VA Claims Reference

Decision sequence

Decide the right issue, on the right record

List every issue and disposition that must be decidedStart with claimed issues, then add any inferred, ancillary, subordinate, special-issue, or separately adjudicable matter raised by the record.

Confirm the evidence record is complete for each determinationIdentify the facts supporting and weighing against each issue. If a material record, exam, or opinion gap remains, return to development instead of drafting around it.Return to evidence development →

Select the governing benefit theory and criteriaMatch each issue to the applicable service-connection theory, rating criteria, presumption, procedural rule, and any special authority before selecting an outcome.

Make the required factual findingsState the key facts and explain how the evidence meets or does not meet the governing criteria. Do not substitute a conclusion for the missing factual analysis.

Review evaluations, staged periods, and ancillary benefitsWhen a benefit is granted or continued, check whether severity varies over the period and whether the facts raise an ancillary or subordinate benefit.

Review date-of-claim and effective-date questionsCheck the procedural posture, receipt history, continuous-pursuit facts, and any special rule that could alter the effective date.

Draft a clear, issue-by-issue rationaleMake the decision understandable: what was decided, the evidence considered, the controlling basis, and the reason for each determination.

Hand off to authorization, notification, and QRT closeoutOnce the merits work is complete, use the shared closeout module for final controls, notice, signatures, and quality review.Open decision and quality closeout →