### Section B. Handling Power of Attorney (POA) Appointments

#### Overview {#overview .unnumbered}

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > This section contains the following topics:           |
| ### In thi |                                                         |
| s Section  |                                                         |
| {#in-this- |                                                         |
| section .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------
  Topic        Topic Name                                     See Page

  9            Acknowledging Representation by an Accredited  3-B-2
               Representative of a Service Organization,      
               Agent, Non-Licensed Individual, or Attorney    

  10           Handling Appointment Forms/Letters for Special 3-B-6
               Cases                                          

  11           Updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN)   3-B-11

  12           Service Organization Review of New Rating      3-B-16
               Decisions                                      

  13           Exhibit 1: POA Codes                           3-B-18
  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------

#### 9. Acknowledging Representation by an Accredited Representative of Service Organization, Agent, Non-Licensed Individual, or Attorney

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > VA must process appointment forms or letters to       |
| Introducti | > acknowledge the receipt of the form or letter and the |
| on {#intro | > appointment of the representative. This topic         |
| duction .u | > contains information on                               |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
|            | -   when to process appointment forms and letters       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   endorsing the appointment form or letter in cases   |
|            |     of limited POA                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   processing *VA Form 21-22*                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   processing *VA Form 22a* and appointment letters,   |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   filing or sending additional copies of appointment  |
|            |     forms or letters to note the existence of a         |
|            |     representative.                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > February 16, 2007                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > Process representative appointment forms as soon as   |
|  When to P | > they are received from the claimant.                  |
| rocess App |                                                         |
| ointment F |                                                         |
| orms and L |                                                         |
| etters {#a |                                                         |
| .-when-to- |                                                         |
| process-ap |                                                         |
| pointment- |                                                         |
| forms-and- |                                                         |
| letters .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. E | > If a claimant other than the veteran appoints a       |
| ndorsing t | > representative, clearly endorse the appointment form  |
| he Appoint | > as *"Limited"* to avoid erroneous referral of the     |
| ment Form  | > claims folder to the holder of the power of attorney  |
| or Letter  | > (POA).                                                |
| for Limite |                                                         |
| d POA {#b. |                                                         |
| -endorsing |                                                         |
| -the-appoi |                                                         |
| ntment-for |                                                         |
| m-or-lette |                                                         |
| r-for-limi |                                                         |
| ted-poa .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

9\. Acknowledging Representation by an Accredited Representative of
Service Organization, Agent, Non-Licensed Individual, or Attorney,
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Use the table below to process *VA Form 21-22* in     |
| c. Process | > order to acknowledge the appointment of an accredited |
| ing VA For | > representative of a service organization.             |
| m 21-22 {# |                                                         |
| c.-process |                                                         |
| ing-va-for |                                                         |
| m-21-22 .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Copy of   | Designated Name   | Action to Process                   |
| Form      |                   |                                     |
+-----------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+
| 1         | *VA Form 21-22*,  | -   In the Acknowledged block,      |
|           | *Appointment of   |     enter                           |
|           | Veterans Service  |                                     |
|           | Organization as   | ```{=html}                          |
|           | Claimant's        | <!-- -->                            |
|           | Representative*   | ```                                 |
|           |                   | -   the current date, and           |
|           |                   |                                     |
|           |                   | -   your initials                   |
|           |                   |                                     |
|           |                   | ```{=html}                          |
|           |                   | <!-- -->                            |
|           |                   | ```                                 |
|           |                   | -   indicate any action taken with  |
|           |                   |     copy 3 in the appropriate       |
|           |                   |     block, and                      |
|           |                   |                                     |
|           |                   | -   reverse file on the right flap  |
|           |                   |     of the claims folder.           |
+-----------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+
| 2         | *VA Form          | Send to the accredited              |
|           | 21-22-1*,         | representative of the service       |
|           | *Acknowledgement  | organization to acknowledge         |
|           | of Appointment as | Department of Veteran Affairs       |
|           | Claimant's        | (VA's) receipt of *VA Form 21-22*.  |
|           | Representative*   |                                     |
+-----------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+
| 3         | *VA Form          | > Either                            |
|           | 21-22-1*,         |                                     |
|           | *Acknowledgement  | -   file in any other relevant      |
|           | of Appointment as |     folders, such as insurance,     |
|           | Claimant's        |     Counseling, Evaluation and      |
|           | Representative*   |     Rehabilitation (CER), Chapter   |
|           |                   |     30 or loan guaranty folders, or |
|           |                   |     send to any relevant third      |
|           |                   |     parties to note the existence   |
|           |                   |     of the accredited               |
|           |                   |     representative of a service     |
|           |                   |     organization as a               |
|           |                   |     representative, or              |
|           |                   |                                     |
|           |                   | -   dispose of it if not needed in  |
|           |                   |     accordance with the *Records    |
|           |                   |     Control Schedule* VBA, Part I,  |
|           |                   |     13-052.300.                     |
|           |                   |                                     |
|           |                   | ***References***: For more          |
|           |                   | information on                      |
|           |                   |                                     |
|           |                   | the relevant folders and third      |
|           |                   | parties that should receive copy 3  |
|           |                   | of *VA Form 21-22*, see M21-1MR,    |
|           |                   | Part I, 3.B.9.e.                    |
+-----------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

9\. Acknowledging Representation by an Accredited Representative of
Service Organization, Agent, Non-Licensed Individual, or Attorney,
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d. P | > Use the table below to process *VA Form 22a* and      |
| rocessing  | > appointment letter in order to acknowledge the        |
| VA Form 22 | > appointment of an Agent, Attorney or a non-licensed   |
| a and Appo | > individual.                                           |
| intment Le | >                                                       |
| tters {#d. | > ***Notes***:                                          |
| -processin |                                                         |
| g-va-form- | -   An Agent may only establish representation by using |
| 22a-and-ap |     a *VA Form 22a*.                                    |
| pointment- |                                                         |
| letters .u | -   Attorneys and non-licensed individuals may          |
| nnumbered} |     establish representation by using the *VA Form 22a* |
|            |     or appointment letter.                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Copy of      | Action to Process                                     |
| Form/Letter  |                                                       |
+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Original     | -   Annotate with                                     |
|              |                                                       |
|              | ```{=html}                                            |
|              | <!-- -->                                              |
|              | ```                                                   |
|              | -   the current date, and                             |
|              |                                                       |
|              | -   *"Acknowledged"*, and                             |
|              |                                                       |
|              | ```{=html}                                            |
|              | <!-- -->                                              |
|              | ```                                                   |
|              | -   reverse file on the right flap of the claims      |
|              |     folder.                                           |
+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Photocopy 1  | Send to the agent or non-licensed individual          |
|              | representative to acknowledge VA's receipt of *VA     |
|              | Form 22a* or appointment letter.                      |
+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Additional   | File in any relevant folders or send to any relevant  |
| Photocopies  | third parties to note the existence of the agent or   |
|              | non-licensed individual as a representative.          |
|              |                                                       |
|              | ***Reference***: For more information on the relevant |
|              | folders and third parties that should receive a copy  |
|              | of *VA Form 22a*, see M21-1MR, Part I, 3.B.9.e.       |
+--------------+-------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

9\. Acknowledging Representation by an Accredited Representative of
Service Organization, Agent, Non-Licensed Individual, or Attorney,
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Use the table below to determine circumstances that   |
| ### e. Fil | > require additional filing or sending of               |
| ing or Sen |                                                         |
| ding Addit | -   copy 3 of *VA Form 21-22*, or                       |
| ional Copi |                                                         |
| es of Appo | -   additional photocopies of *VA Form 22a* or the      |
| intment Fo |     appointment letter.                                 |
| rms or Let |                                                         |
| ters {#e.- |                                                         |
| filing-or- |                                                         |
| sending-ad |                                                         |
| ditional-c |                                                         |
| opies-of-a |                                                         |
| ppointment |                                                         |
| -forms-or- |                                                         |
| letters .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If ...                            | Then ...                          |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| there is a CER folder             | file copy 3 or an additional      |
|                                   | photocopy in the CER folder.      |
| ***Exception***: CER folders      |                                   |
| retired to a Federal Records      |                                   |
| Center (FRC).                     |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| the POA was filed for loan        | file copy 3 or an additional      |
| guaranty purposes and the loan    | photocopy in the loan guaranty    |
| guaranty records involve waiver   | folder.                           |
| of indebtedness or denial of      |                                   |
| basic eligibility                 |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| the claim involves disability     | send copy 3 or an additional      |
| insurance benefits                | photocopy to the insurance office |
|                                   | of jurisdiction.                  |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| a Chapter 30 file exists on the   | -   annotate the copy 3 or an     |
| Beneficiary Identification and    |     additional photocopy with the |
| Records Location Subsystem        |     phrase *"for CH 30            |
| (BIRLS) LOC screen                |     purposes"*, and               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | -   send copy 3 or the additional |
|                                   |     photocopy to the regional     |
|                                   |     office with jurisdiction over |
|                                   |     the Chapter 30 file.          |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > If a private attorney's declaration of representation |
| f. Unclear | > is unclear whether it is limited or unlimited, write  |
|  Declarati | > to the attorney and ask for clarification. Back-file  |
| on {#f.-un | > any such clarification in the claims file.            |
| clear-decl |                                                         |
| aration .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

#### 10. Handling Appointment Forms/Letters for Special Cases

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > Special procedures exist for handling *VA Form        |
| troduction | > 21-22*, *VA Form 22a*, and appointment letters in     |
|  {#introdu | > special cases, including cases when                   |
| ction-1 .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} | -   the claims folder is permanently transferred        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the claims folder is temporarily transferred        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   there is no record of the claims folder, and        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   you must validate an informal claim without an      |
|            |     appointment form or letter.                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > May 6, 2005                                           |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The table below describes the process for handling    |
| # a. Handl | > *VA Form 21-22* when the claims folder is permanently |
| ing VA For | > transferred.                                          |
| m 21-22 Wh |                                                         |
| en Claims  |                                                         |
| Folder Is  |                                                         |
| Permanentl |                                                         |
| y Transfer |                                                         |
| red {#a.-h |                                                         |
| andling-va |                                                         |
| -form-21-2 |                                                         |
| 2-when-cla |                                                         |
| ims-folder |                                                         |
| -is-perman |                                                         |
| ently-tran |                                                         |
| sferred .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Stage | Who is       | Description                                   |
|       | Responsible  |                                               |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Office which | -   Annotates copy 2 of *VA Form 21-22-1*,    |
|       | receives *VA |     indicating the name of the station where  |
|       | Form 21-22*  |     the claims folder has been transferred,   |
|       |              |     and                                       |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   sends copy 2 to the appropriate service   |
|       |              |     organization POA representative within    |
|       |              |     the transferring station.                 |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Office which | -   Spells out the service organization's     |
|       | receives *VA |     name (***Example***: Spell out ALA-DVA as |
|       | Form 21-22*  |     *"ALA State Department of Veterans        |
|       |              |     Affairs")* on                             |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | ```{=html}                                    |
|       |              | <!-- -->                                      |
|       |              | ```                                           |
|       |              | -   *VA Form 21-22*, and                      |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   copy 3 of *VA Form 21-22-1*, and          |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | ```{=html}                                    |
|       |              | <!-- -->                                      |
|       |              | ```                                           |
|       |              | -   uses *Optional Form (OF) 41, Routing and  |
|       |              |     Transmittal Slip* to forward the *VA Form |
|       |              |     21-22* and copy 3 of the *VA Form         |
|       |              |     21-22-1* to the office having             |
|       |              |     jurisdiction over the claims folder.      |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | ***Note***: For State or local service        |
|       |              | organizations, use authorized State           |
|       |              | abbreviations.                                |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

