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Updated Nov 23, 2022

In This Section

1.  Referring Claims to the Rating Activity After Development Is Complete

Change Date
April 24, 2015

V.i.1.B.1.a.  Referring Claims to the Rating Activity After Development Is Complete
If the issue requires a rating decision and a claimant is
  • otherwise eligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and
  • VA has received new, competent medical or lay evidence in support of the claim,
refer the claim to the rating activity after all development actions, to include VA examinations as necessary, are complete.
Note:  Although evidence to decide all contentions associated with the Veteran’s claim may not be of record, the rating activity should decide any contention for which sufficient evidence exists to award the benefit sought.
Exception:  If a claimant is seeking service connection for the cause of death or for a disability, VA may not deny a claim until it has obtained the Veteran’s service treatment records (STRs) or formally determined the STRs are unavailable.  If VA formally determines the STRs are unavailable, refer the claim to the rating activity after all other development actions are complete, even if VA received no medical or lay evidence in support of the claim.
References:  For more information on