VA Accreditation Exam
POA Form - ANS21-22 (Vet must sign the form. Revokes other appointments; Vet can revoke
POA at any time unless an appeal has been filed before the BVA; POA ends at death)
Who has the responsibility of accrediting a VSO? - ANSVeteran Service Organization
National Cemetery Administration - ANSunder the VA covers funerals and burial for veterans
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - ANSAn agency in the Department of Veterans Affairs
that provides medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care to veterans of the armed services.
Veteran's Benefits Administration - ANSGovernment agency, part of the U.S. Department of
Veteran's Affairs, responsible for payment of all VA gratuitous benefits
What should you do if you have an inquiry regarding an appeal that has been certified to the
BVA? - ANSCall the BVA in DC directly
Can you call the CAVC to inquire about the individual status of your case? - ANSNo because
CAVC is not structured to respond to individual case status inquiries
Veterans Service Center - ANSLargest division within a VA RO
Education claims are handled where? - ANSAt the Regional Processing Offices in four locations
around the country.
Intake Processing Center (IPC) - ANSMail received is processed by team members to
determine:
-if it includes a claim that can be immediately processed
- Whether or not controls should be established
-Uploads scanned documents from the CM Portal into the VBMS eFolder.
IPC undertakes no in-depth development.
Processes only those claims that can be resolved at once or with minimal review.
Also, responsible for files management.
,Veterans Service Representative - ANSResponsible for determining what evidence is necessary
to decide a claim, undertaking development action to obtaining necessary evidence and
determining when a claim is ready for decision
38 C.F.R. - ANSPart 3 (Adjudication) and Part 4 (schedule for rating disabilities) are most used
38 CFR Part 3 - ANSAdjudication; outlines regulatory guidance that directs all adjudicative
activities, procedures and functions performed by VA
38 CFR Part 4 - ANSSchedule for Rating Disabilities; outlines regulatory guidance that serves
as the framework for how SC disabilities for VA purposes are rated and evaluated
The Manual (M21-1) - ANSprovides procedural guidance for Veterans Benefits Administration
(VBA) and directs how VBA processes Veteran's claims.
What constitutes a claim? - ANSAs defined by 38 CFR 3.1(p):
"Claim means a written communication requesting a determination of entitlement or evidencing
a belief in entitlement, to a specific benefit under the laws administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs submitted on an application form prescribed by the Secretary."
Date of Receipt of a Claim - ANSAs defined by 38 CFR 3.1(r):
"Date of receipt means the date on which a claim, information or evidence was received in the
Department of Veterans Affairs..."
Claimant - ANSIn order for VA to have an actionable claim, the claim must be filed by a
claimant.
A claimant is someone who has potential entitlement to VA benefits under the law. An honorably
discharged Veteran is a claimant. A person, who has never served in the U.S. Military (or one of
the other recognized qualifying groups) and is not a dependent of a Veteran, cannot be a
claimant.
Character of Discharge (COD): Determines Eligibility - ANSA dishonorable discharge - or a
discharge under conditions for which a statutory bar to benefits exists - for a given period of
service renders a claimant ineligible for all VA benefits for any claim based on that period of
service.
VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation
Benefits - ANS38 CFR 3.151 requires claimants to complete and submit a form prescribed by
the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when filing an original claim for
disability compensation and/or pension. It MUST have the signature of the claimant
, 20-0996, Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review - ANSassociated with a request for
higher-level review of a prior decision
21-8940, Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability. -
ANSVA Form 21-8940 is not required to claim individual unemployability (IU). However,
submission of VA Form 21-8940 by the Veteran is required in the course of development of the
IU claim and for the award of TDIU benefits.
Veterans Pension Forms (Initial) - ANS21P-527 or 21-527EZ.
(DIC), Survivors Pension and accrued benefits forms (Initial) - ANS-21P-534,
-21P-534a,
-21P-534EZ,
-21P-535, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (Including
Accrued Benefits and Death Compensation when Applicable),
-21P-601, Application for Accrued Amounts Due A Deceased Beneficiary, for accrued benefits
only.
burial benefits form - ANS-21P-530, Application for Burial Benefits
SAH/SHA Forms - ANS-26-4555, Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special
Home Adaptation Grant, and
-26-4555c, Veteran/Servicemember's Supplemental Application for Assistance in Acquiring
Specially Adapted Housing.
-SAH/SHA can also be claimed on VA Form 21-526EZ.
auto allowance forms - ANS-21-4502, Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and
Adaptive Equipment.
-Auto allowance can also be claimed on VA Form 21-526EZ.
SMC Forms (to include housebound/A&A) - ANS-21-526EZ
-21-2680, Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and
Attendance.
