## Section C. Development of Philippine Cases

#### Overview

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > This section contains the following topics:           |
| #### In th |                                                         |
| is Section |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

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

  7            Determining Whether Evidence Is Acceptable     4-C-2

  8            Establishing Dependency                        4-C-3

  9            Reconsidering Previous Determinations of       4-C-6
               Dependency                                     

  10           Correspondence With the Claimant, Philippine   4-C-7
               Embassy, and Philippine Department of Foreign  
               Affairs                                        

  11           Certification of Period of Service             4-C-9

  12           Requesting Service, Medical, Death, and        4-C-10
               Loyalty Information                            

  13           Requesting Field Examinations and Handling     4-C-14
               Conflicting Information                        

  14           Handling Forfeiture of Benefits                4-C-17
  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------

#### 7. Determining Whether Evidence Is Acceptable

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on what is acceptable |
| troduction | > and not acceptable as evidence in support of          |
|            | > Philippine claims.                                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > Accept *only* original affidavits, other than those   |
|  Acceptabl | > on standard government forms, in support of           |
| e Evidence | > Philippine claims.                                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Mimeographed, photocopied, or printed forms of        |
| ## b. Evid | > affidavits, other than those on standard government   |
| ence Consi | > forms, are *not* acceptable as evidence in support of |
| dered Not  | > Philippine claims.                                    |
| Acceptable |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 8. Establishing Dependency

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on establishing       |
| troduction | > dependency in Philippine cases, including information |
|            | > on                                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to claim dependents                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling tribal marriages and domestic relations    |
|            |     questions                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to determine dependency of parents              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   considering contributions by family members as      |
|            |     income                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   considering pension as income                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   requesting additional information to establish      |
|            |     dependency, and                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   requesting a field examination to establish         |
|            |     dependency.                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > To claim dependents, the claimant must furnish        |
| ### a. How | > original or certified copies of the following in all  |
|  to Claim  | > cases:                                                |
| Dependents |                                                         |
|            | -   birth certificates                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   marriage certificates, or                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   divorce decrees.                                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b    | > For information on handling                           |
| . Handling |                                                         |
|  Tribal Ma | -   tribal marriages in Philippine cases, see M21-1MR,  |
| rriages an |     Part III, Subpart iii, 5.D.18 (TBD) or [M21-1, Part |
| d Domestic |     IV,                                                 |
|  Relations |     12.05](htt                                          |
|  Questions | p://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part4/ch12.doc), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   domestic relations questions that require legal     |
|            |     opinions see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 5.A.3  |
|            |     (TBD) or [M21-1, Part IV,                           |
|            |     12.02b](htt                                         |
|            | p://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part4/ch12.doc). |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Refer domestic relations questions that   |
|            | > require legal opinions to the Regional Counsel,       |
|            | > Honolulu.                                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

8\. Establishing Dependency, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > As a general policy, apply [38 CFR                    |
| . How to D | > 3.250](http://                                        |
| etermine D | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_250.DOC) |
| ependency  | > when determining the dependency of parents. There is  |
| of Parents | > no conclusive presumption of dependency in claims of  |
|            | > residents of the Philippines.                         |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > To determine the dependency of parents, take into     |
|            | > consideration                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   whether the income of the parent is insufficient to |
|            |     provide reasonable maintenance, and                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the economy of the locality in which the parent     |
|            |     resides.                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Income computations are performed at the  |
|            | > full-dollar rate.                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Consider the actual contributions by adult members of |
| ### d. Con | > the immediate family who reside outside the           |
| sidering C | > claimant's household as income in determining         |
| ontributio | > parents' dependency.                                  |
| ns by Fami | >                                                       |
| ly Members | > When contributions are made by members of the family  |
|  as Income | > who reside within the household, count as income the  |
|            | > amount that exceeds the value of room and board that  |
|            | > is furnished by the parent(s).                        |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### e.   | > Consider pension received from the Philippine         |
|  Consideri | > Veterans Affairs Office as income in determining      |
| ng Pension | > dependency.                                           |
|  as Income | >                                                       |
|            | > When a parent claimant states that he/she has applied |
|            | > for Philippine Veterans Affairs Office pension, and   |
|            | > the amount would be material in determining           |
|            | > dependency, the Manila Regional Office (RO) must      |
|            | > request information on the amount of pension received |
|            | > and the beginning and ending dates of payment.        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office    |
|            | > pays pension to surviving spouses and minor children  |
|            | > or indigent parents of veterans of the Philippine     |
|            | > Army and guerrilla organizations, provided such       |
|            | > persons are not receiving compensation from the       |
|            | > Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Parents are      |
|            | > entitled to this pension only if there is no          |
|            | > surviving spouse or child.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

