What this means
m21-1:VII.i.1.D explains dependency claims processed by the rules-based processing system (rbps). In plain terms, the official guidance says to shorten the amount of time it takes to make award adjustments involving the additional benefits payable for dependents, the VA developed the Rules-Based Processing System (RBPS), which automatically processes claims with minimal user involvement. It also addresses RBPS receives dependent data via one of the methods described in M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i, 1.D.1.b, then determines whether the dependency claim is eligible for automated processing.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-1:VII.i.1.D as an internal VA audit trail for dependency claims processed by the rules-based processing system (rbps), not as a promise of a particular result. Compare the actions recorded in your claim file or decision notice with this source-specific detail: To shorten the amount of time it takes to make award adjustments involving the additional benefits payable for dependents, the VA developed the Rules-Based Processing System (RBPS), which automatically processes claims with minimal user involvement. RBPS receives dependent data via one of the methods described in M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i, 1.D.1.b, then determines whether the dependency claim is eligible for automated processing. If the record does not show the expected action, identify the missing step precisely when asking VA or an accredited representative to review the file.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: from approved VA claims-submission websites when the veteran or claimant completes a question-and-answer interview to submit
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: when contractors manually transcribe the information from veteran or claimant-submitted forms, or
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: The table below describes what happens with the claim after its eligibility for automated processing is determined.
Important limits
m21-1:VII.i.1.D is primarily internal workflow guidance about dependency claims processed by the rules-based processing system (rbps). It can help identify what VA was expected to document, but it does not by itself create a claimant deadline, a freestanding entitlement, or a guaranteed remedy. The source also states: To shorten the amount of time it takes to make award adjustments involving the additional benefits payable for dependents, the VA developed the Rules-Based Processing System (RBPS), which automatically processes claims with minimal user involvement. The following requests are not eligible for automated processing through RBPS:
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Dependency Claims Processed by the Rules-Based Processing System (RBPS)
- m21-1:VII.i.1.D
- Dependency Claims Processed
- Rules-Based Processing System
- Rules-Based Processing Dependency Claims
- purpose RBPS
- RBPS
- receives data necessary process
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Overview
In This Section
This section contains the topic “ Rules-Based Processing of Dependency Claims.”
1. Rules-Based Processing of Dependency Claims
Introduction
This topic contains information about the rules-based processing of dependency claims, including
- purpose RBPS
- how RBPS
- receives data necessary to process a claim, and
- sorts and processes claims
- requests that are not eligible for automated processing through RBPS
- handling claims with missing claim documents, and
- automatic release of decision notices that reflect a denial of entitlement to additional benefits.
Change Date
September 24, 2020
VII.i.1.D.1.a. Purpose of RBPS
To shorten the amount of time it takes to make award adjustments involving the additional benefits payable for dependents, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed the Rules-Based Processing System (RBPS), which automatically processes claims with minimal user involvement.
VII.i.1.D.1.b. How RBPS Receives Data Necessary to Process a Claim
RBPS receives data about additional disability compensation benefits due to a claimant’s dependent(s)
- from approved VA claims-submission websites when the claimant completes a question-and-answer interview to submit
- VA Form 21-686c, Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents, or
- VA Form 21-674, Request for Approval of School Attendance
- when contractors manually transcribe the information from claimant-submitted forms, or
- input by a designated VA employees during an in-person, telephonic, or video interview between the employees and the claimant.
VII.i.1.D.1.c. How RBPS Sorts and Processes Claims
RBPS receives dependent data via one of the methods described in M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i, 1.D.1.b, then determines whether the dependency claim is eligible for automated processing.
The table below describes what happens with the claim after its eligibility for automated processing is determined.
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| If the claim is … | Then … |
|---|---|
| eligible for automated processing | RBPS establishes an end product (EP) 130 with the appropriate claim label uses rules-based programming to decide the claim, and processes the decision through the Veterans Service Network (VETSNET) VETSNET clears the EP 130, and the Hines Information Technology Center generates a decision notice, and uploads the corresponding award print and decision notice into the Veteran’s electronic claims folder (eFolder). |
| not eligible for automated processing | RBPS establishes an EP 130 with a claim label designating it as an RBPS-rejected claim, and the National Work Queue (NWQ) will recall and distribute the EP for any additional development and/or adjudication. Reference: For a list of claims that are not eligible for automated processing through RBPS, see M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i, 1.D.1.d. |
Notes:
- If an EP 130 is already pending when RBPS places a claim under EP control, RBPS will establish an incremental EP, such as EP 131 or EP 132.
- Incremental EPs created by RBPS must be
- consolidated under the EP 130 by the station that received the EP 130 for processing, and
- after consolidation, cancelled using the reason Worked Under Proper EP.
References: For more information on
- requesting jurisdiction of EPs from NWQ, see the NWQ Playbook, and
- claim labels used for EP 130s, see M21-4, Appendix C.
VII.i.1.D.1.d. Requests That Are Not Eligible for Automated Processing Through RBPS
The following requests are not eligible for automated processing through RBPS:
- to add
- an adopted child
- a child over age 18 that is permanently incapable of self-support
- a school child whose tuition is being paid by the Federal government, or
- a dependent when
- the payment of benefits may be subject to a withholding for attorney fees, or
- the claimant or Veteran has a foreign address, or
- to remove a spouse when there are additional dependent children on the award.
References: For more information on processing claims to add
- an adopted child, see M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i, 3.B.2-4
- a child over age 18 that is permanently incapable of self-support, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 6.B
- a school child whose tuition is being paid by the Federal government, see M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i, 1.A.2.k
- a dependent when the payment of benefits may be subject to withholding for attorney fees, see M21-1, Part I, Subpart i, 2.C, and
- a dependent when the claimant or Veteran has a foreign address, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 3.B.
VII.i.1.D.1.e. Handling Claims With Missing Claim Documents
Follow the failure-to-upload procedures in M21-1, Part II, Subpart ii, 2.A.5 upon discovering that documents associated with a claim to add a dependent to a beneficiary’s award are not available in the beneficiary’s eFolder.
VII.i.1.D.1.f. Automatic Release of Decision Notices That Reflect a Denial of Entitlement to Additional Benefits
VA systems automatically release decision notices that reflect a denial of entitlement to additional disability compensation for a dependent when the claimant is a Veteran with a single service-connected disability, or a combined disability rating that is less than 30 percent and
- a 130-series EP is pending without a concurrently pending rating EP, or
- an EP 020 and a 130-series EP are concurrently pending.
Upon release of a decision notice, the system that generated the notice
- clears the 130-series EP, and
- uploads a copy of the decision notice into the Veteran’s eFolder.
Reference: For more information on rating EPs, see M21-4, Appendix B, Section II.