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Updated Sep 15, 2021

In This Section

  
This section contains the topic “Medical Examination Coordinators.”

1.  Medical Examination Coordinators

Introduction

  
This topic contains information about establishing and maintaining a liaison with VA medical facilities, including

Change Date

   April 6, 2015

IV.i.2.D.1.a.  Personnel Designated as Medical Examination Coordinators

  
The personnel designated as Medical Examination Coordinators are
  • the Veterans Service Center Manager (VSCM) or appropriate designee, at each regional office (RO), and
  • an employee at each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center.

IV.i.2.D.1.b.  Responsibilities of Medical Examination Coordinators

  
Medical Examination Coordinators are responsible for ensuring that
  • examinations meet quality and timeliness standards, and
  • appropriate action is taken to correct any deficiencies.

IV.i.2.D.1.c.  Scheduling Joint Conferences Between VBA and VHA

  
RO officials shall develop and maintain a partnership with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical professionals who perform disability evaluations.
 
Joint conferences shall be held with VHA health care facility personnel as frequently as needed, but at least once a year.

IV.i.2.D.1.d.  Purpose of Joint Conferences

  
The purpose of conferences between the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and VHA is to provide a collaborative forum for discussing Compensation and Pension examination issues to ensure that both administrations provide the highest quality of service and benefits delivery to our Nation’s Veterans.
 
Note:  Meetings with VHA Medical Examination Coordinators should be an integral part of liaison visits.

IV.i.2.D.1.e.  Topics To Be Discussed at Joint Conferences

  
At joint conferences, the conferees should discuss the
  • sufficiency of disability benefits questionnaires and Compensation and Pension examination requests for rating purposes
  • adequacy of medical opinions and requests for medical opinions
  • timeliness of examination reports
  • administrative procedures to include access to appropriate personnel to clarify examination requests from ROs and examination reports from the medical facility
  • sufficiency of the Acceptable Clinical Evidence Process
  • logistical concerns for co-located VHA and/or VBA personnel at facilities, and
  • other issues of mutual interest to both VBA and VHA employees.

IV.i.2.D.1.f.   Maintenance of Joint Conference Minutes

  
The VSCM, Pension Management Center Manger (PMCM), or designee maintains the minutes of the joint conferences.
 
Note:  When problems are encountered that require the assistance of Central Office, submit a report to Compensation Service or Pension and Fiduciary Service.

IV.i.2.D.1.g. Role of QRSs

  
Quality Review Specialists (QRSs) will identify and communicate examination concerns and trends to the RO’s Medical Examination Coordinator.
 
If necessary, QRSs will work with Medical Examination Coordinators to ensure the necessary training is conducted with appropriate VHA personnel either at the joint conferences or at a separate time.