8\. Establishing Dependency, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Request additional evidence from the claimant to      |
| f. Request | > establish dependency when information contained in    |
| ing Additi | > the claim and supporting papers is insufficient.      |
| onal Infor |                                                         |
| mation to  |                                                         |
| Establish  |                                                         |
| Dependency |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Request a field examination when the evidence         |
| ## g. Requ | > submitted is so conflicting that personal contacts    |
| esting a F | > are required to explain the discrepancies and         |
| ield Exami | > ascertain the facts.                                  |
| nation to  |                                                         |
| Establish  |                                                         |
| Dependency |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 9. Reconsidering Previous Determinations of Dependency

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on reconsidering      |
| troduction | > previous determinations of dependency, including      |
|            | > information on                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when to review previous determinations of           |
|            |     dependency, and                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to determine the effective date of an award     |
|            |     based on such a review.                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a    | > Review previous determinations of dependency *only*   |
| . When to  | > when                                                  |
| Review Pre |                                                         |
| vious Dete | -   the claimant requests a reconsideration or appeals  |
| rminations |     the denial of a claim related to a determination of |
|            |     dependency, or                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   there is conflicting information to consider.       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > If, after a review of previous determinations,        |
| ### b. Det | > dependency may be established under existing          |
| ermining t | > criteria, prepare an award if otherwise in order.     |
| he Effecti | >                                                       |
| ve Date of | > Use the existing rules to determine the effective     |
|  Award Bas | > date of the award.                                    |
| ed on Revi | >                                                       |
| ew of a Pr | > ***Note***: If entitlement is established solely by   |
| evious Det | > reason of changed criteria ([38 CFR                   |
| ermination | > 3.114a](http:/                                        |
|            | /www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_114.C)) |
|            | > approved by the Secretary, do not make the effective  |
|            | > date of the award prior to the date of the change.    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 10. Correspondence With the Claimant, Philippine Embassy, and Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on how to correspond  |
| troduction | > with the                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   claimant                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Philippine Embassy, and                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a. C | > Use airmail, e-mail, or fax to correspond with        |
| orrespondi | > claimants who reside in the Philippines. Send letters |
| ng With th | > directly to the claimant.                             |
| e Claimant |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Follow the steps in the table below to reply to       |
| ### b. Rep | > correspondence received directly from the Philippine  |
| lying to C | > Embassy.                                              |
| orresponde |                                                         |
| nce Receiv |                                                         |
| ed From th |                                                         |
| e Philippi |                                                         |
| ne Embassy |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Prepare replies over the signature of the Veterans Service   |
|       | Center Manager (VSCM).                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Include the following statement in the replies:              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | "*The Philippine Embassy may be informed...*"                |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | Send the reply to the following address:                     |
|       |                                                              |
|       | Bureau of Consular Affairs                                   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | The Department of State                                      |
|       |                                                              |
|       | Washington, DC 20520                                         |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ATTENTION: Federal Benefits Section                          |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