10\. Handling Appointment Forms/Letters for Special Cases, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  a\. Handling VA Form 21-22 When Claims Folder Is Permanently
  Transferred (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Stage | Who is       | Description                                   |
|       | Responsible  |                                               |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 3     | Office of    | -   Updates the Benefits Delivery Network     |
|       | jurisdiction |     (BDN)                                     |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   forwards copy 3 of the *VA Form 21-22-1*  |
|       |              |     to the appropriate service organization   |
|       |              |     representative, and                       |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   files *VA Form 21-22* in the claims       |
|       |              |     folder.                                   |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | ***Reference***: For more information on      |
|       |              | updating the BDN, see M21-1MR, Part I,        |
|       |              | 3.B.11.                                       |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > If *VA Form 22a* or an appointment letter is received |
| # b. Handl | > after the claims folder has been permanently          |
| ing VA For | > transferred, the office that receives *VA Form 22a*   |
| m 22a or A | > or the appointment letter                             |
| ppointment |                                                         |
|  Letter Wh | -   forwards the form or letter to the office of        |
| en Claims  |     jurisdiction, and                                   |
| Folder Is  |                                                         |
| Permanentl | -   uses a locally generated letter to advise the       |
| y Transfer |     agent, non-licensed individual, or attorney of this |
| red {#b.-h |     referral.                                           |
| andling-va |                                                         |
| -form-22a- |                                                         |
| or-appoint |                                                         |
| ment-lette |                                                         |
| r-when-cla |                                                         |
| ims-folder |                                                         |
| -is-perman |                                                         |
| ently-tran |                                                         |
| sferred .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

10\. Handling Appointment Forms/Letters for Special Cases, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > The table below describes the process for handling    |
| . Handling | > *VA Forms 21-22*, *VA Form 22a*, or an appointment    |
|  Appointme | > letter when the claims folder is temporarily          |
| nt Forms/L | > transferred to another regional office.               |
| etters Whe |                                                         |
| n Claims F |                                                         |
| older Is T |                                                         |
| emporarily |                                                         |
|  Transferr |                                                         |
| ed {#c.-ha |                                                         |
| ndling-app |                                                         |
| ointment-f |                                                         |
| ormsletter |                                                         |
| s-when-cla |                                                         |
| ims-folder |                                                         |
| -is-tempor |                                                         |
| arily-tran |                                                         |
| sferred .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Stage | Who is       | Description                                   |
|       | Responsible  |                                               |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Office of    | -   Reviews the form/letter for completeness  |
|       | permanent    |                                               |
|       | jurisdiction | -   annotates *VA Form 70-3029, Transfer of   |
|       |              |     Veteran's Miscellaneous Records*, to show |
|       |              |     the date and reason for the transfer of   |
|       |              |     the folder                                |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   attaches the original *VA Form 70-3029*   |
|       |              |     to *VA Form 21-22*, *VA Form 22a*, or the |
|       |              |     appointment letter                        |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   sends the form/letter to the office       |
|       |              |     having temporary custody of the claims    |
|       |              |     folder, and                               |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   maintains a copy of *VA Form 70-3029*     |
|       |              |     with *VA Form 70-7216a* in the suspense   |
|       |              |     file.                                     |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | ***Exception***: If the claims folder is      |
|       |              | temporarily transferred to a medical center,  |
|       |              | outpatient clinic, or Central Office (CO),    |
|       |              | the office of permanent jurisdiction holds    |
|       |              | *VA Form 21-22*, *VA Form 22a*, or the        |
|       |              | appointment letter for processing pending the |
|       |              | return of the folder.                         |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Regional     | -   Acknowledges receipt of *VA Form 21-22*,  |
|       | office       |     *VA Form 22a*, or the appointment letter, |
|       | having       |     and                                       |
|       | temporary    |                                               |
|       | jurisdiction | -   updates the BDN.                          |
|       | of claims    |                                               |
|       | folder       |     > ***References***: For more information  |
|       |              |     > on                                      |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   acknowledging the receipt of *VA Form     |
|       |              |     21-22*, *VA Form 22a*, or the appointment |
|       |              |     letter, see M21-1MR, Part I, 3.B.9, and   |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   updating the BDN, see M21-1MR, Part I,    |
|       |              |     3.B.11.                                   |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

10\. Handling Appointment Forms/Letters for Special Cases, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  c\. Handling Appointment Forms/Letters When Claims Folder Is
  Temporarily Transferred (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Stage | Who is       | Description                                   |
|       | Responsible  |                                               |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| 3     | Regional     | Furnishes copies of *VA Form 21-22-1*, *VA    |
|       | office       | Form 22a*, or appointment letter to the       |
|       | having       | office of permanent jurisdiction for          |
|       | temporary    |                                               |
|       | jurisdiction | -   distribution to the newly designated      |
|       | of claims    |     service organization, agent, non-licensed |
|       | folder       |     individual, or attorney, and              |
|       |              |                                               |
|       |              | -   filing copies in related records.         |
+-------+--------------+-----------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > Use the table below to handle the receipt of *VA Form |
| Handling A | > 21-22*, *VA Form 22a*, or an appointment letter when  |
| ppointment | > there is no record of a claims folder or a pending    |
|  Forms/Let | > claim.                                                |
| ters When  |                                                         |
| No Record  |                                                         |
| of Claims  |                                                         |
| Folder {#d |                                                         |
| .-handling |                                                         |
| -appointme |                                                         |
| nt-formsle |                                                         |
| tters-when |                                                         |
| -no-record |                                                         |
| -of-claims |                                                         |
| -folder .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| If ...           | Then ...                                          |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| the form/letter  | forward the form/letter to the appropriate        |
| indicates a      | insurance center.                                 |
| claim for        |                                                   |
| disability       |                                                   |
| insurance only   |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| there is no      | return the form/letter to the service             |
| record of a      | organization, agent, non-licensed individual, or  |
| claim for        | attorney with an explanation for the return.      |
| disability       |                                                   |
| insurance        | ***Important***: Before returning the document,   |
|                  | check the BIRLS LOC screen for the existence of a |
|                  | Chapter 30 or Notice of Disagreement (NOD) folder |
|                  | since the appointment could relate to a Chapter   |
|                  | 30 claim or NOD claim.                            |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

