What this means
m21-5:7.F.2 explains purpose of VA form 646. In plain terms, the official guidance says VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases, which the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) has discontinued, gave an appellant’s accredited representative an opportunity to review the appeal and submit a statement regarding the appeal to VBA prior to VBA’s certification of the appeal. It also addresses as of May 14, 2020, VBA appeals personnel should not request this form prior to certification. However, representatives may submit statements and argument directly to the Board for the Board’s consideration in an appeal.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-5:7.F.2 to audit how VA handled purpose of VA form 646. Start with the decision date, the issue being reviewed, and the evidence VA was allowed to consider, then compare the record with this rule: VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases, which the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) has discontinued, gave an appellant’s accredited representative an opportunity to review the appeal and submit a statement regarding the appeal to VBA prior to VBA’s certification of the appeal. As of May 14, 2020, VBA appeals personnel should not request this form prior to certification. 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: VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases, which the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) has discontinued, gave an appellant’s accredited representative an opportunity to review the appeal and submit a statement regarding the appeal to VBA prior to VBA’s certification of the appeal.
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: As of May 14, 2020, VBA appeals personnel should not request this form prior to certification. However, representatives may submit statements and argument directly to the Board for the Board’s consideration in an appeal.
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases, which the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) has discontinued, gave an appellant’s accredited representative an opportunity to review the appeal and submit a statement regarding the appeal to VBA prior to VBA’s certification of the appeal.
Important limits
m21-5:7.F.2 explains VA guidance for purpose of VA form 646; 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: VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases, which the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) has discontinued, gave an appellant’s accredited representative an opportunity to review the appeal and submit a statement regarding the appeal to VBA prior to VBA’s certification of the appeal. As of May 14, 2020, VBA appeals personnel should not request this form prior to certification.
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Purpose of VA Form 646
- m21-5:7.F.2
- Purpose Form 646
- Form Statement Accredited Representative
- purpose Form
- 7.F.2.a. Purpose Form
- 2020 appeals personnel should
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
2. VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases
Introduction
This topic contains information on VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases, including
- purpose of VA Form 646
Change Date
May 14, 2020
7.F.2.a. Purpose of VA Form 646
VA Form 646, Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Cases, which the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) has discontinued, gave an appellant’s accredited representative an opportunity to review the appeal and submit a statement regarding the appeal to VBA prior to VBA’s certification of the appeal.
As of May 14, 2020, VBA appeals personnel should not request this form prior to certification. However, representatives may submit statements and argument directly to the Board for the Board’s consideration in an appeal.