10\. Correspondence With the Claimant, Philippine Embassy, and
Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > When correspondence is received from the Philippine   |
| ### c. Cor | > Department of Foreign Affairs, the                    |
| responding |                                                         |
|  With the  | -   Manila RO may reply directly to the originator, and |
| Philippine |                                                         |
|  Departmen | -   reply may be released locally as provided by U.S.   |
| t of Forei |     Embassy, Manila, directives.                        |
| gn Affairs |                                                         |
|            | > Regional Offices (ROs) other than the Manila RO must  |
|            | > reply to correspondence received from the Philippine  |
|            | > Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila by following    |
|            | > the procedure in M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart vi,       |
|            | > 4.C.10.b.                                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 11. Certification of Period of Service

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on certification of   |
| troduction | > period of service, including information on           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   acceptable periods of service for Philippine cases  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when to take final action on Philippine claims      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when recertifications of service are required, and  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when recertifications of service are not required.  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > The following periods of service in the Commonwealth  |
| Acceptable | > Army of the Philippines and as a Regular Philippine   |
|  Periods o | > Scout are acceptable for Philippine cases:            |
| f Service  |                                                         |
| for Philip | -   service with the Commonwealth Army of the           |
| pine Cases |     Philippines on or after July 26, 1941, and prior to |
|            |     July 1, 1946, (during which period that force was a |
|            |     part of the Army of the United States by virtue of  |
|            |     the Executive order of the President, dated July    |
|            |     26, 1941), and                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   service on or after December 7, 1941, but prior to  |
|            |     October 6, 1945, as a Regular Philippine Scout.     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Take final action for an award, denial, or            |
|  b. When t | > certification of pending appeals on claims based on   |
| o Take Fin | > service in the Philippine Army *only* on the basis of |
| al Action  | > certifications of service made by the Department of   |
| on Philipp | > the Army on or after February 11, 1950.               |
| ine Claims |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Recertifications of service are required only for the |
| # c. When  | > 14th Infantry, Army of the United States (AUS) cases. |
| Recertific | >                                                       |
| ations of  | > ***Reference***: For information on eligibility of    |
| Service Ar | > service in the 14th Infantry, AUS, see M21-1MR, Part  |
| e Required | > III, Subpart vi, 4.B.3.b.                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > Recertifications of service are *not* required for    |
|  When Rece | > cases involving members of the Navy or Regular        |
| rtificatio | > Philippine Scouts.                                    |
| ns of Serv |                                                         |
| ice Are No |                                                         |
| t Required |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 12. Requesting Service, Medical, Death, and Loyalty Information

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on requesting service |
| troduction | > and loyalty information, including                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   requests made by the Manila RO                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   requests made by other ROs                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when a loyalty clearance is not required by the RO  |
|            |     and the Manila RO                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when a loyalty clearance is required                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to request a loyalty clearance                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how the Manila RO reviews the microfilm index of    |
|            |     loyalty status files                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to request loyalty information, and             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to request loyalty and service information on   |
|            |     the same case.                                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > The Veterans Service Center (VSC) of the Manila RO    |
| Requests M | > makes requests for service, medical, death, and       |
| ade by the | > loyalty data for new claims processed through the     |
|  Manila RO | > Manila RO.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > To prepare an initial or supplemental request for     |
|  b. Reques | > information when a new claim is received in an RO     |
| ts Made by | > without having been processed through the Manila RO   |
|  Other ROs |                                                         |
|            | -   prepare a Personnel Information Exchange System     |
|            |     (PIES) request, and                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   enter one of the following appropriate legends      |
|            |     depending on the information desired in the         |
|            |     particular case under "Type of Claim:"              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   "Philippine Service"                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   "Philippine Loyalty," *or*                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   "Philippine Medical."                               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Do not make a request for a loyalty check based on    |
| ### c. Whe | > the possibility of loyalty board proceedings when no  |
| n a Loyalt | > derogatory information is contained in a report       |
| y Check Is | > previously prepared by the Adjutant General Records   |
|  Not Requi | > Depository (AGRD), formerly known as the Recovered    |
| red by ROs | > Personnel Division.                                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

