Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 1, Section BControl of Future Examinations

should be scheduled immediately, or during the current month

select AT ONCE.

should be scheduled at a later date

• select FUTURE DATE, and
  • enter the future examination date in the FUTURE DATE field.

Note: The earliest date allowed is the first day of the following month. If an earlier examination is required, select AT ONCE.

is not warranted

select STATIC DISABILITY (NO EXAM).

• there is an active corporate record, and
• another future examination diary is not currently pending

the ADD NEW DIARY button in VBMS with a diary reason Future Physical Examination.Note: A future examination diary cannot be added for a date greater than five years in the future.

• there is not an active corporate record, and
• the examination date is neither
  • less than 10 days in the future, nor
  • greater than one year in the future

a future pending issue under EP 310, established in VBMS.

the future examination cannot be controlled by either method described above

a local diary.Note: Individual regional offices may exercise discretion in the manner in which they control these cases.

1

Is it necessary to advance the date of the examination(s) in question?

• If yes , go to the next step.
• If no , go to Step 3.

2

Use the table below to determine the appropriate action. If the pending reexamination control is an ... Then ...

EP 310

• change the EP control to an EP 330
• establish a new future examination control
  • using VBMS diary reason _ Future Physical Examination_, and
  • entering the associated diagnostic code(s) (DC(s)) in the COMMENT field
• add a system note including the
  • reason(s) for postponing, and
  • new future examination date
• do not prepare or refer for preparation of a rating decision
• clear EP 330, and
• disregard the remaining steps in this table.

810 series work item

• clear the work item
• establish an EP 330 using the date of the 810 series work item as the date of claim (DOC)
• establish a new future examination control
  • using VBMS diary reason _ Future Physical Examination_, and
  • entering the associated DC(s) in the COMMENT field
• add a system note including the
  • reason(s) for postponing, and
  • new future examination date
• do not prepare or refer for preparation of a rating decision
• clear EP 330, and
• disregard the remaining steps in this table.

3

Use the table below to determine the appropriate action. If the pending reexamination control is an ... Then ...

EP 310

go to the next step.

810 series work item

• establish EP 310
  • use the date on the 810 series work item as the DOC
  • ensure the SUPPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER checkbox is selected
  • clear the 810 series work item, and
  • go to the next step.

Notes:

• Do not establish a separate EP 310 if another rating EP is already pending for the specific disability under review. Instead, complete all necessary action under the existing EP.

• If a beneficiary submits a claim for the same specific disability under review while EP 310 is pending for reexamination purposes,

  • cancel EP 310, and

  • establish the appropriate alternative rating EP for control and completion of all necessary development actions.

4

Is it necessary to proceed with the examination(s) in question?

• If yes , request any and all examinations needed.
• If no , prepare or refer for a rating decision to establish permanency in accordance with procedures outlined in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 2.A.

has been resolved by rating action since the time of the EP 310’s generation

• cancel EP 310, and
• add a permanent note in VBMS, explaining why no action was necessary.

exists because the 100-percent disability in question has been granted under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1151

• activate the 1151 P &T corporate flash to prevent the unnecessary generation of future review tasks, and
  • cancel EP 310.

Reference: For more information on accessing corporate flashes, see the VBMS Core User Guide.

leads to the conclusion, upon review, that additional future examination(s) of one or more SC disabilities is/are required before the case may be rated as to permanency

• establish future examination control in accordance with procedures discussed in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.1.c
• cancel EP 310, and
• add a permanent note in VBMS to explain the actions taken.

involves none of the variables outlined in rows above

• order any examinations deemed necessary, and
• complete a rating decision under EP 310, addressing the targeted disability's evaluation and/or permanency, as appropriate.