Benefit Claim End Product Codes

2. EPs - Compensation, Pension, and Fiduciary Operations

Introduction

This topic contains a comprehensive list of authorized EPs, with a description of the claims or issues applicable to each.

Change Date

April 27, 2026

010 - Initial Disability Compensation Claims - Eight Issues or More

General: EP 010 is limited to initial disability compensation containing eight issues or more. Each disability claimed on the original application received is counted as an issue.

Consideration of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) is considered a single issue.

Specific determinations for ancillary benefits such as adaptive housing, Chapter 35 eligibility, or automobile allowance are also considered issues.

Note: It is not necessary to update the EP if the number of issues changes at any time after claim establishment.

Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

Final disposition and control in total waiver case where compensation exceeds retired pay: EP 010 will be cleared in the absence of certification of actual amounts of retired pay, but an EP 290 control must be maintained until certification is received and all remaining issues are resolved.

Historical: Prior to August 23, 2019, EP 010

• included a concurrent initial disability compensation and pension claims containing eight issues or more, and
• was not used to control for disability compensation claims filed for the first time if the claim was received after a disability pension claim has previously been filed and adjudicated.

020 - Compensation Claims Received After the Initial Eligibility Decision

General: EP 020 applies to disability compensation or service-connected death claims received after an initial eligibility decision has been made. Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

Claims for special monthly DIC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound; and death compensation or spouse's compensation based on need for aid and attendance (see 38 CFR 3.351).

Examples:

• Claims for service connection for disabilities not previously adjudicated.
• Claims for increase in degree of service-connected disability.
• Claims for total disability due to unemployability.
• Claims for SMC or increase in SMC.
• Claims for increase or reconsideration filed subsequent to admission for hospital treatment.
• Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS) claims, if the issue of service connection has not been considered in a prior claim for death benefits or if the date of incurrence or aggravation of disability cannot be determined without additional rating action.
• Claims for a child permanently incapable of self-support based on compensation entitlement, including claims automatically established upon the expiration of diary code 03 when rating activity is needed to determine child’s permanent incapacity for self-support.
• Requests based on Clear and Unmistakable Error, as these are not processed under AMA rules.

Exceptions:

• Claims based solely on relationship or dependency when only authorization activity is required (see EP 130).
• Hospitalization adjustments (see EP 135).
• Reopened burial claims (see EP 160).
• First compensation rating claim when a previous pension rating claim (EP 180) has previously been filed and adjudicated (See EP 010 or 110).

Historical: Prior to August 23, 2019, EP 020 was used to control for a disability compensation claim filed for the first time but received after a disability pension claim has previously been filed and adjudicated.

Reference: For information on claim statuses, see 38 CFR 3.160.

030 - Higher Level Review

Generally, the 030 series represents a request for higher-level review on a prescribed application form.

Higher-level reviews (HLRs) consist of de novo reviews of the issue(s) identified by requesters on a completed VA Form 20-0996, Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review. De novo review means the adjudicator reexamines and readjudicates the claim in question without deference to the prior decision, with the exception of prior and proper favorable findings.

Note: Certain 030 EPs, with specific claims labels, are established when effectuating a Board decision. These specific 030s are not considered HLRs. Examples of these 030 series claims labels include:

• Board Grant Rating, and
• Board Grant Non-Rating.

Reference: For instructions regarding processing of requests for HLRs, see M21-5, Chapter 5.

040 - Supplemental Claims

Generally, the 040 EP series represents a supplemental claim. A supplemental claim is any complete claim for a (VA) benefit on a prescribed application form where the claimant or authorized representative disagrees with the decision VA made on an initial or supplemental claim for the same or similar benefit on the same or similar basis. A claim based on a new theory of entitlement is sufficient new and relevant evidence to satisfy the evidentiary threshold.

A supplemental claim is filed on a VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim, for issues previously decided (formerly known as requests for reconsideration & requests to reopen).

Note: Certain 040 EPs, with specific claims labels, are established when re-adjudication is necessary based on duty to assist (DTA) error noted by either the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) or a higher-level reviewer. Examples of these 040 series claim labels include:

• HLR DTA Error – Rating
• HLR DTA Error – Non-Rating
• Board DTA Error Rating
• Board DTA Error Non-Rating, and
• Board DTA Error – w/IMO.

Reference: For instructions regarding processing of supplemental claims, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.B.

050 - EVR Processing

Historical: EP 050 was credited automatically for any Eligibility Verification Reports (EVR) successfully processed to completion.

070 - Post-Certification Control

General: The EP 070 series (070 through 079) is used to control appeals returned to VBA jurisdiction from BVA for necessary adjudication of BVA decisions (e.g. BVA remand or BVA grant).

Date of Claim: The date of claim for a specific BVA decision is the date of that specific BVA decision.

When establishing EP 070 for decisions or remands received from BVA, the appropriate claim label should be assigned based on the guidance in the table below.

Scroll sideways to see the full table.

Final Disposition: All post-certification grants of benefits on appeals, whether partial or full grants, shall be completed under the 070 series EP. See the table below for final disposition of post-certification appeal EPs at various stages.

Scroll sideways to see the full table.

Note: Modifiers 1 through 9 are authorized for incremental appeals under EP 070.

Historical: Prior to May 15, 2017:

• EP 070 was cleared whenever a Supplemental Statement of Case (SSOC) is mailed.
• EP 070 was cleared whenever an appeal is transferred to BVA (entered in Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System as “Certified to BVA” or “Remand Returned”).
• A one-time EP 070 would have been cleared for each SSOC mailed while an appeal is in Remand status.

095 - Vocational Rehabilitation Eligibility Determination - Memorandum Rating Decision Required

EP 095 applies to requests for vocational rehabilitation eligibility determinations received from the Vocational Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) Division. These require preparation of a memorandum rating decision to determine eligibility.

110 - Initial Disability Compensation Claims - Seven Issues or Less

General: EP 110 is limited to initial disability compensation claims containing seven issues or less. Each disability claimed on the original application received is counted as an issue.

Consideration of entitlement to SMC is considered a single issue.

Specific determinations for ancillary benefits such as adaptive housing, Chapter 35 eligibility, or automobile allowance are also considered issues.

Note: It is not necessary to update the EP if the number of issues changes at any time after claim establishment.

Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

Final disposition and control in total waiver case where compensation exceeds retired pay: EP 110 will be cleared in the absence of certification of actual amounts of retired pay, but an EP 290 control must be maintained until certification is received and all remaining issues are resolved.

Historical: Prior to August 23, 2019, EP 110

• included a concurrent initial disability compensation and pension claims containing seven issues or less, and
• was not used to control for disability compensation claims filed for the first time if the claim was received after a disability pension claim has previously been filed and adjudicated.

120 - Pension Claims Received After the Initial Eligibility Decision

General: EP 120 applies to Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension claims received after an eligibility decision has been made under EP 180 or EP 190. It applies when a rating decision is necessary to establish or confirm pension entitlement or when basic eligibility (character of discharge (COD) or misconduct) is at issue. This includes claims in which the rating decision was previously promulgated under an EP 180 or EP 190 but the claim was administratively denied. Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

Special monthly pension (SMP): EP 120 also applies to claims for entitlement to SMP.

Survivors Pension claims related to basic eligibility (COD or misconduct), subsequent to the initial determination (whether from the same or another claimant) previously adjudicated under EP 190, are generally the survivor claims applicable to EP 120.

Claims for additional pension benefits for surviving spouse based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound (see 38 CFR 3.351).

Reconsideration solely relating to questions of competency when not incidental to adjudicative decisions involving other EPs. (Clear EP 120 when notification of the Incompetency determination is sent and establish EP 290 to control for fiduciary adjustment.)

Examples:

• Claims for SMP based on aid and attendance or housebound status, including claims based on nursing home status.
• Claims for a child permanently incapable of self-support based on pension entitlement, including claims automatically established upon the expiration of diary code 03 when rating activity is needed to determine child’s permanent incapacity for self-support.

Exceptions:

• Basic eligibility decisions, such as COD, relating to benefits under other VA programs and programs of other Federal and State agencies and received while no other claim or EP is pending (see EP 290).
• Claims based solely on relationship or dependency when only authorization activity is required (see EP 130).
• First pension rating claim when a previous compensation rating claim (EP 010 or 110) has previously been filed and adjudicated (See EP 180).
• Subsequent claims after an EP 180 or EP 190 in which entitlement was denied administratively due to such issues as income or estate matters and neither the EP 180/190 nor the subsequent claim requires any rating determinations (see EP 150).

Historical: Prior to August 23, 2019, EP 120 was used to control for a pension rating claim filed for the first time but received after a disability compensation claim has previously been filed and adjudicated.

130 - Disability and Death Dependency

General: EP 130 applies to all actions involving dependency determinations where the primary issue involves entitlement of the Veteran, dependents or beneficiaries, to benefits based on relationship or dependency. EP 130 is equally applicable to action taken without the claims folder. Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

Examples:

• Claims for apportionment.
• Claims for increased benefits, or for continuation of benefits, because of dependency including for children attending school after age 18.
• Adjustments in running awards due to a change in dependency status by reason of death, divorce, marriage, remarriage, or discontinuance of school attendance.
• Adjustments in running awards due to the special allowance under 38 U.S.C. 1312 (a) payable to an eligible survivor or survivors.
• Death claims from other beneficiaries subsequent to initial claims adjudicated under EP 140 or 190 and not involving reconsideration as to cause of death or basic eligibility.
• Election of DIC.

Notes:

• Only one EP 130 will be pending at any given time, even if additional dependency claims are received, unless the dependency change affects multiple benefits and/or multiple payees (as in apportionment claims).
• If correspondence is received claiming addition of a dependent that is already in the Veteran’s or VA beneficiary’s account, which will have no effect on the award, inform the VA beneficiary accordingly using an EP 400.
• If income or other information is needed to resolve the status of the claimed dependent, the EP 130 will control.
• An EP 130 is automatically established when a match is made between the Social Security Administration (SSA) death master file (DMF) records and the VA records and the beneficiary is identified as possibly deceased.
• When a diary code 25 expires upon non-receipt of the required VA Form 21 -0538, Mandatory Verification of Dependents or VA Form 21P-0537, Marital Status Questionnaire, an EP 130 will be automatically established for control.
• Upon the expiration of diary code 21 or diary code 22, in regards to school attendance, an EP 130 will be automatically established for control.

Exception: Third party notice of the loss of a dependent (see EP 600).

References: For more information on

• handling concurrently pending claims for disability compensation and additional compensation for a dependent, see M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i,1. A.4.b.
• SSA DMF match, see M21-1, Part XIV, 2.B.
• processing VA Form 21-0538 or VA Form 21P-0537, see M21-1, Part VII, Subpart i, 1.B.2, and
• handling school attendance claims that are created upon the expiration of diary code 21 or diary code 22, see M21-1, Part VII, Subpart ii,1.B. 5-6.

133 - REPS (St. Louis Only)

EP 133 applies to claims for REPS properly referred to the St. Louis RO after clarification of qualifying service-connected death.

Note: Improperly referred REPS claims will be returned to the RO of jurisdiction with no EP credit.

135 - Hospitalization Adjustments or Resumptions

General: EP 135 applies to reductions based on hospitalizations in a Medicaid-approved nursing facility and adjustments to restore benefits based on discharge from hospitalization (includes claims adjudicated under the provisions of 38 CFR 3.551-3.558.

Notes:

• For reductions based on hospitalization in a Medicaid-approved nursing facility, EP 135 should be cleared and EP 600 established when notification of proposed reduction is sent. If the hospital adjustment includes an administrative grant of aid and attendance, clear an EP 120 instead of EP 135.
• When restoration of benefits is required upon receipt of discharge from hospitalization, the EP 330 associated with hospitalization discharge established should be changed to an EP 135. Use the corresponding VSC or PMC EP 135 claim label depending on the benefit.

Examples:

• Proposed reduction based on initial hospitalization for:
• Pension beneficiaries without dependents in a Medicaid-approved nursing facility (38 CFR 3.551).
• Incompetent Veterans without dependents whose estates exceed the regulatory limit (38 CFR 3.558).
• Rate adjustments based on discharge from the hospital (or nursing home or domiciliary care).
• Release of money withheld for incompetent Veterans (38 CFR 3.558).
• Subsequent resumption of benefits for an incompetent Veteran, without dependents, whose estate falls below the regulatory limit.