12\. Requesting Service, Medical, Death, and Loyalty Information,
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > In cases processed in the Manila RO, do not request a |
| d. When a  | > loyalty clearance when neither the veteran's nor      |
| Loyalty Cl | > claimant's name appears in the microfilm file of      |
| earance Is | > loyalty board proceedings.                            |
|  Not Requi |                                                         |
| red by the |                                                         |
|  Manila RO |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > If claims are processed at ROs other than the Manila  |
|  e. When a | > RO, a loyalty clearance must always be requested.     |
|  Loyalty C | >                                                       |
| learance I | > ***Note***: All claims involving Philippine Army      |
| s Required | > service, regular guerrilla service, and Special       |
|            | > Philippine Scout service must be processed only at    |
|            | > the Manila RO.                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on loyalty      |
|            | > clearances, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii,       |
|            | > 1.C.18.                                               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Follow the steps in the table below to request a      |
| ## f. How  | > loyalty clearance.                                    |
| to Request |                                                         |
|  a Loyalty |                                                         |
|  Clearance |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Request that the claimant complete *VA Form 21-4169*,        |
|       | *Supplement to VA Forms 21-526, 21-534, and 21-535*.         |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Send a copy of the claim, including *VA Form 21-4169*, by    |
|       | *OF 41*, *Routing and Transmittal Slip,* to the Manila RO    |
|       | for review of the microfilm index of loyalty status files.   |
|       |                                                              |
|       | ***Reference***: For more information on how the Manila RO   |
|       | reviews the microfilm index of loyalty status files, see     |
|       | M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart vi, 4.C.12.g.                     |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

12\. Requesting Service, Medical, Death, and Loyalty Information,
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The table below describes how the Manila RO reviews   |
| # g. How t | > the microfilm index of loyalty status files sent by   |
| he Manila  | > another RO.                                           |
| RO Reviews |                                                         |
|  the Micro |                                                         |
| film Index |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  -------- --------------------------------------------------------------
  Stage    Description

  1        Conducts an index search to determine if the claimant
           previously forfeited entitlement or should be considered for
           forfeiture of benefits by reason of fraudulent action in
           another claim.

  2        Annotates positive or negative search data, including any
           identifying numbers shown in the microfilm index, on the *OF
           41*.

  3        Returns the *OF 41* to the requesting RO.
  -------- --------------------------------------------------------------

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Follow the steps in the table below to request        |
| # h. How t | > loyalty information.                                  |
| o Request  | >                                                       |
| Loyalty In | > ***Reference***: For more information on obtaining    |
| formation  | > loyalty information, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart   |
|            | > iii, 1.C.18.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step  | Action                                                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | Prepare a PIES request.                                      |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | Send the PIES request to the following address:              |
|       |                                                              |
|       | Washington National Records Center                           |
|       |                                                              |
|       | GSA                                                          |
|       |                                                              |
|       | Washington, DC 20409                                         |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | Show any identifying numbers on the microfilm on the PIES    |
|       | request so that loyalty status files can be located without  |
|       | further search of the alphabetical index.                    |
+-------+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

12\. Requesting Service, Medical, Death, and Loyalty Information,
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > If questions concerning loyalty and service are       |
|  i. How to | > involved in the same case, prepare a separate PIES    |
|  Request L | > request for each request.                             |
| oyalty and | >                                                       |
|  Service D | > In the case of a living veteran, do *not* routinely   |
| ata in the | > request loyalty data when the Armed Forces of the     |
|  Same Case | > United States certifies that the veteran had          |
|            | > recognized service as a "civilian guerrilla" only. In |
|            | > the absence of evidence to the contrary, accept the   |
|            | > certification of recognized guerrilla service as a    |
|            | > determination of loyalty during the period of service |
|            | > shown.                                                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on guerrilla    |
|            | > service, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart vi, 4.B.6.    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 13. Requesting Field Examinations and Handling Conflicting Information 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on                    |
| troduction |                                                         |
|            | -   when to request a field examination                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when a field examination is not required, and       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to handle conflicting information.              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Request a field examination for                       |
| # a. When  |                                                         |
| to Request | -   development of such issues as                       |
|  a Field E |                                                         |
| xamination | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   service connection for cause of death               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   identity of the claimant                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   marital status                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   forfeiture                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   dependency                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   U.S. residency, citizenship, or permanent resident  |
|            |     alien status, and                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   further development of the question of loyalty, if  |
|            |     loyalty status is uncertain or it appears that      |
|            |     potential fraud is involved.                        |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

