### Section B. Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d) 

#### Overview

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

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

  4            General Information on Claims for Service      1-B-2
               Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38    
               CFR 3.309(d)                                   

  5            Developing Claims for Service Connection for   1-B-4
               Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d)      

  6            Exhibit 1: Sample Letter for Requesting        1-B-10
               Verification of Participation in a             
               Radiation-Risk Activity or Radiation Dose      
               Information From the Defense Threat Reduction  
               Agency (DTRA)                                  
  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------

#### 4. General Information on Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d) 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains general information on claims for |
| troduction | > service connection for radiogenic diseases under 38   |
|            | > CFR 3.309(d). It includes information on              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the presumption of service connection based on      |
|            |     participation in certain radiation-risk activities  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the history of presumptive service connection based |
|            |     on participation in radiation-risk activities, and  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   who is eligible for benefits.                       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > September 5, 2008                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > A veteran may be eligible for presumptive service     |
| ### a. Pre | > connection under [38 CFR                              |
| sumption o | > 3.309(d)](http://                                     |
| f Service  | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC) |
| Connection | > ([38 U.S.C.                                           |
|  Based on  | > 1112](http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/              |
| Participat | uscode/html/uscode38/usc_sec_38_00001112----000-.html)) |
| ion in Cer | > only if he/she participated in one of the following   |
| tain Radia | > radiation-risk activities:                            |
| tion-Risk  |                                                         |
| Activities | -   internment as a prisoner of war (POW) in Japan      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   post-war occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   participation in atmospheric nuclear weapons        |
|            |     testing                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   participation in underground nuclear weapons        |
|            |     testing at Amchitka Island, Alaska, or              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   assignment to a gaseous diffusion plant at          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   Paducah, Kentucky                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Portsmouth, Ohio, or                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   area K25 at Oakridge, Tennessee.                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Currently, there are 21 radiogenic diseases subject   |
| ### b. His | > to presumptive service connection in both live and    |
| tory of Pr | > death cases under [38 CFR                             |
| esumptive  | > 3.309(d)](http://w                                    |
| Service Co | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC). |
| nnection B | >                                                       |
| ased on Pa | > *Public Law (PL) 100-321*, enacted May 1, 1988,       |
| rticipatio | > initially established a presumption of service        |
| n in Radia | > connection for 13 disabilities. Eight additional      |
| tion-Risk  | > disabilities were added following this original       |
| Activities | > legislation.                                          |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Prior to August 14, 1991, the presumption of service  |
|            | > connection applied only to veterans exposed to        |
|            | > ionizing radiation while on active duty.              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > *PL 102-86*, enacted August 14, 1991, extended the    |
|            | > presumption of service connection to include persons  |
|            | > exposed while on active duty for training or inactive |
|            | > duty for training.                                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

4\. General Information on Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic
Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > Presumptive service connection for the diseases       |
| . Who Is E | > listed in [38 CFR                                     |
| ligible fo | > 3.309(d)(2)](http://                                  |
| r Benefits | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC) |
|            | > is available to veterans involved in the              |
|            | > radiation-risk activities specified in [M21-1MR, Part |
|            | > IV, Subpart ii,                                       |
|            | > 1.B.4.a](../pt04_sp02_ch01_secB#IV.ii.1.B.4.a).       |
|            | > Veterans are eligible based on participation in a     |
|            | > radiation-risk activity while serving on              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   active duty                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   active duty for training, or                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   inactive duty training.                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 5. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d)