Exceptions:

• Upon receipt of VA Form 10-7131, Exchange of Beneficiary Information and Request for Administrative and Adjudicative Action, or VA Form 10-7132, Status Change, when the only adjudicative action is filing or uploading of the form in the claims folder, or Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI) notices when no action is required (see EP 330).
• If question of competency or incompetency arises during hospitalization and no rating issues under EP 320 are involved (see EPs 020 & 120).
• Claim for SMP (see EP 120).
• If income or medical expense changes are noted (see EP 150).

140 - Initial Death Compensation and DIC Claims

General: EP 140 is limited to initial DIC or death compensation claims or initial dual claims for service-connected death and Survivors Pension (including accrued) and REPS claims, if no prior claim for survivors' benefits has been filed and adjudicated.

Reopened claims for service-connected death will be processed under EP 020 and reopened claims based on dependency issues will be processed under EP 130.

EP 140 will not be used for inferred DIC or death compensation determinations unless rating action is required.

Notes:

• Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved, or until Survivor Benefit Plan determination is completed.
• If VA receives a claim for DIC, month of death (MOD) should be paid as part of an EP 140, as MOD, DIC/Pension can be paid in a single award action. MOD may be paid under EP 140 before a decision on DIC is made. However, if a benefit is paid automatically (either MOD or DIC), the station will not receive credit for the automatic EP, but the station will receive credit for a separate manually generated and cleared EP (if required) to pay the other benefit. For standalone MOD claims, including MOD claims that were established prior to the date of receipt of an initial claim for DIC/Pension, please see EP 290.
• EP 149 is to be used solely for the First Notice of Death (FNOD) DIC automation process. It should not be established manually for DIC claims.

150 - Income, Estate, and Election Issues

General: EP 150 applies to death and disability claims where the issue involved is entitlement of the Veteran, dependent(s) or beneficiaries to benefits based on income or estate factors. Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

Examples:

• Claims for increased pension, restoration, or reconsidered claims based on change in income or net worth. (If a rating decision is necessary to establish initial entitlement, see the exception below).
• Adjustments due to change in income or net worth, or submission of medical expenses. An EP 150 is appropriate even if receipt of new income information only requires updating of the corporate record income segment.
• Elections of current law pension.
• Net worth determinations under.

Exceptions:

• Basic eligibility decisions, such as COD, relating to benefits under other VA programs and programs of other Federal and State agencies and received while no other claim or EP is pending (See EP 290).
• Reports of change in income requiring only a correspondence reply (see EP 400).
• Reports of change in income requiring review of claims folder only, but with no award adjustment or system update needed (see EP 330).
• Reports of income related to a dependency action (see EP 130).
• Unless a specific claim is received, any income or medical expense adjustment associated with a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) adjustment (EP 696 and/or 600).
• Subsequent claims after an EP 180 or EP 190 in which entitlement was denied administratively due to such issues as income or estate matters but rating determination was required or requires a subsequent rating determination (see EP 120).

154 - IVM Match Cases - Pension and Parents’ DIC

General: EP 154 applies to all pension and Parents' DIC review cases based on Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Income Verification Match (IVM).

A separate EP 154 is allowed for each payee for whom an IVM worksheet is received and reviewed even if development is not required.

Examples:

• If both parents are in receipt of Parents' DIC and worksheets are received for each, a separate EP 154 credit is warranted for each parent.
• When worksheets are received for dependents of a payee (i.e., spouse of a Veteran in receipt of pension), only one EP 154 is warranted for all worksheets reviewed in computing the Veteran's countable income.
• In unusual situations where multiple worksheets are generated at one time because of numerous payers, only one EP is allowed.
• If worksheets are received for separate years, a separate EP 154 is warranted for each year's income reviewed.

EP 154 should remain pending until the final resolution of the income verification issue. A separate EP 600 is not to be used for these issues.

155 - EVR Referrals

Historical: EP 155 was used for EVRs, as shown below.

General: A single EP 155 is applicable for all income issues raised by an EVR which is referred for adjudication. EP 155 is established automatically when a case is referred for adjudication due to EO2 screen edits.

Final disposition of EP 155 when non-income issues are raised: If the EVR furnishes sufficient income information to permit the EVR control to be cleared, but the EVR raises a separate issue (e.g., dependency, special monthly pension), the EP 155 will be taken when the transaction 45 or 13Q is processed.

Development actions under other EPs:

• If a beneficiary reports the existence of a dependent, development for the dependent will be under EP 130.
• If the payee reports residence in a nursing home, development for the entitlement to aid and attendance will be under EP 120.

160 - Burial, Plot, Headstone, Marker, Engraving Claims

General: EP 160 applies to claims for the statutory burial allowance, plot allowance, reopened claims for reconsideration of a prior decision, award corrections or secondary award action of a State plot or any burial award involving an organization as a claimant, and claims for reimbursement of headstone, marker, or additional engraving expenses.

Final Disposition: Any claims processed simultaneously for these benefits will be established/taken as separate EPs except for plot allowance paid at the same time the burial claim is resolved.

Note: EP 169 is to be used solely for the FNOD burial automation process. It should not be established manually for burial claims.

163, 164, and 165 - Accrued by Reimbursement or Accrued by Relationship Claims

General: EPs 163,164, and 165 apply to claims solely for

• accrued benefits payable as reimbursement to the payer of the expenses of last sickness and burial, or
• accrued benefits payable based on relationship.

Notes:

• If multiple accrued claims exist, establish an EP 165 first, followed by EP 163 and 164. System will not allow multiple EPs with the same claim number.
• If notice of accrued payable is received subsequent to final adjudication of a claim under EP 140 or 190, a separate accrued EP should be cleared upon award of the accrued benefit.

Reference: For more information on controlling Accrued claims, see M21-1, Part XI, Subpart ii, 3.E.17.

170 - Pre-Certification Appeal Control

General: The EP 170 series (170 through 179) is used to control appeals at all stages prior to certification to BVA.

• The notice of disagreement (NOD) claim label is used for NODs received and will remain open until a decision on the NOD is rendered.
• The Form 9 claim label is used for substantive appeals received from the appellant and remains open until a full grant decision award is promulgated or the appeal is certified to BVA.

Date of Claim: For each EP 170, the date of claim is the receipt date of either the

• NOD, or
• VA Form 9 or substantive appeal.