SMC for housebound/A&A for DIC benefits forms - ANS-21P-534
-21P-534EZ
-21-2680
-21P-535 (Parents DIC only), or
-21-0779, Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and
Attendance (nursing home patients only).
special monthly pension (SMP) for housebound and/or A&A forms - ANS-21P-527EZ
-21P-534
-21-0779 (nursing home patients only)
POA Form - ANS21-22 (Vet must sign the form. Revokes other appointments; Vet can revoke
POA at any time unless an appeal has been filed before the BVA; POA ends at death)
Who has the responsibility of accrediting a VSO? - ANSVeteran Service Organization
National Cemetery Administration - ANSunder the VA covers funerals and burial for veterans
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - ANSAn agency in the Department of Veterans Affairs
that provides medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care to veterans of the armed services.
Veteran's Benefits Administration - ANSGovernment agency, part of the U.S. Department of
Veteran's Affairs, responsible for payment of all VA gratuitous benefits
What should you do if you have an inquiry regarding an appeal that has been certified to the
BVA? - ANSCall the BVA in DC directly
Can you call the CAVC to inquire about the individual status of your case? - ANSNo because
CAVC is not structured to respond to individual case status inquiries
Veterans Service Center - ANSLargest division within a VA RO
Education claims are handled where? - ANSAt the Regional Processing Offices in four locations
around the country.
Intake Processing Center (IPC) - ANSMail received is processed by team members to
determine:
-if it includes a claim that can be immediately processed
- Whether or not controls should be established
-Uploads scanned documents from the CM Portal into the VBMS eFolder.
IPC undertakes no in-depth development.
Processes only those claims that can be resolved at once or with minimal review.
Also, responsible for files management.
,Veterans Service Representative - ANSResponsible for determining what evidence is necessary
to decide a claim, undertaking development action to obtaining necessary evidence and
determining when a claim is ready for decision
38 C.F.R. - ANSPart 3 (Adjudication) and Part 4 (schedule for rating disabilities) are most used
38 CFR Part 3 - ANSAdjudication; outlines regulatory guidance that directs all adjudicative
activities, procedures and functions performed by VA
38 CFR Part 4 - ANSSchedule for Rating Disabilities; outlines regulatory guidance that serves
as the framework for how SC disabilities for VA purposes are rated and evaluated
The Manual (M21-1) - ANSprovides procedural guidance for Veterans Benefits Administration
(VBA) and directs how VBA processes Veteran's claims.
What constitutes a claim? - ANSAs defined by 38 CFR 3.1(p):
"Claim means a written communication requesting a determination of entitlement or evidencing
a belief in entitlement, to a specific benefit under the laws administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs submitted on an application form prescribed by the Secretary."
Date of Receipt of a Claim - ANSAs defined by 38 CFR 3.1(r):
"Date of receipt means the date on which a claim, information or evidence was received in the
Department of Veterans Affairs..."
Claimant - ANSIn order for VA to have an actionable claim, the claim must be filed by a
claimant.
A claimant is someone who has potential entitlement to VA benefits under the law. An honorably
discharged Veteran is a claimant. A person, who has never served in the U.S. Military (or one of
the other recognized qualifying groups) and is not a dependent of a Veteran, cannot be a
claimant.
Character of Discharge (COD): Determines Eligibility - ANSA dishonorable discharge - or a
discharge under conditions for which a statutory bar to benefits exists - for a given period of
service renders a claimant ineligible for all VA benefits for any claim based on that period of
service.
VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation
Benefits - ANS38 CFR 3.151 requires claimants to complete and submit a form prescribed by
the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when filing an original claim for
disability compensation and/or pension. It MUST have the signature of the claimant
, 20-0996, Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review - ANSassociated with a request for
higher-level review of a prior decision
21-8940, Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability. -
ANSVA Form 21-8940 is not required to claim individual unemployability (IU). However,
submission of VA Form 21-8940 by the Veteran is required in the course of development of the
IU claim and for the award of TDIU benefits.
Veterans Pension Forms (Initial) - ANS21P-527 or 21-527EZ.
(DIC), Survivors Pension and accrued benefits forms (Initial) - ANS-21P-534,
-21P-534a,
-21P-534EZ,
-21P-535, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (Including
Accrued Benefits and Death Compensation when Applicable),
-21P-601, Application for Accrued Amounts Due A Deceased Beneficiary, for accrued benefits
only.
burial benefits form - ANS-21P-530, Application for Burial Benefits
SAH/SHA Forms - ANS-26-4555, Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special
Home Adaptation Grant, and
-26-4555c, Veteran/Servicemember's Supplemental Application for Assistance in Acquiring
Specially Adapted Housing.
-SAH/SHA can also be claimed on VA Form 21-526EZ.
auto allowance forms - ANS-21-4502, Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and
Adaptive Equipment.
-Auto allowance can also be claimed on VA Form 21-526EZ.
SMC Forms (to include housebound/A&A) - ANS-21-526EZ
-21-2680, Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and
Attendance.
SMC for housebound/A&A for DIC benefits forms - ANS-21P-534
-21P-534EZ
-21-2680
-21P-535 (Parents DIC only), or
-21-0779, Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and
Attendance (nursing home patients only).
special monthly pension (SMP) for housebound and/or A&A forms - ANS-21P-527EZ
-21P-534
-21-0779 (nursing home patients only)
