentions must be verified in order for them to be available via eBenefits. Contentions automatically entered by the system will not be verified until an employee reviews the contention and checks the verified box. All employees reviewing a claim are responsible for ensuring all contentions are correct and verified. c. Classifying Contentions The CLASSIFICATION is a required component when entering a contention. When selecting a classification, use appropriate medical verbiage that corresponds to the claimed medical condition, instead of the claimant’s original language. Note: Classifying a contention is required if the MEDICAL field is set to Yes. If the MEDICAL field is set to No, adding a classification is optional. Exception: Unemployability is a classification that must be applied to an individual unemployability contention in to complete necessary specific development actions in VBMS. d. Associating Claims Types to Contentions Each contention must have the correct claim type associated with it. The contention claim types are New Increase Secondary, and Reopen. Example: A Veteran claims an increase in her service-connected (SC) peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The condition was previously granted on a secondary basis associated with the Veteran’s SC diabetes mellitus, type II. Although the condition was originally granted on a secondary basis, the current claim is for an increased evaluation. Therefore, the correct contention claim type is Increase. e. Entering a Claim-Specific Special Issue The RO has a responsibility to identify any contention that may have a special issue associated to it. Once the RO identifies the contention as having a special issue, the RO must enter a claim-specific special issue indicator that provides additional details about the contention and claim. Use of special issues is mandatory with every claim. ROs are responsible for identifying and inputting special issues where required. If a special issue exists and applies to the claim, it is required.
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