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on developing claims  |
| troduction | > for service connection for radiogenic diseases under  |
|            | > 38 CFR 3.309(d). It includes information on           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the centralized processing of claims based on       |
|            |     radiation exposure                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the criteria to consider before beginning           |
|            |     development                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the action to take if the criteria for development  |
|            |     are not met                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the action to take when no disability is claimed    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the source for information on radiation-risk        |
|            |     activities, and                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the information that must be included in the        |
|            |     development letter to the Defense Threat Reduction  |
|            |     Agency (DTRA).                                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > September 5, 2008                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > In October 2006, the processing of all claims for     |
| Centralize | > service connection based on radiation exposure was    |
| d Processi | > centralized at the Jackson Regional Office (RO).      |
| ng of Clai | >                                                       |
| ms Based o | > The Jackson RO is responsible for developing and      |
| n Radiatio | > resolving                                             |
| n Exposure |                                                         |
|            | -   all claims for service connection for presumptive   |
|            |     disabilities resulting from exposure to ionizing    |
|            |     radiation under [38 CFR                             |
|            |     3.309(d)](http://w                                  |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   all non radiation-related claims received while the |
|            |     radiation issue is pending.                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Following resolution of all pending       |
|            | > issues, the Jackson RO will transfer the claims       |
|            | > folder back to the office of original jurisdiction.   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases
Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b.   | > Before undertaking development of a claim for service |
|  Criteria  | > connection for a radiogenic disease, the following    |
| to Conside | > criteria must be met:                                 |
| r Before B |                                                         |
| eginning D | -   one of the radiogenic diseases listed in [38 CFR    |
| evelopment |     3.309(d)(2)](http://                                |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC) |
|            |     must be shown to exist by medical evidence, and     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the claimant must allege that the disability was    |
|            |     the result of participation in a radiation-risk     |
|            |     activity as defined in [38 CFR                      |
|            |     3.309(d)(3)](http://w                               |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC). |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: Veterans seeking benefits in connection   |
|            | > with exposure to nuclear radiation are authorized by  |
|            | > the *Exposure to Nuclear Radiation and DoD Secrecy    |
|            | > Agreement* to divulge to the Department of Veterans   |
|            | > Affairs (VA) the name, location of their command,     |
|            | > duties performed, dates of service, and related       |
|            | > information necessary to validate exposure to nuclear |
|            | > radiation.                                            |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on the          |
|            | > *Exposure to Nuclear Radiation and DoD Secrecy        |
|            | > Agreement*, see                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii,                      |
|            |     1.C.7.f](../pt04_sp02_ch01_secC.xml#IV.ii.C.7.f),   |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii,                      |
|            |     1.C.12](../pt04_sp02_ch01_secC.xml#IV.ii.1.C.12).   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > If one of the criteria listed in [M21-1MR, Part IV,   |
| #### c. Ac | > Subpart ii,                                           |
| tion to Ta | > 1.B.5.b](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M2              |
| ke if the  | 1-1MR/pt04/sp02/ch01/pt04_sp02_ch01_secB#IV.ii.1.B.5.b) |
| Prerequisi | > is not met                                            |
| tes to Dev |                                                         |
| elopment A | -   no further development under [38 CFR                |
| re Not Met |     3.309(d)](http://                                   |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC) |
|            |     is warranted, and                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   consider the claim as                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   any other claim for direct service connection under |
|            |     [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.303](http://w                                     |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_303.DOC), |
|            |     or                                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   a claim for ionizing radiation exposure under [38   |
|            |     CFR                                                 |
|            |     3.311](http://w                                     |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_311.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases
Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > A claim is not substantially complete if a veteran    |
| ## d. Acti | > alleges exposure to radiation during service, but     |
| on to Take | > does not claim service connection for a specific      |
|  When No D | > disability. In cases such as this                     |
| isability  |                                                         |
| Is Claimed | -   inform the veteran that exposure, in and of itself, |
|            |     is not a disability, and                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   ask the veteran to identify the disability(ies)     |
|            |     that resulted from exposure to radiation during     |
|            |     service.                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Important***:                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Do not                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   process the claim as a denial, or                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   establish end product (EP) control for the          |
|            |     incomplete claim.                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   Whenever possible, telephone the veteran to obtain  |
|            |     the information needed to substantiate the claim.   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on what         |
|            | > constitutes a substantially complete application, see |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [38 CFR                                             |
|            |     3.159(a)(3)](http://w                               |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_159.DOC), |
|            |     and                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   [M21-1MR, Part I,                                   |
|            |     1.B.3.a](../pt01_ch01_secB.xml#I.1.B.3.a).          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases
Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### e. S | > The Department of Defense (DoD) is the source of      |
| ource for  | > information concerning the veteran's participation in |
| Informatio | > radiation risk activity.                              |
| n on Radia | >                                                       |
| tion Risk  | > Send the following requests for verification to the   |
| Activities | > Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA):               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   U.S. atmospheric nuclear weapons tests              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   occupational forces in Hiroshima or Nagasaki, or    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   internment as a POW in Japan who was subject to the |
|            |     same conditions as occupational forces.             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Defense Threat Reduction Agency                       |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ATTN: TDND/NTPR                                       |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 8725 John J. Klingman Road, Mail Stop 6201            |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6201.                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Direct any questions on requesting verification     |
|            |     from DTRA to the Compensation and Pension (C&P)     |
|            |     Service Advisory Review Staff, 211B.                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Historical names for DTRA include the               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   Defense Special Weapons Agency                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Defense Nuclear Agency                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   U.S. Army and Joint Services Environmental Support  |
|            |     Group, and                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Army/Navy Nuclear Test Personnel Review.            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information on how to handle     |
|            | > verification requests pertaining to participation in  |
|            | > non-U.S*.* atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, see     |
|            | > [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii,                        |
|            | > 1.C.9.c](../pt04_sp02_ch01_secC.xml#IV.ii.1.C.9.c).   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases
Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### f. I | > Development letters to DTRA must contain the          |
| nformation | > following information:                                |
|  That Must |                                                         |
|  Be Includ | -   the veteran's and claimant's                        |
| ed in the  |                                                         |
| Developmen | ```{=html}                                              |
| t Letter t | <!-- -->                                                |
| o the DTRA | ```                                                     |
|            | -   name                                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   address, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   telephone number                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   the veteran's                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   branch of military service                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   military service number, and                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Social Security number (SSN)                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   the name of the veteran's organization or unit of   |
|            |     assignment at the time of exposure                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the dates of assignment(s)                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   a full description of the duties and activities of  |
|            |     the veteran while a participant in a radiation-risk |
|            |     activity                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the specific disease entity, and                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   a citation of the specific regulation under which   |
|            |     the request is made.                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The specific disease entity must be consistent with |
|            |     those in [38 CFR                                    |
|            |     3.309(d)(2)](http://w                               |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC). |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Simply stating "cancer" is not adequate. State the  |
|            |     more specific description, such as "cancer of the   |
|            |     thyroid."                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For a sample development letter to   |
|            | > DTRA, see [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii,              |
|            | > 1.B.6](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M21-1             |
|            | MR/pt04/sp02/ch01/pt04_sp02_ch01_secB.xml#IV.ii.1.B.6). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