See the table below for a description and use of appeals claim labels.

Scroll sideways to see the full table.

Final Disposition: All pre-certification grants of benefits on appeals, whether partial or full grants, shall be completed under the 170 series EP.

See the table below for final disposition of 170 series EPs at various stages.

Scroll sideways to see the full table.

Notes:

• If individual unemployability (IU) is inferred for an issue on appeal, continue the 070 or 170 series EP until all of the necessary station actions have been taken on the appeal.
• Modifiers 1 through 9 are authorized for incremental appeals under EP 170.

Reference: For definitions of downstream or inextricably intertwined issues, see M21-5, Chapter 7, Section A.1.

Historical: Prior to May 15, 2017, EP 170 was applicable to control pre- and post-certification appeals. Previously, the EP was cancelled at each stage and reestablished as needed (e.g. Form 9 received). EPs 172, 173, and 174 in the series were reserved for special issues.

172 - SOC/Grant of Benefits - Historical

Historical: Prior to May 15, 2017, EP 172 was applicable to

• issuance of an SOC (which may have included a rating decision for a partial grant), and/or
• final disposition of an appeal through a full grant of all issues.

173 - Hearings Conducted by an Employee Other Than a DRO/Informal DRO Hearings - Historical

Historical: Prior to April 27, 2017, EP 173 was applicable to Compensation, P&F, or Committee on Waiver Cases (COWC) for which

• a formal hearing was conducted by one or more VSC/PMC employees other than a DRO, or
• an informal conference/informal hearing or hearing was held by the DRO.

Reference: For more information on establishing requests for a hearing to include control with a tracked item, see

• M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 3.A.3.a, and
• M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 3.B.

174 - Hearings Conducted by DRO/Decisions - Historical

Historical: Prior to April 27, 2017, EP 174 was applicable to Compensation, P&F, or Education cases in which a formal hearing was conducted by a DRO or a formal decision was rendered by the DRO (including issuance of a SOC).

Reference: For more information on establishing requests for a hearing to include control with a tracked item, see

• M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 3.A.3.a, and
• M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 3.B.3.

180 - Initial Disability Pension Claims

General: EP 180 is limited to initial disability pension claims filed by, or on behalf of, living Veterans. Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

190 - Initial Survivors Pension Claims

General: EP 190 is limited to initial Survivors Pension claims (including accrued). Unless otherwise noted, the EP will not be cleared until all issues raised by the claim have been resolved.

Pension eligibility claims received after an initial decision under EP 190 is completed, are processed under EP 120 (entitlement), EP 150 (income issues), EP 040 (supplemental claim) or EP 130 (dependency issues).

If VA receives a claim for pension, MOD should be paid as part of an EP 190. MOD may be paid under EP 190 before a decision on Survivors Pension is made. MOD, DIC/Pension can be paid in a single award action. For standalone MOD claims, including MOD claims that were established prior to the date of receipt of an initial claim for DIC/Pension, please see EP 290.

Exceptions:

• Initial claims for both service-connected death compensation and Survivors Pension (see EP 140).
• Claims received from other beneficiaries after the initial claim has been adjudicated under EP 140 or 190 (see EP 020, 120, 130, or 150).

290 - Eligibility Determinations - Other

General: EP 290 applies to adjudicative decisions relating to benefits under other VA programs, programs of other Federal and State agencies, and independent determinations relating to elections, waivers, guardianship issues, fiduciary program fund usage issues, and other issues affecting payments.

Substitution: An EP 290 is established and cleared upon a favorable or unfavorable substitution determination. In limited situations, the EP 290 is also used to control for a request to substitute when the request is received without an accrued claim. The appropriate 290 claim label is dependent on the jurisdiction of the request, as outlined in M21-1, Part XI, Subpart ii, 3.E.17.

Notes:

• The independent determinations applicable to EP 290 are those which require separate formal rating or authorization decisions.
• EP 299 is to be used solely for the MOD automation process. It should not be established manually for month of death claims.
• If a standalone EP 290 MOD claim is established prior to the date of receipt of an initial claim for DIC/Pension, MOD may be processed and awarded separately from the DIC/Pension decision. The claims need not be worked by the same station.
• When a benefit payment is returned and creates proceeds on the beneficiary's account, VBMS will create an EP 290 with an appropriate claim label to prompt claims processor action to clear the proceeds. Claims processors clear proceeds using case specific claim action or via coordination with finance activity.

Examples:

• COD determinations not accompanied by a claim.
• Eligibility for dental treatment.
• Eligibility for hospitalization.
• Eligibility for outpatient treatment.
• Automobile claims.
• Special housing claims.
• Preference certificates (for civil service employment, Federal, State, or local public housing, etc.).
• Eligibility for loan guaranty benefits.
• Eligibility for insurance benefits.
• Claims for clothing allowance.
• Claims solely involving waivers and elections of retired pay (see also EPs 110 & 010).
• Renouncement of rights.
• Waivers of compensation to receive active or inactive duty pay.
• Discontinuance of payments upon return to active duty.
• REPS claims for completion of disallowances or certificates of entitlement if issues of service connection were properly disposed of previously.
• Fiduciary program matters, such as adjustments due to appointment or discharge of fiduciaries.
• Adjustments due to incarcerations.
• Awards of Medal of Honor Pension for Veterans/service members and surviving spouses.
• Actions upon disappearance of the Veteran.
• Bureau of Supplemental Security Income requests for information
• Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) - Ch. 35 eligibility
• Eligibility to Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Benefits at the full-dollar rate for Filipino Veterans and survivors.
• Resumption of compensation for BDD/Quick Start claims, when a service member who is discharged from active duty has service-connected static and non-static disabilities.
• Periodic review of fiduciary funds usage.
• Negligence determinations of misusing fiduciaries.
• Misuse allegations associated with fiduciary fund usage.
• Corrections to previously cleared misuse EPs.
• Claims solely involving MOD payment.
• Automatically established EPs due to returned payments creating proceeds based on
• a bad address
• the beneficiary being reportedly deceased, or
• non-entitlement.

Exceptions:

• Requests for statements regarding eligibility for various benefits or reconsiderations which can be furnished on the basis of existing records and decisions in the claims folder at the time of receipt (see EP 400).
• When a claim is received that requires a COD determination, use the appropriate rating EP for control.

