BASIC (04-08)

The CEF provides the quality reviewer with the ability to generate alerts, attach flags and post case related messages.

A. CEF Alerts

Alerts are electronic notifications that an action is necessary or has already been taken on a case. CEF alerts generate when a component that does not have jurisdiction of the case adds, removes or modifies certain information. While the case is pending in the Disability Quality Branch (DQB), CEF alerts are received and displayed by the Disability Case Adjudication and Review System (DICARS). Alerts remain a part of the CEF even when jurisdiction is transferred to another component.

Every component has the capability to electronically update the CEF, even if the component does not have jurisdiction of the case. Only the component with jurisdiction can take adjudicative action on the case.

Alerts can be viewed under the Alerts & Messages tab in eView or by accessing SSN History in DICARS. The Alerts & Messages tab is the default tab in eView.

B. CEF Flags

1. General

Electronic flags identify special case handling situations (e.g., Congressional Inquiry, Terminal Illness (TERI) Cases, Military Casualty (MC)/Wounded Warrior (WW) Cases, etc.). Flags are added to the CEF using eView (Field Offices (FO) use the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS)), to alert/notify other components of special handling situations. For a complete list of flags that can be added to the CEF via EDCS or eView, refer to the Electronic Folder Flags List. Flags remain on the CEF after transfer to another component and are not deleted upon case closure.

The flags in DICARS are mechanisms for internal use by the DQB and are independent of flags that display in the CEF.

2. DICARS

In DICARS, special handling selections include national and local flags. Flags are based on the type selected (Red=Local, Blue=National/EF, Purple=Both Local and EF). DICARS also includes a categorization of flags (Informational vs. Priority). If any of the flags on a Workload Unit (WU) are designated as “Priority,” then those flags appear on the picklist. Cases with only informational flags display an icon on the Review header and 448 screens, and do not have a flag viewable on the picklist. The Query will display either the red/blue/purple flag or the informational icon when flags exist.

DICARS receives and stores special handling flags from the CEF and updates DICARS when flags are added in eView. However, changes to flags in DICARS do not automatically update in the other system. If DQB removes a national flag, the user must remove it in DICARS and again in the CEF (eView). If DICARS receives a “Remove Flag” or “Modify Flag” message from the CEF (i.e., another processing component has made a change to flags in eView), DQB will make the change to modify or remove the flag in DICARS.

3. Procedure - DICARS

Follow normal operating procedure to determine which flag is applicable and when to add a flag to the folder.

When appropriate, assign a special handling flag to the WU in DICARS.

• Highlight the WU and select the special handling [spec hand] icon on the DICARS toolbar.

• Select the flag type from the drop-down list and select the Update button.

To designate a special handling flag as a “priority” (the user must have this specific privilege to take this action):

• Navigate to the special handling code list using DICARS Table Maintenance for Local Codes

• Place the focus on the special handling code

• Click in the Priority column

• Type “P” into the column and select the Update button

4. Procedure - eView

To add a flag to the CEF in eView:

• Select the [Edit (Lock Case)] button in the top right corner of eView to access edit mode;

• Select the “View Details/Edit” link that appears in the top frame header in eView;

• Select the [Add Flag] button;

• The flag type must be selected from the drop-down list available on the Flags Information screen.

• Although multiple flags may be added at the same time, only one flag of each type (e.g., TERI) can exist for a folder. Each flag consists of the flag type and optional text of up to 250 characters.

• Select [OK]

• Select the [Unlock Case] link in the top right corner to exit edit mode.

NOTE: Flags are not automatically deleted at case closure.

5. Potential section 301 case flags in electronic continuing disability review (eCDR) cases

When an eCDR is sampled for quality review, the adjudicating component should leave the potential section 301 case flag on the case. The review component is responsible for deleting the flag from the CEF, if necessary.

Upon clearance of an eCDR, the review component will take the following actions using eView:

Continuances -

• Delete the potential section 301 case flag.

NOTE: Do not delete the flag until it is determined that the case is a continuance.

Cessations -

• Add the potential section 301 case flag if the adjudicating component did not add the flag; or

• Add the potential section 301 case flag if the adjudicating component did not add the flag if returning the case to the adjudicating component for a potential cessation.

See Also:
DI 14510.010 – DDS Procedures for Cases Involving Participation in a VR or Similar Program.

C. CEF Messages

1. General

Messages are electronic notifications that are intended to communicate anecdotal information that may be relevant to the handling of the case. Messages are not considered official documentation of case processing actions.

When a message is posted, an expiration date may also be added. After the expiration date is reached, the message will automatically delete and will no longer be displayed in the CEF. The message can also be manually deleted when it is no longer applicable.

NOTE: Messages are not automatically deleted when the case is returned (e.g., to the DDS) for additional action, transferred (e.g., to the FO) or when the case is closed.

2. Procedure

To add a message in eView, on the Alerts & Messages tab:

• Select the [Edit (Lock Case)] button in the top right corner of eView to access edit mode;

• Select the [Add Messages] button;

• Enter the new message and an expiration date if applicable; (Additional messages can be added by selecting the [Add Another] button prior to selecting [OK], or following the same steps.)

• Select [OK]; and

• Select the [Unlock Case] link in the top right corner to exit edit mode.

If the office creating the message does not have jurisdiction, the office with jurisdiction is notified of the presence of a new message.

Messages that are posted by DDS or DQB are automatically forwarded to the EDCS Actions Page as an action item for the Field Office.

NOTE: Messages can also be added to closed cases.