---
title: "Part VIII, Subpart iv, Chapter 9, Section A Claims Based on Participation in Special Operations Incidents"
document: "M-21-1"
section: "Part VIII, Subpart iv, Chapter 9, Section A"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/viii.iv.9.a-claims-based-on-participation-in-special-operations"
source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000177488/M21-1-Part-VIII-Subpart-iv-Chapter-9-Section-A-Claims-Based-on-Participation-in-Special-Operations-Incidents"
updated: "2026-09-07T14:37:42.057628Z"
---

April 29, 2025  

### VIII.iv.9.A.1.a. Definition: Special Operations

**_Special Operations_** are small-scale covert or overt military operations of an unorthodox and frequently high-risk nature, to include training, undertaken to achieve significant political or military objectives in support of foreign policy. Special Operations units are

  * typically composed of relatively small groups of highly-trained, armed personnel, and
  * often transported by helicopter, small boats, or submarines, or parachute from aircraft for stealthy infiltration. 

**Examples:** 

  * U.S. Army’s Special Forces, commonly called the “Green Berets.”
  * U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams (SEALs).
  * U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Squadrons.
  * U.S. Marine Corps Raiders.
  * U.S. Army Rangers.
  * 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

**Note:** Some Special Operations, such as counter-terrorism actions, may be carried out domestically under certain circumstances.  

### VIII.iv.9.A.1.b. Adjudicating Claims Related to Special Operations Incidents

Follow the steps in the table below to obtain records and decide a claim when a Veteran claims that an injury or disability occurred during a Special Operations assignment. | **Step**| **Action**  
1| 

  * Generate and send a subsequent development letter to the Veteran by selecting the SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT development action.
  * Allow 30 days for a response then go to Step 2.

**Note:** This notice is required unless the information requested in the letter is already of record.  
2| Did the Veteran provide the information requested or is it otherwise of record in the claims folder?

  * If _yes_ , go to Step 3.
  * If _no_ , go to Step 7.

3| 

  * Add the _Specialized Records Request_ special issue indicator, and
  * route the claim to the Regional Office (RO) Research Coordinator.

4| The RO Research Coordinator must proceed with routine research to attempt to verify the event using available resources. Did research result in credible supporting evidence the claimed event occurred?

  * If _yes_ , go to Step 6.
  * If _no_ , 
    * submit a research request to the Veterans Benefits Administration Records Acquisition and Research (RAR) through the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), and
    * remove the _Specialized Records Request_ special issue indicator.

**Reference:** For more information on using VBMS to submit requests to RAR, see the _VBMS Core User Guide_.  
5| Did the RAR response result in additional credible supporting evidence the claimed event occurred?

  * If yes, go to Step 6.
  * If no, got to Step 7.

 6| Review the evidence of record to determine whether a compensation examination is warranted.  
7| 

  * Decide the claim based on the evidence in the claims folder.
  * In the decision notice,
    * advise the Veteran that the Department of Veterans Affairs was unable to verify an incident in service related to the claimed disability, and if applicable,
    * identify the information that is still needed to verify the incident.

**Important:** 

  * For special operations involving U.S. Navy SEALs, the specific name of the SEAL Team is required in the RAR research request.

  * When a Veteran was attached to a special operations unit, provide RAR with the Veteran’s primary unit of assignment as well as the special operations unit to which the Veteran was attached.