GN 00301: General Evidentiary Standards
TN 40 (05-12)
Procedure for enlisting the help of others
For those in need of help beyond the preparation of forms and letters, take the following action:
Contact relatives, employers, or others to obtain evidence or to enlist their help in obtaining evidence for the claimant, or go directly to sources of evidence.
If the claimant gives written consent for disclosure, you may make such contacts. There is an exception if the contact is with a third party who has (or may have) the needed evidence, see GN 03910.020B.