Sorry for the mess!

The site is undergoing a massive update. All the content on the site still works but things just might look a little messy and disorganized. Most of the upgrades will probably be don by the end of the month. Thank you for your understanding!

Updated Apr 18, 2023

Introduction
 
This section contains the following topics:
 
Topic
Topic Name
1
2
3
4
 
 
 

1.  Original Applications for Pension and Parents’ DIC

 
 

Introduction
 
This topic contains information on the forms to be used for filing the original application for pension or Parents’ DIC, including

Change Date
 
April 18, 2023

IX.i.3.B.1.a.  Application Forms for Pension and Parents’ DIC
 
The table below shows the application forms that should be used to file an original claim for
  • pension, and
  • Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
If the claimant is filing the original claim for …
Then the claimant should submit …
Veterans Pension
Survivors Pension
Parents’ DIC
 
Note:  Starting with the July 2022 version of the VA Form 21P-534EZ, there are no longer sections designated for Parents’ DIC.
 
Reference:  For more information on prescribed claim forms, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.A.1.a.

IX.i.3.B.1.b.  Obtaining Supplemental Income and Net Worth Information
 
The applications described in M21-1, Part IX, Subpart i, 3.B.1.a request income and, if applicable, net worth information.  However, it is often necessary to
  • clarify or supplement income and net worth information furnished on the application, or
  • request income or net worth information in connection with the original claim, any other new claim, or a supplemental claim.
 
Effective October 18, 2018, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) changed the net worth criteria for pension claims.  As a result, applications for Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension were amended to incorporate a supplemental VA Form 21P-0969 when the assets indicated by the claimant are above a designated threshold.
 
Important:  Claims processors must take into account the asset threshold provided on the application form.  If the application indicates that assets are at or below the listed threshold on the form, and the subsequent asset value block is incomplete, then assume the threshold maximum value listed on the form for net worth calculation purposes.  Further development is not required regarding net worth amount unless the implied assets plus the income for VA purposes is above the maximum net worth threshold or there is contradictory information of record.
 
 

2.  Basic Income and Net Worth Development Forms

 
 
 

Introduction
 
This topic contains information on the basic income and net worth development forms, including

Change Date
 
April 18, 2023

IX.i.3.B.2.a.  EVR Forms for Developing Basic Income/Net Worth Information 
 
Use the information on the EVR forms listed below to develop basic income and net worth information after an initial application has been filed.

IX.i.3.B.2.b.  Sending EVR Forms
 
If an EVR form is sent to a beneficiary, enclose VA Form 21P-0510, Eligibility Verification Report Instructions.
 
Note:  Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) should be used for development whenever possible.
 
References:  For more information on generating letters with automated tools, see

IX.i.3.B.2.c.  Determining if an Pension Claimant Has Dependents
 
If there is uncertainty as to whether or not an pension claimant has dependents, use the most inclusive form, which would be

IX.i.3.B.2.d.  Recording From/Thru Dates on Pension EVR Forms
 
Generally, when filling out the from/thru spaces on EVR forms, for the
  • from date space, write the
    • date of pension entitlement, if known, or
    • current date, if the date of pension entitlement is not known, and
  • thru date space, write the date that is 12 months from the end of the month of the from date.
Example:  If a surviving spouse’s entitlement is based on the date of claim, which is October 28, 2013, write
  • 10/28/13 as the from date, and
  • 10/31/14 as the thru date.

IX.i.3.B.2.e.  Recording From/Thru Dates on Pension EVR Forms According to Development Period
 
Two sets of spaces for from/thru dates are provided on pension EVR forms.
 
 If the development period covers
  • less than six months
    • write the from/thru dates in just one of the spaces, and
    • draw a line through the other space, or
  • more than six months, write the from/thru dates in both spaces, with the from/thru dates on the right-hand side of the form being used for the calendar year following the first date on the left-hand side of the form.
Example:  If the date of entitlement is October 28, 2013, and the form is being dispatched on August 7, 2014 (more than six months later), write
  • 10/28/13 and 10/31/14 as the from/thru dates on the left-hand side of the form, and
  • 1/01/14 and 12/31/14 as the from/thru dates on the right-hand side of the form.
 
 

3.  Specialized Income Development Forms

 
 

Change Date
 
April 18, 2023

IX.i.3.B.3.a.  Forms for Developing Specific Types of Income
 
Use the table below to determine the appropriate form to use to develop for specific types of income.
 
If developing for …
Then send …
the income and net worth of the Veteran’s children if a surviving spouse remarries
VA Form 21P 0519C-1, to the claimant.
reported farm income
reported
  • income from a business other than farming, or
  • rental income
information
  • on the date that the Veteran last worked, and
  • about the final wages and any retirement or other benefits to which the Veteran might be entitled
Reference:  For more information on developing for severance or accumulated leave pay, see M21-1, Part IX, Subpart i, 3.C.1.d.
 
References:  For more information on
 
 

4.  Developing for Income and Net Worth Information by Telephone, E-Mail, or Electronic Claims Submission Service

 
 

Introduction
 
This topic contains information on developing for income and net worth information by telephone, e-mail or electronic claims submission service, including

Change Date
 
December 30, 2020

IX.i.3.B.4.a.  Claimant Requirements for Submitting Information
 
Effective March 24, 2015, VA only recognizes compensation, pension, survivors, and related claims if they are submitted on the required standard forms.
 
Once a standard form is received, VA can accept further information by written correspondence, phone, etc., to clarify what was reported on the standard form.
 
Note:  VA does not require a standard form to report a change that will result in a decrease in benefits.  A beneficiary may report such changes
  • in writing, or
  • by telephone, e-mail, or to be uploaded directly into the Centralized Mail portal using an approved VA claims submission service such as Direct Upload.

Reference:  For more information on Direct Upload, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 1.A.3.

IX.i.3.B.4.b.  Procedures for Oral Communications
 
Follow the specific telephone contact procedures outlined in
M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.D.1.f and M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 3.C.2, on all oral communications in order to
  • use the information furnished to reduce or terminate benefits, and
  • furnish the beneficiary contemporaneous notice of the adverse action. 
Reference:  For more information on the submission of statements or information affecting entitlement to benefits, see 38 CFR 3.217(b).

IX.i.3.B.4.c.  Retroactive Restoration of Benefits
 
Per 38 CFR 3.103(b)(4), VA must retroactively restore benefits that were adversely affected based on oral communication, if, within 30 days of the date that the notice of adverse action is issued, the beneficiary or their fiduciary asserts that the adverse action was based upon
  • information or statements that were inaccurate, or
  • information that was not provided by the beneficiary or their fiduciary.