Reference: For more information on jurisdiction and EP control of accrued claims and requests for substitution, see M21-1, Part XI, Subpart ii, 3.E.17.

293 - COWC Decisions

EP 293 applies to decisions by the COWC.

295 - Vocational Rehabilitation Eligibility Determination, Memorandum Rating - Decision Not Required - Historical

Historical: Prior to April 7, 2017, EP 295 applied to requests for vocational rehabilitation eligibility determinations received from VR&E division, which did not require preparation of a memorandum rating decision to determine eligibility.

298 - CRSC/CRDP Awards

EP 298 applies to the review of/adjustment to Combat Related Special Compensation/Concurrent Retired Disability Payments (CRSC/CRDP) compensation awards.

310 - Routine Future Examinations

EP 310 is used for the following:

• Requests for routine future examinations
• These include those mandated by the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, and those determined by the rating activity to be necessary to verify continued severity of a disability.
• EP 310 is assigned for the total work requirements involved from the time of preliminary review of the claims folder in preparation of the examination request, until final rating and authorization action is taken.

Exception: Cancellation or extension of a future date control (see EP 330).

• Review for permanent and total (P&T) determinations.
• EP 310 will generate on a recurring basis when the corporate record of a Veteran who has a 100-percent SC evaluation does not reflect either eligibility to Chapter 35 benefits or a future review examination diary/control.
• In some instances, the EP 310 will generate due to the 1151 P&T corporate flash not being activated, as a result of the 100-percent disability in question being granted under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1151. In those instances, the EP should be canceled, and the 1151 P&T corporate flash should be activated to prevent the unnecessary generation of future review tasks.
• See M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii,1.B.1.e for reviewing EP 310 for permanency.
• Review of unemployability, and
• Requests for proposed rating decisions in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)
• EP 310 is assigned for the annual review for continued unemployability in SC cases.
• During the proposed rating stage, the Disability Rating Activity Site (DRAS) completes a one-time clear of EP 310 (with the IDES Rating – Proposed claim label) (M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.H.1.h).

Note: An EP 310 can co-exist with an

• EP 020 if controlling two distinctly separate disabilities, or
• 070 or 170 series EP even if for the same disability.

314 - Income Verification Match - Service-Connected IU

Historical: EP 314 applied to all disability compensation IU cases reviewed based on a Social Security IVM, even if development was not required.

320 - Reviews Due to Hospitalization

General: EP 320 is applicable upon receipt of a hospitalization report showing admission for a service-connected disability evaluated at less than 100 percent, received through

• CAPRI
• VA Form 10-7131, Exchange of Beneficiary Information and Request for Administrative and Adjudicative Action, or
• a uniformed service medical facility.

If the Veteran has not been discharged, a future date control (EP 320) must be established for receipt of the 21-day certificate or hospital report.

When an open rating under paragraph 29 is assigned while the Veteran is in the hospital, EP 320 will be taken. Concurrent with that action, a future date control (EP 320) will be established for receipt of the notice of discharge and hospital summary. EP 320 will remain pending until final rating board action, even though an award restoring the pre-hospital evaluation may have been authorized in the interim.

Notes:

• A Report of Hospitalization from VA or a uniformed service medical facility will be accepted as a standard prescribed form for the purpose of establishing entitlement to Paragraph 29 and/or 30 benefits (reference M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iv, 8.B).
• Such hospitalization report is not to be taken as a claim for increase, unless the Veteran submits a specific request on a standard prescribed form.
• An EP 320 can co-exist with an EP 020 if controlling two distinctly separate disabilities (e.g., not a complication of the other).

Exceptions:

• Solicited or unsolicited hospital reports received for non-service-connected conditions (see EP 330).
• If a hospital/outpatient report has been requested under a controlling EP 320 and a subsequent claim for increase is filed by or on behalf of the veteran, referring to the requested report, change EP 320 to EP 020 (see EP 020).
• If the Report of Hospitalization does not warrant hospitalization benefits (Paragraph 29 or 30), change any pending EP 320 to an EP 330, and clear the EP 330.

330 - Reviews - Regulatory and Procedural

General: EP 330 applies when the claims folder is being reviewed under the provisions of current regulations, instructions, directives, or procedures.

Hospitalization Report: EP 330 is also used for screening automated hospitalization reports and those limited contract nursing home reports that must be established manually.

Note: The hospitalization adjustment EP 330 should be changed to an

• EP 135 upon receipt of discharge from hospitalization when restoring benefits, or
• EP 120 upon receipt of standardized form for SMP, if applicable, or
• cleared
• if no adjustment to the award or letter is required, or
• EP 600 is established when notification of proposed reduction is sent due to hospitalization as noted below.

Receipt of Dependency Verification Forms: EP 330 is used to control for the receipt of dependency verification information, including

• physical receipt of a signed and completed VA Form 21-0538 or VA Form 21P-0537 or
• telephone contact documented on a VA Form 27-0820, Report of General Information.

Note: If development is necessary based on the information received on VA Form 21-0538 or VA Form 21P-0537, the EP 330 must be cancelled and the appropriate EP 130 will be established.

Examples:

• Proposed reduction based on
• initial hospitalization for
• pension beneficiaries without dependents (38 CFR 3.551), and
• beneficiaries in receipt of aid and attendance allowance (SMP & SMC (38 CFR 3.552), or
• readmission following irregular discharge from prior hospitalization for the beneficiaries listed above.
• Service records routinely submitted by the service department, not requested in connection with pending issues where no action is required other than review and incorporation in the claims folder.
• Complete routine review and related action required on permanent transfer out of folders.
• Review of periodic reports from the claimant when an examination of the folder is required but no authorization action is necessary.
• Examination of a claimant's records in connection with local administrative review when such review is justified and requires a thorough examination of the folder.
• Review and evaluation of miscellaneous correspondence and documents which are not directly related to an award action and when a reply is not required.
• Review of a report of change in income requiring only review of the claims folder.
• Upon receipt of VA Form 10-7131, Exchange of Beneficiary Information for Administrative Action, or VA Form 10-7132, Status Change, or CAPRI notice, where no hospitalization benefits can be granted (Paragraph 29 or 30), or when the only adjudicative action is filing of the form in the claims folder.
• Solicited and unsolicited hospital reports for non-service-connected disabilities are received.
• Confirmed actions by BVA filed in the folder.
• Cancellation or deferral of a routine future examination.

