TN 52 (06-18)

This section provides FO instructions for identifying disability claims for veterans with a Veterans Affairs 100 Percent Permanent and Total (VAPT) disability compensation rating. We flag the disability folder for these cases as VAPT to alert the components to the special case processing and development requirements. We process these cases using the expedited terminal illness (TERI) instructions through all stages of case development and adjudication. The case must indicate that the claimant’s condition is terminal before we classify it as TERI. (For TERI processing instructions, see DI 11005.601.)

NOTE: We process survivor claims associated with military service related deaths under the disaster/emergency instructions in GN 00207.055.

A. VAPT terms and definitions

VAPT claim

VAPT is a claim involving any veteran of a military service who has a VA 100% P&T disability compensation rating and is alleging a physical or mental impairment, regardless of how the impairment occurred.

NOTE: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating is to compensate veterans for service connected injuries and illnesses. The VA pension program is a needs based program for disabled veterans if their service coincided with a period of war and the veteran has limited income and resources.

B. Identifying VAPT cases using the Social Security Administration (SSA)/VA data exchange information

The VA identifies veterans with a VAPT disability compensation rating, and provides SSA with weekly information on this population through an automated data exchange.

We verify the Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and other data (such as, name, date of birth, and gender) that the VA provides against the NUMIDENT. The information VA provided may not be a comprehensive list of all VAPT disability compensation recipients, therefore we must be alert to the possibility of new VAPT claimants during the initial interview.

We store the SSN of only verified disability compensation recipients in the SSA Integrated Client Data Base (ICDB), also known as PERSON. We do not take any action on the information in this database until the veteran contacts us to file a claim; we cannot use this information for leads purposes.

1. Claimant’s SSN matches the SSA ICDB

If a veteran files a claim, follow these procedures:

1. When the claimant’s SSN matches the information in the ICDB, an alert may appear in either one of or all of the following:

   • National 800 Number Appointment/Referral System (NUMBR800) generates the alert “VA 100% P&T – Schedule Appointment Within Three Days”;

   • Customer Service Record Query (CSQR) generates the alert “VA 100% P&T – Use Expedited Procedures” in both Visitor Intake Process Re-write (VIPr) and Customer Information Control System (CICS);

   • Modernized Claims Systems (MCS) adds an ISSUE “100% PT” and the remark “VA 100% Perm and Total” to the Remarks field on the MCS DW01 Screen;

   • Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) adds Flag #38 “Disabled Veteran Rated 100% Permanent and Total” to pending cases and initiated cases that have a data match;

   • Case Processing and Management System (CPMS) adds the case characteristic “VPAT” (effective 07/15), and

   • Appeals Review Processing System (ARPS) adds the case characteristic “VPAT.”

2. During case creation, when the SSN is present in the PERSON VAPT segment, the EDCS automatically attaches a VAPT flag.

   If the SSN match occurs after initial case creation, the VAPT flag re-propagates into EDCS during case creation at any adjudicative level.

2. Claimant’s SSN does not match the SSA ICDB

If the claimant’s SSN does not match the information in the SSA ICDB (i.e., no alert is present), but the claimant alleges a VAPT disability compensation rating:

• Manually establish a VAPT flag in EDCS.

  (For instructions on manually establishing a flag, see DI 81010.080 )

• If the case is a paper modular disability folder (MDF), attach a paper VAPT flag to the MDF.
  See an exhibit of the paper flag in DI 11005.012H.

C. Scheduling a VAPT appointment

1. Claimant contacts the FO

To ensure expeditious handling, be alert to the possibility of disability claims resulting from military service casualties. When a claimant contacts the FO to file a disability claim:

1. Identify if the claimant is alleging a VAPT disability compensation rating.

2. Have the claimant file the application that day, if possible.
   If the claimant is unable to file an application on the day of initial contact, take the following steps to expedite the appointment process:

   • Schedule an appointment within three business days after contact; and

   • Add the remark “100% VAPT” on the Leads/Protective Filings and Proofs (LPFP) screen in the 800# System (For information on LPF Proofs/Appointment (LPFP), see MSOM APPTS 001.007.).

2. Claimant contacts the National 800 Number Network (N8NN) and agent transfers referral to FO

If the claimant contacts the N8NN for an appointment and the agent cannot schedule an appointment with the servicing FO within three business days, he or she transmits a referral to the FO via the LPFP screen with “100% VAPT” in the remarks.

Upon receipt of the N8NN referral, contact the claimant within two business days to schedule an appointment.