10\. Handling Appointment Forms/Letters for Special Cases, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### e    | > Some cases require validation of an informal claim    |
| . Validati | > filed by an accredited representative of a service    |
| ng Informa | > organization, agent, non-licensed individual, or      |
| l Claims W | > attorney before the necessary *VA Form 21-22*, *VA    |
| ithout App | > Form 22a*, or an appointment letter is received.      |
| ointment F | >                                                       |
| orms/Lette | > In the absence of evidence to the contrary, presume   |
| rs {#e.-va | > the existence of a valid POA in favor of the          |
| lidating-i | > accredited representative of a service organization,  |
| nformal-cl | > agent, non-licensed individual, or attorney filing an |
| aims-witho | > informal claim as of the date the claim was received. |
| ut-appoint |                                                         |
| ment-forms |                                                         |
| letters .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 11. Updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN)

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > Once a representative has been acknowledged or        |
| troduction | > changes are made to a claimant's POA, update the BDN. |
|  {#introdu | > This topic contains information on                    |
| ction-2 .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} | -   updating the BDN for the appointment of             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   accredited representatives of service               |
|            |     organizations, and                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   agents, individuals, and attorney representatives,  |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   handling preexisting POA representational           |
|            |     relationships.                                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > February 16, 2007                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a. U | > Follow the steps in the table below to update the BDN |
| pdating Ap | > for the appointment of an accredited representative   |
| pointments | > of a service organization.                            |
|  of Accred |                                                         |
| ited Repre | > ***Note:*** Applications other than BDN which may     |
| sentatives | > require input of agent/attorney representation        |
|  of Servic | > include CAPS/MAP-D and (if there is an active appeal) |
| e Organiza | > VACOLS.                                               |
| tions {#a. |                                                         |
| -updating- |                                                         |
| appointmen |                                                         |
| ts-of-accr |                                                         |
| edited-rep |                                                         |
| resentativ |                                                         |
| es-of-serv |                                                         |
| ice-organi |                                                         |
| zations .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Is the person appointing the service organization the        |
|       | veteran or the primary beneficiary in a death case?          |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If *yes,* go to Step 2                                   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If *no,* do not enter a POA code into the BDN record.    |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Is there a pending end product?                              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If yes*,* enter the service organization's two-digit     |
|       |     code in the pending issue file by using the pending      |
|       |     issue change (PCHG) command. This ends the entire        |
|       |     procedure. See ***Note*** below.                         |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If no, go to Step 3.                                     |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ***Note***: A change to the pending issue under the PCHG or  |
|       | claims establishment (CEST) commands also updates the C&P    |
|       | master record and the BIRLS record.                          |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ***Reference***: For a list of service organization codes,   |
|       | see M21-1MR, Part 1, 3.B.13.                                 |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

11\. Updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN), Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  a\. Updating Appointments of Accredited Representatives of Service
  Organizations (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+---+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| S | Action                         |                                |
| t |                                |                                |
| e |                                |                                |
| p |                                |                                |
+---+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| 3 | Is there a compensation,       |                                |
|   | pension, or education master   |                                |
|   | record?                        |                                |
|   |                                |                                |
|   | -   If *yes,* enter the        |                                |
|   |     service organization's     |                                |
|   |     code in the C&P master     |                                |
|   |     record by using the master |                                |
|   |     record correction (CORR)   |                                |
|   |     command. This ends the     |                                |
|   |     entire procedure. See      |                                |
|   |     ***Note*** below           |                                |
|   |                                |                                |
|   | -   If *no*, go to Step 4.     |                                |
|   |                                |                                |
|   | ***Note***: A change to the    |                                |
|   | C&P master record under the    |                                |
|   | CORR command also updates the  |                                |
|   | BIRLS record with the next     |                                |
|   | processing cycle, but does     |                                |
|   | *not* update any pending       |                                |
|   | issues that exist.             |                                |
|   |                                |                                |
|   | ***Reference***: For a list of |                                |
|   | service organization codes,    |                                |
|   | see M21-1MR, Part 1, 3.B.13.   |                                |
+---+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| 4 | Enter the appropriate          |                                |
|   | numerical POA code in the      |                                |
|   | BIRLS record by using the      |                                |
|   | BIRLS update (BUPD) command on |                                |
|   | the VID screen.                |                                |
|   |                                |                                |
|   | ***Result***: This will give   |                                |
|   | the service organization's     |                                |
|   | representative access to all   |                                |
|   | BIRLS inquiry screens. If a    |                                |
|   | POA code is not entered, the   |                                |
|   | representative's access to     |                                |
|   | BIRLS is limited to the NAM    |                                |
|   | Screen, LOC Screen, and an     |                                |
|   | abbreviated VID Screen.        |                                |
|   |                                |                                |
|   | ***Note***: A change to the    |                                |
|   | BIRLS record under the BUPD    |                                |
|   | command updates only the BIRLS |                                |
|   | records and not the            |                                |
|   | Compensation and Pension (C&P) |                                |
|   | master record or any pending   |                                |
|   | issues that exist.             |                                |
|   |                                |                                |
|   | ***Reference***: For a list of |                                |
|   | POA codes, see M21-1MR, Part   |                                |
|   | I, 3.B.13.                     |                                |
+---+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+