Exception: Quality reviews (see EP 930).

Historical: EPs 331/336/339 were used for tracking and managing IDES, rating activity at the Seattle and Providence (DRASs).

• EP 331 was used by Providence RO for brokered cases to designate a preliminary rating request.
• During the preliminary rating and rating reconsideration stages, EPs 331/336/339 ran concurrently with the EP 689.

Historical: EP 332 was used by the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for control of brokered development cases.

Historical: Used by Development Resource Centers (DRCs) to control work. All DRCs were to conduct development and update Modern Awards Processing Development (MAP-D)/VBMS under an EP 333.

Historical:

• EP 334 was used for pension claims that were temporarily transferred out from an RO to a PMC for Veterans Service Network (VETSNET) award processing. EP 334 would remain pending until the claim was promulgated by PMC.
• EP 334 was used for AMC Brokered Development to Nashville.

Historical:

• EP 339 was used:
• to control claims for a temporary adjudication hold based on contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, NC where service connection cannot be established, or
• by the Seattle and Providence ROs to control requests for reconsideration. During the reconsideration EP 339 ran concurrently with the EP 689.

335 - Nautical Herbicide Claims

EP 335 is used when a claim requires centralized processing to research nautical herbicide exposure. Clear EP 335 at the time the decision is promulgated under the corresponding rating or non-rating EP.

Note: EP established only by designated centralized processing teams.

Historical:

• EP 335 was used for Nehmer Phase II reviews, for QTC Nehmer Exams (see Nehmer Supplemental Training dated May 3, 2013).
• EP 335 was used to control claims affected by the Haas v. Nicholson decision.
• EP 335 was used to control claims affected by the Haas v. Peake decision.

Reference: For more information on processing EP 335s, see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart i, 1.D.

336 - Pre-Discharge Claims - BDD

EP 336 is used to control for Pre-Discharge claims under the BDD program, upon initial establishment of the claim.

EP 336 is also used to control a Pre-Discharge claim that is received without substantially complete service treatment records (STRs), using the Pre-Discharge Excluded claim label, upon initial establishment of the claim.

References: For information on

• proper EP control change upon completion of required development actions, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.d
• EPs and DOCs for Pre-Discharge Claims, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 6.B.2, and
• actions to take for BDD claims without substantially complete STRs, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.3.k.

Historical: EP 336 was used by the Providence and Seattle ROs to control requests for preliminary rating requests from the Physical Evaluation Board. During the rating and rating reconsideration stages, EP 336 ran concurrently with the EP 689.

337 - Pre-Discharge Claims - QS

Historical: EP 337 was used to control for Pre-Discharge claims under the Quick Start program, upon initial establishment of the claim.

Note: For information on claims received via VA.gov that are automatically established with an EP 337, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.f.

Historical: Used for AMC brokered ratings to Seattle.

400 - Correspondence and Information Actions

General: EP 400 applies to disability, fiduciary, and death cases when the action is independent and involves correspondence action on a letter, e-mail, inquiry, form, document, official notice, etc., which can usually be handled on the basis of existing records and decisions, and a rating or authorization determination is not required for final disposition of the issue created.

Examples:

• Requests for information from the folder (including documents, status, and/or forms) from the following sources;
• Central Office
• VA activities or organization elements
• Government agencies (Federal, State, county or other political subdivisions)
• VSOs or other individuals when the nature of correspondence is primarily to secure the existing status as a valid claim, or
• beneficiaries.
• Letters prepared by the ROs, inviting claimants to file for additional benefits for continued dependency status of a child or children attaining age 18.
• Actions required when a CAPRI inquiry or VA Form 10-7131, Exchange of Beneficiary Information and Request for Administrative and Adjudicative Action, is received requesting information only.
• Discontinuance of disability benefits upon the death of the Veteran, correspondence to potential beneficiaries, notice to other agencies or other divisions and review of claims folder to determine whether a claim should be invited.
• Reports of change in income, requiring a correspondence reply only.
• Sending an Annual Written Contact Letter to a beneficiary in the fiduciary program that was not automatically sent following notification of failure.
• Notification to a fiduciary that a submission of an accounting following the death of a beneficiary is not required.

EP 400 will be used to control a Request for Application.

• When a claim is not filed on an appropriate prescribed form, establish an EP 400 and send notification letter.
• Clear EP 400 upon mailing notification letter to claimant, and claimant’s representative (if any).

Note: Establish EP 400 with the date the application was received.

EP 400 will be used to control attorney fee cases.

• Adjudicate the underlying EP and establish a pending EP 400 when award action is taken to pay past due benefits, while withholding 20 percent pending notification to the parties involved.
• Clear EP 400 upon payment of withheld amounts and notification to attorneys/claimants.

Note: Establish EP 400 with the date the decision notice is generated as

the date of claim as indicated in M21-5, Chapter 8, Section B. 1.a. Stage 5.

EP 400 will be used to control Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS) Response Center (IRC) referrals.

• Clear EP 400 upon providing the requested information to the IRC via IRIS.
• Do not use EP 400 for Veterans Assistance Inquiries handled by the VSC, hub, or the PMC.

Note: Historical use for processing claims over one and two years old, after the provisional decision is issued to control the request of Federal and/or private records. Also applies to brokered cases forwarded to VCIP contractors for scanning (see Under Secretary for Benefits (USB) letters 20-13-05 and 20-13-07).

Exceptions:

• Correspondence actions (development letters, notice of actions etc., not involving preparation of correspondence reply only).
• Controlled correspondence for Members of Congress, U.S. Government officials, State or local officials (see EP 500).

EP 400 will be used for subsequent claims received through Veteran On-Line Application (VONAPP) Direct Connect (VDC), with an eBenefits claim label. EP 400 will also be used if a claimant submits a claim by means other than VDC and subsequently submits a claim through VDC.

Note: These EPs are system-generated for incremental disability claims received electronically while a VDC claim is pending. These EPs should not be manually established.

Reference: For VDC rating claims intake, to include incremental EP consolidation, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 4.A.2.

401, 402, 403, 404, 406, 408 - VBMAP Historical

Historical: Used for cases completed in/under the VBMAP system/contract.