5\. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases
Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > In addition to the development letter, enclose a copy |
| g. Additio | > of the claimant's statement about his/her activities. |
| nal Inform | >                                                       |
| ation to I | > Military personnel who served in Japan after the end  |
| nclude in  | > of World War II *must* have been a part of the        |
| the Develo | > occupation forces to be eligible for presumptive      |
| pment Lett | > service connection.                                   |
| er to DTRA | >                                                       |
|            | > If the claims folder contains *VA Form 21-3101,       |
|            | > Request for Information*, on which the National       |
|            | > Personnel Records Center has stated that the veteran  |
|            | > was a member of the occupation forces of Japan,       |
|            | > attach the *VA Form 21-3101* to the request to DTRA.  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > If development includes a request for a dose          |
|            | > assessment under [38 CFR                              |
|            | > 3.311](http://                                        |
|            | www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_311.DOC) |
|            | > for disabilities not covered under [38 CFR            |
|            | > 3.309(d)](http://w                                    |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC), |
|            | > enclose copies of the available military documents    |
|            | > provided by the claimant, such as the discharge       |
|            | > certificate, orders, and other records in support of  |
|            | > the claim, provided in response to development under  |
|            | > [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii,                        |
|            | > 1.C.](../pt04_sp02_ch01_secC.xml#IV.ii.1.C)           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: If the claimant's statement contains all  |
|            | > the elements listed in [M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, |
|            | > 1.B.5.e](http://vbaw.vba.va.gov/bl/21/M21-1MR         |
|            | /pt04/sp02/ch01/pt04_sp02_ch01_secB.xml#IV.ii.1.B.5.e), |
|            | > the requester may refer to the claimant's statement   |
|            | > rather than repeat the information in the development |
|            | > letter. Use the term, "*attached document*" in the    |
|            | > development letter when referring to the claimant's   |
|            | > statement.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 6. Exhibit 1: Sample Letter for Requesting Verification of Participation in a Radiation-Risk Activity or Radiation Dose Information From the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This exhibit contains a sample letter for requesting  |
| troduction | > verification of participation in a radiation-risk     |
|            | > activity or radiation dose information from the DTRA. |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > September 5, 2008                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Page 1 of a sample letter for requesting verification |
| ### a. Sam | > of participation in a radiation-risk activity or      |
| ple Letter | > radiation dose information from the DTRA is below.    |
|  -- Page 1 | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: If additional disabilities are claimed    |
|            | > under [38 CFR                                         |
|            | > 3.311](http://w                                       |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_311.DOC), |
|            | > which requires a dose estimate, provide the           |
|            | > appropriate information required by [M21-1MR, Part    |
|            | > IV, Subpart ii,                                       |
|            | > 1.C.10](../pt04_sp02_ch01_secC.xml#IV.ii.1.C.10).     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Defense Threat Reduction Agency 00/21                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > ATTN: TDND/NTPR C 12 345 679                                        |
| >                                                                     |
| > 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Mail Stop 6201 JONES, John               |
| >                                                                     |
| > Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6201                                          |
| >                                                                     |
| > Dear Sir/Madam:                                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > We have received a claim for service connection under the           |
| > provisions of 38 C.F.R. 3.309 for conditions allegedly due the      |
| > veteran's participation in a radiation-risk activity.               |
| >                                                                     |
| > Veteran's identifying information:                                  |
| >                                                                     |
| > Full name: John A. Jones                                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > VA Claim No: C 12 345 679                                           |
| >                                                                     |
| > Social Security No: 234 56 7890                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > Branch of Service: Navy                                             |
| >                                                                     |
| > Service No: 246 81 23                                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > Assigned Unit at time of test: USS SEVERN (AO-61)                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Full description of the veteran's duties and activities while a     |
| > participant in the radiation-risk activity:                         |
| >                                                                     |
| > The veteran, Mr. Jones, participated in OPERATION CROSSROADS (ABLE  |
| > & BAKER) from July 7, 1946, to August 24, 1946. His duties and      |
| > activities included service as a cook.                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