Continued on next page

11\. Updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b.   | > Follow the steps in the table below to update the BDN |
|  Updating  | > for the appointment of agents, non-licensed           |
| Appointmen | > individuals, or attorney representatives.             |
| ts of Agen |                                                         |
| ts, Non-Li | > ***Note***: Applications other than BDN which may     |
| censed Ind | > require input of agent/attorney representation        |
| ividuals,  | > include CAPS/MAP-D and (if there is an active appeal) |
| or Attorne | > VACOLS.                                               |
| y Represen |                                                         |
| tatives {# |                                                         |
| b.-updatin |                                                         |
| g-appointm |                                                         |
| ents-of-ag |                                                         |
| ents-non-l |                                                         |
| icensed-in |                                                         |
| dividuals- |                                                         |
| or-attorne |                                                         |
| y-represen |                                                         |
| tatives .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Is the person appointing the agent, non-licensed individual, |
|       | or attorney the veteran or the primary beneficiary in a      |
|       | death case?                                                  |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If yes, go to step 2                                     |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If no, do not enter a POA code into the BDN record.      |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Is there a pending end product?                              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If yes, enter the attorney's specific code in the POA    |
|       |     field of the pending issue file by using the PCHG        |
|       |     command. If the attorney has no specific code, use       |
|       |     code 099. This ends the entire procedure. See ***Note*** |
|       |     below.                                                   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If no, proceed to Step 3.                                |
|       |                                                              |
|       |     ***Note***: A change to the pending issue under the PCHG |
|       |     or claims establishment (CEST) commands also updates the |
|       |     C&P master record and the BIRLS record                   |
|       |                                                              |
|       |     ***Reference***: For a list of attorney POA codes, see   |
|       |     M21-1MR, Part I, 3.B.13.                                 |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

11\. Updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN), Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  b\. Updating Appointments of Agents, Non-Licensed Individuals, or
  Attorney Representatives (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | > Is there a compensation, pension, or education master      |
|       | > record?                                                    |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If yes, enter the attorney's specific code in the C&P    |
|       |     master record by using the CORR command. If the attorney |
|       |     has no specific code, use code 099. This ends the entire |
|       |     procedure. See the ***Note*** below. ***Result***: An    |
|       |     extra copy of all BDN letters is generated and code 99   |
|       |     is displayed at the top of the first page of the         |
|       |     letters. ***Reference***: For procedures regarding these |
|       |     letters, see M21-1MR, Part I, 3.B.11.c.                  |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   If *no*, go to Step 4.                                   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ***Note***: A change to the C&P master record under the CORR |
|       | command also updates the BIRLS record, but does not update   |
|       | any pending issues that exist.                               |
|       |                                                              |
|       | > ***Reference***: For a list of POA codes, see M21-1MR,     |
|       | > Part I, 3.B.13.                                            |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4     | Enter the attorney's specific code in the BIRLS record by    |
|       | using a BIRLS update (BUPD) command on the VID screen. If    |
|       | the attorney has no specific code, use code 099. See         |
|       | ***Note*** below.                                            |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ***Note***: A change to the BIRLS record under the BUPD      |
|       | command updates only the BIRLS record and not the C&P master |
|       | record or any pending issues that exist.                     |
|       |                                                              |
|       | > ***Reference***: For a list of attorney POA codes, see     |
|       | > M21-1MR, Part I, 3.B.13.                                   |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

11\. Updating the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | For any BDN-generated letter displaying code 099        |
| Handling L |                                                         |
| etters for | -   pull the claims folder                              |
|  Agents, N |                                                         |
| on-License | -   obtain the name and address of the agent,           |
| d Individu |     non-licensed individual, or attorney, and           |
| als or Att |                                                         |
| orney Repr | -   mail the copy of the BDN-generated letter to that   |
| esentative |     person.                                             |
| s {#c.-han |                                                         |
| dling-lett |     > ***Note***: If, when working a claim without the  |
| ers-for-ag |     > claims folder, a locally-generated letter is      |
| ents-non-l |     > required, and code 099 is in the C&P master       |
| icensed-in |     > record, then pull the folder in order to obtain   |
| dividuals- |     > the name and address of the agent, non-licensed   |
| or-attorne |     > individual, or attorney. Mail a copy of the       |
| y-represen |     > locally-generated letter to that person.          |
| tatives .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > If an attorney files a limited declaration of         |
| d. Handlin | > representation with respect to a particular claim or  |
| g Preexist | > claims it is possible that a preexisting              |
| ing Repres | > representative relationship with a service            |
| entative R | > organization, agent, or other licensed attorney       |
| elationshi | > remains in effect with respect to all other claims.   |
| ps {#d.-ha |                                                         |
| ndling-pre | > However, even if the attorney's limited declaration   |
| existing-r | > of representation does not completely revoke all      |
| epresentat | > preexisting representative relationships, change the  |
| ive-relati | > POA code to 99.                                       |
| onships .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   If the claimant was previously represented by a     |
|            |     service organization, changing POA code to 99       |
|            |     blocks the service organizations access to BDN      |
|            |     records concerning the claimant. Therefore, access  |
|            |     to the claimant's record under the preexisting      |
|            |     representative relationship will be limited to a    |
|            |     review of the claims folder.                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Update MAP-D to reflect the limited representation  |
|            |     by noting the particular claim or claims that the   |
|            |     attorney indicates in his or her declaration of     |
|            |     representation.                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 12. Service Organization Review of New Rating Decisions

