VA Claims Reference

These reviews stay with the claim’s issues and development requests. Use separate reviews for independent actions or employers.

IU reference checklist

Saved reminders; checking them does not complete a request or decide entitlement.

Identify how IU entered the claimDetermine whether IU was expressly claimed, reasonably raised by the record, or appears in connection with a specific increased-evaluation or other compensation issue.

Define the service-connected disabilities and period at issueMap the service-connected conditions, their relevant evaluations, the claimed or inferred unemployability period, and any pending claims that affect the analysis.

Complete the required application and employer-development pathUse the controlling IU procedure to obtain the necessary claimant employment/education information and any employer information or document why it cannot be obtained.

Develop the functional and vocational recordIdentify relevant treatment evidence, vocational rehabilitation/CER material, employment information, SSA or other Federal records, and claimant statements that describe functional impact.

Screen schedular and referral questions under the governing ruleApply the current IU criteria and referral procedure to the actual evaluation picture and period at issue; do not turn a threshold screen into a final merits conclusion.

Request a focused medical opinion only when neededIf medical evidence is insufficient, request information about functional impact of the service-connected disabilities. The adjudicator still resolves the legal employability question.

Check related and mutually affecting issuesReview special monthly compensation, dependents, pension, proposed reductions, nonservice-connected factors, effective dates, and any additional claim or appeal posture that changes the decision.

Build the IU determination and complete closeoutAddress the applicable period, service-connected functional impact, required findings, effective date, notice, authorization, and QRT-informed controls.