Change Date September 16, 2014 a. Signature by Mark or Thumbprint Accept signatures by mark or thumbprint only if any one of the following individuals (or group of individuals) witness the mark or thumbprint: two persons who give their addresses a VA employee a service organization representative an attorney an accredited agent a notary public, or a person having the authority to administer oaths for general purposes. References: For more information on signatures by mark or thumbprint, see , and representatives, attorneys, or agents, see . b. Signature by Pencil Accept signatures (or a mark as a signature) that a claimant makes by pencil. Continued on next page 11. Claimant Signatures, Continued c. Individuals Authorized to Sign on Behalf of a Claimant For claims filed with VA on behalf of claimants who are under age 18, are mentally incompetent, or are physically unable to sign a form, accept signatures from the following individuals: a court-appointed representative a person who is responsible for the care of the claimant, including a spouse or other relative an attorney in fact or agent authorized to act on behalf of the individual under a durable power of attorney, or the manager or principal officer of an institution caring for the claimant.
b. Claims From Dependents Residing in a Foreign Country The residence of a primary beneficiary’s dependent does not dictate which RO has jurisdiction over claims his/her dependent may file. Jurisdiction over such claims is based on the primary beneficiary’s place of residence and entitlement. Example: A Veteran living in Salt Lake City, Utah, files a claim for disability compensation. After the Salt Lake City RO grants entitlement based on a 50-percent disability evaluation, the Veteran’s dependent, who lives in Seoul, Korea, files a claim for an apportioned share of the Veteran’s benefits. Result: Because the Veteran resides within the jurisdiction of the Salt Lake City RO, this RO – not the Pittsburgh RO – is responsible for processing the dependent’s claim. 13. Claims for Ancillary Benefits Change Date July 1, 2013 a. Handling Claims for Ancillary Benefits The table below describes the action to take upon receipt of claims for ancillary benefits, which include an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment specially adapted housing or special home adaptation, and a clothing allowance. Application for Ancillary Benefit Action VA Form 21-4502, Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment (Under 38 U.S.C. 3901-3904) Follow the instructions in . VA Form 26-4555, Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant Follow the instructions in . VA Form 10-8678, Application for Annual Clothing Allowance (Under 38 U.S.C. 1162) Route the application to the Prosthetics Department of the VA medical center of jurisdiction.
14. Handling Claims From Employees and Their Relatives, Continued e. Temporary Transfer of a Claims Folder to the Employing RO If a RACC transfers a claims folder back to the employing RO (for an examination, personal hearing, etc.), the employing RO must ensure the VSCM is aware of the transfer the transfer was for a valid reason, and is only temporary the claims folder is secured in locked files any necessary local action is taken immediately, and the claims folder is returned to the RACC as quickly as possible. f. Claims Folders With No VA Form 20-0344a If an employee or relative of an employee files a claim, but there is no VA Form 20-0344a, Notification of an Employee or Employee-Relative Claims File, in his/her claims folder, notify the VSCM. The VSCM is responsible for working with the RO’s Information Security Officer to determine whether the employee must complete and submit VA Form Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran-Relatives, and ensure completion of the procedure set forth in . g. Handling Claims For Medical or Dental Treatment Only If an employee or relative of an employee, who has never filed a claim for VA disability benefits, files a claim for hospital, outpatient, or dental treatment only, retain his/her claims folder in local locked files. Exception: If the claim requires a character of discharge or line-of-duty determination, transfer his/her claims folder to the appropriate RACC (unless provides for retention of the claims folder in local locked files). 15. Claims From Veterans Who Are Receiving Retirement Pay or Received Separation Benefits