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information about veteran service |
| troduction | > organization (VSO) review of new rating decisions,    |
|            | > including                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the purpose of VSO review of new rating decisions   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   establishing time limits for VSO review             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   VSO review at brokered-work sites, and              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the process for VSO rating decision review.         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > June 19, 2006                                         |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The purpose of VSO review of new rating decisions is  |
| # a. Purpo | > to provide VSOs an opportunity to review the decision |
| se of VSO  | > and discuss the case with VA personnel prior to       |
| Review of  | > promulgation. This review may result in the           |
| New Rating | > correction of errors in rating decisions, discussion  |
|  Decisions | > of differing points of view, and more favorable       |
|            | > decisions for VA claimants.                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Local policy determines whether to make   |
|            | > deferred ratings and examination requests available   |
|            | > for VSO review.                                       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b.   | > Regional offices will provide VSOs a *minimum* of two |
|  Establish | > business (see ***Important*** below) days to review a |
| ing Time L | > rating decision before promulgation. The two business |
| imits for  | > days will begin on the date the claims folder is      |
| VSO Review | > placed on the VSO review table. Cases not reviewed    |
|            | > after two business days will be released to the       |
|            | > authorization activity for promulgation.              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Important***: Station management and VSOs may      |
|            | > negotiate a longer pre-promulgation review time       |
|            | > period, but it will not be less than two business     |
|            | > days. Consideration of special circumstances will be  |
|            | > allowed when negotiating an extended review period.   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > The VSO must comply with these controls to ensure     |
|            | > that the review does not cause unnecessary delays in  |
|            | > processing the rating decision.                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: This policy applies to rating decisions   |
|            | > completed in the RO of jurisdiction and at            |
|            | > brokered-work sites.                                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

12\. Service Organization Review of New Rating Decisions, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > If no authorized VSO is available at the              |
| ### c. VSO | > brokered-work site                                    |
|  Review at |                                                         |
|  Brokered- | -   promulgate the completed rating decision without    |
| Work Sites |     VSO review, and                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   return the case to the RO of jurisdiction.          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Resource Centers may return completed     |
|            | > rating decisions to the RO of jurisdiction without    |
|            | > promulgating the decision.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The table below describes the process for VSO         |
| # d. Proce | > representatives to review new rating decisions.       |
| ss for VSO |                                                         |
|  Rating De |                                                         |
| cision Rev |                                                         |
| iew {#d.-p |                                                         |
| rocess-for |                                                         |
| -vso-ratin |                                                         |
| g-decision |                                                         |
| -review .u |                                                         |
| nnumbered} |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stage | Description                                                  |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | > The new rating decision is placed in an area designated    |
|       | > for VSO review by the Veterans Service Center (VSC)        |
|       | > management.                                                |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | > The VSO reviews the new rating decision.                   |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | > If the VSO notes a mistake or wants clarification of the   |
|       | > rating decision prior to promulgation, the VSO will bring  |
|       | > the rating decision to the person designated by local      |
|       | > management to resolve the issue.                           |
|       |                                                              |
|       | If the designated person agrees with the VSO, or a different |
|       | decision resolution is decided, a new decision will be       |
|       | prepared.                                                    |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4     | > If                                                         |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   changes are made after the review, the RVSR              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   calls the changes to the representative's attention, and |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   goes to Stage 5.                                         |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   a new rating is required, the RVSR                       |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ```{=html}                                                   |
|       | <!-- -->                                                     |
|       | ```                                                          |
|       | -   makes a new rating, and                                  |
|       |                                                              |
|       | -   repeats Stages 1, 2, and 3.                              |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 5     | > The RVSR refers the case to authorization.                 |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

#### 13. Exhibit 1: POA Codes

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on the POA codes and  |
| troduction | > the POA codes listed alphabetically and numerically   |
|            | > for                                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   National organizations                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   State organizations, and                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   attorneys.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > April 25, 2007                                        |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a    | > ***Notes:***                                          |
| . Notes on |                                                         |
|  POA Codes | -   POA codes are shown by the C&P Master record as     |
|            |     2-digit codes. However, BIRLS shows them prefixed   |
|            |     by a zero.                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   State service organization codes are based on the   |
|            |     last two digits of the RO number. Only one number   |
|            |     is used when there is more than one RO to a state.  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   States not listed have no recognized service        |
|            |     organization.                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The entry code for the C&P Master Record is the     |
|            |     numerical entry. Legends under the C&P Master       |
|            |     Record codes may also be used.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > The table below lists the POA codes for National      |
| ### b. Nat | > organizations alphabetically.                         |
| ional Orga |                                                         |
| nization P |                                                         |
| OA Codes L |                                                         |
| isted Alph |                                                         |
| abetically |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| National Organization Name                               | Code      |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| African American PTSD Association                        | 091       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| AMVETS                                                   | 077       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| > American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc.                     | 065       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| American GI Forum, National Veterans Outreach Program    | 068       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| American Legion                                          | 074       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| American Red Cross                                       | 075       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Armed Forces Services Corporation                        | 078       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Army and Navy Union, USA                                 | 079       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Blinded Veterans Association                             | 080       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+

