Label reference

EP 020 · 020INCMPRVSC

Incompetency Review - S/C

Guided branches available — some specialized rules remain

Scope: Service-connected compensation; ordinary incompetency-review label

In plain English

Competency concerns the beneficiary’s ability to manage funds. The label alone does not establish incompetency or tell you which office makes the next decision. The stage, evidence, and jurisdiction determine the procedure.

Procedure to consult

Hover over or select an underlined manual reference to read it here. Select “Keep open” to leave the passage visible.

1. Identify whether this is an initial determination, a proposed determination, or review after a final determination. Use X.ii.6.A.1.a to establish jurisdiction, including its hearing and special-processing exceptions.
2. Identify the evidence and who raised the issue. A beneficiary’s request without supporting medical or court evidence and a third-party request without that evidence follow different control and development procedures in X.ii.6.A.1.f. Do not assume every request belongs under EP 020.
3. Use X.ii.6.A for the applicable evidence and rating procedure. A request accompanied by medical or judicial evidence does not require a prescribed claim form. Competency is presumed in the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
4. If a fiduciary appointment is at issue, consult X.ii.6.C.1 for responsibility and referral requirements. Read the applicable due-process, award, and fiduciary rules before implementing a determination.

• M21-1 X.ii.6.A — Evaluating and Rating Competency · preview
• M21-1 X.ii.6.C — General Information on Incompetency and Fiduciary Cases · preview
• Compensation competency procedure ↗

Guided evidence, stage/jurisdiction, third-party request, proposal/hearing, restoration and court branches are available above. Detailed FPM operations, hearing administration and complete award calculations retain their specific procedures.

Search the manual for this label ↗ · View procedure coverage

Return to the affected issue and pending requests after following the applicable procedure. Opening this reference does not complete an issue or the claim.