VA Pension Claims: What to Include and Exclude

A successful VA pension claim depends on the inclusion of the right VA forms as well as their correct completion. This is particularly important in the case of the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program, which is the relatively quicker claim adjudication process in comparison with the Standard Claim Process. However, how important are the lesser-discussed verification documents to a claim’s success? These supporting players may be more important than you realize.

To ensure consistency with files, we recommend that firms provide a checklist of necessary documents for each client to gather for review before each consultation.  The requested items include biographical data, income and asset verification and current estate planning documents.  The more complete the response is to this checklist, the more accurate and effective our evaluation and recommendations are to the client.

More importantly, however, is having the documentation to submit with a VA claim for pension with aid and attendance.  Instructions on the VA Forms 21-527EZ and 21-534EZ stipulate, “submit simultaneously with your claim all necessary income and net-worth information."  If you fail to submit the proper supporting documentation, the VA will delay or deny the claim.  The instructions for these forms further state, "It is your responsibility to make sure we receive all requested records that are not in the possession of a Federal department or agency.”

One of the most important supporting documents is proof that the veteran was indeed a wartime veteran. The most common way of verifying this is by submitting the discharge paper, commonly the DD-214. In the absence of any formal record of service, you can use a “buddy affidavit,” in which a fellow service member attests to having served with the veteran. The VA should attempt to confirm service if you do not submit this documentation; however, it is incumbent upon you to do your best to provide this, as your claim will not proceed until this aspect of eligibility is confirmed.

Records documenting marital history also may cause issues when they are omitted.  You should obtain marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates of all previous spouses for both the veteran and his or her spouse. The reason for this is that the VA must ensure it is paying the correct amount of monthly pension and that payment is going to a qualified beneficiary. 

Knowing which documents to include is important. Just as important is knowing which documents NOT to include. The Improved Pension program with aid and attendance is “means” based, so it requires the applicant to meet certain income and asset limitations.  We recommend that you provide verification of all income and assets from the date of eligibility (the effective date).  The VA may only consider the claimant’s net worth and income as of the effective date, which is determined by when the claim was submitted, or when an intent to file a claim was submitted.  Any financial documents pertaining to net worth or income prior to the effective date are irrelevant to the claim process, pursuant to Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations §3.400, which states, “Except as otherwise provided, the effective date of an evaluation and award of pension, compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation based on an original claim, a claim reopened after final disallowance, or a claim for increase will be the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is the later.” In fact, the adjudication manual M21-1MR, Part V, iii, 1, E 33n, specifically states, “Do not count income received before the effective date of an original or reopened award. (For death pension cases, do not count income received between the effective date and the date of the veteran’s death.) The effective date is the date a claimant is entitled to benefits without regard to 38 CFR 3.31.” You can use the latter citation when responding to VA requests regarding the prior year’s income when it occurred before the effective date.

When completing an application for VA benefits, ensure that you do three things:

1. Use the correct forms.
2. Complete the forms correctly.
3. Provide all of the necessary verification documents.

Members! Don't forget we have VA Tech Training this Thursday, June 18th at 3 EST.  To join this call on what’s new and improved in the June release of the LWP-CCS software contact Amanda Ross at aross@lawyerswithpurpose.com.  

If you aren't a member and want to learn more about joining the Lawyers With Purpose community, contact Molly Hall at mhall@lawyerswithpurpose.com

Sabrina A. Scott, VA Production Coordinator, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC and Paralegal, The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC.

Victoria L. Collier, Veteran of the United States Air Force, 1989-1995 and United States Army Reserves, 2001-2004.  Victoria is a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation; Author of “47 Secret Veterans' Benefits for Seniors”; Author of “Paying for Long Term Care: Financial Help for Wartime Veterans: The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit”; Founder of The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC; and Co-Founder of Lawyers with Purpose.