Continued on next page

13\. Exhibit 1: POA Codes, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  b\. National Organization POA Codes Listed Alphabetically (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| National Organization Name                               | Code      |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| > Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A.                    | 081       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Disabled American Veterans                               | 083       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Fleet Reserve Association                                | 085       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.                         | 012       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Inc. | 095       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Jewish War Veterans of the United States                 | 086       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc.    | 087       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Marine Corps League                                      | 088       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Military Order of the Purple Heart                       | 089       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| National Amputation Foundation, Inc.                     | 024       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.            | 084       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| National Association of County Veterans Service Officers | 064       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| National Veterans Legal Services Program                 | 082       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| National Veterans Organization of America                | 094       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Navy Mutual Aid Association                              | 093       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Non Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S.A.      | 062       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Paralyzed Veterans of America, Inc.                      | 071       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A.               | 003       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Retired Enlisted Association                             | 007       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Swords to Plowshares, Veterans Rights Organization, Inc. | 043       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| United Spanish War Veterans of the United States         | 096       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| United Spinal Association, Inc.                          | 090       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| The Veterans Assistance Foundation, Inc.                 | 063       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| The Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. & The Veterans     | 092       |
| Coalition                                                |           |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States            | 097       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., Inc.              | 098       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Vietnam Era Veterans Association                         | 029       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+
| Vietnam Veterans of America                              | 070       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+-----------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > The table below lists the POA codes for National      |
| National O | > organizations numerically.                            |
| rganizatio |                                                         |
| n POA Code |                                                         |
| s Listed N |                                                         |
| umerically |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
  Code         National Organization Name

  003          Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A.
  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------

Continued on next page

13\. Exhibit 1: POA Codes, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  c\. National Organization POA Codes Listed Numerically (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
  Code         National Organization Name

  007          The Retired Enlisted Association

  012          Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.

  024          National Amputation Foundation, Inc.

  029          Vietnam Era Veterans Association

  043          Swords to Plowshares, Veterans Rights Organization, Inc.

  062          Non-commissioned Officers Association of the U.S.A.

  064          National Association of County Veterans Service Officers

  065          American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc.

  068          American GI Forum, National Veterans Outreach Program

  070          Vietnam Veterans of America

  071          Paralyzed Veterans of America, Inc.

  074          American Legion

  075          American Red Cross

  077          AMVETS

  078          Armed Forces Services Corporation

  079          Army and Navy Union, USA

  080          Blinded Veterans Association

  081          Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A.

  082          National Veterans Legal Services Program

  083          Disabled American Veterans

  084          National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.

  085          Fleet Reserve Association

  086          Jewish War Veterans of the United States

  087          Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc.

  088          Marine Corps League

  089          Military Order of the Purple Heart

  090          United Spinal Association, Inc.

  091          African American PTSD Association

  092          The Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. & The Veterans
               Coalition

  093          Navy Mutual Aid Association

  094          National Veterans Organization of America

  095          Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Inc.

  096          United Spanish War Veterans of the United States

  097          Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

  098          Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., Inc.
  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------

Continued on next page

13\. Exhibit 1: POA Codes, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > The table below lists the POA codes for State         |
| State Orga | > organizations alphabetically by State.                |
| nization P |                                                         |
| OA Codes L |                                                         |
| isted Alph |                                                         |
| abetically |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ---------------- ------------------------------------------ ------------
  State            State Organization Name                    Code

  Alabama          Department of Veterans Affairs             022

  American Samoa   Veterans Affairs Office                    067

  Arizona          Veterans Service Commission                045

  Arkansas         Department of Veterans Affairs             050

  California       Department of Veterans Affairs             044

  Colorado         Division of Veterans Affairs               039

  Connecticut      Department of Veterans\' Affairs           008

  Delaware         Commission of Veterans Affairs             060

  Florida          Department of Veterans Affairs             017

  Georgia          Department of Veterans Service             016

  Guam             Office of Veterans Affairs                 056

  Hawaii           Office of Veterans Services                059

  Idaho            Division of Veterans Services              047

  Illinois         Department of Veterans Affairs             028

  Kansas           Commission on Veterans Affairs             052

  Kentucky         Center for Veterans Affairs                027

  Louisiana        Department of Veterans\' Affairs           021

  Maine            Department of Veterans Services            002

  Maryland         Veterans\' Service Commission              013

  Massachusetts    Department of Veterans Service             001

  Minnesota        Department of Veterans Affairs             035

  Mississippi      Veterans Affairs Board                     023

  Missouri         Veterans Commission                        031

  Montana          Veterans Affairs Division                  036

  Nebraska         Department of Veterans\' Affairs           034

  Nevada           Commission for Veterans Affairs            054

  New Hampshire    State Veterans Council                     073

  New Jersey       Department of Military and Veterans\'      009
                   Affairs                                    

  New Mexico       Veterans\' Service Commission              040
  ---------------- ------------------------------------------ ------------

Continued on next page

13\. Exhibit 1: POA Codes, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  d\. State Organization POA Codes Listed Alphabetically (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---------------- ------------------------------------------ ------------
  State            State Organization Name                    Code

  New York         Division of Veterans\' Affairs             006

  Northern Mariana Veterans Affairs Office                    053
  Islands                                                     

  North Carolina   Division of Veterans Affairs               018

  North Dakota     Department of Veterans Affairs             037

  Ohio             Governor\'s Office of Veterans\' Affairs   025

  Oklahoma         Department of Veterans Affairs             051

  Oregon           Department of Veterans\' Affairs           048

  Pennsylvania     Department of Military Affairs Bureau for  010
                   Veterans Affairs                           

  Puerto Rico      Public Advocate for Veterans Affairs       055

  Rhode Island     Division of Veterans Affairs               004

  South Carolina   Division of Veterans Affairs               019

  South Dakota     Division of Veterans Affairs               038

  Tennessee        Department of Veterans\' Affairs           020

  Texas            Veterans Commission                        049

  Utah             Office of Veterans Affairs                 041

  Vermont          Veterans Affairs Section, Military         005
                   Department                                 

  Virgin Islands   Office of Veterans Affairs                 032

  Virginia         Department of Veterans Affairs             014

  Washington       Department of Veterans Affairs             046

  West Virginia    Division of Veterans Affairs               015

  Wisconsin        Department of Veterans Affairs             030
  ---------------- ------------------------------------------ ------------