13\. Requesting Field Examinations and Handling Conflicting Information,
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b.   | > Do *not* request a field examination in Philippine    |
| When a Fie | > cases to                                              |
| ld Examina |                                                         |
| tion Is No | -   investigate the facts of military service, such as  |
| t Required |     to obtain evidence as to whether the alleged        |
|            |     serviceperson was a veteran within the meaning of   |
|            |     laws administered by VA, or                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   secure any evidence that can be obtained by using   |
|            |     PIES, including                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   type of service                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   period of service                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   interruptions in, and manner of termination of,     |
|            |     military service                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   clinical records of United States or Philippine     |
|            |     Army hospitals, and                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   arrears in pay claims.                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Exceptions***: Request a field examination to      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   investigate the facts of military service *only* in |
|            |     special cases when the request is approved by the   |
|            |     VSCM or designee, or                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   secure evidence only if the VSCM or designee finds  |
|            |     that the required evidence cannot be secured by     |
|            |     using PIES.                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Use the table below to determine how to handle        |
| c. How to  | > conflicting information regarding service or date of  |
| Handle Con | > death.                                                |
| flicting I | >                                                       |
| nformation | > ***Important***: Do *not* apply the provisions        |
|            | > described in the table below if evidence is received  |
|            | > that alleges to establish civilian guerrilla service, |
|            | > because guerrilla rosters have been closed and will   |
|            | > *not* be reopened.                                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If ...                           | Then ...                          |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| VA obtains information deemed    | bring the conflicting information |
| reliable which conflicts with    | to the attention of the U.S. Army |
| information obtained from the    | Reserve Personnel Center for      |
| service department regarding     | reconsideration at the following  |
|                                  | address:                          |
| -   service                      |                                   |
|                                  | U.S. Army Reserve Personnel       |
| -   cause or date of death, or   | Center (DARP-PAS-EAP)             |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   circumstances of injury in   | 9700 Page Boulevard               |
|     service                      |                                   |
|                                  | St. Louis, Missouri 63132         |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Continued on next page

13\. Requesting Field Examinations and Handling Conflicting Information,
Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  c\. How to Handle Conflicting Information (continued)

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

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If ...                           | Then ...                          |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| the service department makes a   | the service department will       |
| redetermination                  | furnish a statement on a          |
|                                  | supplemental PIES request         |
|                                  | indicating that the               |
|                                  | redetermination supersedes        |
|                                  | determinations previously         |
|                                  | submitted.                        |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| VA makes a finding of death      | send a letter to the United       |
| which is not in agreement with   | States Army Reserve Personnel     |
| that made by the service         | Center (DARP-PAS-EAP), to notify  |
| department for                   | them of                           |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   pension                      | -   the date of death as          |
|                                  |     determined by VA, and         |
| -   compensation, or             |                                   |
|                                  | -   the basis on which the        |
| -   Dependency and Indemnity     |     determination was made.       |
|     Compensation (DIC)           |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

