(WTEMS) to substantiate the claim original service connection (also referred to as the continuity WTEMS), secondary service connection (which includes information regarding aggravation), and the increased rating attachments. Information the claimant is responsible for submitting to VA Request the claimant to identify any records he/she believes are relevant to the claim, and complete VA Form 21-4142, Authorization to Disclose Information to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and VA Form 21-4142a, General Release for Medical Provider Information to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where appropriate. This will allow VA to request private medical records on the claimant’s behalf. Time limit for submission of evidence Inform the claimant that if he/she does not respond to the request for information within 30-days of the date of the request, VA may decide the claim based on all the information and evidence of record, and he/she has one year from the date of the request to submit any evidence or information to substantiate the claim. Evidence VA will attempt to obtain on the claimant’s behalf Inform the claimant of the evidence VA is requesting, such as service treatment records (STRs), private records (when VA Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a are received and complete), and medical examination requests. Section 5103 notice response form Inform the claimant that he/she may notify VA that he/she has no further information or evidence to submit, and request a decision on his/her claim without further delay. e. Notification Requirements for an Incomplete Application When an incomplete application is received establish an EP 400 to control the correspondence and use the date the application was received as the control date cancel any erroneously established EP after notifying the claimant about the incomplete application print a copy of the incomplete application mark the blocks on the application in red that require the claimant’s attention return the incomplete application to the claimant and notify him or her (and the claimant’s representative, if any)
iv, 2.B.1.g. i. Exception to the Notification Requirement In cases where the evidence of record is sufficient to substantiate a claim and award the benefit sought, it is unnecessary to provide Section 5103 notice to the claimant. This exception only applies in cases where the evidence of record (to include VA medical center (VAMC) records available through the Compensation and Pension Records Interchange (CAPRI)) justifies awarding the specific benefit the claimant is seeking without undertaking development for additional evidence. Example: When rating a claim for low back condition, an RVSR discovers a claim for SC for hypertension. A Section 5103 notice has not been provided to the claimant for the hypertension, nor does any previous notice cover it. The Veteran indicates he has only had treatment at a VAMC. After reviewing STRs and the VAMC records on file, which are found to be adequate for rating purposes, the RVSR awards SC for hypertension at 20-percent disabling. Analysis: In this case, since the evidence is adequate for rating purposes, and there is no other development required, the benefit can be awarded without sending the claimant a Section 5103 notice. Important: Provide a Section 5103 notice if any development is necessary (including a request for an examination). j. Section 5103 Notice Requirements for Subsequent Claims In accordance with , ROs are not required in certain cases to send a Section 5103 notice for a subsequent claim that is filed while a previous claim is pending. The table below contains notification requirements when the claimant submits a subsequent claim while a previous claim is still pending. If the previous notice… Then ... sufficiently identified the information and evidence necessary to substantiate such subsequent claim(s) a new Section 5103 notice is not required. Exception: Send a Section 5103 notice if over one year has passed since the notice was sent and a subsequent claim(s) is received. did not include the information and evidence necessary to substantiate the current claim type send a Section 5103 notice that specifically addresses the new claim type, and provide the following statement in the notice: