Claim Raven

M21-4 · Section 6.1

Purpose of the QRT

M21-4 section 6.1. Official source text with a separately reviewed Claim Raven explanation when available.

Claim Raven wrote the explanation that follows. The original VA text appears below it, unchanged.

Read the VA text belowOpen the official VA source ↗

What this means

m21-4:6.1 explains purpose of the QRT. In plain terms, the official guidance says each Regional Office establishes a team of dedicated Quality Review Specialists (QRSs) for their Quality Review Team (QRT) Program with a focused emphasis on quality in their designated division and align with the policy and procedures issued by Compensation Service. It also addresses the purpose of the QRT is to improve the quality and timeliness of claims processing and decrease the amount of work performed on individual cases by evaluating quality, reviewing error trends, providing training and mentoring on identified error trends, and ensuring individual employee reviews are performed.

How this may help with a claim

Use m21-4:6.1 to audit how VA handled purpose of the QRT. Start with the decision date, the issue being reviewed, and the evidence VA was allowed to consider, then compare the record with this rule: Each Regional Office establishes a team of dedicated Quality Review Specialists (QRSs) for their Quality Review Team (QRT) Program with a focused emphasis on quality in their designated division and align with the policy and procedures issued by Compensation Service. The purpose of the QRT is to improve the quality and timeliness of claims processing and decrease the amount of work performed on individual cases by evaluating quality, reviewing error trends, providing training and mentoring on identified error trends, and ensuring individual employee reviews are performed. Cite the exact document and page when raising a factual or procedural error, and use the review rights in the actual notice for any deadline.

What to review in your file

  • Check the file against this official condition: Employees selected for the QRS position must meet specific performance standards for quality.
  • Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: Each Regional Office establishes a team of dedicated Quality Review Specialists (QRSs) for their Quality Review Team (QRT) Program with a focused emphasis on quality in their designated division and align with the policy and procedures issued by Compensation Service.
  • Document how this stated step or exception applies: The purpose of the QRT is to improve the quality and timeliness of claims processing and decrease the amount of work performed on individual cases by evaluating quality, reviewing error trends, providing training and mentoring on identified error trends, and ensuring individual employee reviews are performed.

Important limits

m21-4:6.1 explains VA guidance for purpose of the QRT; it does not guarantee an award or replace the statutes, regulations, binding decisions, and review instructions that control an individual claim. Conditions and exceptions still matter, including this source point: Each Regional Office establishes a team of dedicated Quality Review Specialists (QRSs) for their Quality Review Team (QRT) Program with a focused emphasis on quality in their designated division and align with the policy and procedures issued by Compensation Service. Employees selected for the QRS position must meet specific performance standards for quality.

Search terms when useful

Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.

  • Purpose of the QRT
  • m21-4:6.1
  • Purpose QRT
  • purpose
  • composition.
  • 6.1.a. Purpose
  • Each Regional Office establishes
  • purpose improve quality timeliness

Original VA guidance

The official VA text of this section

1. Overview of the QRT

Introduction

This topic contains an overview of the QRT, including the

  • purpose of the QRT, and
  • QRT composition.

Change Date

August 20, 2026

6.1.a. Purpose of the QRT

Each Regional Office establishes a team of dedicated Quality Review Specialists (QRSs) for their Quality Review Team (QRT) Program with a focused emphasis on quality in their designated division and align with the policy and procedures issued by Compensation Service.

The purpose of the QRT is to improve the quality and timeliness of claims processing and decrease the amount of work performed on individual cases by evaluating quality, reviewing error trends, providing training and mentoring on identified error trends, and ensuring individual employee reviews are performed.

6.1.b. QRT Composition

Participants in the QRT program under the guidance of Compensation Service includes

  • Veterans Service Centers (VSCs),
  • Benefit Eligibility Support Team (BEST) sites,
  • Disability Rating Activity Sites (DRAS),
  • Decision Review Operations Centers (DROCs), and
  • Military Sexual Trauma Operations Centers (MST-OCs).

Employees selected for the QRS position must meet specific performance standards for quality.

Each local QRT is comprised of at least one Authorization QRS (AQRS) and one Rating QRS (RQRS).

Not legal or medical advice: The M21 manuals are VA operational guidance for staff. They do not override laws, regulations, or court decisions. Claim Raven is not an official VA application and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.