#### 14. Handling Forfeiture of Benefits

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on how to handle      |
| troduction | > forfeiture of benefits, including information on      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   when a loyalty clearance is required                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling evidence showing membership in a           |
|            |     pro-Japanese organization                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   handling evidence of derogatory reports, and        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   considering the evidence or record before accepting |
|            |     derogatory reports.                                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > August 14, 2006                                       |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > A loyalty clearance is always required in the         |
|  a. When a | > following cases:                                      |
|  Loyalty C |                                                         |
| learance I | -   when forfeiture of benefits for treason may be      |
| s Required |     declared under the provisions of [38 U.S.C.         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | 6104](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/38/6104.html), |
|            |     or                                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   in connection with payments to persons formerly in  |
|            |     enemy territory under [38 U.S.C.                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | 5308](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/38/5308.html). |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information on the procedure for |
|            | > forfeiture of benefits, see M21-1MR, Part III,        |
|            | > Subpart vi, 5.B (TBD) or [M21-1, Part IV, Chapter 36, |
|            | > Subchapter                                            |
|            | > II](htt                                               |
|            | p://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part4/ch36.doc). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Evidence showing the veteran's or claimant's          |
| #### b. Ev | > membership in a pro-Japanese organization on or after |
| idence of  | > December 7, 1941, is sufficient evidence to justify   |
| Membership | > submission for forfeiture consideration.              |
|  in Pro-Ja |                                                         |
| panese Org |                                                         |
| anizations |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

14\. Handling Forfeiture of Benefits, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > Use the table below to handle evidence of derogatory  |
| Evidence o | > reports containing the name of the veteran or         |
| f Derogato | > claimant.                                             |
| ry Reports |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| If ...                           | Then ...                          |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   the name of the veteran or   | -   submit the claim to           |
|     claimant and the name        |     Compensation and Pension      |
|     appearing as the subject of  |     (C&P) Service for forfeiture  |
|     a derogatory report are      |     consideration, and            |
|     identical and not common in  |                                   |
|     the Philippines, and         | -   include the following         |
|                                  |     statement: "*It appears the   |
| -   there is nothing of record   |     veteran (or claimant) and the |
|     to disassociate the veteran  |     subject of the derogatory     |
|     or claimant from the subject |     report are identical*."       |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | ***Reference***: For more         |
|                                  | information on submitting a claim |
|                                  | for forfeiture consideration, see |
|                                  | M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart vi,    |
|                                  | 5.B.5.b (TBD) or [M21-1, Part IV, |
|                                  | 36.08](http://www.warms.vba.va.g  |
|                                  | ov/admin21/m21_1/part4/ch36.doc). |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   the name is common in the    | -   do not consider them as       |
|     Philippines, or              |     identical                     |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   the similarity of names is   | -   endorse this fact on the      |
|     only because the first name  |     report, and                   |
|     of the subject of the        |                                   |
|     derogatory report is shown   | -   have the report signed by a   |
|     by an initial which          |     coach or supervisor.          |
|     corresponds to the first     |                                   |
|     letter of the veteran's or   |                                   |
|     claimant's given name, and   |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| -   there is no information of   |                                   |
|     record which indicates the   |                                   |
|     probability that the subject |                                   |
|     and the veteran or claimant  |                                   |
|     are one and the same         |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Continued on next page

14\. Handling Forfeiture of Benefits, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### d.   | > Before accepting information contained in a           |
| Considerin | > derogatory report to make a determination, consider   |
| g the Evid | > the following evidence of record for the veteran or   |
| ence of Re | > claimant:                                             |
| cord Befor |                                                         |
| e Acceptin | -   age                                                 |
| g Derogato |                                                         |
| ry Reports | -   place of birth                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   place of residence                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   sex                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   education                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   normal occupation                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   standing in the community, and                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   nationality.                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Always consider matters of common         |
|            | > knowledge, local customs, and other factors. If there |
|            | > is doubt, request a field examination to obtain       |
|            | > further information.                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information on how to request    |
|            | > field examinations, see                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart vi, 4.C.13, and          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart vi, 8.7 (TBD) or [M21-1, |
|            |     Part III, Chapter                                   |
|            |     8](htt                                              |
|            | p://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part3/ch08.doc). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+