BASIC (03-12)

A. When medical deferment is necessary:

Send a notice to the claimant and, if appropriate, to the claimant’s representative that:

• explains the 12-month duration requirement;

• discusses the recent date of the impairment(s) onset; and

• states the month, day, and year for which you need evidence in order to make a determination.

For a sample letter on notifying the claimant of medical deferment, see NL 00705.755.

REMINDER: When you defer a claim, place a copy of the notice in the case file (electronic or paper) and notify the field office of the deferment by posting a message in eView.

B. It may not be advisable to send a notice to the claimant of medical deferment when:

• an investigation unit (IU) for fraud is investigating the case; or

• notifying the claimant could cause him or her undue stress. (In this case, you should send the letter to the third party or representative.)