• EP 401 was used for a claim for increase.
• EP 402 was used for an original claim with less than eight issues.
• EP 403 was used for an original claim with eight or more issues.
• EP 404 was used for an original pension claim.
• EP 406 was used for a dependency claim.
• EP 408 was used for a pension dependency claim.

405/409 - Fast Track System Historical

Historical: Used to support Agent Orange (AO) claims processed in the Fast Track System.

• EP 405 applied to claims received between September 01, 2010 and October 30, 2010 for one of the three new presumptive conditions based on AO exposure (ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and hairy cell and other B-cell leukemias).
• EP 409 was established to control claims after a preliminary finding of entitlement was determined and additional development and review was required before the final rating decision was promulgated.
• After October 24, 2011, EPs 405/409 are no longer used for this process. The issues are now incorporated into the rating bundle.

409 – Blue Water Navy Service Historical

Historical: Between April 29, 2016 and November 21, 2016, EP 409 was used for all initial claims based on service aboard ships on offshore waters or inland waterways. After November 21, 2016, these claims are tracked with the Blue Water Navy flash.

Reference: For information on tracking claims based on service aboard ships on RVN’s offshore waters, refer to M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart i, 1.A.

410, 411, 412, 413, 414 - Original Claim Spina Bifida

EPs 410, 411, 412, 413, and 414 apply to original claims received for benefits for a Veteran’s child due to spina bifida secondary to herbicide exposure.

415, 416, 417, 418, 419 - Original Claim Birth Defects

EPs 415, 416, 417, 418, and 419 apply to original claims received for benefits for a Veteran’s child due to birth defects and diseases secondary to herbicide exposure.

420, 421, 422, 423, 424 - Reopened Claim Spina Bifida

EPs 420, 421, 422, 423, and 424 apply to claims received after an initial eligibility decision has been made for benefits for a Veteran’s child due to spina bifida secondary to herbicide exposure.

425, 426, 427 428, 429 - Reopened Claim Birth Defects

EPs 425, 426, 427, 428, and 429 apply to claims received after an initial eligibility decision has been made for a Veteran’s child due to birth defects and diseases secondary to herbicide exposure.

450, 451, 452, 453, 454 - BVA Spina Bifida

EPs 450, 451, 452, 453, and 454 apply to post-certification (BVA decisions) appeals pertaining to benefits for a Veteran’s child related to spina bifida secondary to herbicide exposure.

Historical: EPs 450, 451, 452, 453, and 454 applied to a review/claim for increase of a running award for a Veteran’s child related to spina bifida secondary to herbicide exposure.

455, 456, 457, 458, 459 - BVA Birth Defects

EPs 455, 456, 457, 458, and 459 apply to post-certification (BVA decisions) appeals pertaining to benefits for a Veteran’s child due to birth defects and diseases secondary to herbicide exposure.

Historical: EPs 455, 456, 457, 458, and 459 apply to a review/claim for increase of a running award for a Veteran’s child due to birth defects and diseases secondary to herbicide exposure.

470, 471, 472, 473, 474 - NOD Spina Bifida

EPs 470, 471, 472, 473, and 474 apply to NODs pertaining to benefits for a Veteran’s child related to spina bifida secondary to herbicide exposure.

475, 476, 477, 478, 479 - NOD Birth Defects

EPs 475, 476, 477, 478, and 479 apply to NODs pertaining to benefits for a Veteran’s child related to birth defects secondary to herbicide exposure.

500 - Special Controlled Correspondence

EP 500 applies to correspondence that is controlled by the RO Director or Veterans Service Center Manager/Pension Management Center Manager such as correspondence from members of Congress, U.S. Government officials, State, or local officials.

510 - FOIA and Privacy Act Requests

General: The EP 510 series (510 through 519) is used to control either a Privacy Act (PA) request or a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. A PA request for records is made by the Veteran or approved representative. A FOIA request can be made by anyone other than the Veteran or approved representative. Additional information on the receipt of this workload can be found in the M21-1, II.i.2.D.6

Note: Upon selection of the EP 510 in VBMS, a third digit modifier should be utilized based on the below scenarios to further differentiate the type of request. For additional information on the third digit modifiers, see M21-4, Appendix B.1.f

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590 - Due Process for Incompetency and Field Examinations

EP 590 applies to all due process periods for proposed incompetency determinations that fall under the hub's jurisdiction.

Date of Claim: Establish an EP 590 using the date the proposal of incompetency was authorized as the date of claim. The EP 590 will then be controlled using a suspense date 65 days following the release date of the due process notice. The date of the due process notice may not coincide with the authorization date.

EP 590 also applies to field examinations conducted by hubs.

Examples:

• Initial appointment field examinations.
• Successor initial appointment field examinations.
• Expedited initial appointment field examinations.
• Scheduled follow-up field examinations.
• Unscheduled follow-up field examinations.
• Telephone follow-up appointment field examinations.
• Non-program field examinations.
• Fund usage field examinations.

600 - Predetermination Notice

General: EP 600 applies to all predetermination notices for running awards except IVM (EP 154 and EP 314). EP 600 applies to proposed incompetency determinations only when a running award exists.

Setting Up Controls: At the time a predetermination notice is furnished, clear any pending EP which would normally be completed at this point, to include EP 930 when all other necessary actions have been completed. Concurrently, establish a pending EP 600 with a suspense date 65 days following the release date of the predetermination notice. The original due process letter shall be generated and released within five days of the EP 600 DOC. Subsequent due process letters (i.e. undeliverable) for the same issue(s) are tracked under a new tracked item.

Date of Claim: For claims establishment purposes, the date of the EP 600 is the date that the EP is established for the proposed adverse action.

Disposition:

• Take final action on the EP 600 no earlier than the 65 th day from the date of the notice of proposed adverse action, unless the payee or their representative requests immediate adjustment.
• If a hearing is requested, continue the EP 600 and defer final action until the hearing is completed, or cancelled for reasons such as failure to show for the hearing or withdrawal of the hearing request.

680 - Reviews-Ratings Involved

EP 680 is authorized on specific Central Office direction and apply to special reviews which require rating activity reviews.

