submit the information for the DEERS entry. This process does not apply to third party informants, (spouse, other relative, etc). Open IRIS and click on the “New” icon down arrow and select “New Inquiry.” Click on the “Contact” tab found in the left center of the IRIS work area. Click on the Add icon and “Search Existing.” At a minimum, enter the eligible user’s last name and first name. Do not use nicknames unless that is what shows on the eligible user’s legal documents. Adding the phone number, email address, and zip code in the fields further helps to identify the eligible user in IRIS. Click on “Search.” If the eligible user has an existing contact record in IRIS all the information in step #5 will populate the “Contact Details” section of the inquiry form. Proceed to step #10. If the eligible user does not have an existing record, the search for will display the message “There are no items to show in this view.” Select the “New Contact” button in the lower left corner of the search pop up and click on it. A new contact record will display with the eligible user’s contact information partially displayed from the information used for the search. Complete the rest of the information: Select the appropriate form of address. Include the eligible user’s middle initial if it is used and the suffix, if used Click on the highlighted “Edit” and complete the address information. Continued on next page , Continued (continued) Enter the eligible user’s phone number and email address, if available. You must try to obtain and enter all three means of contact information: the mailing address, phone number and e-mail address, for the DEERS VAI. Another group will be responsible for adding
the eligible user to DEERS and will need complete contact information. (Note: Complete address will be needed if eligible user wants to be upgraded to a premium account). On the “info” tab, click in the “SSN” filed to put the cursor over the first pound sign (#) and type in the SSN. Enter the Branch of Service, Date of Birth, and Claim Number if the eligible user has an existing VA claim under the old VA claim number system. Do not reenter the SSN under any circumstances. Indicate that the user is not deceased. When completed, click on the “Ok” check mark in the upper left corner of the pop up. You are again at the Inquiry form. Complete the rest of the information in the data fields. Enter a Subject: Add to DEERS. Vet is Inquirer on this Inquiry? The answer is, “Yes.” In the “Assigned” field scroll down to find “VBA Add to DEERs” and click on the “+” Open the “Topic/Subtopic” field and scroll down to find the topic “Add to DEERS” and open to select the subtopic, “Add to DEERS.” Select the Type “Add to DEERS.” Select the Type of Response. Remember, if email is selected, there must be a phone number in the “Daytime Phone” field, etc. Leave Status as “Unresolved.” Select the eligible user’s state from the dropdown list in the VBA RO Location (if applicable) field. Continued on next page , Continued (continued) Click on the “Message” tab and click on the “Add” icon. Select “Private Note” and type in “Please add to DEERS.” Include sex and identify in the SHARE application where confirmed (Corporate,