6\. Exhibit 1: Sample Letter for Requesting Verification of
Participation in a Radiation-Risk Activity or Radiation Dose Information
From the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Page 2 of a sample letter for requesting verification |
| ### b. Sam | > of participation in a radiation-risk activity or      |
| ple Letter | > radiation dose information from the DTRA is below.    |
|  -- Page 2 | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Important***: If the claim is being developed      |
|            | > under [38 CFR                                         |
|            | > 3.309(d)](http://w                                    |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC), |
|            | > the radiogenic disease shown on the letter *must* be  |
|            | > on the list of presumptive diseases under [38 CFR     |
|            | > 3.309(d)(2)](http://w                                 |
|            | ww.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKB/PART3/S3_309.DOC). |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > The alleged radiogenic disease is THYROID CANCER. A copy of the     |
| > claimant's statement is enclosed.                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > The claimant's name and address is:                                 |
| >                                                                     |
| > John A. Jones                                                       |
| >                                                                     |
| > 793 Smith St.                                                       |
| >                                                                     |
| > Hometown, CA 92027                                                  |
| >                                                                     |
| > Please verify the veteran's participation in the radiation risk     |
| > activity described above.                                           |
| >                                                                     |
| > Please send your reply to **\[give regional office address, as      |
| > shown below\]**:                                                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > Department of Veterans Affairs                                      |
| >                                                                     |
| > Regional Office                                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > 2022 Camino Del Rio North                                           |
| >                                                                     |
| > San Diego, CA 92108                                                 |
| >                                                                     |
| > Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.                      |
| >                                                                     |
| > Sincerely yours,                                                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > **\[Name and Title of Veterans Service Center Manager\]**           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+