References: For more information about notifying beneficiaries of the action(s) VA has taken and/or the decision(s) it has made, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 2.B. If a Veteran returns to active duty during a period VA withheld or is withholding benefits due to the Veteran’s receipt of drill pay, follow the instructions in M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 4.C.4.h. For an example of the application of instructions contained in this block, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 4.C.7.f. f. Actions to Take if the Monthly Rate of Payment at the End of the Fiscal Year Is $0.00 Follow the instructions in the table below if the monthly rate of payment at the end of the fiscal year in which the Veteran received drill pay is $0.00. Step Action 1 Was the Veteran’s monthly rate of payment $0.00 for the entire fiscal year in question? If yes, take no further action. A withholding of benefits these circumstances is unnecessary. If no, proceed to the next step. 2 Are the the Veteran attended drills/training known? If yes, proceed to the next step. If no, proceed to Step 14. 3 Is the Veteran’s current rate of payment less than the rate in effect while he/she was attending drills/training? If yes, proceed to the next step. If no, proceed to Step 12. 4 Identify the most recent award line that shows a monthly rate of payment equal to or exceeding the rate in effect during the period the Veteran attended drills/training. 5 Is the version date of the VA Form 21-8951 earlier than December 2014? If yes, proceed to the next step. If no, proceed to Step 10. Note: The following sentence was added to versions of VA Form 21-8951 dated December 2014 and later, thereby eliminating the need to provide notice of proposed adverse action before reducing the Veteran’s award: If VA cannot adjust your benefits from a
e. Action to Take Upon Receipt of DD Form 214 Upon receipt of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other credible evidence showing a Veteran has been released from active duty, ensure VA properly discontinued benefits effective the day the Veteran returned to active duty, and notify the Veteran that VA will reinstate his/her benefits effective the day following release from active duty if the Veteran submits a claim for reinstatement within one year of that date. f. Action to Take Upon Receipt of a for Reinstatement of Compensation Follow the steps in the table below upon receipt of a claim for reinstatement of compensation from a Veteran who is no longer on active duty. Step Action 1 Use DPRIS or VIS to confirm the date the Veteran was discharged from active duty. 2 Undertake development to obtain service treatment records (STRs) for the period(s) of service the Veteran most recently completed by following the instructions in M21-1, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2. 3 If the Veteran is claiming reinstatement only, and all of his/her SC disabilities are static (no future review examination is indicated on the most recent rating decision), establish EP 290, and proceed to Step 6. Exception: If VA accepted the for reinstatement as a Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) or Quick Start claim, use EP 297. 4 Establish EP 020 if the Veteran has an SC disability that is not static, or is claiming an increased disability rating, or service connection for a new disability, and submits the claim for reinstatement on a prescribed form. Exception: If VA accepted the claim for reinstatement as a BDD or Quick Start claim, use EP 021 (BDD), or 027 (Quick Start).