• Historical: EP 680 was used for VDC Application Review, Phase 2.
• EP 681 is used to control claims (other than peripheral neuropathy) under the Nehmer stipulation (see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart i, 2.A).
• Historical: Prior to May 1, 2017, EP 682 was used for concurrent control radiation cases (see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 4.B).
• Historical: Prior to August 17, 2017, EP 683 was used for SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense) (see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 6.A) and Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives (see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 5.A) claims.
• EP 684 is used for temporary 100 percent disability evaluation reviews (see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii.1.B.1.e).
• Historical: EP 684 was used for POW reviews, not under the EP 680 series, and
• Historical: EP 684 was used for BDD claims from pregnant servicewomen.
• Historical: Prior to March 25, 2020, EP 685 was used for claims for review under the Bilateral Factor Rule.
• EP 686 is used for peripheral neuropathy (PN) pursuant to the Nehmer stipulation (see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart i, 2.A).
• Historical: EP 686 was used for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The final rule regarding ALS was published March 1, 2012.
• EP 687 is used for claims based on service aboard ships on the RVN’s offshore waters or inland waterways pursuant to the Nehmer stipulation.
• Historical: EP 687 was used for Nehmer AO presumptives of ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, hairy cell leukemia, and other chronic B-cell leukemias, and other diseases under Nehmer (see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart i, 2.A).
• EP 688 is used for Nehmer AO presumptives of Parkinsonism, hypothyroidism, and bladder cancer.
• Historical: Prior to April 14, 2017, EP 688 was used for concurrent control of mustard gas exposure claims (see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 3.A).

689 - Control of IDES Process

Used with IDES claim label to control claims during the IDES process (established by Military Services Coordinators or Claims Assistants at IDES intake sites).

Notes:

• The DOC must match the date VA received VA Form 21-0819, DoD Referral to Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) (see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i.6.E).
• Final IDES ratings are completed under EPs 110, 010, or 020 and are established by IDES DRAS.

690 - Reviews - Authorization Review Only

General: EP 690 is authorized on specific Central Office direction and applies to special reviews which require authorization review only.

• Historical: EP 690 was used to control potential over/underpayments for first and third party notification of awards needing review and possible adjustment.
• EP 692 is used to control Social Security Verification, compensation and DIC COLA adjustments, dependency questionnaires, Dependents Educational Assistance and Individual Unemployability continued eligibility.
• Historical: Prior to September 6, 2018, EP 693 was used to control potential over/underpayments (see M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.D.3).
• EP 694 is used to restore DIC awards and for any case in which photocopies of documents or a completed VA Form 23-6547, Excerpts from Death Certificate, is furnished to the Air Force (see M21-1, Part XIII, Subpart ii, 5.C.1).
• Historical: EP 695 was used for cases claiming hypertension related to AO exposure.
• EP 696 is used to control pension and Parent's DIC COLA adjustments when the COLA adjustment can be resolved without due process.
• Historical: EP 698 was used for adjudicating claims based on service in the Gulf War and Southwest Asia.

699 - Supplemental Service Records

General: EP 699 applies to supplemental service records processing where no other applicable EP is pending. If applicable, take the following actions:

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930 - Review, Referrals, Other

General: EP 930 applies to reviews and issues where no other EP is applicable and where the appropriate EP credit has already been taken to include the following:

• missed issues or prematurely cleared EPs
• correction of previous erroneous actions identified during quality review

Important: Missed issues are not unadjudicated discovered claims. A missed issue is an issue that was received while an appropriate EP was pending, but not adjudicated.

Actions to take for missed issues or prematurely cleared EPs and corrections of previous erroneous actions:

• If a subsequent claim is received while an EP 930 is pending for the same contention, process the claim under the pending EP 930.
• If the new claim is for a different contention or claim type (rating vs. non-rating vs. fiduciary)
• establish the appropriate fiduciary, rating, or non-rating EP, and
• leave the EP 930 pending for correction of the error.
• If a fiduciary, rating, or non-rating EP is pending, and a missed issue is identified, then establish EP 930 to control the missed issue.
• A VBMS permanent claim associated note must be added for the following:
• an explanation for establishing an EP 930
• an explanation for canceling an EP 930
• the rationale for changing the DOC for an EP, and/or
• the corrective action taken, date of action taken, and station number of the station that completed the corrective action for all EP 930 corrections.

Notes:

• EP 930 and the appropriate fiduciary, rating, or non-rating EP can be pending concurrently in these scenarios.
• Hubs must utilize the claim label FID – Rev Misuse Other to control for concurrence on misuse debt revisions and all other misuse-related corrections.

Reminders:

• The contention on a new claim must be validated as being different from the contention on the EP 930 prior to establishing the rating or non-rating EP.
• The appropriate claim label must be used as shown above.
• The claim label for the EP 930 is used for data identification and data integrity purposes, and it must remain with the EP through completion.
• The specific contention(s) must be added in MAP-D or VBMS.
• The date of claim for EP 930 must match the date of claim for the underlying EP prematurely cleared or incorrectly processed.
• EP 930 should not be used for corrections or secondary burial award action to an organization claimant such as a State cemetery. EP 160 must be established for these cases.

934 - Provisional Ratings Administrative Review

Historical: EP 934 is used to control administrative reviews of provisional rating decisions that were issued as part of VBA’s oldest claim initiative from April to November 2013.

Note: Provisional rating decisions were authorized by VBA Letters 20-13-05, Guidance Regarding Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Pending over Two Years dated April 19, 2013, and 20-13-07, Guidance Regarding Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Pending over One Year dated June 21, 2013. The authority to issue provisional ratings was rescinded as of November 8, 2013 per VBA Letter 20-13-18, Cessation of Authority for Use of Provisional Ratings, dated December 11, 2013.

939 - VDC Dropped Evidence

Historical: From April 21, 2016 through April 22, 2017, this EP was used in cases where a Veteran resubmits evidence to VA after their original claim has been decided.

Notes:

• A VDC Dropped Evidence Review flash must be used with the EP 939.
• A batch process will remove the flash on or about April 22, 2017.

Reference: For information on procedures for handling VDC dropped evidence reviews, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 4.A.2.b.

Historical: Used for special temporary procedures in response to the October 2008 records incident.

960 - Administrative Error, Codesheet, and Master Record Corrections

EP 960 applies to administrative errors under 38 CFR 3.500(b) and any codesheet or master record corrections. The appropriate claim label should be used to identify whether it is a VSC or PMC related action.

Final Disposition: Keep the EP 960 pending until completion of the correction needed, to include final action on a related EP 600.