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > The table below lists the POA codes for State         |
| e. State O | > organizations numerically.                            |
| rganizatio |                                                         |
| n POA Code |                                                         |
| s Listed N |                                                         |
| umerically |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ------------ ---------------- ------------------------------------------
  Code         State            State Organization Name

  001          Massachusetts    Department of Veterans Service

  002          Maine            Department of Veterans Services

  004          Rhode Island     Division of Veterans Affairs
  ------------ ---------------- ------------------------------------------

Continued on next page

13\. Exhibit 1: POA Codes, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  e\. State Organization POA Codes Listed Numerically (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------ ---------------- ------------------------------------------
  Code         State            State Organization Name

  005          Vermont          Veterans Affairs Section, Military
                                Department

  006          New York         Division of Veterans\' Affairs

  008          Connecticut      Department of Veterans\' Affairs

  009          New Jersey       Department of Military and Veterans\'
                                Affairs

  010          Pennsylvania     Department of Military Affairs Bureau for
                                Veterans Affairs

  013          Maryland         Veterans\' Service Commission

  014          Virginia         Department of Veterans Affairs

  015          West Virginia    Division of Veterans Affairs

  016          Georgia          Department of Veterans Service

  017          Florida          Department of Veterans Affairs

  018          North Carolina   Division of Veterans Affairs

  019          South Carolina   Division of Veterans Affairs

  020          Tennessee        Department of Veterans\' Affairs

  021          Louisiana        Department of Veterans\' Affairs

  022          Alabama          Department of Veterans Affairs

  023          Mississippi      Veterans Affairs Board

  025          Ohio             Governor\'s Office of Veterans\' Affairs

  027          Kentucky         Center for Veterans Affairs

  028          Illinois         Department of Veterans Affairs

  030          Wisconsin        Department of Veterans Affairs

  031          Missouri         Veterans Commission

  032          Virgin Islands   Office of Veterans Affairs

  034          Nebraska         Department of Veterans\' Affairs

  035          Minnesota        Department of Veterans Affairs

  036          Montana          Veterans Affairs Division

  037          North Dakota     Department of Veterans Affairs

  038          South Dakota     Division of Veterans Affairs

  039          Colorado         Division of Veterans Affairs

  040          New Mexico       Veterans\' Service Commission

  041          Utah             Office of Veterans Affairs

  044          California       Department of Veterans Affairs

  045          Arizona          Veterans Service Commission
  ------------ ---------------- ------------------------------------------

Continued on next page

13\. Exhibit 1: POA Codes, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  e\. State Organization POA Codes Listed Numerically (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------ ---------------- ------------------------------------------
  Code         State            State Organization Name

  046          Washington       Department of Veterans Affairs

  047          Idaho            Division of Veterans Services

  048          Oregon           Department of Veterans\' Affairs

  049          Texas            Veterans Commission

  050          Arkansas         Department of Veterans Affairs

  051          Oklahoma         Department of Veterans Affairs

  052          Kansas           Commission on Veterans Affairs

  053          Northern Mariana Veterans Affairs Office
               Islands          

  054          Nevada           Commission for Veterans Affairs

  055          Puerto Rico      Public Advocate for Veterans Affairs

  056          Guam             Office of Veterans Affairs

  059          Hawaii           Office of Veterans Services

  060          Delaware         Commission of Veterans Affairs

  067          American Samoa   Veterans Affairs Office

  073          New Hampshire    State Veterans Council
  ------------ ---------------- ------------------------------------------

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### f.   | > The table below lists the POA codes for attorneys     |
| Attorney P | > alphabetically.                                       |
| OA Codes L |                                                         |
| isted Alph |                                                         |
| abetically |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------
  Attorney Name                                              Code

  Agent or Private Attorney--Exclusive Contact Not Requested 099

  Attorney--Exclusive Contact Requested                      066

  Caldwell, Mark R.                                          00A

  Carpenter, Kenneth                                         00B

  Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick LLD                        00R

  Cook, Barbara J.                                           00P

  DeVita, Stephen                                            00C

  El Malik, Rashid                                           00H

  Jones, Betty L.G.                                          00N

  Kileen, Nancy -- Kileen and Associates                     00J

  LaPointe, Richard A.                                       00L

  Law Firm of Berry Kelly Hanson and Reiman                  00I

  Law Office of Theodore Jarvi                               00Q
  ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------

Continued on next page

13\. Exhibit 1: POA Codes, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  f\. Attorney POA Codes Listed Alphabetically (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------
  Attorney Name                                              Code

  Lee, Lisa Ann                                              00M

  Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati                            00E

  Ponton, Carol -- Hill and Ponton Professional Associates   00K

  Solotoff, Irving                                           00F

  St. John, Leroy                                            00G
  ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > The table below lists the POA codes for attorneys     |
| g. Attorne | > numerically.                                          |
| y POA Code |                                                         |
| s Listed N |                                                         |
| umerically |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
  Code         Attorney Name

  066          Attorney--Exclusive Contact Requested

  099          Agent or Private Attorney--Exclusive Contact Not Requested

  00A          Caldwell, Mark R.

  00B          Carpenter, Kenneth

  00C          DeVita, Stephen

  00D          Smith, William

  00E          Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati

  00F          Solotoff, Irving

  00G          St. John, Leroy

  00H          El Malik, Rashid

  00I          Law Firm of Berry Kelly Hanson and Reiman

  00J          Kileen, Nancy -- Kileen and Associates

  00K          Ponton, Carol -- Hill and Ponton Professional Associates

  00L          LaPointe, Richard A.

  00M          Lee, Lisa Ann

  00N          Jones, Betty L.G.

  00P          Cook, Barbara J.

  00Q          Law Offices of Theodore Jarvi

  00R          Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick, LLD
  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------