What this means
The Field Examination Quality Checklist reviews how a fiduciary field examination was prepared, conducted and documented. It follows the work from scheduling and appointment checks through financial information, the beneficiary's well-being and any misuse follow-up.
How this may help with a claim
Use the sample to locate a specific concern in the examination record. You might compare what was discussed about a beneficiary's needs, income or assets with the written report, or ask which record supports a fiduciary appointment or fee authorization.
What to review in your file
Check preparation and appointment records first. The sample addresses the type and scheduling of the examination, criminal background and credit inquiries, the order of preference for appointing a fiduciary, reasons for not selecting the preferred person and whether a serving fiduciary's performance was checked. Award and rating actions have their own review items, including documentation and due process.
Compare the report with the issues the examination needed to address. Separate concerns about the beneficiary-fiduciary relationship from missing report information, possible benefit changes, assets, recurring income and expenses. The sample also checks later action, well-being referrals and the response when an examiner determines the beneficiary can manage funds without supervision.
Look for the records supporting fees, updates and misuse handling. The checklist distinguishes fee documentation from system changes, then separately reviews a misuse allegation, investigation, determination and reissuance. A completed examination does not by itself establish that every later action was completed.
Important limits
This blank NFFEQR6/2026 sample evaluates staff work. It does not appoint a fiduciary, authorize a fee, decide competency or promise a benefit change. Its questions and error descriptions retain their stated conditions; they should not be read as a direction for a beneficiary to carry out VA's internal tasks.
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- fiduciary field examination quality
- initial and successor fiduciary appointment
- field examination income and assets
- fiduciary fee documentation
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Official section title: Field Examination Quality Checklist
This page reproduces the VA text. Use the official VA source for any images and linked documents.
Appendix B. Field Examination Quality Checklist
Change Date
August 31, 2026
Appendix B.a. Field Examination Quality Checklist
The following is a sample of the Field Examination Quality Checklist.
