What this means
The FE IQR checklist reviews the work of a field examiner. It follows preparation, appointment and interviews through the examination report, follow-up, document uploads and administrative action.
How this may help with a claim
A beneficiary or fiduciary can compare the subjects discussed during an examination with the report and later correspondence. This is useful for identifying a particular missing explanation or record, without assuming that every item applies to every type of examination.
What to review in your file
Start with preparation and the appointment process. The sample checks the background inquiry and examination type, then the reasons and documentation for an initial or successor appointment. It also reviews interview methods, financial safeguards, concerns raised and information given to the beneficiary or fiduciary.
Read the report in the context of the examination performed. The sample's questions include dependents, health and safety, possible benefit changes and financial information. Some items are limited to specified appointment or examination types. Its follow-up questions separately address received claim documents, suspension recommendations and future contacts.
Look for the supporting documents and remaining administrative work. The checklist includes required reports and forms, signatures, credit information and upload records. It separately checks profiles, future tasks and diary dates, as well as whether the report contains inappropriate personal comments or fails to address representation.
Important limits
The sample does not establish incapacity, appoint a fiduciary or decide benefit entitlement. The separate FE Review Guide linked in F.b remains inaccessible and uninspected. That paragraph points to Appendix E.a even though this displayed checklist is F.a. The available sample cannot supply the missing PDF's full instructions or resolve that source-reference mismatch.
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- FE IQR field examination
- field examination report quality
- field examiner follow-up
- fiduciary examination uploads
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Official section title: Field Examiner (FE) IQRs
This page reproduces the VA text. Use the official VA source for any images and linked documents.
Appendix F. FE IQRs
Introduction
This appendix contains information on FE IQRs, including the
- FE IQR Checklist, and
- FE Review Guide.
Change Date
January 30, 2025
Appendix F.a. FE IQR Checklist
The following is a sample of the FE IQR Checklist.
Appendix F.b. FE Review Guide
The FE Review Guide is an explanation of the checklist questions found in FE IQRs. These instructions and guidelines have been developed to promote consistency and uniformity in the review of cases for IQRs. Use these instructions and guidelines in conjunction with the FE IQR checklist, as provided in M21-4, 8, Appendix E.a.